Annual Christmas Party at the Lokers!

A couple weekends ago was our annual Christmas party with our Chelsea friends at Laura and Bills house. And as always, we all had a blast together!! It's crazy to think that Brett has known these kids since he was a baby/toddler...and now look at them all! We may not see these wonderful families as often as we would like, but no matter how long it is between our visits, we always start right back up where we left off :-) 

After eating dinner and going to the holiday parade downtown, the kids eagerly sat in front of the beautiful Christmas tree, waiting for their gifts :-) What a great bunch of kids!

Then it was time for presents!! The boys were stoked because they each got a "Switch and Go Dino". Those little things kept them busy the rest of the night!

Lucas and Brett were way too busy to look at the camera for a picture (and Kevin too!)! 

Next, the kids got on their Christmas PJ's and watched Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer. As you can see, the boys were still completely enthralled in their new toys! 

Smile! :-)

After the movie, the kids ran off to play some more. When I went to check on them a little while later, Brett instantly exclaimed "No adults aloud! This room is for kids only!" Yep, it's already starting. Before I left, I quickly took these pictures of them in action :-) I wonder what they were saying??

Busy bees!

Heidi got special cuddle time with Nolan later in the night, and I couldn't resist taking a few pictures of that cutie pie with his mama :-) So sweet!

Love his smile! Also, crazy to think that next year he will be running around with the big kids! 

Thanks to Laura and Bill for hosting such a fun party! Maybe next year I will remember to get a shot of all the adults - ha!

A Visit with Santa Claus!

Santa came to visit Chelsea for Hometown Holiday's last weekend, and Brett couldn't wait to see him! All day long he kept asking, "Is it time to see Santa? Can we go now?!". I loved his enthusiasm, but also new that once the time actually came to see the big burly man with the white beard, his attitude might chance. That's what happened last year. But not this year...this year his excitement continued, and the magic and wonder in his eyes never left his sweet face. 

The train depot was absolutely packed while waiting to see Santa. We were only able to get in a couple crafts because there was just no room to move! It was pure craziness, and as soon as we walked in I wished we could turn around and walk right back out....but we didn't. We stayed with our friends amidst the complete chaos and let Brett soak it all in. After doing the crafts, we realized we still had about an hour wait to see Santa. Brett's friends, Leo and Hazel, had come with us so their parent's could go to a holiday party, and I could tell they were ready to go. I told Brett about the long wait and that we could just see Santa at the mall another day - but there was no deterring him - he had his mind set on seeing Santa and was willing to wait as long as it took. Kyle took Leo and Hazel back to our house, and I stayed with Brett while we waited...and waited....to see the Mr. Claus. Brett confidently went through the line, patiently waiting for his turn to be the one up there with the magical fellow known as Santa Claus :-) 

And finally, it was his turn.

First things, first. Giving Santa his Christmas list :-)

"Mmmm, what do we have here?"

"I see you want an airplane, legos, and a fire truck!"

Definitely worth the wait...definitely :-)

Christmas is in the Air!

Every year, on the weekend after Thanksgiving, we head to Urquhart's Christmas Tree Farm to pick out our Christmas tree. We absolutely love it there and always find our perfect tree :-)  And now that Brett is a little older, he definitely has his opinions on what tree he wants to take home! And practically every tree we look at is "the perfect one" as Brett says :-) So, if it were up to him we'd be in and out a lot quicker because they're all pretty magical to him. But Kyle and I? We'll find one we like right off the bat, but of course we have to keep looking in case we find one we like better...and this goes on and on for about 45 minutes until we finally get cold and realize it is time to make a decision. And I have to say, in the four years we've gotten our tree at Urquhart's, we have never once been disappointed by our choice. Their tree's are beautiful!

As soon as we found a wagon, Brett was ready to go!

The walk out to the field is one of my favorite parts...everything is so still and peaceful, and we are all filled with anticipation as to which tree will come home with us :-)

Brett was all smiles :-)

Here we are, posing in front of one of the many tree's we liked.

More searching...

Finally, The One! 

Christmas is definitely in the air at our house, and I love it!

Some Brett pictures :-)

So, I've been told that I've majorly been slacking on the blog lately. The truth is, I've majorly been slacking on taking pictures so that's why I haven't been posting much lately. We've just been so busy, and now that Brett is getting older and not changing as fast, I forget how important it still is to capture the every day activities. While looking through my camera today, I came across these cute pics that I thought could tide everyone over until the Christmas festivities begin. I swear, my sweet boy just keeps getting more and more handsome as the days go by, and my love for him continues to grow. He has my heart, that's for sure :-)

Playing in the leaves is always a favorite activity in the fall!

I love this picture of my two boys!! Brett was trying on his Uncle Casey's Railroad hat from when he was a little boy :-)

One evening when I was out for the night, Brett and Kyle made a costume for "Penguin". Brett was so proud and carried it around all night :-)

Brett and Brynara had fun painting one afternoon after school. Brett decided he wanted to paint his birdhouse "Christmas colors", and Brynara had fun decorating her box with pink, purple, and glitter (total girl!). 

Brett worked very hard and insisted on painting the whole thing himself :-)

After painting the birdhouse, Brett ran into the living room, grabbed his Front End Loader, and told me what colors he needed to paint it. He is my little artist these days!

Halloween Part 2! Trick or Treating in our Neighborhood!

As much fun as Brett had at his preschool Halloween Party, he was even more excited for the real deal! Pretty much from the moment he got up that morning he was raring to go! It was a long day of keeping him busy and occupied until daddy got home and it was finally time to get his costume on and go trick or treating. The past couple years we've gone trick or treating with friends, but this year everyone seemed to have their own time frame and plans, so it was just the three of us. And I have to admit, it was kinda nice  :-) Brett was able to make all the decisions of where to go and how long to be out (until his bucket was full and heavy!), plus we still saw lots of neighbors along the way, so we still had some social time :-) Brett did miss going with friends though, so next year we will be sure to plan ahead!

It was wet and rainy out (but way warmer than last year!) so our neighborhood was quieter than usual. Come on people, a little rain won't hurt you! :-) I'll take a rainy Halloween any day over freezing cold temperatures...plus we had our handy dandy umbrella with us which kept us dry :-)

Our first stop, Leo and Hazels house right across the street :-)

"Trick or Treat!"

Brett dumped his candy out as soon as we got home, ate a few pieces, and then excitedly sat at the front door waiting for more trick or treaters :-) 

Thank goodness more people came because Brett LOVED handing out candy and checking out the costumes :-)

Happy Halloween 2013!

Halloween Part 1 - Trick or Treating at Preschool!

Last Wednesday, the day before Halloween, Brett celebrated this creative holiday at his preschool. After snack, the kids played games, dressed up in their costumes, listened to spooky stories, and even went trick or treating around the room!

My Little Fire Chief was all ready for the festivities to begin!

But before all the fun, a picture of his class was in order! Here he is sitting next to his policeman buddy, Max :-)

I think I cut some of his class off in this picture, but here is part of his preschool all dressed up. SO cute! Lily the Chicken was on of my favorites:-)

After taking pictures it was time for some Halloween stories! Brett always likes to sit right up front :-)

And then it was time for the real fun to begin....trick or treating!! 

And of course Brett's teachers had some loot too!

And lastly, it was time to go through his bag and see all the cool stuff he got! The ghost from Mrs. Aldrich was a big hit!

Brett was one happy boy with all the trinkets and candy he got! Love him so much!!