Dinner Conversation

Talon loves football- especially the Seattle Seahawks, and is a huge Russell Wilson fan. (For those of you who don't know, he is their rookie quarter back).  Talon runs through the house constantly throwing passes, catching passes, getting tackled, calling plays... he LOVES football.  He reminds us frequently how he is "just like Russell Wilson".

You see the resemblance, don't you?!

  When Talon first started playing the Wii, he loved Mario Bros.  In fact, he asked that we call him 'Mario'.  When Kaitlyn would call out his name, he would correct her... "No, I'm Mario. Can you please call me Mario, Sissy?"

Well, yesterday Anthony made the comment to me, "I wonder when Talon's gonna ask us to start calling him Russell Wilson". So last night at the dinner table we had a little conversation...

Me: "Talon, if you could name yourself, what would your name be?"
Talon: "Nolan."
Me: "You like the name 'Nolan', huh?"
Talon: "Yeah!"
Me: "Kaitlyn, what would your name be if you could pick your name?"
Kaitlyn: "Kaitlyn!"
Me: "You like your name?"
Kaitlyn: "Yeah, it's pretty for me!"

I wasn't even going to ask Nolan, I figured he wouldn't understand. But he piped up immediately and said, "I be Suuuuuzie!"
Me: "Your name would be Suzie?"
Nolan: "Yep!  I be Suzie!"

Needless to say, we had a good laugh.  That kid doesn't miss a thing!

Christmas Week 2012

On Christmas Eve, we celebrated with just our little family. The kids got in their jammies, I took a ton of pictures, and they got to open their presents from us.  It was great!

I love all of these pictures of the kids in front of the fireplace.  They were so excited and had so many different expressions, I couldn't choose just one or two, so I'm posting them all!

Nolan wanted to hold his stocking...

...then he gave up the stocking for Pooh Bear.

Love this one!!

Then we moved to the front room to take pictures in front of the tree...

What a goofy bunch!

And now for the fun part....PRESENTS!!!

Talon and Nolan both got Seattle Seahawk jerseys.  They were so excited! 

Of course, they had to put them on immediately!

...and they both got a football.

Kaitlyn's big gift was a Lego Hello Kitty doll house with a bunch of extra sets to make it a little village.  She loves it!

Natalie got a new doll, clothes, and some other fun toys.  She has a bit of a hair fetish... she loves to pull it and wind it around her fingers.  Now she can pull her doll's hair all she wants!
She also went for all the wrapping paper and boxes that covered the floor!
Happy 1st Christmas, Baby Girl!!

This is the view she had of me while I was standing over her taking these pictures.

And I had to take some pictures of the mantle after the lights were out and everyone was in bed.  I finally have a fireplace where I can hang the stockings!! *big smile*

I love the big family get togethers on the holidays, but there's just something special about having my little family together, and celebrating Christmas with just the six of us!

On Christmas Day, we had Christmas at our house with some of Anthony's family.  Shade, Beth, and the kids came, and Brian and Cora came with their family later on in the evening.  Mom Starr was really sick on Christmas Eve and Christmas morning, so they weren't able to come until later in the evening as well.
It was a nice, relaxing day.  The kids played, and played, and played some more.  The rest of us ate, and ate, and ate....
We did a White Elephant gift exchange with the older kids and adults, and the younger kids just exchanged gifts.  We had a lot of fun!

The kids trying out a new game they got.

Natalie and Aunt Beth

Happy girl with Papa!

Having fun with Uncle Brian

Getting some loves from cousin Ashley and Aunt Cora

Kaitlyn having fun with part of my White Elephant gift... a head scratcher!

Playing "Climb the tree".

Nolan was a pro.  He climbed right up the first time!

We had Christmas with my family on the 26th.  Let's just say, by the time the week was done, these kids were pretty much spoiled! Being so excited about their jerseys, of course, they had to wear them whenever someone new came over.  The washer became quite familiar with these garments in a very short time!

Natalie and Uncle Jeremy

Instead of a big meal, we opted for soup, salads, and finger foods.
Yes, I am rolling my eyes at my brother.  My sister snapped this one, and since it's the only one of us together, well....

Getting some snuggles from Aunt Donna

These kids love Uncle Jeremy!

Grandma lovin' on her babies!

Kaitlyn and Auntie Melanie

More pictures of the kids in front of the tree....

Donna expecting Baby James.  34 weeks and counting!!!

We had a great night, though we were sad that Justin had to work and wasn't able to come!
The kids got worn out from playing.... and wore everyone else out!
What a great week of celebration and family time!
We hope everyone had a very

MERRY CHRISTMAS 2012!!!