Papi's Visit

This past weekend we got a long overdue visit from Papi. It had been over a year since we had seen him in Pennsylvania and needless to say my boys were very excited to see him! Derrik was working when he arrived Friday morning so the boys and I went to get him.

My boys waiting for Papi walk out of the terminal

So happy he's finally here!!!

That night Derrik had to officiate some basketball games so we tagged along at the end of them so Ronnie could see Derrik in action, and we all went to dinner together after.

Hanging out in the stands

Saturday morning was our last t-ball game. I am so sad our season is over. Ryder came such a long way, but we have basketball season right around the corner after the holidays!

Ryder trying to get his bubby to look for a picture

throwing a ball to home

going to catch a ball

Go Team Orange! Great Season boys!!!

The Four Boys :)

Landon didn't take long to warm up to his Papi at all :)

Pooped out after his game as usual.

Nini thank you so much for his snowman toy! Both boys loveee it!

After naps after t-ball we all spent some time in the pool

He's pretty into his tongue lately

So my family are Dolphins fans and Derrik's family are Eagles fans.

They played each other this weekend and here Ryder is telling Papi the Dolphins were going to win

Butt Head not wanting his picture taken

The four guys again

Playing some basketball Sunday afternoon

Landon watching everyone play basketball....

Check out that hair once again

Papi-

Thanks for a great visit! We hope it's not too long until we see you again. The boys miss you so much already!!!

O' Christmas Tree

A Christmas tree?!?! That sounds like fun!! Let's get it up!!!

The hard working elves taking a quick break to let Mommy take a picture

I know this is slightly blurry, but I still had to share

Ryder was such an amazing helper this year. He hung every single ball. Such a change from two years ago when he just threw them all and broke them. I love the Christmas spirit inside him :)

Brutus was watching over us as we got the tree up :)

Attempt at a family photo with our tree

Attempt #2

We're all ready for you Santa!

(I realized Landon's stocking was reversed of ours when we hung them, and we have since ordered and hung his matching one.)

I've done a dated ornament every year our family has changed

2006: Our first Christmas together - we were engaged two months later

2008 - Ryder joined our family

2010 - I had a little baby in my belly waiting to make his arrival

2011 - What we think will be our last updated ornament with the addition of Landon :)

We have a ton of photo ornaments on our tree, and my goal is to one day have it be all custom/handmade ornaments.

Ryder and I worked on that this week with these additions

(we are still working on one of Landon's)

And Ryder's first Christmas project at school.... I love it!

Lots more holiday updates to come!

2011 Family Photos

Moving, Mustaches, Medals, and an Elf

MOVING:

Yeah... our little guy is moving... on the go... army crawling... whatever you want to call it. He is getting where he wants to go, and it's getting faster by the day. He's starting to get his legs underneath him, getting his belly more off the ground, and his arms higher up every time he gets the chacne to crawl. My prediction is that by Christmas we will have to be 100% baby proofed in this house!!

It was this night we decided that moving my childhood dog's ashes off the shelf might be a good idea.

This picture has nothing to do with the post title, but I love watching my boys be nice to each other.

MUSTACHES

My boys and I at dinner Friday night. We were out with a couple of my sisters friends. They were full of it and bought fake mustaches out of the coin machine...

What do you think? Does it make him look older? :)

MEDALS

Ryder got his medal for t-ball yesterday. This is the best picture he would give me so I guess it'll have to do. The last game is next Saturday. Ryder has really progressed this season in understanding the game, but even more so in learning to play with friends and listen to people other then us (some days). We've truly enjoyed every Saturday morning out at the t-ball field and will miss it. Basketball starts in January!!

THE ELF

Have you heard of The Elf of the Shelf? For anyone that hasn't, a quick overview. The Elf on a Shelf is a book (and movie now) that tells the story of an elf that comes every Thanksgiving. Once he is given a name he gains his magic. Every night he flies to the North Pole to tell Santa if you are being naughty or nice. He then comes back in the morning before the kids wake up in a new place every morning. No one is allowed to touch him or he'll lose his magic. Ryder named his elf Brutus last year after one of our favorite monster trucks. This is our first year really participating, and Ryder loves it! He can't wait to find where Brutus landed from his trip to the North Pole the night before. Some people get really creative with notes and fun things the elf messed up before. I'm thinking we might save that for another year since we have lots of Elf on the Shelf years ahead of us :)

Brutus's resting spot yesterday

We are in full Christmas mode around these parts... the house is decorated, Christmas t-shirt and pj's being worn quite often, outside lights are up, trees are going up tonight, advent calendars are made and hung, almost all presents are bought, and my Christmas cards get here tomorrow for me to mail out! I loveee this time of year!!!

My Sick Babies

I hate when my boys are sick. It makes me so sad... except one thing... they are much more cuddly then usual... here is some evidence of life the past month around our house...

We hadn't used a swing in months! We sold ours, but thankfully my mom still had here's. It's been my savior this week!!

Things are starting to look up around here...

Just in time for the Christmas holiday to start!!

Someone is VERY excited for Christmas... can you guess who?!