Jonathan and Chris's travels

A couple of days after Christmas, Chris and Jonathan took a special "boys only" trip out to Illinois- to see family for about 5 days. Jonathan was overjoyed at taking a plane JUST with Daddy and getting to see Grandma Mary, Grandpa Dave and all his cousins (of whom he prays for every night)! I know that a good time was had by all as Jonathan still talks about the many fun experiences he had on his trip. How could he not, when Grandma Mary and Aunt Amy read book after book after book to him? And, all his cousins taught him games on the I-pad? Or how to create more Star Wars lego structures? Or all the things he could fight with nerf guns? I know that both he and Chris had a blast!Grandma Mary and JonathanJonathan with some of his "girl cousins" (Emily and Samantha)Jonathan with Aunt Amy and one his "boy cousins," Hayden... playin' on the I-pad and computer

Aunt Amy and cousin, Emily, teaching Jonathan how to read

Christmas baking and eating GOOD food!

As you may know, cooking and baking is one of my favorite things to do. If I am having an extremely stressful day or my day is entirely packed with things... I always have to find time to relax by cooking. So, I am overjoyed when Christmas rolls around as that means lots of cooking and baking, especially of really yummy goodies.

This year was especially fun as the kids could and wanted to help out a lot more in the kitchen. They helped with the cinnamon rolls for Christmas morning, banana bread for just because, dinner rolls for Christmas day, sugar cookies, chex mix and chocolate mint sandwich cookies... all of which were enjoyed by us but we shared with neighbors, too. The culmination of it all, for me, was Christmas Eve. After we celebrated Our Savior's birth at Mass we came back and enjoyed a fondue dinner. I had read in a couple of magazines a few weeks prior that some families hold that in their traditions during their holidays. And since we were given a fondue pot for our wedding, that had yet to be used, I figured I would give it a shot. It was awesome! I grilled up some steaks for Chris and I, already had the goods (i.e. crusty bread, broccoli, carrots and apples) cut up and ready to dip and warmed up the cheese. The kids had a blast dipping and eating!

Of course, Abby was content sitting, watching and munching on some toddler crackers

For dessert, of course there was chocolate fondue... YUMM-O! It was super messy but TOTALLY worth it! We dipped marshmallows, chocolate pound cake, sugar cookies, pretzels, strawberries, bananas and apples:

Catherine has asked multiple times since Christmas Eve if we can have fondue again and if she can eat like an adult (we let her use a glass plate and fondue fork, ha ha!) some time soon! It must have been a hit. I know I enjoyed it! I think Our Lord was pleased that we all had such a fun time as a family enjoying some extra yummy treats!

SUPER cute!

Alright, I know I'm a little bias... but I pulled out the walker for Abby to use this past week... and she has been SO HAPPY playing with it! You just gotta watch the video and look at the pics.

It's good that she has some helpers! ha ha

Thanksgiving

... yes, I know it was about a month ago we celebrated this wonderful holiday; but, still it's fun to post pictures and reminiscience about the wonderful time we had.

We were able to visit my parents down in Colorado Springs from Wednesday thru Friday evening.

Abby planning out her Black Friday shopping

Happy Granddaddy with Happy Abby

It was a nice time of cooking, crafts, watching football and some great movies, chatting and of course, eating yummy food!

My sister and her son are in town for awhile (as my brother-in-law has been deployed for the next few months), so it was great for our family to spend time with them. Jonathan hadn't met Jackson yet (as he is only 5 months old); luckily he loves babies so he give him enough attention to last the rest of the year. ha ha Catherine, too, adores Jackson and give him quite the attention.

Yes, Jackson is a boy. And, yes, he is in a pink bouncy seat... but he liked it!

The trend, too, these days is not only time with Grammy and Grandaddy equal extra special yummy goodies, but also really fun crafts.This time around my mom bought treasure chests to be painted. Once painted they got to fill them up with chocolate coins!

After the weekend, we found ourselves extremely thankful for the families God has blessed us with (near and far)... our children, parents, siblings, grandparents, etc... Happy (belated) Thanksgiving and thanks to you all for your love, support and prayers! We love you!

Great helpers!

Lately, I've been super (a word that Jonathan uses many, many times a day) appreciative of the older kids assistance around the house. Take for instance last night, after dinner Catherine jumped up from the table eager to help put dirty dishes in the dishwasher and condiments back in the refrigerator. Or, today after lunch they both swept the floor of all the crumbs. I'm really hoping and praying this excitment for being "super helpers" will continue for years to come (but, probably not... I'll take it while I can, though)

Another adorable thing that Jonathan has been excited about lately, is giving Abby her afternoon bottle. He loves it! Abby loves it! And, I love it! It frees me up to finish important things, like my afternoon cup of coffee. ha ha Truly, it is adorable!

Happy Abby

Someone asked me the other day, after viewing some of the pictures on the blog, "Is Abby really that smiley?" And, I have to admit that she is... except when she's tired, hungry or has just been hit on the head by someone or some toy. :-)

Here are some more pictures to prove it.

I think she's mostly happy in this picture... Jonathan and Catherine thought it would be cute to "dress her up," with some bling and a hat! I thought it was hilarious!

Funny Faces!

So, the other day the kids wanted to make funny faces in the camera... I gotta say some of them are pretty hilarious!

Wait, this isn't a funny face... it's a cute face. :-)