What the?

Who could it be sleeping soundly in the crib?

Our own Little C, who else? :)

I guess he got a little bit nervous sleeping in his own bed and climbed into the abandoned crib instead.

Oh... funny.



Gradual

Notice how my face goes from "trying to ignore you so you'll stop" to

"Ahhhh... he's never going to stop!"

(The Beloved thinks it is funny to takes pictures of me over and over and over again, with the flash on, while I'm in my "sleepy -it's after ten o'clock - can't handle any teasing" phase.

What a stinker. :)

Some of Us are Ready for Christmas...

and others prefer to remain in super hero status.

Little C turns 9

We started out Little C's big day eating breakfast with Santa.

Getting acquainted with Santa

Santa singing the abc's with Lou and Ruckus

The boys had their faces painted "holiday style" after breakfast adjourned.

It was hilarious watching them hold so still while their art was being created.

Birthday Boy

Sidenote: Lou washed off his face before the party because he insisted he appeared a bit too girly. :)

Onto the party:

Little C goofing around with his best buddy from school

Being thrown into the pit

I even played a little bit... and fell on my face two seconds after this photo was taken while trying to stand up. Sweet.

Do you love how almost all the girls are on one side and the boys on the other?

Little C and the crowd so excited to start opening gifts.

Little C posing with his guitar from Buckabu and Papa.

Little C couldn't have loved his b-day more; surrounded by loved ones and friends.

This year for his b-day he got a cell phone (without service) and the last Diary of a Wimpy Kid book from his parents, an awesome remote control helicopter from Grandma and Grandpa, a WWE wrestling ring from his brothers, a guitar from Buckabu and Papa, and way too many other presents from his friends. :)

After Party:

Little C wanted me to take his picture when he got home - doing his best to imitate Justin Bieber. (But Shhhh.... I didn't tell you that)

Little C aka: magilicutty,
 I know every year I probably say the same thing, but I can't believe you're this big. How have nine years gone by so quickly? You are growing like a weed and it has got to stop my friend. You are our early riser and love to get the mornings started by about 7 sometimes 6:30 a.m. You are into collectibles and take every opportunity to start a new collection. You even helped Lou decide on a collection to begin - the both of you chose pine cones :) so he now has a large bag of them underneath his bed. Teasing is your middle  name and has a very distinct laugh that goes along with it,  it automatically tattletales that you're up to no good. Sorry buddy. But, more often, nurturer can also be your middle name. You take the time to make your brothers chocolate milk and serve them up various goodies. You make them forts and entertain them for hours. A couple weeks ago when we were raking up leaves I lost my patience with Lou a little bit for not doing his share. You took the time to go over and speak to him and help him rake up his pile. I was very proud of you. You handled the situation far better than I did. You love to sing and are dying to be famous. You and your closest cousin on my side of the family will speak for hours on the phone discussing your band, and how many hits you'll get whenever you put your first music video on YouTube. :) You love your family. Last week I went and volunteered in your classroom and observed  the students assignment to choose an object in the class and describe it by using adjectives. The goal was for the class to guess your object. Your clues went as follows:
It's lovable.
It's in my family.
It's in the classroom.
Your fellow peers quickly guessed you were describing me.
So sweet.
Remember that you think that when you're a teenager :).
In the summer you would be outside every moment if possible -
riding your bike, skateboard, rip stick, scooter, whatever you can get your hands on.
I know your roll can be hard; being the oldest. I know it requires much responsibility and high expectations, sometimes it's hard to find a balance. You do a really good job. We appreciate you and love your little self so much!
I love you sweetheart.
Happy Birthday kiddo.
Love,
Mama

Finishing up Thanksgiving Post

Kids table

My beautiful eldest sister and her spouse of love

He was hungry.... :)

Cute parentals

Cleaning crew

Very intense Wii marathon (do you love the goggles on my nieces head?)

.... marathon continuing forward

Ruckus taking time to feed the baby calf with his uncle

We loved Thanksgiving!

Thanks dear sister for being an excellent hostess.

We loved spending the holiday at your abode.

Christmas Photo Shoot 2011

A special thanks to The Beloved's employee who was our very patient and talented photographer!

Thanksgiving Football

On The Beloved's side of the Fam they have a big football event on Thanksgiving day. Since this year we celebrated Thanksgiving with my family we tried to honor his tradition by putting on a game ourselves... or maybe we just copied them a bit because it's just so fun... :)

Everybody in their stance, waiting to play some serious defense.

Lou giving an uncle high five

The Beloved and Lou. What a good papa.

Little C and Lou waiting patiently for the man down to recover

#1 Fan

My eldest sister staying warm by our dad.

Buckabu and my niece (who's way too grown up)

The Baby hanging out in his car seat; protected from the cold.

Papa left us to find a warmer location for the fans to sit. This is what he came up with... :) but we were protected from the wind.

Then he ditched  us... can't imagine why?

So we decided we preferred the wind to the scent coming from the lavatories and moved our little hind ends back the previous location.

High fiving the Lou Dog.

This cousin did a super job.

Good game Little C.

Hanging out and resting after the game:

The Beloved and Ruckus

Lou and cousin playing with princesses and dinos in the hallway

Cousins, cousins, cousins.

My cute little parentals.

Thanksgiving dinner pictures to come -

:)