Go Pack Go!

In support of my hubby and the majority of his fam!!!!

GO PACK GO!

Couple of Cuties!

The weekend before I went back to work, we took the kids to get their pictures taken.  It was supposed to be Addy's 18 month pictures...I was just a month late!  We decided to bring Blake with to get some of the 2 of them, however - they started taking adorable pictures of Blake so we bought some of him too.  I decided it was close enough to him being 3 months, we'd just call it good there!

We went to Portrait Innovations, and I must say I was very impressed!  They got some awesome shots of both kids.  The only thing I would say is that it was a bit overwhelming to choose the photos.  I wasn't sure what I was doing as far as selecting pictures (you have to choose right there and then get them within 30 minutes).  I feel as though if I had more time, I would have picked a few other pictures than what I got...however, we did get a CD.  But I think there is a watermark that we don't see on it because they indicated if we wanted another photo, we'd have to go back there to print it. 

This mama is biased of course, but I love these little faces!

I had to put this picture in because it shows the pictures we get from Addy almost every time the camera is out.  It's her "CHEEEEESE" face!  It shows how well the photographer did up above at getting this silly girl's natural smile!

Ugh, my dang computer isn't letting me upload this picture again rotated so it isn't sideways...but this is one of my favs of Blake!

Funny thing...we were trying to get a picture of the kids in the nice gray background, but Addy was over taking pictures then.  So, the photographer asked if we could do a football background for Blake, and changed the scenery and put the football with Blake (like in the pic above). 

Addy totally wanted in on the football pictures and wanted to hold the football.  Sooo, really the only good pictures we got of the kids together are with them holding footballs.  Hey, whatever works!  And, she wouldn't smile anymore...oh well!

Monday Monday...

 Today I go back to work...yeah yeah yeah I'm up early.  It's time to hit the showers, but I'm just taking a breather before the stress hits.  I'm trying not to get emotional -- had no tears yesterday.  But here I am, ready to start my day and getting a knot in my throat.  I mean, who would want to hang out in an office when you have these little ones to love on?

Sigh...it's just a matter of getting back into the swing of thigns...and I am not quite sure I'm ready for that.  But ready or not, here it comes.

HAPPY MONDAY EVERYONE!!!!

Christmas #3: Home!

I have posted our other Christmas's today right below this post...so check them out.  Lots of pics, not TOO much "talking"! 

Santa came to our house after Christmas when we were home from Michigan. We've already talked to Santa, and next year he will make sure to arrive on Christmas day, so that when we arrive home from Michigan, everything is there.  :)

They got a kitchen, which has already occupied Addy lots of times and I think it was a wonderful choice of gift from Santa! I know it'll occupy Blake in the future, 'cause I watch my nephews play with their kitchens too!  Other than that - they got outfits, the game Candyland, 2 Disney books of short stories, and Addy got play-doh & coloring stuff; Blake got a tool box toy for future use & a stuff moose.  We're hoping it helps be his "comfort" like Addalyn's bear is for her!

Just posing under the tree one night with their Christmas shirts on

Our tree with the gifts from us and Santa under :)

Blake with his stocking loot!

Fashion diva!  She opened Candy Land, Coloring stuff, and such before this, but this is the first present she opened that made her hug and cuddle her gift!

She opened Blake's presents for him...and after each one Addy would bring them to Blake

Blake had fallen asleep after the stockings were open - but here he is with all of his gifts that Addy piled on him!  Of course, the toy he got she kept for herself :) 

The next morning...kitchen is assembled and there are 2 other gifts from Santa!  (they were some fruit for her kitchen and some "refrigerator" food)

Christmas #2: Michigan!

As always, we spend the actual day/days around Christmas in Michigan.  We arrived on Christmas Eve this year.  We went to church with Tammy, Ed & their kids Brandon and Alesha.  The night after mass was us relaxing at home while Aaron's sisters spent time with their other side of the family and Lowell was at Robin's for her family Christmas.

Saturday we woke up and Addy opened some gifts along with the O'Brien's (Tammy, Ed, Brandon, Alesha).  We spent the day relaxing and playing games.  Aaron and I took Addy outside for some fresh air and then in the evening we had a turkey dinner with Aaron's sisters Tammy & Tina and their families - opened gifts from everyone, and played some games again. 

Sunday we had a VERY TIRED little girl on our hands so the day was spent trying to get her in a better mood and get some naps in her!  In the evening we had the Anderson Christmas - and then we headed home on Monday.

Addalyn was great with all of her cousins - which was very fun to see since she doesn't see them as much.  They all got along great...and they humored her by watching numerous episodes of Dora over and over :)  Thanks for keeping her occupied Brandon, Alesha, Jeffrey, Anthony & Holly!



What Addalyn and her daddy did most of Christmas mass...walked around the gym at the church.  She was really into the mass when there was singing at the beginning (even cheered "Yeah" after one song which made the entire congregation laugh)...but then it got old for her I guess!



Handsome little man in his Christmas outfit!

Addy under papa Lowell's tree!

Opening gifts Christmas morning - Dora doll & blanket.  She's officially obsessed with Dora!

Papa Lowell & Blake!

Getting some fresh air :)

We decided to go to a hill by Aaron's dad's house and when we got there...it was REALLY snowing!  She enjoyed sledding the first few times, but then she was over it.  I think the fact that the snow was hitting her face wasn't too enjoyable!

Lowell's granddaughters - Alesha, Addy, & Holly :)  I got lots of great photos of Addy and Holly in their matching shirts, but I love this one of the 3 of them!

Auntie Tina loving on the Blakester

Her new Dora robe & slippers that Holly gave to her.  It is great that she has a cousin who used to be as obssessed with Dora as Addy is becoming!

Christmas makes me TIRED

Brandon & Addy (Holly sneaking in from behind!).  She LOOOOVES Brandon!

TOO MUCH CHRISTMAS...bedtime please!  LOL



Cousins!  Blake, Brandon, Holly, Alesha, Anthony, Jeffrey & messy-faced, non-smiley Addy!

 It is always too short when we are home in Michigan.  We just looked at our calendars to plan out our vacation days from work (when you only get 10 days in a year, they get eaten up quickly if we don't plan them out!).  We are hoping to make it there for longer than just a 4-day weekend this summer.  4 days is I think the most we've had in Michigan since we've been married, so we are looking forward to that!

Christmas #1: Tarara Christmas!

We had our first Christmas the weekend before the 25th with my parents/sisters and their families.  I'll let the pictures do the talking, since I uploaded a lot of them, but here is what we did to summarize the day:

Started off seeing Santa at the carpet store in town.  It is something that my family gets invited to and I am always impressed with all they do.  They give each child a toy, printed pictures of you with santa, and provide lunch/cookies for everyone. 

After that we went to my parents house and opened gifts.  The kids played all afternoon and before supper we went outside to play also.  Just like last year, my dad made a skating rink, but I didn't go skating this year, because I was with Addy out in the snow!

Here are some pictures from the day :)

In her pretty Christmas dress waiting to meet Santa!

Blake hanging out under the Christmas tree!

Addy is helping her aunt Shannon put the gifts under the tree!

One of her new gifts...look at her expression!

I love this picture

Cousins!  We tried for a bit and there was always someone crying or looking away.  What can you expect with 7 kids age 2 months to 6 years :)  Left to right: Hunter (1), Ella (5), Brooklynn (4), Brynne (6), Blake (2 mos), Drew (2), Addy (1)  -- oh yeah, and we didn't plan on coordinating their outfits...but somehow we do it!  Last year everyone was in red and white, this year it is red and black!

 

Playing outside.  This picture is hilarious!  Neither Hunter nor Addy knew to hold themselves up in the sled...so everytime we'd look back, they were laying like this.  Hands up helpless :)

The "cheese" smile we almost always get when we take her picture these days!

Drew & Addy sledding.  Drew was my singing pal, he would sing Jingle Bells with me as I pulled them along!

A picture of my dad's rink he made.  Something about it seems so "homey" and makes me think of my kid days - even though he never made us one at home when we were kids.  We'd skate in town or on the ice on our lake at the cabin.