Crown Center

We took the boys to the outdoor playground at Crown Center on Sunday. It was 50 degrees, perfect weather for playing outside!

My older sister, Darci and her boyfriend were in town visiting. We enjoyed spending some quality time with them...the boys liked playing with them too!




Maybe some day when they're older, we'll take them ice skating on the outdoor ice rink behind Jacob & Mitchell in this picture.

Look at that cheeseball :)

Maverick just HAD to climb up on top of everything...

...and jump off. Oh, this kid is fearless! :)





We need to go at night now and see the Mayor's Xmas tree lit up!

Gingerbread house party!

We invited our neighbor friends over to make Gingerbread houses over the weekend. Nine kids, eight adults, loads of sugar and lots of fun!

Mitchell has been begging to make gingerbread houses for months, so he was in heaven!



Macallan slept through most of the event, with some assistance from Bev.

Lilli's gingerbread creation

Maverick even got in on the gingerbread fun!

Lily got some help from her creative mommy.

Alex is all too happy to have his mommy doing the work :)

Lily helped entertain Macallan.

As usual, the task that started as a kid's project, was finished by the adults.


Brian amazingly took all of the extra gingerbread pieces and created a gingerbread mansion, which was then decorated by Jill. Not too shabby, huh?

Here are our boys sampling their gingerbread houses the next day. Mitchell was a little disappointed with his little house when he saw the mansion. He said "It'd be my pleasure to trade Brian gingerbread houses." He got his wish :)

Work Christmas parties

Jacob and I both had our work Christmas parties on the same night this year, so we did double duty. It was my first time leaving Macallan and his first time getting a bottle, but he did great (and I survived too!)

We had a nice time at both parties, despite the E&Y party ending earlier than Jacob thought it would. I was secretly happy that the ball dropped before midnight. :)

One Month Old!!!

Macallan is ONE month old already! It's hard to believe it's already been a month, but he sure is looking bigger!

The stats from his 1-month pediatrician:
Weight - 10 lbs, 6 oz (75%)
Height - 22 3/4 inches (90%)
(literally almost the exact same size as Maverick at this age)





Macallan continues to be a pretty easy baby. His brothers continue to hug and kiss on him...probably the reason that little Mac has a stuffy nose :(

Macallan is a welcomed addition to our family and has made the transition to a family of 5 fairly easy (so far!)

The big boys are visiting Grandma and Grandpa Bays this week, so Macallan and I are enjoying a little quiet time! It's been nice to give him some undivided attention!

Here's his first month chair picture!

Santa, Baby!

We made our annual Christmas trip to Bass Pro to see Santa.

Mitchell jumped right up on his lap and was sure to tell Santa that he wants Tanks and Transformers for Christmas (oh, and the toy that already picked up on his way to see Santa that is in his hands).

Maverick did NOT want to sit on his lap (hence sitting on Mommy's instead).

Macallan, our little reindeer, laid contently in Santa's arms.






Macallan's first trip to see Santa!

It was also like a free trip to the acquarium. Oh, how Maverick LOVES fish!

Advent is here!

We love Advent season at our house...the time leading up to Christmas is so fun!

Here are the boys opening up their daily window in their Advent calendar for their chocolate surprise....we really do read a bible first :)



We make a special effort to go to church each Sunday during Advent (not that we shouldn't always do that!) Mitchell and Maverick go to their "kid" rooms during church, but we bring Macallan with us. He's been a very quiet, agreeable guy the last few weeks. Here is a picture of him taken at church sleeping quietly in his carrier...wearing Maverick's hat.

This Sunday we lit the candle of peace. Here are some peaceful pictures from around the house :)

This last picture is terrible because I had my camera settings off....BUT can you see a hint of a smile there? I don't think it's going to be long until we have a smiley little guy! Maybe in time to light the candle for Joy next Sunday!

Four Wheeling Fun

Maverick and Macallan and I enjoyed a little outdoor time today while Mitchell was at school. It wasn't bitterly cold, but we bundled up anyway and headed outside for some four wheeling fun.

Maverick got this little four wheeler for his birthday nearly a year ago from my Mom and David, but seems to have a renewed interest in it lately.



Today was the first day we took it outside. I intended for him to ride it on the driveway and sidewalks, but he preferred off-roading!

He did get it stuck a few times, but was pretty good about pushing or pulling it out!

The below picture totally cracked me up. I honestly didn't even know the front part of the 4 wheeler opened up, but apparently Maverick was well aware of the feature because he had loaded it up with his little fake tools. Just in case he had car troubles, I suppose! :)

Macallan was a great spectator of Maverick's antics. He just rode around in my arms, quiet as could be. Gotta love his little winter snuggle suit :)

THREE weeks old!

It is so hard to believe that Macallan is already THREE weeks old! The little guy has been a dream baby so far! He eats well, sleeps well and is happy and content as can be (knock on wood!) Mitchell and Maverick are still very big fans of the little guy....and obviously so are his daddy and I. He's certainly a keeper :)

I am most thankful for:

Mitchell made the below project at Community Bible Study. He glued things that he was thankful for to his paper and he chose: celery (he really does LOVE celery), grapes, berries, onions (which he thought were apples) and flowers. When I started asking questions about his choices he said, "Mom, it's JUST a PROJECT." Apparently he's 3 going on 15....




I, on the other hand, am thankful for well-rested boys...of all ages.