Christmas Decorating!!

We had fun decorating our tree and front room this year. The kids had a blast and the kids have the lights on tree on all day because they enjoy it so much. They have rearranged the ornaments a few times and the 24 candy canes that were put on have dwindled down as we keep eating them LOL. Even though we are not spending Christmas at our place we can't wait till we head to grandma and grandpa's house we have enjoyed our decorations and the happiness it brings.

Our tree

The stockings and wall hanging that great grandma made for us one year.

The advent calender that Grandma made, Its counting down to the day we leave for Grandma and Grandpa's house. Only 7 more days!!!

Close up of the stockings

Close up of the wall hanging. (I have since fixed it so its not funky looking.)

We received a turkey from work so we decided to cook it and TJ was just so excited with how it turned how he made me take some pictures of his perfect turkey.

Tanners face just makes me laugh

Decorating the tree.

My kiddo's in front of our finished tree. Lace doesn't Tanners face remind you of R's?? Too funny

Tanner being cute!!

Both kids really wanted to lay with dad and so he kindly let them and both went to sleep!! Love these pictures.

Thanksgiving

We had a great Thanksgiving, we spend almost a week at the in laws house and had a great time. The kids loved every minuet of the time we spend their. We went to the movies, shopping, and had a great feast on Thanksgiving day.

Makena and Grandpa playing a game.

This is pretty much where you could find these 2 almost the whole time.

Grandpa still helping Makena with a game

And this is where you could find Tanner, helping grandma cook. Today consisted of making rolls for our Thanksgiving dinner. Tanner was having so much fun helping grab the dough to form the balls. He thought he was in heaven.

Unfortunately these are all the pictures I took while we were there. I'm sad I didn't get a picture of our feast and all those that joined us that day. We had 12 adults and 4 children and 1 little baby. We had so much fun visiting, eating, and getting to know a few more members of their ward. At least I got what I got right?!?

Halloween

Yep I know its about time I posted something new, We its been a crazy last few months and I don't see it getting any better in the next few months LOL. Anyways here is our halloween pictures, I have the cutiest witch and superman ever!!!

Heading to the ward's halloween party

All the primary children that showed up!

The kids parading around showing off their costumes

Tanner and our neighbor getting ready to head out trick or treating.

Makena and her friend.

A few of the houses that were all done up!!

A new adventure

TJ has started a new adventure in his life and I guess you could say all of ours. He told me one day that he wanted to join the local volunteer firedepartment. I told him whatever, and really didn't think much of it till the next day after I had gotten back from a meeting he informed me that he went and joined. I was kinda thrown for a loop as I really didn't think he would do it, but its been a good thing for him and he has really enjoyed it. It has taken me some time to get used to him up and running out the door when the pager goes off, all the classes he will be taking this Nov. and coming spring, and being gone every tues morning for training. Tanner was excited the first time we went untill we walked in to see the firetrucks and he for some reason was so scared that all he wanted to do was go home. He has gotten better the more we go but still doesn't like to go down in to the truck bay. Infact his favorite things to do there is play on the computer and get a rootbeer. Makena on the other hand LOVES going!!

TJ's locker before he had all his turnout gear and name written on the name plate.

Tanner the first time going to the firehouse, He was so scared it was like torture to get him in the truck even with dad holding him.
A week or so ago they had fire prevention week and on Friday they had all the truckes in the area meet at the mall and had a few demoitrations, as well as Life Lion (life flight) come in and land for the crowd. This is Makena and our neighbor friend infront of Engine 5 from our station here in Annville. This is the only way Tanner was going to be near the fire trucks.

They were going to show them cutting the car apart but we didn't stay that long. Kids were hungry and it seemed to be taking forever to get things moving.

They started a dumpster on fire and then showed how they put it out.

Life Lion coming in to land.

Makena's 6th Birthday

I can not believe that its been 6 years since Makena was born, and how much we have gone through since then. She had a fantastic birthday and despite my best efforts of getting her to skip her birthday and staying 5 forever she had other plans, LOL.

Starting to open presents!

opening her present from grandma and grandpa Babcock

Such a cute outfit!! I totally forgot to get a picture of her wearing it on Sunday.

Opening more presents

One of her new and i must say favorite shirts, the front has a monkey on it and says I love my Attitude

Her brother helping open the present he got for her, A new boy Ken!!

We asked her what kind of cake she wanted and she chose an ice cream cake, so the night before her, Tanner and Dad make the cake and oh it was so yummy!!!

At our neighbors house singing and sharing ice cream cake.

We love you so much Makena and can't wait to see what the next 6 years will bring!!

Fixing the van

When we took the van in to get inspected so we could get the new plates the guys were saying that the breaks and the swaybar and something else needed to be fixed soon and they wouldn't be able to do the tire alignment untill they were fixed. Anyways the other day he went and got new break pads and the sway bar and he and our neighbor set out this morning to change the breaks and the bar thingy on the passenger side of the van. Oh and i could not pass up the moment to take pictures of them.

The funny thing about this picture is I didn't say anything to them I just walked up and started taking pictures and they both looked to see what I was doing.

And of course Tanner wanted to be a part of all the action and a few times i had to remind him that he needed to back away and not get to close.

Playing with the socket set

he is so funny, just wanting to be a big kid

How many men does it take to change brakes and a swaybar?? so funny

Motorcycle ride

Tanner has been wanting to go for a ride on our neighbors bike for the longest time. Well the other day he had his bike going as he had just got home from getting his wife at work so the kids were super excited to and talked him into taking them all for a ride. Well Tanner was first and oh he was excited, got his helmet on and climbed on the bike and then he freaked out and once it started he was done. He was so scared that he didn't go but he sure looked stinkin cute in that helmet.

was ok then our neighbor climbed on and that was the end of it.

Makena was soo excited too and since Tanner didn't go she was more then willing to take his spot. She had so much fun riding that after they got back from going around the block she was jumping up and down wanting to go again, and being the loving neighbor he is took her for a second ride!!!

not the best photo but its them coming back from their first ride.

We will try again with Tanner as I know he would love it but I think he was just to scared because of the bike being so loud.

Its a.....

Most people know already but since this is pretty much turned in to a journal for myself I figured it was about time to add it to the blog that we will be adding another boy to our family come February. At first I wasn't to excited about another boy but I'm so glad that Tanner will have a little brother to play with and Makena has been such a great big sis I know she will love this baby just as much as she loved Tanner when he was born. Its hard to believe that I am almost half way done with this pregnancy and its only taken 19 weeks to finally feel human again and not so sick in the mornings. And I think TJ is finally glad that I'm feeling better because now maybe the house will stay cleaner then for a day or two. We really haven't decided on a name yet but know what the middle name will be, we have a few options and maybe I'll share when we get closer to having this little one. And as soon as I figure out how to get the pictures off the CD they gave us I'll add some of our boy.

The time as come!

To update our blog, Yes I know its been a while but we have been enjoying the end of summer and the beginning of a new school year!! The beginning of Aug. we had the chance to go up and enjoy the "farewell" of TJ's brother Seth. It was so great to go back up and spend one last weekend with him before he headed out on his mission to Brazil, we have already received a few letters from him and he is having such a great time and has learned so much in just a few short weeks. We are so happy for him and know that he will make an amazing missionary.

Seth with those that ordained him an Elder. (TJ, Stake Pres., Seth, Dad)

Those of us that were there minus me I took the pic LOL
The family minus Adam he took the picture

Seth and his mom!!

We also started another big adventure the end of August, Makena started Kindergarten. She is in the Am session and I am so greatful that she is as once the baby is born I won't be out much and since TJ is home in the mornings he will be able to get her to and from school!! Also a big step for me is letting her ride the bus to and from school, but the thing is we still have to take her to another elem school to catch the bus to her school, I know crazy. Anyways she loves being able to ride the bus and so far has LOVED school I just hope it lasts all year.

This is how she was before I told her to smile LOL

And then it was all I could do to get her to just take a picture where she wasn't being silly

Oh yes she is a total diva LOL

Showing off her new backpack

And of course Tanner had to get in on the silly action

lol showing some love

and yes this is a normal day for us, they both are so silly

The picture by the door, I remember doing this as a kid on our first days of school and so far have done it with Makena,

Trying to get one of Tanner but all he would do was be silly,

Yep still can't get one of him just standing up smiling

Getting off the bus after her first day of school!