Brexten's baptism

 We made a quick trip back to MT for Brexten to be baptized.   We actually haven't been there since Bryden was baptized.  It was cold, like really cold, so we didn't get to do as much as I had hoped we could with the kids.  I've been so bummed with the sicknesses we have had this winter, it has really put a big damper on the plans we've had when we are with my parents. 

But anyways, Brexten has now been be baptized in water. We were able to have the same pastor who married us, baptized Clint and the other 3 kids also baptize Brexten

 Brennar was quite the attentive listener, I was so proud of how well all 3 kids did

 Brexten did great!

 6 out of 7 smiling, not too shabby!

Brennar is 6

 For Brennar's actual birthday we took them to Dizzy Fun Center.  Both sets of grandparents and cousins were able to come. It was so nice.  We typically invite the cousins to their birthday parties but it doesn't seem like we really get to see or talk to them with all of the commotion. So this was very nice.  I think everyone had a great time!

We spiked Brennar's hair with blue wax, I thought it was so cute, I love when he lets me put gel in it:)

Bryden loves this place, he can do almost everything by himself, even it people don't give him the chance;) The slide is one of his favorite things there

 The 2 Stapp girls:)

 Brennar and Brilee adore Maddi

 I take it back, this car is Bryden's favorite.  He could sit in it for 10 minutes at a time even if it isn't moving.  He took Auntie Liz for a spin, he is quite the ladies man already!

 This little nugget slept the entire party, so I just got some shots of him once we got home

 I certainly can't handle the cuteness!

Brennar has grown into such a wonderful little boy.  He is so kind, he would do anything for anyone, the way he talks to his siblings melts my heart. He loves all sports (so far) always wants his team to score the most points.  He is obsessed with legos and can put them together like a champ.  He is starting to be a little more adventurous with his foods, thank you Jesus!!  He really is just an awesome kiddo.  We are so blessed to be his parents, so far I don't think we've screwed him up too badly:)

Christmas morning

 Christmas is my most very favorite time of the year.  I'm sure it is because of a lot of reasons, my kids - they make it so much fun, my parents are here, both of them and usually for a least a week, the cookies, the songs, having a fire, being able to stay in jammies all day and that was when I became a mommy for the first time.

I had our typical bucket list of Christmas activities and I think the only thing we didn't do on it was go look at Christmas lights, but honestly, our neighborhood had some of the best in town, so I don't feel too bad about that one:) We went and saw a Disney on Ice show, this year it was Frozen, we did the Zoo Lights, we went on the Polar Express, we made multiple batches of Christmas cookies, we had the kids' Christmas program, I was able to volunteer in Brennar's class and for Brilee's class party, we did lots of donating, and were able to make it to church every weekend because the kids weren't sick (until break that is anyway).  It is just a magical time of year for everyone

Christmas morning the kids slept in until about 7:30 so that was nice.  Then the party got started!! We looked at Santa gifts and the kids played with those while I made breakfast.

Brennar got the Indominus Rex Lego set he has been wanting for months.

Grama and Grampa with the two littles

Grama and Grampa with all their grand kids

Brilee and Brennar were so excited for us to get the presents they got us, so they gave them to us first thing.  Brilee got daddy listerene

 She got me ear plugs - pink ones!!!

 Brennar got daddy a chipotle gift card

After breakfast we started opening gifts - we did the ones from mommy and daddy first.

Brennar got a storm trooper costume that he had picked out in the Halloween magazine

 Bryden got some Cars toys

 And a Thomas train

 It was so much fun watching them.  We took another break to play and then a little while later we did some more opening of the gifts from Uncle Alex and Grama and Grampa - we got memberships to the Aquarium and the Museum of Nature and Science - those are by far the best things given.  My kids have so many toys so it is so nice to be able to take them to do things where we are just spending time as a family.

This little man had a great first Christmas - he slept through a lot of it and was held when he wasn't sleeping:)

We did our Christmas cookie contest that afternoon - we love doing this, it has definitely become a tradition

 These are a little out of order, but this was actually one of Brexten's Santa gifts, Bryden tried it out while eating a cookie for breakfast:)

 Brilee originally wrote Santa asking for a doll but when we went to see him she asked for a rainbow unicorn, way to throw Santa for a loop!!

 Luckily Santa came through and she got both!

Christmas Eve

 Well, hands down, this little dude was by far our best Christmas gift under the tree this year!

and  I mean really, does it get any cuter than this???? He can be such a stinker one minute and the biggest sweetheart the next

 Where's Brilee???

 We went to Christmas Eve service on the 23rd again this year, I am so glad they offer that one.  Then we can spend Christmas Eve with Clint's family as soon as he is off work. 

Brennar and his best pal - he loves his Grampa so much, he could spend every minute with him I think

 My sweet little girl

 At least everyone is looking, and only one of us was crying:)

 If you couldn't tell it was this one

Another great Christmas Eve in the books