Oh There's No Place Like Home For the Holidays!

We decided to put another 3,000 miles on our car this Christmas and drive back east! We drove to visit Ike's brother in Wisconsin, surprised my mom  and family in West Virginia and then went on to New Hampshire to spend some time with the Carr family! Oh and we made a pit stop in Ohio to see my brother and his awesome wife on the way home. It was an excellent trip!

A few fun pictures from Wisconsin! 

Cousin Joseph. So stinkin' cute!

 Cousin fun!

 Jackson loves snow.

 Brady, not so much.

Throwing the ball around!

 Happy Early birthday Ike!

 Joseph's  Christmas present! Dino-Joseph!

Jingle All the Way!

We are just a little excited for Christmas.

It's amazing what some quilt batting, red pajamas and a red cardigan can do for your Christmas spirit.

First Snow!

Who doesn't love that first big snow fall? There is just something so cozy about being inside a warm house and looking out your window at a snow covered yard. That plus all the Christmas stuff just makes me feel so happy. I think Christmas trees are the best anti-depressant. If I am feeling down I just have to look at our lit Christmas tree and I feel happy again. What is it about this time of year where everything really does feel magical?

 Snow Angels!!!

P.S Sorry for the lack of posts last month. Jackson accidentally broke my camera. I guess that is what I get for letting my three year old play with it though.

Little Monsters

Jackson recently discovered Monsters INC and Monsters University. He has been playing monster  a lot lately. We made these masks the other day and I actually threw Jackson's away yesterday because he was wearing it 24/7 and scaring people (like at the post office). So we returned Monsters INC to the library and got some Thomas movies instead. I have no problem with him "toot toot"ing at people in the grocery store.

The Boys

Ok so I have been busy and I am sorry but not more retroactive posting! I have to keep moving forward or I will never be caught up!!!

My mom sent the boys new PJ's this week and they are adorable!

I think this picture accurately depicts how excited Jackson was.

Also during this photo shoot I noticed that Brady has my eyes! I know you might be thinking I am a lamo mom for just now noticing this but he has halways had grey/blue eyes! They must have changed a little more because his are definately looking green! Mine are still a little more green than his but I think he definately got my eyes!

 Also, I am trying to make my eyes look big so I can see the color. I don't usually make such a creepy "I just stole this baby" face.

Definitely from my gene pool.

Carr Family Reunion!

We had a blast attending the first Carr Family Reunion that has happened in several years. We went to Green Lakes, N.Y. Then to Palmyra and the Hill Cumorah Pageant. 

Brady made a new best friend!

 Jackson had a blast with his cousins.

 No bathtubs, no problem!

 Fun in the cabins.

 We love the beach.

 Jackson loves the sand.

 LOVE LOVE LOVE.

 Who doesn't love a music clock? One thing we did a lot of was SINGING!

 What an awesome bunch of people!

 Brothers and their boys.

 The Sacred Grove.

 5 years ago it was just Ike and I in front of this temple.

Love this kid.

Gettysburg and Sparklers!

So I am being really slow at catching up with all my trip posts but better late than never, right? We went to Gettysburg to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the battle. It was pretty much amazing! It was hot and there were LOTS of people there but it was totally worth it. The only big bummer is that Brady was sick so Ike was the martyr and stayed behind. I did take a ton of pictures for him though!


Jackson only slightly terrified of the statue of Abraham Lincoln.

 Just me and my dad!

 Check out these Union soldiers!

 Mom found the Mass 15 monument! We have ancestors who fought in that group.

 Another cool Union man.

 I won't lie, in general, I thought the Confederate soldiers were way cooler looking. They actually looked much more real.

 My FAVORITE reinactors of the day. These ladies looked like they just walked out of the 1800s. The picture really does not do them justice. The lady on the right made both dresses by hand. They were so amazing.

 Sparkler fun :)