Prepare yourself...or just walk away right now :)

This is just an extra long post of all my random thoughts and pictures from Christmas/New Years.

Christmas morning was the best. The living room was just chucked full of people and wrapping paper. Doesn't get much better then that, right?

My Dad made some incredibly cool bows for all the sons/son-in-laws for Christmas. And yes...a little archery contest did take place. After the grandson's saw how cool the bows were, my Dad decided to make a few for them too. Preston is the proud new owner of one and keeps telling us he can't wait to get some arrows so he can start shooting at the range with us!

After things calmed down in the afternoon, we all enjoyed a skype call with Ryan. He is doing so good in Salt Lake. It was fun talking to him and actually see him!!

Christmas selfie {we just had to} :)                                                                    

We had such a blast in Kansas for Christmas break. Everyone was there (minus Ryan, on his mission).  The kiddos loved every minute with their cousins, and I loved every minute with my family. We definitely don't see them enough.  Here's to hoping we live a heck of a lot closer to all of them by the end of summer!!

The week leading up to Christmas my parents had an activity planned for us everyday. 

First off.

A knock of the door from Santa one night. Wes ran right to the door for a good old high five from Mr. Santa Claus

The kids were in awe. Santa walked right in, called them all by name, and gave them all a special little gift.

Second.

A horse drawn sleigh ride. It was freezing, crazy windy, and snowing. We all bundled up in full snow gear and headed out. 

Oh what fun.

Caroled our way around the neighborhood while half of the little kids bundled up and fell right to sleep!

A few days after Christmas we went ice skating. Preston and Wesley had never been before so we weren't sure how they would like it.

...They LOVED it.

The ice rink had some buckets for the little kids to lean on while they skated. Genius right? It totally helps. Preston was skating like crazy all over the ice. The rest of the family took turns pushing Wes around and he yelled out to us, "faster, faster!" 

We smashed as much fun as we could into the days. And it was indeed, so fun!

The moment we pulled into town the party began. And it never stops. 

WE LOVE IT...who wouldn't?

Here are a few fun things we did while we were back home for summer break.

I remember my Grandpa Grover getting on the tramp and jumping with us when we were little, and we thought he was SO COOL. It made me happy to see my parents get on the tramp with the boys. Such fun memories.  

There is a little pond across the street from my parents that is perfect for taking the little guys fishing. The fish in the pond love hotdogs. You pretty much catch a fish almost every time you cast. It's almost like a little game...who can not catch a dinky little fish. So when you get one bigger then your hand it's a little exciting.

Ryan and Tayler are like rockstars around the neighborhood and with the nephews. Not even joking. We were eating dinner at a restaurant one night and these little 7yr old boys walked up to our table and asked Ryan if he could play when we got home...? There are always little boys knocking on the door asking if Ryan and Tay can play. It's pretty hilarious. They are the sweetest teenage boys you will ever meet. And every little boy wants to be around them. The best part, Ry and Tay don't mind it at all. They are going to be the best Dads ever. So of course Preston and Wes were in heaven having their uncles to play with for weeks.

My little brothers bought ducks a few months ago. As you can tell they are pretty big now and have outgrown my parent's pond in their yard. The ducks now live across the street in a much larger pond. But they still know their home. The ducks walk across the street and come to the yard at 7am and 5pm, for breakfast and dinner. My Dad feeds them and then they walk back to the pond. Preston loved feeding them everyday with Grandpa. He also took on the responsibility of feeding the fish. Every time he walked outside he would throw some food into the pond for the fish. I'm sure he was way overfeeding the fish, but I think it made him feel pretty important. 

Life is good when your with your Grandpa and Grandma.

Had to add these pictures in. Check out how dirty this kid is when he gets home. He works on a farm, mostly on the cattle crew. He always came home with some awesome stories and extra dirt everywhere. But don't let that dirt fool you though, he really is that tan...slightly jealous.