The New Addition...

January 2014
Well, it just wouldn't be a visit with mom and dad if we didn't keep dad busy.  ;) When we added kiddo #4 we gave up our spare room.  We were in need of a place for our computer and for guests to sleep.  We happened to have a GIANT living/formal dining room that was VERY under utilized.  So, we decided to break up the space and add a room there.  And lucky for us, dad has the skill set and was up for the challenge.  :)  We got started New Years Day.  
Before:  

 It's a room...sort of.

He and Patrick were work horses, and it was a lot of work!  We got everything done on the outside done, (the paint and trim inside the office we finished later) before mom and dad had to leave.  Sheetrock work is the worst mess ever! Especially when you have little hands and feet spreading it everywhere. But it was well worth the effort and mess!!!  This is the mostly finished product on January 16, 2014:
New Living Room

 New Hallway

 New Office/Guest Room

 We LOVE LOVE LOVE having this so much more practical and usable space!!  Great job Dad and Patrick!!  

2nD ChRiStMaS

December 30, 2013
Our new tradition, Christmas again with Grandma and Papa Salisbury!  :)  They come just a few days after 1st Christmas and they always bring more presents, so having 2nd Christmas feels necessary. And no one seems to mind!  hahaha.

Cutest paper(wood) doll ever!  She has little felt outfits and her underwear is Velcro!  haha.

 Who needs presents?!  :/

So Harrison had been asking for Skylanders for months.  It was the 1 thing he really wanted for Christmas... and when everything was opened on Christmas morning, he was slightly disappointed.   It was kind of sad, he wasn't ungrateful for what he got, but he kept looking around hoping it was under the tree somewhere. Patrick and I knew Grandma and Papa were bringing it, so we just kept telling him not to give up hope.  He had to wait a few extra days, but he got it!  And the funniest part, he didn't jump up and down or squeal with joy, he just held it and looked at it and held it some more.  hahaha.  It was his precious.

Reagan and Grant both got new bedding!  Yay!  

 Grant preferred the garbage.  ;) 

And Reagan thought the boys walkie-talkies were the coolest things ever. She was cracking up. :)  

But mostly, she LOVED getting her Papa!  

Having family around, especially at this time of year, is seriously so wonderful! It's hard sometimes to not feel extra far away during the holidays, because you know everyone is together without you!   We loved having some of them here with us!  And we got to keep these 2 for over 3 weeks!!  :)  

MERRY 2ND CHRISTMAS!  ;)

Seasons Greetings 2013

 And just for fun.  :)

JoY To ThE WoRlD!

Christmas morning!!  LOTS of fun and some very happy kids!  :)  
Stockings... (Grant was still asleep when we started.)  

We do the "I want, I wear, I read, I need" tradition.  So they always get clothes, books, something useful and something fun. 

 Sister was having a blast!  I love it when they are old enough to get excited!  :)

They were pretty giddy over these.  They aren't anything fancy (they were very cheap), but they'll work for some game playing and long road trips.

For her new kitchen.

 The picture doesn't really show it, but they were pretty excited about this!  :) 

 There's baby Grant!  Reagan "helped" open all his presents.  ;)

 He liked the big boys presents more.  haha.

And they were spoiled with lots of gifts from family too.  The kids loved having Kenny here.  We don't usually get to be with our extended family for the holidays, it was a nice change.

 Her new kitchen!   

They always get far more than they probably should, but they're only little for a little while.  ;)  Christmas morning is one of my favorites with kids! (I'm usually more excited than they are!)  There is nothing like it, I hope they never stop believing in the magic of this special season, it truly is the best time of the year!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!    

ChRiStMaS EvE

This year, we got lucky and had some family here to celebrate with us.  Uncle Kenny arrived just in time for all the fun.  :)  Which means we put him to work and he spent most of Christmas Eve day cooking a giant meal for 6 people.  hahaha.  It was totally worth all the work... sooooo good!

After dinner, the kids got to exchange gifts with each other.  :)  It was really cute, they were very excited.  

Then the big boys (Patrick, Kenny, Jackson and Harrison) got some Christmas Eve Dodge Ball in.  :)  They were pretty beat when they got home (and by "they" I mean Patrick and Kenny. hahaha.), but they had a LOT of fun, as usual.  

Can't go without magic reindeer food.  Reagan usually eats some, just to be safe.  :)

And then it was off to bed so the magic could happen.  :)  

The magic was, of course, hours and hours of assembling and wrapping and stacking!  I have NEVER been more grateful Patrick wasn't working on Christmas Eve!  Plus Kenny's help!  I wouldn't have ever gotten to bed if I hadn't had their help!  There was a kitchen and a basketball hoop!  :)  EEEK! We were super excited!