The adventures of The Leadbetter Family: December 2012

Monday, December 31, 2012

Spoiling Drew

The one person truly happiest at Oma Sue and Goomba was Drew - he loved all the attention or really just getting someone's attention. He could snack anywhere

The chairs fit him just right

we dressed him up like a doll

One Handsome man

But after Christmas he started to get a bit under the weather - so we spoiled him

everyone spoiled him

Best sound machine yet!

Now that Drew is home with just me - I love looking at the photos reminding him to treasure the family snooze time - but its your crib now buddy!

On Wednesday Stosh's family headed home before the storm and we sat by the window waiting for the first flakes to fall. It was supposed to turn to rain by the morning so it was best to take advantage of every second.

I love how the light captures so many flakes - and all those cute boys ready for bed

After goomba snow-blowed- it was time for some sledding

Drew was bundled, but not totally buying all the hype

he would rather spend time with Oma Sue

meanwhile the boys enjoyed every second on the same hill I remember carving out during childhood snow storms

Smiles across the board from these too

Goomba putting the zip ties to work on an old grandpa Roy strap

Mush!

Once the sledding was over, Drew was happier back inside watching the rest of us

Shane could have stayed outside all day - but it did start to rain, so we made the most of the morning. He LOVES the taste of snow and had his tongue out constantly - I would catch him doing it as he whizzed down the hill. we had a couple talks about yellow snow - I'm wondering when that will sink in.

Christmas Morning

With a flurry of activity and excitement these are some of my favorite photos from the morning.

Maddies favorite gift - binkies -

Drew's treasured location - with Goomba

Riley and Aunt Sara's excitement over Rapunzel's hair

Nick's pure excitement for the santa request

Oma Sue's surprise gift from Rome

Pauli trying to sleep among all the commotion

A horse for Drew

we also enjoyed a beautiful dusting of snow that morning and had a fabulous family dinner with the Griffins that night - a flurry of toys for the kids and family time for the rest of us. It was a wonderful Christmas - next year Mark West is off my request list.

Christmas Eve with Santa

Christmas Eve holds so much magic... A few of us scooted away to enjoy the true magic of a live nativity service on a beautiful sunny day, ponies, goats and a make shift camel.

Nick got the aisle seat and full photography rights

Love the little star in the background

Later we got the whole crew decked out and took advantage of a possible great photo op. I call this series, the many faces of Riley

Meanwhile.....

Still posing inside

Shane expressing his true thanks for having brothers

Another beautiful family

Hmmm....

Nick is now old enough to both enjoy the magic of Santa, but also spot some of santa's helpers quicker. He held out for the real thing later that night a he put out some reindeer dust for the crew.

Riley was smitten

Shane isn't so sure - but with the help of Oma Sue....

Maddie says - no thanks

Drew say's --you must be nuts!

A group shot, maybe??

Everybody?

There's a fabulous Santa helper =)

Now that Santa has moved on, can we catch all those red dogs?

Alright, time for some reindeer dust to finish off the night and try to fall asleep. Sleigh bells ring, are you listening?

Cousin time

With that sweet grin, I know one day Shane will be a ladies man-but right now he is NOT interested at all!!

I will try to recreate the FUNNIEST incident on Christmas Eve. The kids were all lined up watching mickeys Christmas carol. My boys were mesmerized, but Riley, not so much, she was chatty and really just wanted to hang out..... Shane protested a few times and we dismissed him saying-you guys can figure it out....

Well at one point, Riley got up to get something. Shane saw his opportunity and took it! He got out of his chair, grabbed her chair, moved it 2 feet away from his chair and sat back down, hysterical!!