Kids and Their Trees

The kids each have their own Christmas tree, with the exception of Mr. Grant. This has been our tradition for years and the kids still love it just as much as the first year we started it.

Mr. Grant will probably get his own tree next year when he might actually care.

But Mr. Grant sure did participate in the decorating of the trees. Hunter was such a sweet big brother and let Mr. Grant "help" him. Logan Loved decorating his tree how ever he wanted.

He rearranged this several times............it was super cute!

Justin was actually happier then any year I can remember the Christmas decorating.

He really didn't have to do a whole lot but the few things he did he was very cheerful about..............it was kinda nice!

See I am helping!

Kiersten enjoys the loud Christmas music we play throughout the house while we decorate the trees. She dances around while decorating her tree. I love to just go peek in on her when she doesn't know I am looking............she is so cute dancing away, singing and decorating!

Kiersten gets all her stuff out on her bed to get organized first.

This year we started a new tradition............over the past 12 years my sweet mother-in-law has given us an ornament that reminds her and us of things Doyle did. Up until this year I just have kept them safe in a box but didn't use them. And a year or two ago she also gave Justin all his ornaments from when he was a kid. Such a cute idea.........she's a great mother and so organized to keep her kids stuff over all these years.

So this year we decided to decorate the tree in the Kids Retreat with these ornaments. So Justin sat down with the three oldest and told the story behind each of Doyle's ornaments as well as the ones from when he was a kid. The kids LOVED it..............they asked questions and later each of them expressed to me how cool they thought it was to hear the stories.

Justin looked as thought he enjoyed it just as much!

I think this is a tradition that will stick!

Our Doyle & Daddy Tree

The kids decided this is what we should call this tree and I thought it was a perfect name for it..............I didn't know we needed to give the tree a name but it was a cute idea!

Thanks Kids!

Justin was such a handsome little boy..........reminds me so much of Hunter with his dark hair.

Such a cute chubby face!

I love trying new traditions and I especially love it when a new tradition immediately brings your family closer............that is my whole purpose in family traditions to begin with and this one was a big success.

Turkey Day

Took the kids to Central Park for a photo shoot!

Okay not so much.......but it makes for an amazing picture right!

The magic of green screen!

Thanks Amy for this adorable idea!

It turned out so cute as did the picture of her kids in these costumes! Happy Thanksgiving!

Turkey day began with the Turkey Trot............my first time! Mac and I were so pumped...........JP was a fabulous cheer leader! My goal was to run the whole way and surprisingly enough .............drum roll please........ I actually did it! Ran my first 5K! YIPPEE! Thanks to the Shupe girls for the rockin' music mix they made for me! It really helped me keep running! Did I mention..........IT WAS FREEZING COLD!

Now bring on the FEAST! So much to be thankful for! One thing is for sure we were all thankful to have our sweet friends, The Pryor's join us for Thanksgiving dinner at Justin's parents house. And grateful for sweet in-laws that made them feel right at home. As in keeping with our family tradition.........Justin took the boys shooting. And yes that is an M16. The boys love, love going shooting with their dad! Don't worry the gun isn't even loaded while Justin took these pictures! So no need to call CPS on us or anything! Looks like the shooting was a success from the look on Logan's face. The boys didn't even care that it was FREEZING! Hunter talked for days about the plans for shooting on Thanksgiving day! He was slightly excited I would say! It was a great day with family and friends. Of course we made second rounds to my parents for a doubly delicious thanksgiving dinner!

Dog Gone Games

We played the Dalmatian has lost his spots.

Kiersten and Hanna taped up different size circles to the fence..........to make things easier and hopefully to avoid any fighting each boy got to find 7 Dalmatian spots.

Worked like a charm!

Hurry boys hurry... Racing to show me their 7 spots Then it was time for the doggie rescue course. The boys had so much fun..........and they were told to bark while they were doing it. They were fun to watch!

There comes Ryan.....I have to say he had the best doggie bark!

At the end of the course they had to rescue the puppy. They thought carrying the puppy in their mouth was so funny!

What a handsome birthday doggie!

Go Logan GO

I love this picture!

and I LOVE my Logan!

Logan is such a fun boy......he can be naughty just like any kid........but in the next breath he melts my heart. Everyone loves Logan! He is always making us laugh and I am pretty sure one of his purposes in life is to entertain!

Thanks Logan for being a wonderful son!

We Love You!

Cake Time!

Logan LOVED his cake

Okay that is a complete understatement......

he more than LOVED it!

My friend Krista Hancock made it........she is so talented!

I thought I'd give Debbie a break from cake making this time.

When every guest came to the door he would grab their hand and run them to see his cake.

He jumped up and down singing, " I LUB IT, I LUB IT, I LUB IT!" Move Over Cake Boss My kids love that show and when they saw this cake they thought I had surprised them by ordering it from the Cake Boss. Well Krista is the Cake Boss of the Gila Valley!

Look at the detail she put into it...........and the best part is she is so well priced!

Such Good Doggies

Of course Mija was our guest for the party! It wouldn't be a dog party without her! The boys were all so cute and wanted to pose just like real dogs for the picture

Kiersten and Hanna were my best helpers!

Good looking group

That would be me making Mija perform her tricks

She's doing the ballerina........she is an amazing dog! Even if she did get a little took hyper that I had to send her inside the house while we played games outside.

The boys really enjoyed seeing Mija's tricks!

Dog Collars

After the boys picked their Doggie hats they made doggie collars.

Brenner was dang excited about making these collars...... so cute! What a cute group of doggies!

Ryan Looking adorable...........easy for him!

Nice work boys!

They strung fruit loops onto licorice string...........in case they needed a snack later they would have it.

Kendall and Hunter were my helpers

Isn't that the cutest doggie face ever!

The Birthday Doggie himself

The name tags turned out great....the boys couldn't believe it said their name.

It was pretty serious work making their name tags!

Looks good Ryker

Ruff....Ruff.....

Started with the invites...

I love kids parties, I love finding ways to be creative, I love hearing my kids talk about their past birthday parties, I love that they start thinking of the "theme" for their next party months before their birthday...............I am strange I know. Logan wanted a Doggie Party........so thats what we did. complete with Doggie bowls to eat out of.

What a cute birthday doggie!

Logan and his best buddy Ryker

They were so happy to get to play doggies!

Watch out right!