Thankful!

At the beginning of November we had our family photos taken.  The boys were less than cooperative...our poor photographer was working her tail off just to get them to smile!  Zane was the most cooperative, then Mason, and lastly Bryce.  That little stinker wouldn't smile for hardly anything!  It's so funny because at home when I take a camera out, he says "cheese" right away...but anyone else and all bets are off!  Thankfully we came out with a few photos that were Christmas card worthy!

 

Baker Boys

My favorite of the 3 of them!

He was chasing us and throwing leaves at us.

Chasing again...

This just makes me smile!

Total.Mason.Face!

This makes me happy and sad...so grown up!

Serious face!

The Baker 5

Christmas Card Shot!

I always look forward to Thanksgiving week for many reasons.  Reason #1:  A short work week!  We only have school on Monday and Tuesday, and the rest of the week off!  Reason #2:  Family and Food!  This year, we went to my mom's house.  We hadn't seen my brother and his wife since their wedding last December!  And last weekend we saw both sides of Matt's family, so we ended up getting to be with everyone within the week!

 



A little putting practice at Papa's...even in the snow!

Papa, Matt, and Adam took the oldest two boys to a mini golf place!

Turkey time!

Watching Home Alone!

Love this...all boys in the kitchen!!!

I told my brother he could bring the beer...he delivered!

Carving the turkey.  It was delicious!



Grandma Judy

Matt with Mason's Spiderman sweatshirt on!

Bryce could easily open their doors.  At one point he let himself out onto the porch and just sat back and enjoyed the view!

After dinner...we went outside and got some exercise.  Bryce loved the snow!

Football in the street...

Big boy Zane

Mason giving me a goofy pose!

Playing with Roxy - the neighbor's dog!

Bryce and Uncle Aaron teetering!

Mason and Aaron were sliding.

Everyone was there!  L-R;  Bryce, Dad, Michele, Aaron, Mason, Adam, Mom, Zane, Bethany, Me, Matt

Racing
!

Boys and their toys...

Brycers ready for bed.  He sat on Papa's lap and just feel asleep!

Later that evening Matt and I went out for a little Black Friday shopping.  I couldn't talk Aaron and Michele into going shopping...but they wanted to go out afterwards with us.  I only had a couple of things I truly wanted to get, so we got those, and were done in an hour.  We went back to the house to get them and went to get a couple of things.  We were going to go sit in a sports bar for awhile, but the one we went to was closed.  It was quite disappointing to see stores closing, so we just headed back to the house. 

We saw some friendly faces in the mall...

What a poser!

Friday morning Matt and I went back out and picked up a few more things.  We were just really shocked this year at the crowds...a lot thinner than in years past.  We aren't avid Black Friday shoppers - we really just enjoy the people watching aspect of it all, but we did score a couple of good deals! 

 

We returned back to the house just in time for kickoff in the Iowa/Nebraska game.  I was really looking forward to the game and the Hawkeyes did NOT disappoint this year!  It was so fun to watch that game, and especially to see them WIN!!!  This was the first win in this series, so it was enjoyable!  I may or may not be wearing black and gold to work tomorrow!  Ha!

 

At supper last night, Bryce wanted parmesan cheese...so we put it on a plate and he did this...

And then looked like this...

We came home Friday afternoon/evening.  After such a crazy week we just really wanted to be home and get our normal "weekend" things done so this week wouldn't feel so crazy.  Yesterday Zane and Matt went with the Boy Scouts to the Liberty Memorial.  They were gone for a large portion of the day, so the other 2 boys and I worked on our Christmas decorations for most of that time.

View from the top of the Liberty Memorial!

Decorating the tree!

Bryce latched onto this monkey.  He kept holding it up making monkey noises.  He wouldn't put it down.  Makes me happy, this is an ornament from my Grandma Bunch.  I have fond memories of these monkeys on her tree!

He didn't want much to do with putting ornaments on, but I got one picture of him doing it!

Today we went to church, then came home and put up our outside decorations and raked the front yard.  I worked up a sweat and had to take my sweatshirt off!  What a fabulous day it has been today!  Great way to start December!

 

Raking the leaves!

Bryce kept getting in the pile and throwing them all over the place.  He was aggravating the other two boys!

Guess who showed up last night:

BUZZ!  Time to be good boys!

 

We have SO MUCH to be thankful for!  We have the best family, the most amazing boys, and we have our health and happiness.  I hope everyone reading this was able to enjoy rest, relaxation, and lots of good food!  :)  Here's to an amazing holiday season!