lucky girl

I sure do love this guy! There are times when he manages to work-in small acts of kindness to make me fall in love a million times over. He has been pretty busy tugging at my heartstrings this week. Pausing to take a picture with his nagging wife in the middle of sledding sure puts the icing on the cake...

sweet sleepy gavin

This is Gavin's sweet little way of saying, "Ashley, that's enough picture-taking, thank you."

...but I snuck in one more...

...I don't think he noticed.

Scarey Christmas

I really didn't want to take the boys to see the Santa at the mall. I much rather prefer a classic Santa... red suit... white gloves... and a soft, fluffy, white beard. But, I'm sure this Santa tries his best.

Regardless, I plopped the boys in Santa's lap. I guess Grayson caught my hesitant vibe, because for about 10 seconds, he loathed and strongly protested Christmas, yelling, "No! No! No!"

Off to Grayson's right sits Jackson--who seemed somewhat irritated that Grayson would act this way (we would expect nothing less from this 4 year-old). Jackson simply needed to discuss a Playmobil SkatePark... and trust me, it WAS a discussion. Jackson described it so thoroughly, I'm pretty sure I saw Santa peek at his watch.

Tears and all, I snapped a picture... of course! Thankfully, Grayson did smile and wave at Santa right before leaving the mall (he had about 30 minutes to forget it all).

No hard feelings, Santa Claus. While strolling to the door he whispered,
"Ho. Ho. Ho."

Manliness?

Deryck scored several BassProShop gift cards for his birthday! So, needless to say, he had a LARGE time shopping on Saturday. He was on the hunt for trail-hiking shoes and a nice thermos. He found both!!

THIS thermos (so I have been told) is the Cadillac of them all!! Stanley thermos-- Since 1913! Said to withstand being run over by a truck (??). He is so proud of his new toy that he even washed it out himself...whoa!

Check it out... ain't it a beaut'?

Such an exciting purchase and there it sits...air-drying... right next to the Little People Grayson dunked in the toilet. Thank you, sweet Grayson, for adding the most unpredictable spice to our lives! You keep us quite humble.

sweet feet

I am sure there will come a day when these four feet will be A LOT easier to resist; but for now I can't get enough!!