Soft Blankie

The true highlight of the visit was the discovery of soft blankie. Grandma Debbie has a gift on finding the best blankies and the softest hence the name the kids came up with---soft blankie. We had to take turns on who got to sleep with soft blankie along with time each day to play and wrap up in soft blankie. Ellery was nice enough to share her time with Grandma Debbie, what Ellery didn't realize is that Grandma Debbie was the one doing all the sharing. I now can't wait for my birthday because Grandma Debbie had an extra one she gave the kids to give to me for my birthday! I even like soft blankie!

Cooking at Papaw's

Grandma Debbie does a great job on cooking with the kids when they come to visit. The kids really enjoy it and I don't mind it myself. She always makes us cinnamon rolls and I have to use the term us very loosely. She might make them for everyone, but I can't stop eating them because they are sooooooooooooo good! So she might make a big pan of them, but I eat about half the pan because I can't control myself around them. They are my favorite cinnamon roll of ALL TIME!

The highlights of this trip were donuts, even papaw got in on making these with the kids. We also made cake pops on a stick. If you look closely at the picture below you will see the fancy holder Papaw made for us to stick them in. (a box with nail holes) He treats us well. I had never made the cake pops, but was amazed by them. You bake the cake, crumble it up, mix it with frosting, form balls/insert stick, and then dip in melted chocolate! Who wouldn't love that?

Fun at Papaw's

 How can you not have fun with this crew?

 Some of my favorite photos are the silly faces? It makes me laugh and smile and those things bring me joy and who doesn't want joy! I might have to name our next animal Joy!

Kinect Fun

The kinect is always a fun time. The highlight this year for the kids was kinect sports 2. Skiing was a good time! It was also great that Papaw was able to do some racing with us this time, it was able to recognize him in his wheelchair. He also threw down on darts. I was the weak link on darts, everyone else kicked me to the curb! I couldn't win for nothing, and thank goodness that is what we were paying for. I might have had bragging rights in boxing, but not in darts! Fun is all I could get!

More Presents

Grandma Debbie found these cute blankets for the kids. They are a huge hit. Ellery is a lady bug while Mason is a dragon. Not pictured is Bryson the monkey, but he is pictured in his adorable sock monkey hat. Grandma Debbie had the kids crawling around on the floor as their animals and they had a great time playing in them. They are super soft as well. The kids don't know it, but they will get matching pillows for their birthdays!
Everyone enjoyed opening presents. Ellery gave the classic, look it's a box response to some openings and was excited to get the box. They are spoiled with love from Papaw and Grandma Debbie, but it doesn't stop at just love. Christmas was a fun time for everyone!

Church singing

While we were at Papas the kids missed singing at Church. Really not a big deal since Mason never sings when he is on stage at church, but it would have been Ellery's first big debut with the preschool room. We were able to put on a concert for everyone. Grandma Debbie had a fantastic idea and created a curtain to open and close after each song. The kids really enjoyed the stage created and serenaded us with 4 songs.

C is for Cookie

Grandma Debbie has conditioned the children. Every time we visit or she visits she makes them yummy cookies. Not only does she make a double batch of cookies with extra chocolate chips, she makes them each their initial out of cookie. The kids really enjoy eating them. They also have learned to eat the regular cookies first and their initial last since no one usually eats their initial.

Papaw had a captivated audience on the floor playing with him. He always has a captivated audience and helpers when he puts his legs on and off. Ellery is becoming a fan riding in the wheel chair with him as well.
Bryson had a good time being cuddled by everyone and even though we captured him crying it isn't his usual happy self. I had to snap a picture quick because Grandma Debbie isn't a fan of having her picture taken.

The kids also enjoyed a picnic outside.

Go West One Man

We loaded up the family and headed west to visit Papaw and Grandma Debbie. I think everyone had a great time, and I am not sure who wore who out more.

Rob showed Mason a map of our route to Papaws, and instead of asking "are we there yet" multiple times, he kept asking are we on the red or green road now. "Mom when we got on the green road the map showed an airplane, I didn't see the airplane, so are we on the green road or the red one?" Funny the things they focus in on.

A Fun Visit

I really should take a before and after pictures when someone comes to visit. I think we wore everyone out, but had a great time doing it. Every night before Mason went to bed he wanted to know who would be at our house when he woke up? I think he is going to be disappointed tomorrow morning. He would wake up every morning and not even come to my room to wake me, he went straight to the basement to find Papaw. When Ellery woke up every morning she would call out for Papaw and say where are you or here I am. She could never grasp she had to get to the basement first before she repeated saying it multiple times. I feel bad for Rob because he had to work all weekend and didn't get to spend much time with everyone, but I welcomed having Papaw and Grandma Debbie around to visit with and help entertain the kids. Right before they left I asked Mason to thank them for his gifts and I know Mason loved the chairs, tadpoles, fishing poles, and new bath towels, but he could only remember to thank them for the cookies Grandma Debbie made and brought up for them. I think they ate a cookie at every meal this weekend and loved every minute of it.

Showered with Love and Gifts

Papaw and Grandma Debbie have been up here for a visit and we have had a wonderful time. The boys were going to escape and go to the firring range, but didn't make it out. Surprisingly so the girls made it out to shop and go through the Omaha Street of Dreams. It is six houses recently build that are decorated to the hilt. We took away some good decorating ideas along with remodeling ideas the men would love. We saw TVs built into the mirrors in the bathroom, wine cellars, covered decks, and entertainment rooms.

The kids were well loved during the visit as well.

Papaw and Grandma Debbie have satin pillow cases on their pillows and Ellery would go into their bedroom and cry and point to them until some one got one down for her. Grandma Debbie thought Ellery needed one of her own and went and got her one. Maybe if I should try the point and cry tactic sometime when I want something?

Grandma Debbie also brought cookies and the kids ate them upon arrival and during the visit. She also made them donut and donut holes. I think I ate just as many as the kids, I have to say they were mighty tasty and easy enough that I might actually make them for them someday.

They also brought up Mason's birthday presents. They brought him a bike and a scooter. The scooter is not pictured but the correct size and bringing lots of enjoyment. You might be looking at Mason on the bike and think it looks a little big for him and you are correct. Papaw thought he bought him a 16 inch bike but actually bought him an 18 inch bike. It is like the 4T shirt Mason is wearing in the picture that Papaw got him when he was 1 year old. It will be a well loved present that we will grow into. I am not sure if you can see them in the picture but the 18 inch bike comes with pegs and all for tricks I don't even want to think of Mason attempting.

You might have been worried, what about Ellery. No worries here, she was showered with gifts as well and I don't have the birthday excuse. Ellery has been eyeing Mason's back pack he needed for school and attempts to wear it but it doesn't fit. Papaw and Grandma Debbie brought her a pink princess back pack just her size and she struts in it like she struts when she has her pig tails. They both also got some Halloween socks and other character socks that they are enjoying. Nothing like watching running toddlers as an advertisement. Mason might not have any tattoos, but I think I might be able to send him in to a marketing add for Thomas the Train on his underwear and Lighting McQueen on his feet

We might need to establish some house rules around visitors bringing gifts in the future. We are very blessed to have visitors and even more blessed by the gifts they bring to the kids. We are very thankful for all the love we encounter from everyone.

Preschool Fall Festival

Mason's preschool had a Fall Festival and Papaw and Grandma Debbie came for a visit and they were able to experience the festives. I knew it was going to be busy, but it was crazy busy. They had the rooms open with story tellers, games, face painting, and balloon art. I was a mean mom and didn't stand in line for my children to get a balloon, but they had no idea, so I don't think you can consider it being mean. Rob however was a nice dad and stood in line with Mason so he could get his face painted. He choose to be Spiderman again and this face painter used glitter as well. Mason also liked listening to stories told by Mrs. Pumpkin and Spooky. Ellery wouldn't let me put her down and didn't even want to pet Spooky, can't say that I blame her. Everyone enjoyed seeing where Mason is going to school and getting to experience a touch of chaoes that comes with having little ones around.