It's The Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

We love this time of year! We have had such a mild and wonderful fall, that we are ready for winter, and we haven't been disappointed. We have about 10 inches of snow outside and are loving it! There's football on tv, yummy treats to no end, hot chocolate, a fire in the fireplace, presents wrapped under the tree and the constant gentle reminder to be more like Christ. How could we not love this season?! Merry Christmas to everyone! Hope it is filled with faith, family, friends and food.


Our ward party had Santa attend. Kyle was the last kid on Santa's lap. It took him that long to stop crying and understand the fact that Santa would give him a treat if he sat on his lap.



Jason asked for Legos.

Sean asked for a 'grippy' football

The boys talked us into a flocked Christmas tree. Jason calls it "plucked". We thought it was a good idea since it doesn't need water, but we've vacuumed up an enormous amount of white stuff and had to change fleece pj's just before bed a few times after playing in the tree. It looks pretty though:) And Riley seems to like it.

Enjoying a last nice fall day on the 4 wheeler and pit bike. (Kyle's on the front of the 4 wheeler, but you can't see him)

Sean and Ben going for a duck hunt.

Jason and Ben going for a duck hunt. (They walked so long and it was cold and snowing. When they stopped for a few minutes, Jason fell asleep sitting up)

Family Home Evening gingerbread house (thanks to Rudy; aka Grandma Heers). The candy lasted until the next day after school.

You can tell Riley has a 2 year old brother. He wakes up from a nap with cars and trucks. He is loved!

Thanksgiving and More

What a wonderful time of year! Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays (second only to Christmas). I love the weather, the smells, the family get-togethers, and especially the FOOD! We were able to go to Vegas this year to visit my sister and her family in their new home. We had a blast! Here are some pictures of our feast:)

Riley loves Thanksgiving too!

Ben and my parents (isn't my mom beautiful?)

Jason, Sean and Kyle enjoying some yummy food!

Amy, me and my mom showing off our cooking talents!

Ben and Kyle

Here is Sean and Jason with their Reflections entries for school. Jason drew a picture of the Lake as a 'sheet of glass.' Sean won a ribbon for Outstanding Achievement for his picture of a bald eagle. They both got certificates and donuts.

As a side note, Ben's development is going forward. The lots should be ready by spring. If you want to check out their website, it's http://www.lakeviewfields.com/

I had to put this picture of Riley here...this thumb is the reason I am sleeping all night now! Yup...braces in the future:) But I swear it's worth it.

My awesome husband took Jason hunting. They saw 2 coyotes and a bunch of does. Fun day for Jason and Ben.

Halloween and Leaves and Smiles

What a whirlwind of a fall it has been. Halloween was a blast for us! The boys had a parade at school during the day, then we got together with some friends and went Trick-or-Treating, ate pizza and watched movies. We have loved the leaves falling, the crisp air, and yes, today, the snow:)


Here are the boys on Halloween. Jason is a motorcycle rider, Riley is a puppy, Sean is Peyton Manning, and Kyle is a lion.

Apparently, we don't just jump into the leaves around here. We jump off a ladder into the leaves:)

Or even cannonball off a ladder into the leaves.

We love autumn!!!

Riley is starting to smile...it's so cute! I have a hard time capturing them on camera, but here are a couple:) And, yes, four boys ROCKS!!!

How cute!

Maternity Pictures

My BF Melissa took some pics of the boys and I before Riley was born. It was fun to do and the boys cooperated pretty well. Thanks Melis for being patient with all of us. I think they turned out super cute.

I love this one!

Melissa had this awesome chair that she carried out to a field for these pics (it's heavier than it looks). I love how they turned out.

Did I mention that I love having boys?!

Sean, Jason and Kyle were playing on this gate while we were shooting pictures in the field. I'm so glad Melissa snapped some pictures of them.

Multitasking

How do you know that life is busy? You are nursing a newborn, entertaining a two year old (I'm giving him a piggy back ride while I sit on the chair) and blogging all at the same time. Yes, it's crazy, but it's good. Really good. This is my favorite time of the year, so I am hoping that Ben and I get over this yucky sickness we've had so that we can enjoy these wonderful fall days.

Here are some pics...

My sweet baby Riley in his bed. This was a couple weeks ago, so he looks older now, but this one is so cute I couldn't resist.



Mornings don't get any better than this. When I am feeding Riley, Kyle usually comes to me with his blanket and says, "Hold me." Priceless.


My superstar baby holder, Jason with Riley. I know Riley's too little, but it looks like a smile to me.



My big boys out playing in the field. This is one reason I love this time of year.

Sean and Jason throwing "long bombs" to each other with the football.

Riley Thomas May

Welcome to our family Riley Thomas May. Riley was born on Thursday September 18, 2008 at 10:21 am. He was 7 lbs 2 oz and 20 1/2 inches long. He is so amazing! I feel so overwhelmed with joy, I just might burst. He and I are both doing great. Enough with the small talk...here's some pictures.

Riley with Grandpa Thomas Heers, who he was named after.

Showing a little personality while being weighed. Should I be nervous?!

Mom and baby.

Dad and baby.

Kyle wants to hold Riley all the time, but Jason doesn't usually want to give him up. Jason will sit and hold Riley as long as I'll let him. When I ask if he's done, he says "Just a few more minutes." Such good big brothers!

Sean and Riley chillin' on our bed.

I just thought this one was cute. He has that old man look goin' on.

Our Newest Addition

Nope, it's not our little boy...yet. Though he is scheduled to be here Thursday if not sooner:) This addition is a pit bike. What is a pit bike? It is the cutest little motorcycle ever! This is a Yamaha PW50, for those who might care. We thought it would take the boys a few weeks to get the hang of it, but it took only a couple of minutes. Ben, Sean and Jason have now made a couple of jumps in the field and they all love it! Including Kyle, who loves wearing his helmet and riding with dad (yes, it can hold an adult; Ben looks a little like a circus monkey on it though. If I wasn't going to be induced this week, I think I may have resorted to riding it to get labor going) I am obviously embracing the fact that we are a family of boys. This is seriously fun!

Sean...

Jason...

Also, we've been busy with soccer. Here a couple pics of Sean and Jason...

Sean is #12...

Jason is dribbling the ball...



Ben roasting marshmallows with the boys out in our field one night.




Kyle after eating a s'more:)

End of Summer, Beginning of School

Summer time has ended, school has started. I'm so glad we enjoyed the summer while we did, because the last few weeks have included a lot of sitting/laying down for me. We have had huge help from family and friends and the boys have been fantastic helpers. I'm close enough now that the doctor has removed the 'restrictions' and if our baby wants to come now, he's welcome to come:) (I'm still hoping for a couple of weeks though). He are a few pics from the last weeks of summer...

My amazing husband slept out in the field with Sean and Jason. That is, until both boys decided their beds inside were much more 'mosquito-free' than the open-aired tent.


Sean's first day of 2nd grade at a brand new school with all new friends. He was so excited!

Jason, Kyle and our neighbor helping Ben check out the stream. Kyle seems to like the dirt!

Sean, Jason and Kyle on Jason's first day of kindergarten. He absolutely loved it! (Notice Kyle's backpack...he's not going to be left out! I think he was shocked to learn that he wasn't going with them, poor little guy)