Christmas day!

This is the first Christmas we have spent the entire day at home without any of our extended family with us. While we were upset that we weren't able to go to our parents houses this weekend (didn't want to pass along our illnesses) We have tried to make the best of a day contained to the house. Thankfully we have new toys to entertain us!

The kids seeing their gifts from Santa this morning.

Olivia loved Mickey, even though he's Ben's toy. I must admit that is a pretty neat toy!

Olivia's favorite movie, in a book!

Repunzel doll, this was Olivia's first movie to see at the Theatre so I was excited for her to have this doll!

Trying out her new helmet!

Ben playing with his motor speedway...

and then deciding he liked sitting in it a little better

Olivia's doll looks a lot like her, so I fixed her hair to match. Shannon also made us matching bows for Olivia and baby doll. Liv LOVED this!

Wearing their matching outfits! I'm almost sure she'll want to wear this dress everyday! :) We asked her what she wanted to name her doll, and keep in mind she has a baby named "baby boy" and one named "baby girl", and we named our elf "boo" after 15 minutes of giving her options.  So when we asked her what to name her doll we thought it would be a while before she decided, but to our surprise she said with no hesitation "Jackie!"  And thats what she has called her all day!

Building a snowman with mommy while the sickys are inside

putting on the finishing touches!

He's not very big but he's a fine looking snowman if I do say so myself!

Merry Christmas!!!

A visit from Santa!

Before everyone came down with this yucky stuff attacking our family Olivia helped me make some cookies, we decided we would leave some out for Santa on Christmas Eve. And don't worry, I didn't let Liv use oven mit for anything other than posing for a picture :)

We recieved a call from Mrs. Claus on Christmas Eve reporting that Santa was making a special stop to see the kids! Olivia watching for him outside

We were surprised by her enthusiasm to open the door to let him in, considering she did everything but cry last time we went to visit him.

She even talked to him, at first....

notice the distance between her and Santa, this is her comfort zone I suppose

because when he came to sit down by her, she flipped out.. and it was all over after that :) Santa reminded us that Christmas was all about Jesus and how much He loves us. Very neat to hear that straight from the man in the red suit!

the tree before the kids woke up, yes I was the first one up!

Ben's Mickey and Olivia's doll she asked for, they were both a BIG hit!

Bevis Family Christmas

I truly do love this time of year! Getting to see our entire family within a week of each other. Yes it gets a little busy and entails a lot of driving but it is so much fun! Yesterday we went to my dad's for Christmas. It was our first of 3 celebrations.

Landon being a cheeseball

Yes, Erin is kissing her Kindle... haha needless to say she was a little excited!

Ben enjoying himself

Olivia's baby playhouse, it only took Nate about an hour to assemble it for her.

Feeding her baby (which is usually naked but she got an outfit for Christmas)

Landon trying to teach Nate how to play our new guitar. (kind of funny)

Aunt Erin hosting a tea party with the kids

Erin, Landon, Dad, Rhonda, Grandma Bevis, and us

all of us with my Uncle Gary

Ben's 1st Birthday Celebration!

Today my precious boy turned a year old! It doesn't seem possible... Here are a few pictures from our celebration!

getting ready to rip into some presents!

checking out a gift

Thanks Grandma Garrison for making the yummy cake!

Ben's cake before (you'll see the after picture shortly :)

He didn't hesitate to start eating!

oh yea... good stuff!

the cake after, I actually just took it from him or he would have probably finished it

realized everyone was watching him

of all the gifts this of course was his favorite

awesome new remote control truck!

he of course liked the remote control the best :)

going for a ride on his favorite present :)

Adi wasn't so such about Buster but she did like Ben's pawpaw Bob!

Ben's walking!!

Here is our first walking video! He's finally taking more than 1 step! Our little baby is growing up so fast!

funny conversations

Ever since the day Olivia started talking I've had good intentions to have a note pad and a pen near by to write down funny things she says. Of course I have yet to do this but I had a couple of things she said yesterday I wanted to remember. (I do realize these might not be as funny to you, my readers) this is mostly for my enjoyment! :)

A train engine went by yesterday with no cars.
Liv - "Where is he going?"
Me - "I don't know, where do you think he's going?"
Liv- "Probably Indiana"
Me- "We are already in Indiana."
Liv- "NO WE AREN'T, we are in Haubstadt in our new house."
Me- "But Haubstadt is the town in the State of Indiana"
Liv- "NO! (at this point she was getting frustrated) We are in Haubstadt!! In our new house!!"
Me- "Ok I bet he is going to Indiana"
Liv- "Yea"

Last night while Liv and I were in the car, a Brandon Heath song came on the radio.
Liv-"Mom start clapping!"
Me- "Ok. Are you clapping?"
Liv- "No I can't because I'm playing the guitar."

Rich Family photo

Last weekend we went to Nate's cousin's wedding. We really wanted to get a picture of all of us toghether and we were actually able to do so! (Thanks to Traci for letting me steal her picture)

Nate's wonderful family! Love this group of people! :)

Boring winters? Not here!

I often wish I was as easily entertained as my children.  Yesterday and today I've found them using box and a laundry basket for hours of entertainment...

I present to you "the slide" which they both loved playing on!

and of course "the boat"

The "boat" can't float on its own

here they are playing in "the boat" in their favorite playing spot throughout the entire house, our closet... Whether the lights are on or off, or the door is open or closed they seem to have way to much fun in that tiny thing :)