Early Christmas

On Sunday night, Dave, Alaina, Leo, and I celebrated a little bit of Christmas. In part this was because I was really, really anxious about having Christmas, but the logical reason behind it was to limit the number of large packages that had to be brought down to Grandma and Grandpa's house for Christmas. In all reality, it won't matter much now because it sounds like we will probably be at home for Christmas morning. As it seems right now, sickness is delaying our trip. We will get down to see family when everyone is healthy.

This is a picture that was taken of Alaina on her first Christmas:


My Mom asked me to try to repeat it with Leo. I want to try to get one with more presents in the background to match Alaina's, but we will see. I think I need more red paper and less blue.... It was easy to have a variety when I took this picture of Alaina because we lived in Texas so everyone sent her presents there. Now we go to people's houses. Anyhow, here is Leo's pic:


His hair looks much more red in that picture than it actually is. I had the light on over the table and that really brought out the red in his hair. It usually doesn't look that red. I promise.

Anyway, then we opened some presents. Here is Leo with his first ever Christmas present.


Alaina later helped. It is a rocking caterpillar.

Next was Alaina's turn.

She got the movie that she has been asking for for the last several months.
Then Leo and Alaina opened their present from Grammy Bonnie and Grandpa Mark:
Betcha can't guess what it was....


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It is this!!


It is one of the coolest pop-up tent toys I have ever seen! It has 3 seperate tents connected by 2 tunnels. Putting it up and breaking it down take less than 5 minutes and did you see the size of the box it fits in?? It still fits in that box. And that includes the 50 balls that go in the big tent. I had Dave stand next to it for a size comparison.

Late last week Dave took the kids out to play in the snow. I took my job of staying warm inside and making hot chocolate very seriously. I only stopped to peek out and to get pictures.

Leo loves the slide. He just giggles going down it.

Then Leo face-planted in the snow and retreated inside with me to work on that hot chocolate. Daddy and Alaina took advantage of the situation and climbed on the big hill that the plow made.



I'm so glad that she likes the snow! I wasn't sure if she would after spending her first 2 years in Texas. If everyone feels better, the kids may get to go sledding this weekend. If we do, I'll of course have lots of new pictures to show you.

More Pearson!!

My Mom just sent me these pictures!!!

Daddy Zach with Pearson!


Mommy Haley feeding Pearson

Grandma Annie playing with Pearson.





Proud Daddy.



Aunt Betsy.

Grandpa Keith with his newest Grandson. (Boys outnumber girls now!!)

Hope you like the pictures!!

I talked to Haley this morning and both Haley and Pearson seem to be doing really well. I think Haley would like it if Pearson would let her take a nice long nap, but other than that they are great. As always, I'll keep you posted as I get info.

Pictures of my kids.

I know this is Pearson's big day, but I still have to post some pictures of my own kids (and dog). There is also an awesome video at the end.

First off, Bandit loves laying on blankets and clothes. The other day when I took off my sweatshirt, Bandit claimed it for the rest of the day.

The kids' new favorite toy is the living room window. You can see both your reflection and the neighbors Christmas lights from it.


This is the coolest picture!!
Unfortunately, Leo has gotten a little too good at getting to the window....



That didn't look too bad until you see it from further away:
He is such a peanut....a peanut who can climb like nobody's business...


Leo now has a new obsession with shoes. Sorry Mom and Dad. I know you wanted me to get stuck with kids who didn't like shoes, but I lucked out. (I gave my parent's many headaches over shoes. I still remember fighting them over shoes. In high school I remember giving my Mom shoes to break in for me. I HATE breaking in new shoes to this day! I love going barefoot.)

Anyway, Leo now puts on any shoes that are left by the door. He will put on his shoes and Dave's shoes and any size in between. It is really cute when he puts on Dave's boots. His legs are just barely long enough to let him stand in them.
Dave is such a good Dad! Here he is goofing off with the kids:

The love rough-housing with him.

This morning I printed out the picture of Pearson. Alaina carried it around all day and told everyone that he is her cousin Pearson. She even named one of her baby dolls Pearson after her cousin. She spent the day kissing the picture and saying, "He's so cute!" It won't be long until she gets to meet him. Only a couple of weeks. This evening I took a video of her telling me about the picture:

More pictures!!

Betsy just sent these pictures of Pearson!!




Just wanted to share them!

Haley and Pearson are doing wonderful! I was told that Pearson is perfect in every way and I think Haley is doing as good as it is possible to do a few hours after a major surgery (the c-section was planned.)

Pearson Arrived!!!

Pearson Zebulon Gage Bottiger was born this morning!!! He is 7lbs 6 oz and 19 inches long. Both Haley and Pearson are doing great!!! I'll post more pictures as I get them!!

My Birthday Pictures

On my birthday, Alaina helped me make birthday cupcakes. I love how she put sprinkles on. Can you guess which cupcake she asked for when it was time to eat them?

Yep, the one with the most sprinkles. She, of course, at all of the frosting and sprinkles first. She asked for more frosting and so we got out the extra frosting, re-frosted her cupcake, and dipped it in more sprinkles. She was thrilled. We had to repeat this process 2 or 3 more times until the cupcake was gone.
Of course, Leo joined in on the fun.
And the best way to get all of the crumbs....
And, of course, we needed a bath afterward.

It was a lot of fun. The kids had fun, we had fun.

Since then, the kids I babysit for have gotten sick. So far we have avoided it (knock on wood!!). And that is what we have been up to.