Lots of Christmas

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

We have been having so much fun in December that I am just getting to putting the pics up...seems to be a trend here. We have been all over the state and are happy to be home and not traveling too much this month. Due to the mass amounts of xmas get togethers, I will have to put pics up in different posts. Too many good ones to put them all in one!

Here is Dr.Sammie with her stethoscope on. Thanks to fun Aunt Sarah (old friend from high school)

We have been watching the birds a lot this winter. While eating breakfast the other morning Sammie became very excited when she looked out the front windows. Dad tried to get there in time, but missed the pic of all the birds in our yard. But he got them right when they took off.

Sammie Claus helping me make dinner

Christmas Eve in Russia with the entire Francis clan.

Uncle Eric and Samantha

Papa Dave and Sammie in her pretty dress

family shot with Grandpa Tommy

Although this picture isn't that clear, it makes me laugh. Sammie gets so excited and this picture caught her in action!

Setting up a picnic with Grandma Marge on Christmas day

Tea party with Grandma Marge and Grandpa Tom

Sammie must have thought these big ropes were some kind of necklaces.

Caden checking out his new Toy Story 3 book

Aunt Liz singing xmas songs with Caden

Uncle Ryan, Sammie, Uncle Scot relaxing and watching a movie

(looks like Sam is trying to sneak some food)

Caden chowing down on popcorn while watching Toy Story 3

Cousins having fun!

Payton and Sammie enjoying a snack together

Playing in the tent and tunnel

Fun time this fall

We have had a busy month so far let me try to catch you all up!
Caden has been doing so good at school and growing up so much. It is amazing how many words and little sentences that he knows now. Its funny to think that we were worried that he couldn't say too much. I liked this pic of the indoor sandbox...one of Caden's fave places to play.

playing outside with the corn kernels and construction toys

Caden and Sammie checking out the toys in the catalog

playing out in the garage

Caden loves the lawn mower

Sam loved playing in the leaves, especially when her brother would jump on the pile!

first go at "pig tails", a little crooked but so cute

A frog, a bee and a Buzz

Buzz Lightyear, a bumblebee, and a frog

(notice how embarassed Nia looks)

Caden had so much fun helping with the pumpkin seeds.

And only half of them ended up on the floor!

Fall fun!

Happy 1st Bday, Samantha!

Hard to believe that our little girl has turned one! Unreal really. It is amazing how much she has changed our lives (I am sure Caden would agree). Sam is a very curious and fun-loving girl. I love that she finds joy in the littlest things...so cute. We love you Samantha!

(I have pics from her bday and will post soon)

our little diva

All dressed up for Aunt Jen's baby shower

she loved going through the bag of tissue paper

Caden loves to pour the sand onto the picnic table...not one of my favorite things.

Too bad winter is coming because Sam has been really excited about the sandbox lately.

The Overfield Fall Festival was so much fun for the kids! They had a great time playing. All Caden wanted to do was to play in the huge sand box. He didn't care that there was a treasure hunt in the sand box...just wanted the backhoe and dumptruck and he was set to go in the sand box. Such a funny kid.

Our friend, Ben and his son Owen

Sammie loved riding the horse, Caden thought he might try but then found out he did not want to get on that horse!

mini bounce house

Samantha sitting in the fire truck! Bonus - seeing her sit there was all the motivation that her big brother needed to see! ha

Reading to the kids before bed one night. It is fun when they can just sit and listen to the book and cuddle up together. They have really begun to like our routine at nighttime of reading together in Sammie's room in the rocker.

Caden at the school (Overfield) sandbox, his favorite place to be when we go outside

Picasso painting at school