Oh Christmas Tree...

Come rain, snow or shine we were determined to find the perfect tree! Justin picked this year's winner, our tallest yet.  It was a little disastrous when while sawing the tree down it toppled over on top of Ryan. Luckily he survived with a few tears.  The pine needles got the best of him.  Poor guy, he wasn't the biggest fan of Santa either. It just wasn't his day.  The big hot ticket Dear Santa items this year was a puppy for Kate and an ipod for Zach.

Give Thanks...

 Its always a treat to have family in town for the holidays, and although I am spoiled being able to live by most of my family, its fun chaos to have more come to town.  Everyone but Jeff and his family were in town for Thanksgiving.  Now what to do with the masses?!  Besides eat and play around each others homes, we spent the day after Thanksgiving playing at Villa Sport. I love that all our kids pick up where they leave off when we get together.  I hope my kids appreciate the blessing of having cousins to play with.  

Ryan doesn't really have a cousin his age but he doesn't seem to mind much.  He is such a happy boy.  For as much as I struggle with my babies emotionally, I really am grateful I have them.  How could anyone resist this swing loving boy?! He was in heaven swinging back and forth.      

Yearly Pics...

Well there is one benefit of having all fall and winter babies, and that is being able to catch them all for documenting age pictures. And its no secret that I have the best sister in law, who at a last minutes notice, hops in her car after a few texts, to snap a few shots for me.  The weather and kids were cooperating this day.  I love these kids of mine and love the personalities catured.

Strong Man, Trapeze Artist, Spider Witch, Batman, and Blue Skin...Oh My!

This was Ryan's first official Halloween.  He loved trick or treating! Unfortunately it was cut short because Kate was sick with the flu.  She puked right before she went out the front door to trick or treat.  They trick or treated around our street and she was pooped.  Poor girl.  It's a good thing we went to our ward's trunk or treat the week before to meet her desirable candy quota.  And yes, you bet we handed out toothbrushes!  The reaction from the kids was hilarious. We handed out candy too, so we weren't that lame.

Zach on the other hand made out like a bandit!  He had a soccer game the same time as the trunk or treat so trick or treated with Nate long enough to fill and entire pillow case! 

The Thelins threw another amazing Halloween Party...Carnevil! Everyone showed up as different carnival character.  It's always a good time! I found Justin's muscles at a halloween store and my sequins leotard came from Elite's costume surplus.