....Life as we know it?: January 2012

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

My BFF -- the Photographer :)

http://blog.melindabrookshirephotography.com/the-mannering-family-western-oklahoma-natural-light-family-photographer/

I've bragged on Melinda before but she's amazing! I love our pics that she did again this year. She always finds a way to caputre my kids personalities and that's why these pics are my favorites!!!

Thanks Melinda Brookshire Photography :-)

Sunday, January 15, 2012

Snow Skiing

I've been very anxious to blog about our recent Family Trip to Red River. We planned a VERY last minute trip to Red River to take our kids snow skiing for the first time, and invited along The Lawles' to join us.

We had the best time and are happy to report that all the kids learned to ski and did REALLY good!!

Our family with our 'lil skiiers! SO proud of them!!

Jaxen and Madi went to ski school the first day and Kate was too young for ski school so we just kept her with us. Will and I skiied her between our skis and she did great.

...at the ski rental. Kate was sure excited to get her boots and ski's all sized just for her! We were very surprised that she was so anxious to do this, but she doesn't want to miss anything that big brother and big sister are doing.

Jaxen loved skiing. He'd be down the mountain and on his way back up before

the rest of us could get down once. He liked doing the jumps towards the bottom

of the mountain, and mastered them pretty well.

Madi loved it too! She probably shocked Will and I more than anything.

We weren't sure if she'd have the desire to learn but she was all about it.

She'd fall, get right back up and try again, and by the last day....

Bayli, Jaxen, and Madi skiied down from the top of the mountain.

The goal was to ski down on Greens, but Madi took a wrong turn and Will followed her down a really hard Blue. Needless to say, she got going really fast, Will had to crash into her to get her stopped and she wasn't too happy.

However, they made it all the way down and did so good.

Happy New Year!!!

We went out to eat on New Years Eve at Texas Red's

Steak House in Red River. We had high hopes of making it

until midnight...but we were all too exhausted from our day of skiing,

and we are sound asleep by 11!

....New Years Day - Back to the slopes!

Kate and Daddy -- Getting ready to get back on the lift

(or the "Swingset" as Kate called it!)

Madi -- heading to the lift with Amber

Taking a little break - having a snack in the lodge.

Amber was a great teacher for Madi. :)

My family!!!

There she goes!

Kate skiing down with Mama!

This was one of the funnest trips we taken with the kids.
It took A LOT of patience and the help of Jason and Amber to make it
happen, but we can look back and remember how much fun we all had!
We love making these memories with our children,
nothing makes us happier than hearing them tell everyone about
how much fun they had on this trip.
What a great way to start 2012!!!

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

3x5 Folded Card

With Love Thank You Card

Create modern thank you cards at Shutterfly.com.

View the entire collection of cards.

Last Stop...

Last stop...final Christmas... at Mema's and Papa's!

To say my kids love these boys is an understatement! They adore them and look forward to hanging out with them...wrestling with them...and picking on each other! Zachary and Isaac are so good with my kids, they give them LOTS of attention!

Zachary helping Madi read her card from Mimi...

My mama and my mimi checking out the calendar I made.

New Ipods!

Big Barbie House!!!

...You better Watch out...better not pout...

You better watch out, better not pout, better not cry I'm telling you why...SANTA Claus is coming to Town!

I sang this continuously throughout the month of December to keep my kiddos in check ;) They sang it a lot too! ....and low and behold he came!!

Each of our children had very specific request this year. They knew without a doubt what they really wanted:

Kate - She wanted a BLUE MOTORCYLE AND A TOY STORY HELMET - she told everyone! She talked about this blue motorcycle and helmet for months! Needless to say this was one very happy lil' girl on Christmas day! (Will and I are totally okay that we are prob the only parents that bought our 2 yr old girl a boy toy for Christmas! ;) Afterall, it's what she wanted...)

Madilyn - She wanted an American Girl doll (this one here...) that she made online. She picked her hair color, eye color, etc. Madi loves her dolls, and this one sure is a pretty one!

Jaxen - He wanted a REAL football helmet and pads. Jaxen loves playing football (or any sport) but he also likes to dress the part. He was pretty excited to get the real gear!

...and Mom and Dad completed this with a REAL jersey!! He was in heaven.

Kate checking out her new Dora Toys!

Madi got a new Thomas Terrier and OSU Cheer Uniform!

Christmas Morning with my family!

As I watch my children this day I was reminded of how blessed we are ~

We have 3 healthy and happy children, and SO enjoyed Christmas and seeing

their little faces light up!!!

Christmas ...#3

Each year we spend Christmas Eve with Bryan and Vicki (Grammy & Papa). We had another wonderful Christmas with them and Matt, Abby, Bo, and Baby Will.