Baking Brownies

I had to make a dessert for tomorrow's pot luck at school.

Ty and Maddie helped me make peanut butter brownie pizza.

Their favorite part, other than cracking the egg, is licking the beaters.

Ho Ho Ho

Ty got out the Santa hats and started saying "Ho Ho!"

After One Week.....

Chris and I purchased a fake tree this year. In the past we have always had a real tree. We decided to go with an easier (and cleaner) route this year. Ty loved the box!

We put up the tree the weekend before Thanksgiving since we travel during the holiday.

Then it took awhile to get the tree decorated with ornaments. We involved Maddie and Ty in the process and they put one on and took three off.

Chris put lights on Ty's house too. Now he loves it even more!

Plates

Logan, age 8, is at the age where he loves to play games like Simon Says. I told Logan I play that game at school but call it Mrs. Garber Says during Brain Breaks. He wanted to know what other games I had so I introduced him to "Plates."

Everyone had a paper plate to balance on their head. If the plate fell, then you were frozen and someone else had to pick it up for you.

Aunt Tracey was pretty good at the game.

The three youngest (Carson, Ty, and Maddie) might have cheated some!

Boys

Chocolate

Aunt Tracey had four helpers who wanted to make chocolates with her.

We had to take turns sitting on the counter and watching.

Mmmm....they turned out perfect!

Ty was super excited when he could have his after lunch.

Ty did give me one small bite. Maddie would not share hers at all!

Early Christmas

Ma and Pa brought Christmas presents back from KY for Ty, Maddie, Carson, and Logan to open.

If this is a preview of what this Christmas is going to be like....it will be a wild one!

Ty instantly tore into his gifts!

Turkey Day

We spent Thanksgiving day with Chris' family. They travel to Morrow to Uncle Brooks and Aunt Marilyn's house. Aunt Marilyn makes homemade whipped cream for all the pies.

Needless to say, Ty and Maddie thought it was delicious!

Who needs spoons on Thanksgiving?

Holidazzle

Tracey and I took the kids to Wilmington's Holidazzle Parade on Main Street Saturday night. It was bitterly cold, but a fun event!

Maddie looks pleased to be bundled up!

Where's Ty?

The four cousins

We think Pidgeon Farms should have an entry in the parade next year...Come on Pa!

Wildlights

Sunday evening we went to the Columbus Zoo for the Wildlights. It was a perfect evening!

It was a bit crowded outside, so we decided to go through the reptile building.

Maddie on the Merry-Go-Round.

Ashley and Ella

Our attempt at a family picture

the train ride

the girls

the boys

The lights were outstanding! The pictures do not do them justice!

Funny story: On the way to the zoo, we stopped at Easton and ate at Red Robin. Maddie had to go to the bathroom. After going to the bathroom she didn't want to wear her diaper any more (had to wear a diaper to the zoo but now has changed her mind). I, for some reason, did not have her underwear with me. Luckily, Tiff had extra pairs for Brax. So Maddie wore Braxton's camo underwear all evening! I think we hit every bathroom at the zoo at least once to go potty!