Finally...

I'm updating the blog!  I really wanted to put Christmas pictures up, but thought it might be motivation to get everything caught up if I left those until the end.  Now it is the end of January and I'm trying.  My hope is to get a few done and then stay on top of it with more random everyday posts...even if they are just pictures.  I'm clear back in October and post dating so they will be in order for when I (or anyone else, I guess) wants to look back for a particular thing.  Hope everyone, if anyone, enjoys the updates!

Randomness of December

Later in December we had Tainter Christmas at mom & dad's house.  Of course we had a good meal followed by lots of fun, playing games, opening gifts, and visiting with everyone.

 Kale was pretty excited about his punch balloon

 the great grandkids

 Lane racing on the Wii

 

We also had plenty of time to just hang out at home, giving the boys lots of chances to break the bean bags in!

 Kale watching tv from his new favorite seat

 

The Pollards came over one night and the kids had some fun playing downstairs

 We even got to listen to the band :)

The boys' big presents this year were farm sets and a "farm" for them to play on

 they love getting everything all lined up

 I love that the boys get along and can play together (for the most part)!

and just a pic of some bath time fun

Christmas

Christmas morning was a big surprise.  The boys must have been super tired because we waited until almost 8 o'clock to wake them up to see what was under the tree!  After we opened our gifts and had a little time to play we hurried to get ready and headed to Middletown for Eckler Christmas

 Kale was excited to find his new bean bag

 Kale helping Lane shoot the duck

 the boys all got some new coon traps

 chillin' and just waiting to leave for Middletown

 

We are so blessed to live close enough that we are able to make it to all our "large" family get togethers including the Eckler one in Middletown for lunch on Christmas Day.  After a big lunch we have plenty of time to hang out, open presents and play with all the new games and toys and have fun with all the cousins!

 Grandpa Tom showing off his feather

 Kale had to try it out next

  showing off his new rodeo set

Lane trying out Cooper's Green Lantern costume



Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve is always a busy, exciting, and fun-filled day for us and this year was no different.  We started off by helping make Christmas cookies with Grandma Mari & Papa Harold.

 Kale & Grandma...he loved to help roll out the dough!  This picture doesn't show how hard he was working...you can't see the flour all over his face :)

 helping ice some of the many, many cookies

 all ready for church

 and another one...Lane wasn't real excited about pictures

 

We headed to Shelbyville for Hunolt Christmas and met up with a lot of the gang for church before heading to Aunt Beth's house for an awesome supper, some games, a visit from Santa, presents, and just some all around fun hanging out with all the cousins. 

taking time out to pose...Lane loved chasing the girls around and "playing"

 Kale & Lane telling Santa what they wanted

Aunt Beth reading to the kiddos

 

After all the excitement at Hunolt Christmas we headed home for a few hours of rest for the boys and some time for Jason & I to get a few things ready for Christmas morning before going to Edina for midnight mass.  It was definitely a full day, but it is awesome to have traditions and so much family nearby to celebrate Christmas with!

Painting ornaments

This year we started a (hopefully) new tradition and the boys each painted an ornament for our Christmas tree.  They had fun and didn't even make a mess (too big anyway)!

 loads of concentration

 finished masterpiece

watching tv with dad & all worn out from the hard work :)

Pollard Christmas

We celebrated Christmas with the Pollard family a weekend early so we could have more time together and enjoy more than just a couple of hours with everything crammed in.  It makes it nice to spread the celebrating out especially with little kids!

Lane & Uncle Justin waiting for pictures

Grandma Lola & three of the kiddos

can't you feel the joy?!?  I think this sums up how most everyone feels about taking a big family picture most of the time :)  Note...I didn't get a good one when we are finished getting lined up...I still need to beg Megan or Les for one :)

the grandkids....I love Chase's pose in the first one!

family pic 2013

helping pass out presents...Lane pretty much threw all of his to the intended recipient and would then tell them "good catch"

the little elves

Kale with his pile of presents...all smiles

both boys were excited about their own presents as well as each others this year!

Lane modeling his new spider man jammas

and he loved jumping on the trash bag full of wrapping paper

the sisters-in-law

Sledding

One of our many days outside sledding!

the boys have loved sledding this winter...and love the hot chocolate that almost always follows :)