catch up... practically ketchup

Life at the peanut factory is still in production. We still have 3 silly boys. Good news is that Cole has started excepting baby peter coming into our family. What a relief.
Ben still says the funniest things. And Jacob still keeps creating more and more artistic work.

Cole had his birthday, he turned 3. I was planning on making whatever cake pleased my desires, until Ben put it into Cole's mind that he should have a teddy bear cake. That is all Cole kept talking about... so... that is what I had to do. At least it wasn't a demolition derby bear!

Inspecting his cake, he was pleased

Jakey made Cole this crown, He really went to a lot of work. Cole liked it. But according to jacob's hurt feelings, Cole didn't like it enough.

I have been wanting to take a picture of this tree that is in our front yard. Buds sprouting in January!!!!

And a long time desired project we finally did, paint our bedroom. This is the before picture and then the after pictures. I hope you can tell a difference, or we went to a lot of work for nothing. But I am pretty sure that you can tell a difference. I feel like I sleep in a palace now.

Christmas in a whirl

It started with Ben's preschool program. He is dressed as a Christmas tree.

Then we said Merry Christmas to our Russon Family, who we would not be with for Christmas, because we were leaving town for Utah to be with the Stout family. Ken and Jan are dressed up for their ward Christmas party. I think they fixed themselves up great!

We started the drive.... passing beautiful scenery in Oregon.

The boys were very well behaved, for the 14 hour drive!

We met the Stout family at Pirates Cove, we ate pizza and played games. Cole wasn't too sure about this scary scenery.

We hung out with some old friends, brent and laila. Dance Revolution.

We spent lots of time with Grandma and Grandpa Stout. We missed them.

We came back home to Washington after Christmas, and enjoyed the last few days of vacation. The boys said goodbye to their gingerbread houses. .... but we did take a picture. As you can see, cole is quite upset with the news that it was time to throw out his house.

New Years Eve, making 7 layer dip.

New Years Day, playing with all the cousins.

Christmas Time

I love making the whole month of December so simple. One year in December I got so sick, so sick. Ever since then I have vowed to not over do things and to not feel like I have to be to everything that goes on. I love Christmas time and what it's true meaning is. The excitement in the air that my boys feel makes me happy too.

I want to wish you all a very Merry Christmas!

We are having a ....

...BOY!

When I was little, a single woman lived across the street. She had 3 wild boys. I remember watching her one day, and wondering if she was sad she only had boys and no girls. At that moment I had a feeling that I would be her when I grew up. I would be a mom of only boys.

It has come true. We just found out that the baby inside of me is a boy. I will have not just 3 boys but 4 boys.

The only difference between my thoughts as a little girl and my thoughts now is that I am not sad I don't have a girl. I love these boys like crazy, and to know that there is a fourth boy inside of me, it gives me comfort and overwhelming love for this little baby.

Just as long as these boys always strive to choose the right and give me hugs and kisses, even when they are 16, or 23, or 45. I will be the happiest mommy in the world!

Cole doing illegal things

Cole thinks he can get away with this....

El Pumpkin Patcho

Off to the pumpkin patch in the rain and mud. Last year it was much drier and warmer. I learned today that I didn't appreciate last year enough. My boy Jacob was telling me the other day, "When it is summer we always want winter, and in winter we always want summer." Yes, we never appreciate where we are. So let me think a minute and figure out something to appreciate about this rainy day at the pumpkin patch... We were with family and that is who I love the most. Another highlight: Jeff took a sick day off of work, NO not to come to the pumpkin patch. But to come to my doctor's appointment with me to hear the babies heart beat. YES, I made the appointment for the same day as the pumpkin patch so that jeff could be at both.

THE HAYRIDE TO GO PICK OUT A PUMPKIN... THIS YEAR WITH JEFF THERE, WE COULD PICK OUT BIG PUMPKINS INSTEAD OF SMALL ONES LIKE LAST YEAR.
THE HAY MAZE... COLE SOMEHOW ENDED UP ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE MAZE.

FEEDING THE GOATS AND SHEEP

ALL OF THE COUSINS WHO WERE ABLE TO COME ON THE RUSSON SIDE OF THE FAMILY.

This year we went cheap

This year we decided not to pay the giant amount for school pictures. We took them our self, in the backyard, not professional at all. We will have to see what they look like on the wall.