Back in Butte (Christmas #2)

When we arrived back in Butte, it was time to have Christmas #2 at Mom and Dad's house. Ave was super happy with her markers from Lincoln. She really wanted some good smelling markers!

Teague was quite happy to dig right in to presents after he went through his stocking in 5 seconds!

Bionicle guys! He loves these things and plays with them all the time.

Carter's newfound love for the Carolina Panthers is well known. Dad got him a cool shirt from Fanatics.

Teague got the funniest present from Hawkins. This mask changes his voice to sound like Batman!

When we got home, they had three presents each from Kyle and I. Teague was absolutely thrilled to get the Haunted Mansion. It's the one thing he's said he wanted from the beginning of December on.

Aver's Lego Set was the new Frozen castle. It's quite lovely, and she put it together like a champ the next day.

Carterman got the Star Scavenger from the Disney show "Star Wars Rebels." They all like all things Star Wars!

On Tuesday it was time for the annual friends' get together. The kids started out with some pizza. The best thing is, we haven't seen Dana's kids for a year and you would never know it. These guys get along great together!

Kolt is used to hanging out with his sisters. He thought Carter's room full of Transformers/Nerf/boy stuff was the coolest. He thought Kyle was a genius for being able to transform all the toys!

We have some great kids! From l-r: Maddie, Jada, Avery, Myla, Madisyn, Mason, Kolt, Teague, and Carter.

The babies: Myla (3), Teague/boy who couldn't smile (5), Kolt (4)

Our middles: Ave (8), Mason (8), Maddie (9)

The big kids: Madisyn (10), Jada (10), and Carter (9.66)

Group picture! We seriously have the best time together. We could visit for hours.

Time for the present exchange.

Carterman is so handsome.

Mason was hilarious that night. He arm wrestled Kyle once, got thrown in the snow by Jason, and played Beanboozled with no fear!

Dana and her girls made homemade slime for the kids.  It quite impressive, and they all had fun playing with it.

It's a madhouse!

All the girls are very artsy. They colored and made some Beado creations together. I just love our little friends' tradition.

Wednesday was my birthday. I got the afternoon off work to meet these cool kids for some sledding. It was a perfect day for it. Here are Abb/Teague and Erica/Hawkins getting ready to go down the hill. Hawkins wasn't that impressed by it. He was a tired guy.

Two pretty sisters.

Lando and Ave went double a few times on the purple sled.

Lando coming right at me!

Carterman having a wonderful time.

I love these three little turkeys.

After Hawkins and Erica took off we decided to head up to Tech for some steeper hills. Carter was a little afraid to start (he forgets every year that it's not scary), and Lando was unsure about the wind. Luckily, they both had a wonderful time! Ave had a blast from the get go!

Carterman getting some air!

If you can zoom in on this, he has the happiest face!

They look so far away from me! It was busy when we first got there, and then it cleared out nicely.

Teague likes to make the adult go in front of him to block the snow from his face. I love this picture of him and Abb on the double slide!

It seemed to work out pretty good for him! We had the best time! Only one crash...poor Terri!

Later we met at the KC to have a cribbage tournament meeting and a couple drinks. We had lots of laughs! Kyle and the kids got me a new Giants sweatshirt too. I like the dark sleeves.

It was so nice having Lando and Hawkins here for a long time. We missed our Linky Lou though! Of course, they had to have Papa read the "Grouchy Patsybug" once.

Ave opened her birthday present from Erica and the kids while they were still here so she could thank them in person. Hawkins happily helped her open them. He and Ave get along famously!

Best buddies/cousins. What a cute picture!

Hawkins also adored Jordan (and vice/versa). He's such a good natured little guy.

He thought it was great fun having Uncle Kyle/Uncle Yaya throw him around.

Erica was trying to get him to sleep early. That didn't happen. He was in a silly mood and desperately needed some goldfish.

He really liked taking Carter's hat off and wearing it sideways. It's a good look! We miss them already! Can't wait until Feb when we see them, Kels, and Link again. Thanks again for everything everyone. I know how fortunate we are to have the most wonderful families on both sides.