More cottage time {a hundred times}

Our weekend was planned for comfy pants, hot chocolate, movies, CMA awards, messy cottage and lots of snacks.  We started out Friday night with everyone smuggling on the love seat while we watched the CMA's.  (I might have to watch them again because I didn't really pay attention)

Saturday morning Lynn let the kids watch a movie and then we have to turn it off so they get some play time in.  These kids are not used to watching TV so when it's on they are glued to it.  

Mommy, Grandma and Grandpa took turns playing games..... they cheat!!!  Not even kidding they cheat.

After our sledding adventure it was hot chocolate and Grandma's famous hand drawn pictures to color.  I let them request if they want and of course Miss Melanie needs Doc McStuffin, Stuffy "aaaannnnddddd Lambie Grandma"..... "I have to have Lambie".  And then she didn't even color..... 

Lynn said naps were needed during the weekend..... she didn't say by who.... see TV is on and glue is happening.

That didn't last long, TV was off and we're onto a new adventure.  

We had seen deer tracks while sledding so we were hoping for some deer to walk through.  We had no idea they would find our bird feeders.  And be able to stick their tongues in them for a little snack.

Bedtime was early for Little Miss but she woke up when the big kids were wiggling around so she wanted Grandpa to hold her.  

And then it was Grandma's turn to tickle her leg, foot, belly, arms, toe, foot, leg, belly, arm..... anything for this little princess.

The next morning it was sledding again and a little animal safari hunt.  I hid Max's animals and he hunted them.  

Mally being silly.

Mally had to help him on his hunt, he had a hard time finding these little guys.  (Dead tiger on the floor)

More Grandpa snuggle time in the morning.

Melanie and I were playing and this was her hair all weekend.  We tried to tie it down but not long it would be like this again.  

She is a repeater, she repeats the same thing a hundred times.  Even if you acknowledge her she will still say it over and over again.  This weekend she had a black spot on the chair she was suppose to eat supper on.  It was like a dried up tar stain that wasn't going anywhere.  She says

"thadt's gross"

Lynn - "Melanie that's not nice"

"thadt's gross"

"thadt's gross"

"thadt's gross momma"

Lynn - "Melanie that's not nice, you're fine"

"thadt's gross"

"thadt's gross"

"thadt's gross"

"thadt's gross"

Grandma - "Melanie it's fine, it won't hurt you"

"thadt's gross"

"thadt's gross grandma"

Grandma - "Mennie you're fine" {laughing a bit}

"me no like it"

"thadt's gross"

"thadt's gross"

"thadt's gross"

Lynn - "Meannie STOP"  {not laughing}

"me no like it"

"thadt's gross"

"thadt's gross"

"thadt's gross"

"me no like it"

"thadt's gross"

Now just think of everything this little girl has to say and repeat it a hundred times.  It seems like she finally got her voice so I love it.... momma not so much.

She colored her pictures on Sunday morning.

Oh baby girl you are the sweetest thing.  She would say {a hundred times}

Melanie wanting her momma - "thadt's my momma"

Me telling her - "that's my daughter"

Melanie - "Nooooooo thadt's my momma"

Me - "that's my daughter"

Melanie - {crying..... Nooooooo thadt's my momma, not your daughter"

Grandpa just naturally gets the snuggles from them.  I think because he sits still.  I might have to learn how to sit still.

It was a great weekend and we have so much fun spending time with them.  The cottage is all about making memories with the little ones  Grandpa even has memories...... he remembers to stay home next time a sledding weekend is suggested.  :)

Christmas at Home (family)

Let the fun begin.  

This night is by far the best night for all of us.  We look so forward to spending the time together in a house they can all call HOME.  No matter how crazy the night is going we need to have some pictures.  I take off my photographers hat during the holidays and try not to spend the night behind the lens so these happen for memories only in snapshot format.  I don't care if the lighting isn't quite right or if the background is messy.  This is who we are and what we love. 

This first one I'm not sure who told them to kiss or why they did but I love Mallory's expression too much not to share.  

Our oldest daughter Lynn with her family.  

The MIDDLE child Shannon and her family

And the Baby - Adam and his family.

John's mom likes to come to our house for Christmas eve, she loves to watch little kids opening presents and living in their excitement so with all these kids she picks the right house.  They all love to see her too.  So we attempt a photo of her with all the great grandchildren.

Then the grandchildren were jealous so they thought it was their turn to have a picture taken with Grandma.  After they all attempted to sit on her lap we finally got them to behave.  

Shannon is the spitting image of her Grandmother.... and I love Adam's dimple, it only shows when he's being naughty..... so guess what?

They were planning to be naughty.

Looks like Grandma is blaming Lynn but I'm thinking Adam was the instigator.  

Now just the grandkids

This is not an easy feat.

Who want's to open presents?

Time for presents.  Each family has to be in one spot and hopefully they can keep up with the tearing.  

It's pure madness...... just what we all like the most about Christmas.

Now it's time for the 2015 ornaments. (in no particular order.... it's hard enough to get this photo let alone in order)

Elly

Maxwell

Garrett

Mallory

Melanie

Adam Jr.

Andee

It's of the kids got pjs from Grandma and Grandpa so as soon as they are done opening they strip down and get comfy.  Andee was already sleeping and Jr was too busy playing (he loves to play).  But we can get this done just for memory and they are too funny not to share.

If you made it this far........ thank you!!  

Merry Christmas to all from all of us.  We are certainly blessed with a family full of LOVE, FUN and HAPPINESS.  365 days we can do it all over again.