Grandma & Grandpa B with their 15 grandkids

John (6 months), Lincoln (9 1/2 months), & Karley (10 months)

it was a very merry Christmas :)

...more photos to come...

Sledding

Tim & Brielle took advantage of the tracks made by Grandpa Ted's ATV for a little sledding this weekend.  

Feeding her baby... Cherry pie

Time to start eating off a spoon!

these things happen when you have a big sister :)

This is what mornings at our house look like...

Tim, Brielle, and John rock together in this chair in the morning... and usually the only light they have, is that which is coming from the multicolored lights on our Christmas tree.  When Brielle wakes up in the morning she says "Hold you?" because she loves a morning cuddle when she's still sleepy.  I know Tim enjoys this time with her just as much as she does.  

swinging in the winter

We put this swing up in our laundry room, for a little indoor fun.  As a bonus, it keeps John entertained while we're doing the laundry.  As you can tell by his giggles, John enjoys it.  He laughs the most when Brielle is pushing him-- look at how his eyes follow her wherever she goes... he loves his sister:).  And I think Brielle enjoys it just as much as he does because she always wants to be the one who pushes John.  

Hugs and Kisses :)

Look who's decorating the tree...

Brielle hung all these stars herself:)

Trees, trees, trees

As a group, I think we cut down and purchased 7 trees on Sunday!

What a great family!  (thanks for the photo, Jolene)

Christmas tree hunt 2008

John experienced his first Christmas tree hunt this past Sunday.

Three inches of snow fell that day, and everyone was geared with their hats, mittens, and boots :). 

Brielle giggled as she chased her cousins, Emma & Josie, through the tree farm while Dad cut down a tree for us.

She & Max enjoyed visiting the two resident dogs.

The busy morning, fun time with family, and cold air put Brielle to sleep within minutes of leaving the tree farm. 

Thanksgiving weekend photos

best buds

Brielle was reunited over the Thanksgiving holiday with one of her favorite people, Alexia.  When we left my parents' house on Wednesday night, Brielle cried "Lexi, Lexi" for several minutes as we drove away.  She calmed down when I showed her a photo on my cell phone of her with Alexia.  The following night we were loading her up in the car and again she cried "Lexi, Lexi, Lexi." Alexia called my phone and talked to Brielle for a few minutes... this made Brielle so happy:).  

Look at my shoes, John!

River Museum

Grandma Carol took these photos of Brielle on their trip to the River Museum.  She said Brielle had fun seeing the fish, otters, snakes & turtles.  Sounds like she also had just as much fun looking at the other little kids there! According to Carol, Brielle spent the 1st hour looking at the animals and the 2nd hour looking at (and following) the other kids who were walking around the museum.  They had a fun grandma & granddaughter day while Tim, Kristen, & John went shopping.  

play mates

These two have a lot of fun together-- Brielle brings toys over to John while he's in the saucer.

another visit to Great Grandma's

Here is Great Grandma Emma holding her 97th great grandchild

When Brielle is at Great Grandma's house, she plays with the same box of toys that her dad played with when he was little.  She likes to play with the plastic coasters, the deck of mini cards, and two small zipper coin purses.  But she was also interested in a couple of other things in the house... she kept looking at this angel statue...

and she gave her Care Bear a ride in Great Grandma's walker.

....pigtails courtesy of Dad :o)  

This guy loves jumping :)

Brielle started this all on her own...

This is how Brielle greets her favorite dog, Amy, at the farm.

"thank you daddy"

Brielle has learned how to say "thank you"... we think it is so cute and polite to hear her little voice say "thank you daddy"!  And she enjoys her popcorn, just like her dad. :)

Moo moo

John's haircut

John's hair was getting a little long on top...

some people were saying "he's got a comb-over"

So it was time for Tim to give John his first haircut.

A few clips later... and here he is:)

Mom had a little fun

putting these braids in Brielle's hair! : )

Happy 1st Birthday Ben

Our friend Ben turned 1 on October 16th... it was a fun party!  

say cheese :o)

When we ask Brielle what sport Alexia plays she says "football."  Since her dad coaches football (and it's an easier word to say than soccer), every sport right now is "football." :)

Karley & Lincoln & John at Great Grandma's

Here are the cousins sitting side-by-side in Becky's minivan on the way to Great Grandma's house on October 20th.  

Karley 8 months         Lincoln  7 1/2 months          John  4 months

 Karley #94                      Lincoln #95                          John #97

Great Grandma Emma has 98 great grandchildren!  When we visit her at her house, her favorite things to do with us are eat pizza and play Euchre.  She raised 10 kids of her own, so we usually ask for some parenting tips:).  She's still very witty and sharp, and there's always some good laughter shared by all.    Whenever we leave, she says "Come again soon."