See ya later 2016

2016 was a lightening quick year for us.  This was the year I was lucky enough to quit my job and stay home with the boys.  While reflecting back on the year with Ben we were trying to think of all of our "big" moments and were kind of having trouble.  No new baby, no big vacation, no huge house project.  But we did remember were a TON of little perfect moments.  And really that's what it's all about.  We are so fortunate to have a happy and healthy family!! So here we go 2017, we are ready for all adventures you bring.  

 

Silly face time with Mommy!

Horns and a homemade shaker from craft time at the library with daddy :)

Christmas Day

We had a great Christmas morning.  We actually had to wake the boys up though (they had a late night the night before) so that we could do presents before church and then get back for a nap before we went to my parent's house.  I don't think they minded waking up though!

"Adam, did Santa come?"

"He did! He did!"

Lucas got a tool belt like daddy.

Adam got a book!

Present time!

Lucas' big surprise present!

A turtle!

Meet "Princess" Hale - Lucas named her all by himself!

Best picture I could get of the two of them :)

Family shot at church!

Christmas Eve

Annual Christmas Eve photo by our tree!

Presents at Ben's parents

Cousin time!! Some of the cutest little Hales

Playing Go Fish before dinner!

Seeing the live nativity.  Lucas and his God Mommy

Present time!

Best Present of the night for Lucas and Samantha...... a big empty box!

Super cute trouble makers :)  Cousins who are best buds!

Getting Ready for Christmas

We have been keeping busy before Christmas.  Lucas has absolutely had the best time!  Every day he has not-so-patiently waited for the mailman to bring Christmas cards. sings Christmas carols ALL day long and has asked me every morning to bake Christmas cookies.  This little man is definitely part Elf, just like his mama :)

Cincinnati Zoo - Festival of Lights

I kicked off my birthday weekend by making this delicious triple chocolate cheesecake!

Happy Birthday to me and Katherine in our matching leggings :) 

Celebrated my birthday at my parents house per usual :)  These guys sure do keep me young ;) 

We made crafts to send our cousins in California for Christmas this year.  Lucas loved doing the painting and of course the glitter!

Coloring brothers :) 

baking time with my main man!

First Snow!

A couple weeks ago we got our first snow! Lucas was so excited to get out and play in it.  It might have taken me longer to get both boys ready than the time we spent outside but they had a good time.  Lucas can't wait for more snow though so he can build a snow man :)

First time out in the snow

Snow Angels

WEEEEEEEE

Pure joy!

Christmas Card fun!

Merry Christmas everyone!! I am going to try to get caught up before the new year, so sorry if you get a lot of Lucas/Adam pictures! Here are a few of our favorites from trying to get a good Christmas Card photo :)

This sums up the boys perfectly! Always wild and silly, but oh so sweet!

Adam's face is the best!

Santa Time!

We had our annual Bass Pro Santa outing with some of our cousins.  Lucas was so excited to see Santa.  Poor guy really wanted to bring a book so Santa could read to him.  He was sad when I told him that Santa was going to be too busy to read to him :(

Adam didn't fuss which was good, but he didn't really want to smile either.

Look at that smile :) :) :) 

4 Wheeler Time with Samantha

Mulch digging.

Cousin Time!

Cookie Time!

We decided to make cookies for Sarah for her Baptism Day.  Lucas really did all of the work.  He loves doing anything with adults.  He's one cute baker if you ask me!

Rolling the dough

Cookie cutters

All done baking.  Now time to cool :)

Icing!

The sprinkles might have been his favorite part :)

All done! He was so proud of his plate of cookies for Sarah.  I think he did a pretty awesome job for a 3 year old with just a little help from Mommy!