A Cousin Week

My brother, Scott & sister-in-law, Robin, finished out the year by celebrating their 10th anniversary! Congratulations again! And they celebrated as all 10th anniversaries should be celebrated - without kids! While they enjoyed the peace & quiet of Bryce Canyon and Vegas, the cousins got to spend a week with Nani & Papa! And since Nani & Papa live 5 minutes from us, that meant lots of cousin time too!

We spent some time at the park first.








And we took a trip to the zoo with Papa & Monkey.



It was cold! Really really cold!


I loved this pic of Austin's hand compared to a tiger pawprint


And Brian was really impressed with the zoo's churro exhibit!


Fun fun week! Austin still asks nearly daily to hang out with his cousins!

The Best Christmas Present...EVER!

The day after Christmas was spent at my grandparents' home with my Dad's side of the family. As always, we had a wonderful time!

McKenna hung out with Grandma. I made her wear her fancy dress again, just to show it off! It was so cute, I had to get good use out of it!


Austin & his cousin, Monkey, had a great time wrestling around in the backyard!






Grandpa & "M" are good buddies!


Noticeably missing from the celebration were Ryan & Susan. The group was told they had something to attend to, but would be there eventually. Brian and I and my parents were the only ones that really knew where they were. Dad and I anxiously (and not horribly subtly!) tracked their arrival through texts on our phones and helped get everyone in the main room as they walked in.

And they walked in with brand new roles...as parents! They walked in carrying this precious little girl!

Introducing Katelyn Abigail!


How beautiful is she?!

Ryan and Susan met their daughter Christmas Day and got to take her home the following day. Click here for the whole story! Our family gathering happened to be on the way home, so we all got a quick peek at her before they made it home and settled in as a family!

Susan was made for the job!




The new daddy!


Not a dry eye in the room!


So when people asked what I got for Christmas? The Best. Christmas. Present. EVER!

A niece!

Crowley Clan Christmas

After some well deserved naps, Christmas afternoon/evening was spent with the Crowley Clan. It was a very nice relaxing day with yummy food and fun conversations, as usual!

Great Grandma & McKenna


McKenna loves her Uncle Eric & Gabby!


Austin loved his new pillow & blanket from Grandpa Kevin!


McKenna wasn't too sure about the hat she got though. It's cute but a bit big!


It looked cute on Brian though!

A Plethora of Pinatas Presents!

Despite all the events we go to and all the people to see at Christmas, Brian and I made a pact to have Christmas morning at our house as long as we can. I'm sure there will be years in the future that we will travel to see family, but for right now, that's the pact! I loved seeing Austin's face light up at the sight of all his gifts right after he got up! And that was worth having crazy schedules with Christmases with other people on other days!

Just like last year, Grandma joined us for Christmas morning. Austin fully understood opening presents this year and unlike last year, he didn't get as burned out! Which is good...cuz we had LOTS of presents. A plethora of presents, if you will! You would think this was the stash at the Duggar's house! Actually Brian & I did very well sticking to a preset dollar amount for the kids. There were lots of toys that we (and by we, I mean ME!) had a hard time not buying. But once you add in a grandma's load of presents, you get a plethora!

My lens wasn't wide enough to do the pile justice!


Grandma & McKenna, sporting her Baby's First Christmas stocking cap. It was a bit snug but still cute!


Austin's favorite stocking stuffer. Santa seemed to have raided the left over birthday favors!


Austin's favoritest toy from Grandma - A Toy Story backpack with wheels. He refuses to wear it as a backpack, but ADORES pulling it around everywhere. He joyfully packs it full of toys and blankets whenever he knows we are going somewhere, whether or not he needs to!


We bought McKenna her first Angel music box. My parents had the tradition of buying me one every year. I think each one plays a different song. I considered passing mine on to McKenna, but I want those! So instead I'm continuing along the tradition.


Daddy displaying a frame from Grandma. It only took me three months, but I finally printed out a picture for him to put in it and take to work!


Austin's favorite toy from us was his Handy Manny Tool Box. It plays music and the tools dance. He is still obsessed with it!


I always have to have a pic of someone with something on their head. It is a Crowley Christmas tradition!


McKenna was a little worn out by the end of the extravaganza.

Wacky Wednesday

Do I have something on my face?