Baking Christmas Cookies

GG helps keep the decorators on task while Heather keeps up with the cookie making.

Josh gives a little lesson in "less is more" with the sugar. Maverick wanders around in the background waiting for his next cookie.

All great decorators decorate with their tongue hanging out, right?

The concentration these three had was great. Claire remained the dedicated one to the end!

The kids were so into their decorating that they couldn't even take a moment to pose for a picture with Omi.

We were able to squeeze in a little Christmas cookie baking with all of the kids. The older kids did great! Maverick liked the eating part. I did, too, which is why my cookies are gone and Christmas isn't even here yet.

Our Christmas Tree 2013

Barry, Brody & Maverick

The boys let the tree rest. Maverick is eyeing Brody because he had treats.

Two days later the lights go up. Brody was excited that he was going to get to help put on the star.

Sweet brothers.

Kisses by the Christmas tree.

Brody helped put the star on top.

Maverick supervised at the bottom of the ladder.

Our tree came from Ely this year. We hauled in down on top of my car. The boys both love it. Thankfully Maverick doesn't bother it now that it is up and decorated.

Ely Thanksgiving

*Hugs*

Brothers

Maverick & Daddy

The boys picking out a Christmas tree.

Brody tries skating at the rink with the help of his daddy and Grandma Cindy. This was a small moment when he cracked a smile.

The boys always have fun playing with "new" toys.

Maverick & Grandma Cindy

Keeping mittens on an 18 month old? Not happening.

Barry was trying to teach him how to stick out his tongue and catch snowflakes:) There's a perfectly shaped snowflake on his eyelash.

The big B-man, my heater box.

The rest of the photos from our trip to Ely over Thanksgiving. The boys had a great time. We did a lot of playing outside and enjoying the snow!

Sledding

Brody, Grandpa Steve and Grandma Cindy headed to the top of the sledding hill.

Racing!

Pausing to say "cheese" for me:)

Both brothers get to ride.

Of course Brody would enjoy the wipe outs.

Maverick loved the snow. When I asked him if he wanted to go outside, he nodded yes. He loved sledding, he loved walking in it, he loved playing with it. He did not love his gloves or keeping them on. 

The ski harness is multi-purpose. Since we had to haul Brody to the top for skiing, he got to haul Maverick to the top for sledding.

It's hard to tell, but Maverick is happy! He's squinting because it's snowing:)

The boys had a lot of fun enjoying the snow in Ely over Thanksgiving. It was weird when we drove back home to be welcomed back with brown everywhere and no snow in sight.

Ski Practice

Brody keeps his balance while Barry ran behind him so that Brody would have enough slack and not be held back.

Brody enjoying the leisurely ride through the powder.

Brody concentrating on his technique (or trying not to fall).

We took turns being his chair lift to the top. He was able to keep his balance going up, too.

I think he was surprised that he came around the turn without falling? Or he's surprised that he's going fast.

80cm, his first set of skis :) Bindings as far as they can adjust to fit his big hooves.

Brody had his first ski weekend up in Ely over Thanksgiving. There was fresh powder in the beginning and by the last day it was nice and flat. He's good at "french fries", but there was a little too much powder and it wasn't quite fast enough to use the "pizza" technique. Turning and stopping lessons to come later:) Now that he's completely comfortable in the skis and boots, we're hoping that he'll have a blast in Colorado skiing later this winter. He didn't care much about falling either, so I'm hoping that he'll be a trooper in learning.

Around The House

Brody riding his 4-wheeler, cowboy style.

Mav loves to tear apart kleenex. I hate cleaning them up.

The boys both love this toy. Apparently it also makes a good spot for stashing kleenex pieces.

The boys decided to "make supper" one night while I was making real supper.

To say that Mav loves "trucks" and any other vehicles is an understatement. He'll repeat the word until you say it back to him.

Brody likes to watch short videos on the iPad, especially Curious George. Mav is always curious what that's all about, but the poor kid can only sit still for about 1 second.

Mav is the master of facial expressions. He's such a ham.

If you get him at the right time, Brody will sit and really concentrate on things like writing, drawing, and puzzles.

Mav & Mara

Maverick's cheese smile.

Mara's cheese smile.

They both love little chairs. They won't both fit together in one for long though.

"more, more"

Mara and Maverick are about three months apart. Always cute to watch them together! Mara is easy to count on a smile, but Maverick is a little less cooperative so I could only ever get one smiling in each picture! Maverick and Mara both share the love of food...the two of them were like little birds waiting for Sean to give them bites of dessert.