From our home to yours.....Merry Christmas!!

Jonas (3 years old) and Alyvia (almost 11 months) with Santa at his workshop in the President's Park.

2011

{First Field Trip}

Jonas had his first field trip for school. They went to Summer's Farm in Fredrick. I went along too...because I was pretty nervous about him going with out me. Yeah..I am one of those Mom's.

I can't turn this picture for some reason...but he is a cute little Turkey!

On the Hayride with friends. Jonas fell asleep on the hayride. :)

The GIANT slide. He liked it except that it was wet.

His favorite part of all was the bus ride. I really worried about him getting sick. He best car sick so easily. (I did use the voo doo oil that Grandma sent us :)) Turns out he LOVED the bus and didn't get sick (Voo Doo works).

Jonas is doing so well in school. He knows and recognizes almost all of his letters. He knows his name and if you ask him.."what's your name?" he says..."I Jonas". Our favorite thing right now is that he calls school "Woogul" He can't do the s c (like school) sound, so he calls it Woogul. We're happy to see him doing well and enjoying it too!!

{They Came, They Saw, We Partied}

My Mom and Aunt Cara came for a visit this month. It was kind of a trip of a life-time. The three of us together. IT WAS EPIC. We had lots of fun and I am so glad they took time out of their busy lives, left their jobs, families, and dogs behind, and came to see us!!

On the Friday they got here I surprised my Mom (for her birthday) and just the girls went to the National Harbor to stay the night. It was fun to be just adults! We walked through the Atrium at the Gaylord (a big, nice hotel), walked through endless fun little shops, and had a great dinner at a Mexican Restaurant. Then we went to the "Peeps" store (the Easter candy), and had ice cream at Ben and Jerry's. It was FUN. Oh and we did manage to get a little lost on the way there. I was driving....I DO NOT know which way is east. Thanks for nothing, Delilah.

The PEEP store

Outside a Chinese place. We thought the horse was cool. It was cold and the wind was blowing.

Devin stayed home with the kids (because he's Super Dad) and then met us down-town on Saturday. We took Cara to see all the sights. I still love touring DC. No matter how many times we go...its always fun. Alyvia got a front seat to it all :)

Also the Martin Luther King, JR. monument was dedicated that day. Very cool. It was so crowded, but it was fun!

Then Devin left for a week for work. It was a little rough for me. I had extra hands to help (and help they did), but I really miss Devin when he's not here. I was pretty cranky. To everyone. SOOOO forgive me Cara, and Mom. I know I need more sleep than..well, everyone else in the world. Thanks for putting up with me :)

Upon Devin's return home we headed north to the Pumpkin Patch and Crabs!

The Crabs were excellent. Always a fun experience!

Jonas thought the trash bucket (for the crabs) would make a good hat!

Jonas petting the cow.

Grandma and Jonas finding just the right pumpkin.

On Saturday we took a trip to Lancaster, PA to see Amish Country. It was amazing! A big flea market, and lots of actual Amishers (?) working in their fields, etc. I really want to go back!

This one of the houses we saw. AMAZING!!

All in all it was a fun 10 days with them here. My Mom made rolls, cleaned the house, and taught Alyvia all about lip gloss. My Aunt Cara joined in on the lip gloss wagon, kept us laughing constantly, drove everywhere using her mad "California driver" skills, and nick-named Alyvia "The Emphysema Baby" (she does have a hoarse little voice.)

Thanks Again for coming you two!! Love you!

{Forever Family}

We were able to sneak in a quick session with Brad for our family pictures. They turned out great!

Just FYI Taryn's skinny knee was killing my back!

Great Parents

Captain and Natti

Sisters... I love these girls so so so so much!!

All the kids

Kaylee Bug

Taryn Bop

Brookie Boo

Have you ever seen more beautiful girls? Me either.

Ms. Alyvia

Mr. Jonas

Our little family

The whole gang

[Utah}

After our return from Ohio we headed to Utah to see Samantha get baptized, Callie get blessed (where I took NO pictures :(), and spend time with family. We had a great time! We took the kids to the Box Elder County Fair...my FAVORITE end of summer memory from my childhood.

My sisters all had lambs and although we missed them showing, we got to see them sell. They did perfectly :)

Brook was too fast for me and I didn't get a good picture of her :(

Ms. Taryn...the professional

Ms. Kaylee...her las year.

Jonas liked all the dirt in the sale barn. Such a boy!

Then we headed to Hogle Zoo with Grandma Misrasi one day. I hadn't been there in years. I don't think it had changed much. Jonas REALLY liked the gorillas :)

classic Jonas face

Again.

Grandma and Jonas playing in the water.

Everyone was all smiles on the train!

After our trip to the Zoo we stopped at Smith and Edwards. Jonas crawled in this Igloo Dog house. He thought it was pretty fun in there.

Then we were off to Provo for the festivities.

We stayed with Devin's brother and his family. We all slept in the same room. Jonas enjoyed sleeping right next to dad.

We visited with Kaylee at her apartment.

And Jonas loved Maddison's chair.

Aury and "Aunt Mitti" as she calls me.

All the kids (grown-ups too) had a great time playing in the backyard.

{Ohio and the Tranchells}

After we left the Stewarts we headed to Akron to see Nate, Tiff, and their family. It was loads of fun. We hiked, crafted, went to a water park, celebrated Porter's first birthday, saw the coolest Amish country, crafted some more, the boys made book shelves, the kids played, we ate like royalty, and had lots and lots of fun at Lake Erie one day. We love going to see Nate and Tiff!

Lake Erie...looking towards Canada.

Jonas LOVES water and the lake was heaven for him. The beach was great and the water didn't get deep for a long way out so he could walk forever. He fell asleep instantly in the car.

Sassy little Sohpie :) Funniest kid ever.

Cute little Porter

Amish Country

these two pictures would be awesome if I wasn't such a crappy photographer.

We drove behind these fellas A LOT and they go VERY slow up hills.

Jonas looks a little nervous, but he really liked swinging with Dad.

Hiking. The last day we hiked down to a water fall that had pools of water to play in. So fun!

Thanks for letting us come and crash Nate's week off. We had a blast as usual and look forward to next time!