Christmas Eve- First snow of the year!!

Jeff woke the boys up late on Christmas Eve when the snow started coming down heavily... the first snow of the season... what a beautiful sight!  It's been so many years since we had a good snow here, the boys barely remembered what snow was like.

Decorating the Christmas Tree

Our family tradition continued this year with our tree selection and purchase in the Gator Golf parking lot.  After stringing the lights, the boys and I started with the decorations. 

I was reminded again of the differences between boys and girls.  Decorating the tree was a much different experience with these boys than I remember as a youth.  For them it's all about "how quickly can we get them up and get the job done?".  When I have decorated it by myself, I spent time with each decoration-- taking a little trip down memory lane.  This year, it was done in about 10 minutes!

Finished tree

Now it was the boys turn to decorate their fake tree downstairs.  They get to use whatever color lights and decorations they want to use.


This year, blue was the light color of choice:

The boys got a little distracted:

Matthew's Christmas Play- 5th grade

Yes, our son is a dancing elf in the 5th grade Christmas play... and he wore a Christmas Tree skirt as his costume... there, I said it!

It was actually a very cute play and Matt did a fine job dancing... it was a flashback to the Bee Gee era watching his disco moves (John Travolta, move aside!)

Ah Ah Ah Ah Staying Alive, Staying Alive
can you hear it?

Note that Matt is the only elf with a constume besides a hat... Matt's not afraid to be original!

You'll have to ask Matt why this picture is included :)

Christmas pictures-- 2009 Christmas Card

Once again, the Seiter family sat in front of the hearth, while Daddy clicked the button on the camera, and ran to get into the pic before the self-timer went off.  This year, the difference in picture quality is the camera.  Jeff and I bought our Christmas gift for each other ahead of time this year... a nice camera with multiple lenses.  YEAH!  Once I get over the fear of breaking it, I might actually use it :)

Below are some of our more serious pics followed by some goofy pics.  We took many many pictures this year and only a few turned out because Noah has developed a blinking disorder... everytime the flash went off, he blinked or was captured in mid-blink! 

See the pic below... would have been a good one except for Mr. Blinky!

His eyes are wide open here!

Thanksgiving 2009

We hosted Thanksgiving at our house this year.  The Davis family, Papa, Gramma and Michelle & Jordan were all part of our celebration.

We continued our "Thanksfulness Board" tradition...

Cath and Michelle adding their thoughts to the Thanksfulness Board

The kids get involved with adding what they are thankful to God for this year...

The men relax after a big meal

Gramma takes pictures too...

Michelle and Jordan

Halloween 2009- Tulsa Zoo

On a whim, Jeff suggested we go to Tulsa for Halloween... the zoo had Halloween events scheduled that night after they closed.  So we loaded up and went to the zoo... see that pictures below

the Seiter family of monkeys...

Matthew Monkey

Taylor Monkey

Napping Lion











After the zoo closed, we went to one of our favorite restaurants, Macaroni Grill, and ate dinner. 
When we got back to the zoo for the evening Halloween events, the line was so long, we couldn't have gotten in before it ended, so we went home, satisfied after having a great day and dinner.  Who needs Halloween candy anyway?

Pumpkin Patch pics- 2009

Yes, it's that time again... time for the annual pumpking patch pictures!  This year included the Seiter family, the Davis family (minus Kev), Gramma, Papa and Connie.  Jeff was able to make it after school for pictures this year!

Aud and Jeff (don't see too many of just the two of us)

Mom and boys

Dad and boys

Dad and boys again

Papa joins us

Gramma and Connie get in the pictures

Cath and her clan