Our White Christmas

I can't think of a better picture to start this post off with. Here is Logan in the back of our rental car on the way to sledding. He has so many layers on we could hardly put the seatbelt on him and as a result he cannot move. What a good sport! He looks like the marshmellow man.

This year we visited my brother Ryan and his family in Appleton, Wisconsin. We went from 75 degree Arizona to 15 degree Wisconsin. It was so much fun! We were expecting to get a few snow storms but instead we got ice storms. We were able to do some sledding, making snowman (out of icy snow), play basketball, and have lots of fun in their big basement. We love spending time with them and so everyday was filled with activities. Brayden and Logan loved playing with their cousins Allison, Tate, and Chad. It was so much fun to have a white Christmas this year. It definitely felt more like Christmas in the snow.

Thanksgiving Festivities

Thanksgiving is so nice! A few days off from work, a lot of food, ping pong tournament, football, dancing, and more food. You can't go wrong. This year did not disappoint! We had lots of fun with the Curtis' and the Stevens families. With the Curtis' we met at a park in the morning and ate breakfast, then played a competitive game of ultimate frisbee. Of coarse my team won but who is keeping score. We were all winners. Then we headed to the Stevens for the wonderful Thanksgiving dinner followed by the Famous Stevens Ping Pong Tournament. You will know why I use all caps to describe it by the photos you see. This is no joke, very serious and you better bring your "A" game or you will be knocked out quickly. To end the evening we went to the Curtis' family dance. It was a great Thanksgiving.

As you can see this is serious business, with brackets, rules, and prizes.

For some reason it always ends up with Johnny and me in the championship. Sadly this year he got lucky and won. I wish I had an excuse but I don't.

Brayden's Super Hero Birthday

Brayden decided he wanted to have a superhero birthday party. So not only did we have a cake with superhero's but we had each kid make his own cape and had superhero training. This training consisted of push-ups, running and jumping into the sand, and an obstacle course where they got to punch a bad guy, i.e. Me. We had lots of kids from our ward and family. It was a blast. Brayden had such a fun time and felt so loved from all who came. Here is the cake with Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker.

Here is Brayden knocking the "bad guy" down. His name was Evil Fro Man, and evil he was.

Here are the kids wearing their cape's and flexing the muscles.

Here we are crossing the street with a big rope, the superhero chain gang.

Here is Brayden and friends opening presents. He got hooked up with lots of cool presents.

Brayden's Soccer

Brayden started his first year of soccer and is having so much fun! Because he began before he was officially 4 he is by far the smallest kid on the team. These photos tell it all. Check out how large the jersey is on his little body. This is one of my favorite memories as a kid and I am excited he gets to play.

Summer Camping

We took two camping trips this year: One with the Curtis's and one with the Stevens. The weekend with the Curtis family it was supposed to rain and didn't and with the Stevens it wasn't supposed to and hailed. One of the joys of camping is the unpredictability I guess! Here are some pictures from our experience.

Before and after the hail

Logan and Brayden were painting some rocks they found at the creek and got paint on them so they had to take a bath. A true outdoors bathing experience. They also helped cook breakfast, got to go a fish hatchery and watch the fish jump like crazy at the food, and had a blast with all their cousins / family.

As If 2 Weren't Enough

It is by no design of my own that I will be surrounded by boys and testosterone for the rest of my life. I grew up in a family of 4 boys and no sisters and now Camille and I will have our 3rd boy on February 29th. My poor Mother and now my poor wife...... I know that they both love their boys and wouldn't trade them for anything.

So Brayden has decided to help us name this little boy. Here is the list so far of names he has come up with:

Wilson- He thought of this all on his own and we don't know any Wilson's.

Connor- This is a family favorite.

Rock- He chose this with a little help from my brother Nathan.

Erik, Derek, and Heiric- After Brayden had spent time with a friend named Eric he decided to think of all rhyming names of Eric.

PingPongTwo- This is my personal favorite and has a nice ring to it. One long word that says it all!

So keep tuned and we will announce the official name of the baby on a later date.

Our Visit to D.C.

Camille and I visited Bryan and Heidi in D.C. this past weekend. It was a blast!

Here is Camille and I in front of the Capitol building.

The week before we came it was in the 40's and chilly, but when we came the whole weekend was in the 60's and 70's and the leaves had changed colors. It was paradise.

This is Camille and I in front of George Washington's house in Mount Vernon.

Just chillin with the Washington's before our tour

Us with Bryan and Heidi in front of the White House.

In front of honest Abe'

Lincoln Memorial and reflective pool

Camille wanted this shot because of the architecture. It was awesome everywhere we went.
The temple right before we left

We had so much fun with the White's and appreciate their hospitality. This was Camille's first trip to D.C. and we tried to fit it all in. We probably walked a total of 50 miles throughout the trip! We are grateful we were able to go and for the babysitters that helped watch our boys.