Christmas 2007

Mommy and Bennett at Bennett's pre-school Christmas party!!! The kids made snowman tee shirts with their footprints that said,"Let it snow", that they wore to their party and had cookies, Reindeer bark, & muffins to eat. Each child also brought a wrapped book and they did a musical chair book swap. We had a great time.

The boys by the tree in Kid Kountry just after Bennett's school party. Bennett is now on break and will no go back until the end of January. He is so excited to have a break.

Baylor sitting in his Bumbo for the first time. Look at his happy face!!! I don't think he knew what to make of sitting by himself with out being held.

Baylor wearing his cute little shirt from the Musgraves that says, "All Mommy wants for Christmas is a Silent Night." Notice how is laughing about it :o) He is actually doing quite a bit better with his sleeping, thank goodness!!!

Baylor Christmas Eve just before heading to church. The outfit he is wearing was Brayden's Christmas outfit. I often like to take pictures of each boy in the same outfit and compare how they looked at the same age. We went to the 3pm Children's service which was perfect as they had the children to participate in the service. After we got home we made our traditional Potato soup with deli sandwiches. We got the kids ready and off to bed by 8:00 pm. We got everything out and ready and were in bed by 12pm ourselves after watching A Christmas Story. Around 1:30am Bennett came in to announce that Santa had arrived. We told him to go back to bed as it was not time to get up. Then Baylor woke up at 2:30am and needed to have his passy back. At 5:30am Bennett came back in and announced that Santa had arrived, we told him it still was not time to get up so he went back to bed. At 6:00am Baylor woke again and wanted milk, so we fed him and put him back to bed and started our Breakfast casserole in the oven. (I had made it the night before and it had to soak overnight in the fridge before baking) Finally around 7:30am everyone was up for good except Baylor, but we just got him up so he could be a part of the action. Wow I was wore out before the day started :o).

The boys received so many wonderful things for Christmas. Bennett got a Star Wars storm trooper blaster gun that he had been wanting for some time. He was soooooo excited when he opened the gift.

I love this picture, because it captures how totally surprised he was opening his gifts. It is so wonderful to experience life through the eyes of a child! He also got many games for the XBOX and Nintendo DS Lite systems, Legos and subscription to Brickmaster magazine, books, & Webkinz. In addition we got a Wii for the family! Our fabulous friend Tony Musgrave was walking into Best Buy before Christmas and they set out a pallet and he grabbed one for us! Thanks Tony you ROCK! The kids and us have had such a fun time with the boxing game in particular.

Brayden waiting patiently for his turn to open a gift. He got Candy Land Castle, Webkinz Gorilla, Spiderman doll, Ben 10 action figure, Playmobile Pirate set, counting money jar, and Zoob.

Baylor snuggling with his new blanket which is part of his Zoobie pal. (His is a crocodile which is a stuffed animal/pillow/blanket all in one) He also got teethers, rattle monkey, clothes, and Leap Frog stackers.

Holding his Monkey rattle Christmas morning. This was his first time holding a toy!!!

The boys boxing each other on the Wii. They are so much fun to watch. Bennett runs in place so hard and fast trying to KO his opponent. He is very competitive and does not like to loose, but who does?

They also got Batman and Superman chairs from Grandma and Grandpa McKinstry and Bennett is sitting in his chair checking out the Wii.

This was our first Christmas ever without any family, so again our friends the Musgraves invited us to be with their family Christmas Eve and this is a picture of the boys waiting to open their gifts.

Mommy and Baylor Christmas Eve.

Our beautiful sons, the best Christmas presents we could ask for. We are looking forward to all the wonderful things in store for us for 2008!!!

More December Updates

Just below this post is another update of a family Christmas photo with Santa!!! This picture was taken yesterday at Bennett's Lil' Kicks karate class. From L-R is Carson, Bennett, Zachary,Deane, and Jackson. He has had an amazing year in his karate class and has made some really wonderful friends. The parents laugh and say his Sensei's must be saints to handle 5 little energetic boys with such grace and ease!

The Advent chains were made by the boys at our church's Angel breakfast to count down the days until Christmas.

The stockings were hung by the entertainment center with care?!?!?! We have no fireplace so we had to hang them somewhere. The boys have asked how will Santa get in our home, and we have told them that he will just come in through our sliding glass door by the pool. :o)

Our new tree skirt to match our stockings. It took Pottery Barn three times to get the spelling right :o)!

The boys and I made our annual Gingerbread house. The tradition was started by our old neighbor Kristen. We used to get together with her 2 boys, my friend Christina's 2 boys, Erin's 2 boys, and our 2 boys. We have now added 3 more boys to the mix. Well we sure can make gorgeous boys!!! Burning beside the Gingerbread house is my Christmas candle from Yankee Candle, it smells so wonderful and I've really enjoyed it this year.

This adorable little ornament was one of several ornaments made by Bennett this year. It looks so sweet and yummy!

Here is a picture of the boys decorating the Gingerbread house together. I put icing on two different sides and no arguments as they each have their own space to decorate.

Baylor all smiles just before bath looking up at his mobile.

Bennett, Brayden, and daddy at Bennett's school Christmas play. The parents got to go up and sing a few Christmas carols with the kids and Brayden wanted to go as well :o). Easier to let him go and avoid the screams that were sure to follow if we had said no.

Bennett and his class mates during the play. This picture was taken from our chair with our new camera and its fabulous zoom lens. I LOVE my new camera!!

Cutie Brayden at a Birthday party for Jordyn, who is a girl in Bennett's preschool class. He is holding "Chicky" who is a little rabbit, but he insists that he is a chicken not a rabbit. Chicky has gone with us everywhere lately and has had his ear sew back on once.

Below are just a couple of cute pictures of Baylor at 3 months. He will not go back for a check at the Dr's until the end of January, but I've gotten on the scale and subtracted my weight and I think he is right at 14 lbs. at 14 weeks.

We have been calling him, "Tank" as he does not miss many meals :o). He has been doing quite well with his sleep, having a bath, feed and in the bed by 7:30pm. He is put to bed awake and falls asleep on his own. He can go about 8 hrs. and wakes usually around 3:30am for a quick feed and back to bed until 6:30 or 7 am. It's not a full nights sleep uninterrrupted, but it is much better than the initial first 3 months of getting up every 2-3 hrs.!!!!

The McKinstry family taken at the Angel breakfast at our church. It was December 1st and helped kick off the Advent season for the purpose of teaching the children about the real meaning of Christmas, Jesus! It was done so well and each part was about 10-15 min. so perfect to keep little ones attention.

All things Merry and Bright

Here is the only picture I could upload before the baby woke, so I'll try to add more a little later. This was taken at Bennett's school, Breakfast with Santa. What a fabulous idea. We had breakfast and pictures with Santa in 30 minutes time, drop the kids off for school and we avoided the mall all together. So wonderful for the busy mom!!! I must admit I do enjoy the business and craziness of the mall this time of year, but not with 3 little ones under 5, even that is too much for me :o).

This picture I added of me, since usually they are of the kids. I got a new camera, early Christmas present from Bruce. Nikon D40, I must say I had just finished fixing my hair, but no makeup yet. I had him take the picture so I could see how my hair color looked since I had it done the day before.

November Update

Sorry it has been so long since I last posted, but between a little boy that still does not sleep through the night, troubles uploading to blogger, a family vacation to Southern California over Thanksgiving, and my brother and his wife visiting us, I just have not made the time :o).

So below are some updates of The McKinstrys!!!

First up during our trip to San Diego over Thanksgiving Baylor got to meet Bruce's Grandmother AKA Oma. We were so delighted to introduce her to her newest great grandchild, making Baylor her 6th! We arrived on Saturday evening and left out Monday afternoon to go to Newport Beach. While in San Diego Oma took our family, Uncle Jerry, Aunt Denise, Cousin Brent and his kids Blake and Jordan out for a Thanksgiving Breakfast that was wonderful and the kids all behaved so wonderfully! We had a wonderful time as always in California and hope to go back soon. Especially since Bruce's parents now have a place just down from Oma's condo and best of all it's FREE!!! Thanks grandma and grandpa McKinstry for letting us stay there.

All the boys with Oma, I think Brayden stole Oma's heart this time. He was such a little charmer! They had been asking for nearly a month to go visit and pray nightly for there Oma, so it was so wonderful to be with her again. We love you Oma!!!

On Sunday evening we had dinner with our good friends the Denton's. We had a wonderful time and it was great to get the kids together again. The boys love their two little blue eyed beauties Julia and Jenna. Thanks for a wonderful meal Denton family!

After leaving San Diego we headed to Newport Beach and stayed at the Marriott's Newport Beach Villas for 3 additional days and headed back bright and early to Arizona on Thanksgiving morning. Surprisingly the traffic was wonderful and we arrived at home around 3pm, just in time to go over for Thanksgiving with our dear friend The Musgrave's. We had a wonderful meal and it so great to be with such great friends, they have invited us to be with them on Christmas this year. Thanks Musgrave family!!! Sorry my camera battery died just after we left San Diego, so no pictures, but trust me we had a fabulous time.

The day after Thanksgiving my brother and his wife April arrived to stay with us until Sunday morning. We had a wonderful time as it had been 8 months since we had seen them. Of course they were excited to meet their newest nephew! Maybe they will add a little girl to our family soon. We laughed and said after time with 3 wild boys, they may decide to wait a little longer:o). Danny said if he thought he would have a girl, then no problem, however he's probably thinking of all the pay backs he would get if he was blessed with a BOY!!!

Bennett getting ready to bowl, he has decided this is his new favorite thing to do with his Daddy, and is already planning their next adventure there.

We took the boys bowling after lunch. They have been wanting to go bowl for quite some time however every time we try to take them the leagues are there and no lanes are open. Luckily the day after Thanksgiving proved to be the perfect day and we had a wonderful time. The Musgrave family joined us as well with their two of their three boys, Quinn and Andrew. Colin was at Knottsberry Farm in California. Yes our other friends with 3 boys!!! We have lots of fun and laughs together.

One happy little boy!!!

Three cheers for Bennett

Brayden was asleep when we first arrived, but as soon as he woke up he was ready to get in on the action.

He was so funny to watch and his little ball would go so slowly down the lane. One time it even stopped and the lady there had to walk down and retrieve it :o). In this picture he was jumping up and down in excitement.

Uncle Danny and Aunt April gave Baylor his first pair of overalls. He is show here proudly wearing them, he looked so cute in them! Baylor cooing and taking to us

The three boys just before church on Sunday morning and just before Danny and April left. We are sad to see them go, but will see you all again real soon. Daddy also got a little help from Uncle Danny installing a new sink and mommy had fun shopping with April! I also forgot we took Danny and April to see the Christmas lights at our church on Saturday night and had a great time doing that as well.

We are looking forward to seeing you both again real soon.

The kiddos with Uncle Danny and Aunt April What a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday we had, we have so much to be thankful for!!!

More Birthday Celebration

Bennett turns 5!!!November 1st, our first born son turned 5!!! It's hard to believe that 5 years have passed since we had our first baby. Bennett was due December 5th of 2002 and I casually said during my pregnancy that it would be nice to have a baby born on my mother's birthday 11/2. God had definitely heard my request and granted it with Bennett arriving 5 weeks early at 6 lbs. 13oz. and was very healthy besides a case of jaundice that lasted close to one month and reflux that lasted for 15 months. His birthday is very special being that it is just the day before my mother's birthday and each year as we celebrate his birthday I think of my mother and feel as if we are celebrating her birthday as well. God is good, coincidence, I think not.For dinner we asked Bennett where he wanted to go eat and he choose Rubio's Mexican Grill!!!

Yummy, one of our favorite places to eat. After dinner he and Brayden wanted to go get slushy's, so we headed to QT's for a Sour Green Apple slushy.

On November 2, he wanted to go to Build-A-Bear workshop and make a bear with money Grandaddy and Martha had given him. He decided on a Koala bear and named it Robin Koala. I guess since Auntie Robin had just left, the name was fresh in his mind and he thought it was the perfect name.

Brayden got a small Polar Bear and he named his Polo. I think Bennett has 5 from Build-a-Bear and Brayden has 4, and Baylor already has one too!!!

Happy Birthday Bennett and Grammy Angel(that's what the boys call my mom :o))

Auntie Robin visits and Halloween

Baylor in Auntie Robin's arms just after her arrival here in Arizona Friday morning!!! We were looking so forward to our visit with her, as it had been 7 long months since we had seen her. Auntie Robin was looking forward to getting her hands on her newest nephew :o). Baylor quickly found himself comfortable on Auntie Robin's shoulder. It was also so nice for mommy and daddy because it gave us a chance to get some things done without having to hold little man. I guess now that she has returned home, work around the house will go on hold again :o).

At the sand pumpkin patch (LOL), only in Arizona would you go to a sand pumpkin patch!!! On Sunday our church had a fall festival fund raiser for the school called Rocktober fest and we had a great time there despite the very warm temps. (close to 95 degrees)

Bennett and Brayden on the train at the festival Sunday.

Monday morning Aunt Robin, Mommy, Brayden, and Baylor (Bennett was in pre-school) went to our Mommy and Me fall party.

Mommy and Baylor at the party(notice mommies red nose, the other mommies were talking to mommy and Aunt Robin about her leaving the next day and mommy was already getting upset just thinking about it. Look out Tuesday morning it's not going to be pretty :o( )

Brayden at the party, he decided to dress up as The Thing. He was having snack and eating worms and dirt(pudding, crushed Oreo's and gummy worms Yummy!!!)

Auntie Robin brought a Haunted House craft to do with the boys on Monday afternoon. The boys are always ready for craft time, I guess they get it honest from mommy and Auntie Robin.

Brayden fussing about taking his photo with his art project, so Aunt Robin jumped on the floor with him :o). We also went to Bennett's karate class that afternoon, he was excited to show Aunt Robin his skills!

Monday evening we decided to celebrate Bennett's 5th birthday since Aunt Robin was here (his actual b-day is 11/1). We did a whole spooky theme with ghost chips, mummy's in the blanket, ghost plates, pomegranate juice (for blood) his still asking for more pomegranate juice, and Aunt Robin made cupcakes with the boys, so we decorated them as Monster cupcakes! What a fun night.

Bennett opening his gifts. He received a Nintendo DS, clothes, pirate puzzle, and gift card to Target.

Baylor at the party, taking it all in. His little Monster pumpkin :o).

Bennett's one eyed Monster cupcake.

Brayden creating his Monster cupcake creation, he was the one who had the ides of Monster cupcakes, and was looking forward to this project. Thanks Aunt Robin for making cupcakes with us!!!

Daddy's Monster cupcake, yes we even got daddy in on the action.

And Mommy and Aunt Robin's Monster cupcakes. They were quite yummy and so moist, my weakness is b-day cake/cupcakes. :o)

We also carved our pumpkin and the boys decided on a pirate skull and crossbones. Whew, what a busy fun filled day, we were not looking forward to the day coming to an end because it meant the next day we had to let Auntie Robin go back home Boo hoo.

Mommy, Brayden, Bennett, Aunt Robin and Baylor just before taking Aunt Robin to the airport. Again notice mommies red eyes and nose from crying the blues. Oh so sad to see my sister leave and still crying as I sit here and type. She was so amazing and such a big help, in addition to just enjoying her visit with us. She would make the boys beds, get them dressed and ready, empty dish washer, start, dry and fold laundry, make food and clean up after meals, hold baby and quite cries. Oh how I wish we were closer for my own sake as well as the boys being able to spend time with their cousins who they miss dearly. I'm sure the post partum blues don't help the matter much, but I'm feeling particularly sad and home sick.

Halloween night Brayden wanted to wear Venom, Baylor a cute little pumpkin, and Bennett was The Incredible Hulk. We spent the evening at our church, for a performance from the Children of Hope choir . They were amazing. The choir is made up of of children who have been orphaned, abandoned and robbed of their childhoods because of poverty, civil unrest, and preventable diseases. What a privilege to get to see them.

After the performance, we went to the parking lot for our first annual Trunk or Treating. We sponsored a car, and had a good time handing out candy and seeing all the kids. The boys especially liked giving the candy out and saying Happy Halloween. Baylor slept through it all.

Bennett as The Hulk, he actually looked quite scary, and some of the little girls from his class were really frightened. Just like a boy to scare the girls :o).

Sweet baby Baylor, he looked so adorable in his costume. I'll post our Birthday boys pictures tomorrow, whew this one got long! Anyway tomorrow would have been my mother's Birthday, so it is still a very special day! Enjoy the pictures.