Baylor's 11th Birthdays

Baylor wanted a sleep over birthday this year so we planned it for November 2nd in hopes for good weather for the bounce house.  We decided to skip the Halloween party, which was a sad but good decision. But he still loves the bounce house so we had it for his birthday.  Which made him very happy.  

We invited Kartikey, Ryder, Landon and Zayden. Curtis and Carson were not able to join us so it was  a small group.  Halloween was postponed to the 2nd due to bad weather on the 31st. I thought going ToT would be a good way to break up the party. Unfortunately, it also broke up the friends because two of the did not come back afterwards.  But they had fun before we had to get ready. We had the Fortnight llama pinata, which I bought instead of stressing out making.  It did not last very long.  

We had a small cake, snacks and hot dogs for supper.  

But the best part was the bounce house.  They were on it the whole time.  

I was hanging out by the fire pit with other adults. It was our first fire and a rare time just sitting around talking to adults. With dogs wandering around and an adult beverage!! We burned the llama body

but the head was put on a pike to warn other llamas to stay away.  

Zayden left to get ready for Halloween and trick or treating with another friend.  Landon also left to get ready though we were going to his neighborhood to trick or treat. His mom was also going to be there and he wanted to spend some time with her before we went out.   The three remaining boys rakes leaves and had a good fall day in the leaves.  Tossing them 

And swinging into them. 

And hiding in them 

All dressed up and ready for candy.  Ryder was the T-Rex, cool but hard to walk in and see.  Landon was the Winter Soldier, Baylor was Agent 24 and Kartikey was a banana.  All good things. 

All the clothes were found at thrift stores, the gun was new and the briefcase was borrowed from Buddy.  A few older guys recognized who he was.  

After we were done trick or treating, I took the three boys back to our house.  They tried the bounce house but it was very cold so came inside and played Xbox and watched TV until they feel asleep.  

Merry Christmas

Meme, Pap, and Jason came over Christmas Eve and Baylor treated them to a concert before dinner.  He was working on Jingle Bells and I am so happy he is not shy about playing in front of his family.  He rocks, sways, and kicks for dramatic effect when he is playing.  I love watching him play.  

We had a nice Christmas Eve dinner together and then settled down for our long winter's nap! 

Actually, they settled down in the living room and I went into the kitchen to make cinnamon rolls for breakfast.  I love baking and yeast breads!  

I took over the room in the basement for wrapping gifts and watching TV.  Roxie usually is where I am and so is Baylor.  We were all down there watching Christmas Eve TV.  

 After Baylor was asleep, Santa delivered the gifts to our house.  It really looks like he cut back this year!! Or not, even though that was the plan. 

Early to bed, early to rise.  But my camera does not flip selfies so the mug reads backwards!! 

Baylor was up pretty early and we did not wait for the grandparents.  Christmas is best when enjoyed with children but we do not keep him waiting for everyone to wake up.  He bumped his stocking first and sorted through the goodies.  

Roxie did pretty good for her first Christmas with us.  She did not sneak off with any candy.  Now, if there were socks in there then it would have been game on!  

Trying on his neck scarf. 

He finished the Diary of A Wimpy Kid books so Santa brought him the movies. 

It was a very buffalo plaid Christmas with a robe, slippers, hat and sheets.  

The rest of us received gifts as well.  Though not as many. 

While we were opening gifts, the cinnamon rolls were baking.  So delicious!  

Snapchatting with Jason. 

Two hams were needed to feed everyone.  

Dad was my kitchen assistant, he helped make the Brussel sprouts, mashed potatoes, and carved the hams. 

Practicing with the selfie stick. 

The family photo. 

Roxie got a new red football and was very happy with it all day.  

Meme, Pap and Jason stayed until after lunch and then headed home.  We were super happy they were able to make it though it was hard at times.  It was the first time they have been at the house since Dave died.  

Mom and Dad stayed a little longer.  Mom and I did some dishes together.  I usually like to do my dishes in the morning, but after a holiday meal, there are too many to leave until morning. So we got a sink full done and loaded what we could into the dishwasher.    

We were at the table talking over dessert and Roxie gave Buddy some lovins'.   

Then Jake got jealous and decided he needed some lovins' as well.  Dad is not used to big dogs giving him kisses!  

After Meme left I lite the candle on the alter.  There is a new photo there now.  

Roxie is my good potato, she will sleep whenever and for as long as she can.  She only has short bursts of energy unlike Jake who can get excited at a tiny sound down the street.  

A little side by side of Baylor at 13 months and 10 years.  Still happy for Christmas.  

I love Snapchat filters but Baylor only likes them if they do not give him pretty eyelashes!   

This is Jake.  He likes to chew on things.  

This is a six pack of toilet paper that Jake choose to chew on.  

Since Baylor was off school and I cannot take off of work the last week of the year, Baylor went to Kartikey's for a few days.  They had to go to the Dr's office when Greeva had an appointment. And they played with the kid table!! 

One of my coworkers gave me a bag of shirts for my dogs and we tried them all on Roxie and Jake.  She was a patient model and Jake only fit into one shirt but it was very appropriate for him. 

We had dinner with Laura and Adam on the Saturday after Christmas and exchanged gifts.  They are doing ok after all that has happened and Adam was very happy to see Baylor again.  They played hide and seek and one time we could not find Adam, he was under a bed but was in the back in the dark and we could not see him when we looked.  He stayed super quiet also, where as Baylor would be making calls for hints on where to find him.  

Sunday we had Christmas with the Hazel's.  Our first one since the divorce.  

I brought the stocking/water bottle game for the kids to play.  They really enjoyed it as well!  

We took a few family photos. 

And I sent a few pictures to Jamie and Laura letting them know Bobby made it to the family Christmas party.  Both of them were thrilled to see him there.  Both of them were teasing Heather over the summer that she should hook up with Bob, but little did we all know that she already had!