Crepes & Christmas Lights with the Greenwoods!

This year our best buds, The Greenwoods, came to our neck of the woods with crepes and bacon for dinner as bribery J We have missed these guys SO MUCH since we moved to Illinois so we were SO excited to spend an evening with them! After dinner we went to Our Lady of the Snows Christmas Lights Festival! It is a massive drive through light displays with lots of fun things to do on foot as well. We rode camels, saw Christmas Tree displays from all over the world, wrestled in a busy parking lot (Braxton & Kaden – SHOCKER!), saw beautiful nativity displays, screamed like crazy people when animals in the petting zoo licked us (Bailey & “baby” Kenzie Greenwood) and enjoyed each other’s company! We sure do love these guys! Thanks for playing with us Sabrina, TJ, Kaden, Kylie, Kenzie, & Kaylee!!! And thanks to Sabrina for taking great pics because mine were terrible!

December Awesomeness!

 

I probably say this with every season and Holiday but it is especially true with December… I LOVE THIS TIME OF YEAR! The crisp air, the excitement and anticipation of Christmas coming, traditions, making memories… I JUST LOVE IT! 

We did some Bug Decorating along with our Christmas Tree Decorating...

Building the hand-me-down artificial tree. (Sorry Dad!)

Braxton and his buddy Nick at their school Christmas Program… 

Kenzie went with me to Bailey’s Christmas program. Rich stayed home with Sick B :( It was such a cute program with all the little kiddos dressed up in their Christmas duds. After the program we had some girl time and got gelato at one of our favorite spots in Belleville, Junction! 

Swim Lessons at the Y in December! (Big was the only one who cooperated for a pic. Shocker!

For Braxton’s birthday I surprised him with opening weekend tickets to the new Star Wars movie in 3D! Fantastic flick and a fun night with my little buddy! 

Obligatory Sunday Christmas Outfit Pic

Can't wait to see what else December has in store for us!!!

Enjoy your Weezer Show!

 

We love live music.  Weezer is one of my favorite bands of the 90's.  We had a guys night out with the fellas from work.  Jake, A-Rich, Dan, and I went to the show.  To open the show - the lead singer Rivers said, "Enjoy your Weezer Show."  The way he said it was hilariously, goofy.  I got to sing along and rock my face off to all of my favorite songs.  My other favorite part was hearing A-Rich sing along.  I was dying laughing at him.  It was at the Peabody Opera House in downtown St. Louis and it was AWESOME!

Video #1:  Buddy Holly

Video #2:  Beverly Hills   

Video #3:  Undone (Sweater Song)   

Video #4:  Island in the Sun   

Video #5:  Say it Ain't So   

Video #6:  Pork & Beans
 

B is for BAPTISM!

We are SO proud of Braxton for making the decision to get baptized! We are also very grateful that we have such loving and supportive friends and family that sacrificed so much to be there for Braxton's big day!

My two favorite handsome guys all in white!

 

B and his 2 best buddies: Kaden Greenwood from the Maryland Heights Ward (Best Friends since they were 2!) and Trey Goodrich (B's first and best friend in Illinois from our Belleville Ward). 

This girl is SO in love with her cousin Barrett!

Grandma Bowman playing prelude

B and his new scriptures from Grandma & Papa Bowman

The whole Smith clan minus Matt, Mike, Sarah, Ragen and Hunter (we missed you guys!)

Grandma & Pa Pa Smith!

Amanda, Chris, Rilea, Dylan, & Barrett Doellman!

Mitch, Faye, Melissa, Colton, & Oren Smith! 

Andy, Jenni & Reggie Bowman

The Bowman Crew minus Stef, Micah, Kayla, James & Ari (We missed you guys!) 

Grandma & Papa Bowman

Jeff, Tiernae, Stuart, & William Buttars. So glad these guys came all the way from Indianapolis! Thank you!!!

 

After the baptism we headed back to the house for some delicious crepes and bacon!!! It was so much fun to sit and chat and catch up with everyone that got to come! Thank you to everyone who made this day so special for our family! We love you all so much! 

One Sunday B was all decked out with his new gear...

Grandma Bowman sewed the kids these awesome scripture cases! 

Rich's uncle Mike & Aunt Sharon spoiled B with a sweet new tie and Baseball CTR tie pin. They are awesome!After the baptism we got to hang out with the fam! Here are a few pics...

All the kids fought over who got to hold Barrett. He is so cute! 

Long Day! This guy can sleep through gaggles of kids yelling and running around him. Impressive!

Grub with cousins :)

Light Saber Fun

Crab Legs

Yes - this is a blog post dedicated to the consumption of delicious crab legs.  We love us a crab leg buffet.  My family was in town for Braxton's baptism and my mom wasn't feeling well.  So, we took a man trip (Dad, Andy, and I) to Lumiere Place Casino to hit up the crab buffet.  My inner fat kid comes out when I go to a crab leg buffet; I'm not satisfied until I feel like the casino lost money because of the amount of crab I've eaten.  It makes me feel good about myself but in the end I always feel bad about myself.  I think I ate too much - famous last words.  We may lose in the casino but we are always winners at the buffet.

Lumiere Place @ night...Thank you Google...

Lumiere Place during the day...Thank you Google...

Dad and Rich about to get it on with some delicious crab legs...Andy behind the lens...