The time I almost ruined Christmas...

Well let me begin. Over a year ago the best dog in the entire world, Jack, died. My mom, Dru, was crushed! So when I heard the same breeder we bought Jack from had a black lab male I thought it would be a Christmas Miracle if we could give him to my Mom & Mark! When Sam & I received this picture we fell in love and decided to propose the idea to Dan & our step-siblings. We, as in the Clark kids and the Brewer kids decided it would be a great idea to give Mark and Dru a puppy for Christmas.We all pitched in and awaited the Christmas party to give Mark and Dru their gift. We managed to keep the gift top secret. As a decoy gift, I found a lovely piece of Native American art to "give" to them. Here they are opening their "gift".

They tried really hard to be gracious as they looked over their new painting. In the meantime we were all laughing and freaking out because we knew the puppy was going to be coming down the stairs any second. I have never been more excited to give a gift in my entire life! I had been keeping this secret from my mom for months and hiding the puppy for days! It took everything I had not to tell her about the pup before I gave it to her! The night before the party I could not even sleep tossing and turning thinking about how wonderful it was going to be when they met their new precious, prefect puppy! Sam brought the puppy downstairs and Dru freaked out when she saw the little guy, crying, screaming and rolling on the ground! Mark stared in disbelief, shock, anger, you name it. It truly was the best and worst gift. Dru instantly fell in love...

Mark on the other hand was NOT happy. He even said right out load, "that is the worst gift you could give someone." It was very awkward to say the least. Anyway, we had to continue with the party since we gave them the puppy right at the beginning. After a lovely Lasagna dinner, Santa Claus paid us a visit and was crackin puppy jokes left and right! As you can tell from the pic Graham is not convinced that this whole Santa thing is a good idea!

Dru, the puppy and Santa.

During the party I was frantically texting everyone and anyone to see if they were interested in buying a puppy so I could reimburse my siblings! This little guy is so cute I actually had 2 takers before the party was over! I apologized to Mark and told him I would take the puppy back to my house. He said that the puppy could stay and Dru would make the decision. I felt so bad that I had upset Mark & that I had to put my mom in this situation! After the dust settled and everyone left, Mark bonded with the pup and decided they would keep him. I was relieved especially after being the instigator of the worst Christmas gift ever!!! Let this be a lesson to everyone... NO LIVE ANIMALS for Christmas not even from the North Pole!They named him Moses, And he could just possibly be the smartest and cutest dog that has ever lived... catastrophe barely adverted! ...sigh...

*Thanks to Emily for letting me copy her post! She just wrote it so perfectly I couldn't resist! I am a blog thief!*

Later on, we'll conspire, as we dream by the fire...






















Merry Christmas...

Graham-a-rama ...

Better 3 months late than never...right?
My mom surprised me and had Sy Snarr take these hysterically adorable pictures of Graham right before he turned 1! Dru bought the Lederhosen for Max when she was in Switzerland and Max was nice enough to lend them to Graham for his chance at some Bavarian humiliation! His facial expressions crack me up, especially his stink-eye!!!





Falling out of Fall...

Oh how we have loved the Fall!

It started with a day trip to the cabin for lunch and a walk around Silver Lake enjoying its Majesty with Ashlee & Sienna!
The boys look totally unamused but they were completely relaxed and content while in the stroller! They saved all their energy to run around with Sienna!
I love Ashlee and her love for Fall leaves! We did not stop ewwing & awwing!
Sienna is such a good helper with the boys & they absolutely adore her! She calls them Draham & Georgie! Love her!

This boy holds the key to my heart! I love him to pieces! I have always said & I will remain to say, he is the best baby in the world!
Graham posing with his pine cone before he attempted to eat it! I love this picture Ashlee captured of him!
All in a days trip Graham ate; a rock, dirt, leaves, pine cone, & a beehive! Yes a BEEHIVE! Luckily the hive had been abandoned! This busy boy keeps me on my toes!

Aunt Annie Belle took these pics of Graham at Goose's 81st birthday! He loved barking at the dogs on the deck!


Sparky & YoYo took all the grandkids to the State Fair! Graham was in heaven seeing all the animals and of course checking out the pumpkins!


Annie Belle was kind enough to take pictures of Max & Graham in their Halloween Costumes! They are so lucky to have such a talented Aunt! The Peacock & Cow were great models!





Graham's 1st Birthday Party - The Greatest Show on Earth




Circus Cusine


The Party Animals

Cake Walk

Wash Down

Thanks to all the great guest who came to Graham-Bam's party, you made it a memorable circus! And thank you to Annie Belle & Jordan for the capturing all the priceless photos!

Happy First Birthday Graham-Bam!


Happy Birthday Graham aka Gram Bam, Grambo, Grahamers, Grammy, Gramtastic, The Great Grambino, Grahamburger, Graham Cracker, Big Boy, Googie, Squigems, Bam-bam, fella, Dudie, the boy with a million nicknames! This year has been an absolute JOY! Your goofy 8-scalloped-tooth grin is contagious, your open mouth smooches are infectious, and your incessant clapping and waving is adorable.



You always are making us smile by:



Taking phone calls with any toy, bottle or remote…“Ello, Hi, …(fake laugh)… (fake laugh)”



Oompa –Loompa Walk



Gut laughing while we make you a bottle



Grin from ear-to-ear when we get you out of your crib



Harassing Rees



Your Love for George, Charlie, Ethan, Max, Addison, Sienna, Joci, Camille & Tessa and any kid or baby! The Ultimate Social Butterfly!



Dancin’ Dancin’ Dancin’ by shaking your booty & shoulders



Throwing, kicking, gathering, & saying "ball, ball, ball...." 800 times daily!



Infatuations with the toilet, trash cans & doggie bowls



Attacking anyone laying on the floor with kisses & hugs



I Love you Graham! HappyBirthday! XOXO



Did I Give Birth to Terry Bradshaw?


I wish I was funny enough to have thought of this, but I wasn't! My brother's friend made the observation on Sunday and I haven't stopped laughing! Too classic! I just hope Graham has twinner throwing arm ... "like a cannon"!

Where the Wild Things Are???

In the water of course!!!
Gorgeous Georgous in his flap happy hat!

Charlie wingin' it!
Graham was so irritated that he had to stop splashing for one second to take a pic! Graham and Ethan river rafting!

followed up with a warm bath!

Visits from my friends!