Christmas Season

Christmas is always so much fun, but with a 2 year old in the house, Christmas is SO exciting. Not a lot of sleeping got done in the month of December, but who needs sleep?  Brooklyn thought the Christmas tree was the most "bootiful" thing she had ever seen and if even one small present was added under the tree, Brookie was the first one to notice.  

As for the boys, this was the year they pieced the whole "Santa Mystery" together so they were great about playing up "Santa" for their sister.  

This was the first year that Nate and I gave the boys money to go shopping for family members. I enjoyed the fact that Ryan and Brandon were excited about giving presents to others and also seeing the process of them trying to pick a gift their person would enjoy.  The funniest part of this adventure was taking the boys separately to shop for each other.  Wouldn't you know it? They picked almost the exact same thing for each other :)

The kids had their church Christmas program the week before Christmas.  Brandon wasn't feeling well so he stayed home with Dad, while I took Brooklyn and Ryan.  

On Christmas Eve, we went to our Christmas Eve Candlelight Service at 4:00, headed back to our house to open presents from my side of the family, and then went to Aunt Darlene's house for pizza and treats.  

We opened presents on Christmas morning at our house and then had Christmas Dinner at Nate's parent's.  It was a great day filled with family and love and most importantly. . .a celebration of the birth of our Saviour.

 Ryan and Brooklyn before Church Program

 Christmas Eve

 Pizza

 New Fly Jerseys from Grandma Mona and Papa Kevin

 And pants to match. . .

 Love my new pink sweatshirt from Grandpa Jeff and Grandma Tressa

 Getting my cookies ready to bake

 Story Time  with Great Aunt Darlene

Christmas Morning

 Woohoo. . .Tetherball from Grandma and Grandpa

 My very own Cash Register

New pillowcases for our beds 

Family Pictures

Lowry Family 2013

Ryan-8              Brandon-9            Brooklyn-2

Thanksgiving 2013

We were so fortunate that Grandma Mona and Papa Kevin came to have Thanksgiving with our family this year.  We had a relaxing Thanksgiving Day and then spent the rest of their time with us taking in some of our Thanksgiving Weekend traditions.  Grandma and Grandpa went to the Festival of Trees with us, helped us get our Christmas tree, decorated cookies, took pictures with the kids, and also got to see the Botanical Gardens Aglow.  Their trip went by too quick, but we had a great time!!

 Santa's House

 This was a recurring theme throughout the week. . .Brooklyn was NOT too happy about taking pictures with anyone!!

 Brooklyn writing her letter to Santa

 Boys working on their lists

 Scared of Santa

 Brooklyn not cooperating for a picture

 Winter Garden Aglow

 Again, Brooklyn?

 Figuring out the Scavenger Hunt clues

 Yay!!!  My husband let us get a real tree this year  :)  It was an amazing tree too!!  I'm a happy gal.

 Decorating the tree

Decorating cookies with Grandma

Halloween 2013

We kept Halloween really low-key this year and didn't have the entire family over for dinner.  Instead, I took Brooklyn over to Grammy and Grampy's house and Grandma and Grandpa G.G.'s house in the morning so they could take pictures of her in her costume.  

After dinner, the kids put their costumes on and we hit the Trick-or-Treating trail.  We were thinking Brooklyn was only going to hang with us for a few houses, but once she realized she was getting candy from EVERY house. . . there was NO WAY she was going home.  She walked the whole time and Nate had to finally drag her back home and get her ready for bed.  I continued on with the boys so they could do hook up with some of their friends and get a bit more candy.  

Football Season

Ryan and Brandon played PAL Flag Football again this year and they were assigned to "The Bears."  Ryan was able to play in a variety of positions, but mostly played quarterback.  He's improved since last year and continues to work on his throwing.  Brandon loves to play defense and his main goal. . .INTERCEPT THE BALL!!  He's definitely got his "ball hawk" eyes on in every game.  Brandon is great on offense as well and it's pretty fun to see the quarterback/receiver brother combination score some touchdowns :)

The Bears only lost one regular season game, but lost the first game in tournament play.  It was a great season and of course, they can't wait until next year.

Brandon

 Brandon going for a pass

 Ryan looking for a receiver

The hand-off

Brooklyn's favorite part of the game. . .Playing with Marli and eating her sucker