Getting ready for Christmas

Growing up it was always a tradition that on the long Thanksgiving weekend we would go get our Christmas Tree and decorate the house. Mark and I have continued this tradition every year since we were married 10 years ago. We have always had a fake tree except for the first year. This year we needed to buy a new one. We had to retire Grandma Barlow's after last Christmas. So we went and bought a brand new pri-light tree. Mark picked out the type and we let the kids pick out the type of lights (color or white), they picked the color. We also bought more outside decorations this year.

It took us 2 days (Friday Nov 28 & Sat Nov 29), but it is all done. Friday we put up all the outside lights and on Saturday we did the inside and the Tree. The kids had a great time and wanted more, but we don't really have many tree ornaments. The dog even got into the action. When the Twins were born I started to buy them 1 new ornament every year and got ride of many that were broke or old or did not have any sentimental value. I figure that by the time all three kids move out they will each have at least 19 ornaments.

We wish you all a very Happy Holiday season.

Turkey Day

As I was reviewing Thanksgiving day it dawned on me that we did not take one picture this year. It started early of course at 6am with the kids wanting to get up and watch cartoons since we did not have to leave right away. We went to the Tanner's house for the traditional English Pancakes. There were also Sourdough Waffles (yum). Most of the Barlow family (way too many to name) were there, except for those who decided to play turkey ball (football), or go paint balling. None of the old guys could play. They might break a hip or something. The kids were really excited since there way more little kids there.

Dinner was at our house with the Collins side of the Family. Grandpa and Grandma and Great Grandma Collins came for Dinner. Great Grandma could not do much (she is in a wheelchair), but seemed to enjoy watching the kids run around and someone else do the cooking. Uncle Roy Barlow also joined us this year. Aunt Laura with Noah came for a short visit. When we got home from breakfast, mom started on the dough for homemade dinner rolls. This was the first time she made them. Dad asked her why she would try them for the first time on Thanksgiving, her reply was why not?? They were a hit. Dad and Uncle Roy both said that they were great. This was their moms recipe. Dinner was awesome!!! Everything turned out perfect!! At the end mom made Cinnamon rolls with the left over dough. They were so great that Grandma Collins took the recipe.

The day ended with Uncle Chad and Aunt Jenny with Ethan and Cody come over, and we played so hard that we did not fight at bed time. We were so tired. We even slept in the next day.

We hope that everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving and a great start to the Holiday Season!!

Eating like a Dog or Racing, you decide?

On Family night with the Tanners, Gavin and Garrett deciced to see who could eat faster. Tristan and Allyson joined in the jun. It was so fun to watch.

Take a picture of me dad!

Allyson loves to have her picture taken. She will ask, "Do I look cute? Then take my picture."

No! this was not staged.

The boys have a habit of reading the paper in the bathroom just like dad!. Top it off with Gavin who likes to take his clothes off when he goes to the potty and here is what you get!

Ducks vs Capitals

I don't have any pictures of this since mom did not go,but dad took Tristan to his first Hockey game at the Honda Center on November 19Th. The Ducks vs Capitols. To say he had a great time would be an understatement. He saw some fights and some one got a body check. He learned the Ducks song which I think is a Pennywise song. He had his own GO DUCKS chant. Dad said everyone would just laugh and thought he was so cute. Well he was so excited when he got home. He could not wait to tell his friends.

4th picture from the 4th picture file

Kinda blurry, but this is my 4Th picture in the 4Th picture file. This was at Gavin's 3rd birthday party (August 2008) with Grandpa Collins (Kami's Dad). We had a great time.

Thanks Megan.. Any one who wants to play has been tagged. As the tittle says, Find the 4Th picture from your 4Th picture file folder on your computer and post it.

Forts

Where are the kids you might ask??

Here we are at Fort Barlow. We Love to hide and make forts these days. We have always loved to hide under blankets. As long as you can't see us then you can not find us although we wiggle and giggle.

Lego

This little LEGO castle took Dad (engineering/drafting background) about 1 1/2 hours to put together. After some LEGO throwing and a few choice words (Tristan safe words) I finally completed this incredibly complex LEGO puzzle. Tristan waiting so calmly for Dad to finish, finally was allowed to play with this awesome Dragon protected fortress. After about 1/2 an hour he looks at me and says "Dad i'm all done can we take it down now". As you can see it is still standing and still being played with.

Day off!!

On Novemeber 11th mom had a day off from work. Aunt Laura (moms sister) with Noah and Aunt Jenny (sister in law) with Ethan and Cody came out for a play day. We did lunch at McDonalds (Dad met up with us) and then we went to the park so the little guys could play.

1st Picture - Allyson, Tristan, Noah, Cody, Ethan & Gavin

2nd Picture - Ethan, Gavin, Allyson & Tristan

3rd Picture - Cody, Gavin & Noah (boys love dirt and rocks!!)

Happy Halloween!

Well since the Tanners (Pat & Jolene) don't have a blog yet I will add them to ours for this Post.

The Tradition that Jolene started with Mark was from when they were kids is making Home Made Donuts and Root beer on Halloween. We have done this with them for the last 3 years. Roy helped as well.

Jolene made them with the help of Kami, Becky Jones & Sarah Rawls. Logan Tanner had the task of feeding the kids. That was a load off mom. Sarah and John Ralws transported the donuts out side where Mark fried them and Roy frosted them. Pat, Jordan, Logan, Bryson Jones, Kaitlyn & Blake (for a few minutes before he went to a Haunted House) manned the table were they handed out the Donuts, Candy, Hot chocolate and water (root beer did not turn out this year). Garrett was off with his friends. Tristan, Allyson and Gavin just got to be kids. Mom took the kids with the help of Becky Jones, trick or treating with Savannah ( friend from day care) Her sister Crystal and parents Debi & Patrick.

After about 1 hr Gavin was done. He wanted mom to carry him and go back to Aunt Jolene's. So we all made our way back. Tristan and Allyson were not done so they went off with Savannah and her family for about 30 more minutes. Back at the Tanner's where we had made somewhere around 650, from what Mark says), the donuts were going fast. The kids came home with a combined total of 4 bags of candy.

Every one had a great time. By the time we got home from helping clean up it was well after 9pm.

Here are some pictures that I got of the last big rush.