The Tree Hunt!

Our tree hunt this year was not what I was expecting it to be. I have this strong desire to take my family out and go cut down our christmas tree. The problem I have is we don't live near any good places. This years place we decided to try was even worse than last year. We found this place on line and it wasn't too far. The clue that it wasn't too far should have meant something to me.

We got there all prepared to hopefully find a tree we could cut down, but that turned into a bust. This is what we walked through looking for a tree.

Are you kidding me?! These are NOT christmas trees! They are shrubs! The best part was watching people buying these ugly things. I just was laughing inside!

All I can say is UGLY!!!

We did take the time to walk around just to make sure we didn't miss anything. Let me just say we didn't miss anything. There was nothing!

How many cactus bushed do you see at a christmas tree farm? Well we found one!!!

After walking all around we just went back up to the front  of the place and bought one that they had imported. I am sure most people do the same thing we did.

My favorite kind of christmas tree is a noble fir! I just love them!

We found our tree. Payton just loved running around and playing with Ryan and Austin.

Payton got the cart to caring the tree out on.

He and Josh are so cute pulling the tree. Payton was very helpful!

We loaded the trees up in our friends trailer and went home.

But before heading home the kids got to eat their candy canes and sit in the back of the trailer. 

The next day we decided to bring the tree in and get all our christmas decorations out.

Payton did a good job directing his dad.

Getting it up!

I decided to put it up on a table so that it would be more of a challenge for Scarlett to get. That little girl doesn't really get close to it unless her brother is touching it. 

Sorry the picture is kind of fuzzy but I wanted to show how helpful Payton was at decorating the tree. Everything was just in a clump! I didn't eventually get it all fixed and it looks much better now. 

Scarlett just crawled around and got into all the boxes.

This little girl is just getting so big. She stands on things all the time and is officially walking along things. She thinks she's tricky when she lets go and stands all by herself. 

She is now officially 9 and a half months old!

Just a silly picture of her!

Thanksgiving Fun -lots of pictures-

We had a busy house for Thanksgiving this year. We got to enjoy a visit from my mom the weekend before Thanksgiving. Then the Monday before Thanksgiving Josh's sister Jana and her family came for the week from Utah. Then Wednesday night the rest of Josh's family came for Thanksgiving which included Christy and her family, Kevin and his family, Mom and Dad, Michael, Joel, Brady, Shannon, and Kelsey. (We definitely missed Ryan and his family, Sean who is on a mission in Texas, and Tracie and John.) The whole group totaled 15 adults and 15 kids. It was such a blast!!! The cousins all had so much fun sleeping together and playing. The adults got to play games, visit and shop. Josh and I are just so glad so many of his siblings and parents could come and spend Thanksgiving with us.

 Of course when cousins get together they need to eventually take a bath together. This was the beginning of the week before everyone else came. 

Payton (3), Benji (5), Cali (2), Scarlett (9mo) and Packer (3).

 Packer, Ella and Cali loved the grapes!

 Ella obviously couldn't get enough. These two cousins are 1 month apart.

 Watching TV in the morning before all the aunts and uncles were awake

 Uncle Michael playing a game with Payton and Benji. What a good uncle!

Thanksgiving morning we let the kids all make a turkey. They loved it! 

 Grandma helping Benji make his

 Cousin Shaelyn helped Payton make his turkey.

 Payton loved it. He even made Josh's and Scarletts.

 Proud of his turkey!

Scarlett just being her! HAPPY!!!

 Every time the cousins are over Payton loves to throw all the cushions off the couch and jump on them. Someone gets hurt every time. Maybe some day they will learn. 

Anytime the family gets together we head to a park and play some flag football and some soccer. With 15 adults and 15 kids you can definitely make some good teams.  

 Payton of course had to join in on the game. He has no clue but loved running around following uncle Brady and helping pull peoples flags. 

 Payton practicing his soccer skills before the game started. 

 Payton's team. He's the littlest one out there! He loved it though!

 After a while he was done playing with the big kids so he came over to play with the little cousins. 

 He's getting a lot better at playing catch.

 The little kids soccer game.

 They didn't last long playing that so we moved to the next activity.

 They played duck duck goose. They all did pretty good and that and followed the rules.

 Scarlett just got to play in the grass

 Grandma surrounded by the little kids!

 Scarlett and Ella just chilling

This last picture is my favorite! This little girl loved ME. This was the first time I got to really enjoy being a favorite aunt. It's not too often that one of the little nieces or nephews attaches themselves to their aunt or uncle, but Cali did. She lives in Utah with her family and we don't get to see them very often. Her family came Monday before everyone else did so we got to spend a few days with just Jana, Ben, Benji, Packer, Cali and Rose. It was so nice to have time with just them. Cali decided I was as good as her mom. This little girl loves her mom and can be very shy, but she decided I was just as good. I would have to say that she made me feel very loved and special. She is such a cute little girl. 

I hope all the family knows I loved having them here. I know my house was a bomb, but it was all worth it. Thank you all!

Cousin Love

Its probably been a month now but we had visitors at your house. Josh's sister Tracy came into town so some of his family came to see her here at our home. I really didn't take very many pictures of everyone but I got a few of Payton and Scarlett playing with their cousins. 

 The kids loved playing with the soldiers

 Then they got to go out and play with the chalk in the drive way

 For dinner the kids chose to eat top ramon. They are easy to please.

 Scarlett and Ella playing together.

 Payton and Jaydn wearing the same jammies. They are still currently the only 2 Robertson grand-boys to caring on the name. Let me just say they are both very strong willed!

Josh teaching the kids how to play "pop the pig".