Some Merry Christmassy Photos

 We always enjoy our annual White Elephant party at the Turpin home.  Crappy picture? Yes. Crappy people? No, they're the best!  Toilet paper for a gift in case you get crap for Christmas? Of course.

 Nativity at the Martineau Christmas Eve party, with Ian Joseph and Paige Mary.

 Two sweet cousins, Angel Alyza and shining star Charlotte.  

...Should I not ruin this moment by telling you that moments later Alyza threw up? Then on the ride home 2 kids threw up in the pickup, and then next day on Christmas I spent the day in bed and throwing up?  I should not tell you that.  So I will tell you that we opened up some very nice presents, surrounded by each other--who we like a lot (though certain siblings may forget it sometimes)! Favorite present awards: Matt: a vacuum sealer, me: a new planter box for out front, Garrett & Shay: a Lone Ranger lego set, Alyza: Barbie stuff and cupcake piggy bank, Abrie: cutie little outfits to keep her warm and toasty, Hogan: a squeaky ball.

Also of noteworthy mention, our Martineau Christmas Eve party rocked, due to Aunt Lori and Uncle Zac coming up with an awesome game of Family Feud, plus an array of more food than you can puke up the next day.

 Matt and Garrett went snowshoeing Christmas Eve morning in the Ashton area

 The kids went ice fishing with Matt after Christmas 

 Check out the awesome rocks at Lake Walcott!

 Shay's practicing up for bball season with Coach Dad.

 Christmas break has also included a lot of chillaxing and hot chocolate.

The kids loved the hoody towels Aunt Katie made them, she's the bomb-Aunt.

 Love these pretty girls.

Who wouldn't love this face?

What did we do in November?

 We cheered for Alyza who went to cheerleader camp and ate fruitsnacks.

 We relaxed at a house in Hagerman by the river for Thanksgiving with the Boyd & Sherry clan

 We discovered some beautiful scenery during this Thanksgiving trip with a hike where we saw springs and waterfalls.

 Made a graham cracker house masterpiece x3

 Played cowboys

 Garrett performed at Festival of Trees, his teacher Miss Lauren Bingham is most excellent and patient.

...and last but not least, we were charmed by a smiley baby named Abrie.

More Picturoonies

 Abrie and Hogan are the same age, like to the very week.  That should create some sort of special bond right?

 Rachael with her new baby Brynlee, and me trying to shush Abrie who was fussing 

 Baby Abrie does not look like her mommy, she looks like dad.

 The boys got to pet a camel in Ucon last time we went, thanks to Gma Julie using her great connections.

This is how FHE ends at our house

This is Halloween

 A little pre-Halloween dress-up.  Garrett, the Union soldier was fighting a cowboy (Shay).

 Cute Minnie Mouse Alyza

 Shay's old lady costume was such a hit, some people couldn't even tell he was a boy.  I was a proud mother.

 Abrie was a pink kitty in her warm kitty suit.

A busy, very fun Halloween day in the life of the Binghams.  School parties, library day, and trunk or treating.  To top it off was cider at Great-Grandma Mary's.  

Abrie's blessing day

 Dress designed and sewed by Grandma Sherry Bingham, she's amazing.

I am always in awe of how wonderful our friends and family are when an occasion like this arrives.  Seeing the men who are our friends and family surround our new baby is humbling.  And Abrie herself is humbling, thinking of who she will become some day and where she just came from.  Special baby, special day.

Hogan

Hogan is our new yellow lab.  He is so very cute.  If only the novelty hadn't worn off already and the kids still wanted to play with him and clean his poop, we'd have it made.

7 pictures of a boy who turned 6

 Sleeping in the tent the night before the big day!  

 Many legoes were happily received by the birthday boy Shay

 Got to have a play date with Peyton, a friend from kindergarten.  

 Farm cake, designed by Shay and dad.  Mom added the water, eggs, and oil to the cake mix and made the frosting.

Shay is a very nice boy, and is finally admitting to enjoying school.  He is really easy to please, and always likes to have something exciting going on.  Happy 6th birthday Shay buddy.

Sweet Abrie

Sorry for crappy picture rotating skills.  Abrie's growing bigger, and is occasionally giving us some smiles.  Sad to note, her 2nd-6th weeks of life have been pretty fussy.  But somehow each day we get up and do it all over again, and it gets easier each day.  The fact that she's still a good night sleeper helps.  I love her, she is precious.

Abrie Ruth

Abrie Ruth Bingham made her debut on Tuesday August 27 at 12:47 p.m. 6 lb 12 oz, 20 inches long. She was 9 days early, my water broke during the night.  The rest of my body wasn't ready to have her, so the Dr. started pitocin and started my labor.  Hard labor until the epidural and then easiest birth of all the children.  She is such a peaceful baby and a good sleeper already... hope no crazy changes in personality are in store here. I think her coloring makes her look like her daddy. You say her name Ay-brie, not Aubrie.  That seems to be confusing people a bit, understandably so!  There you have her! She's a beauty and a sweetheart and is adored by all.