Making Christmas Candy With Grandma...

Wow! I didn't know you could "hit things" while baking...

This is really COOL!!!

The finished product...

The taste test...MMM!!!

A treat from grandpa for a job well done...

Today Jake & Ben enjoyed an afternoon full of holiday baking with Grandma Aiken at her house. The boys had their first experience making peppermint bark and it was a complete success...not only did they have a blast crushing the candy canes, but the finished product is quite yummy I must admit!!! Thanks for a great day grandma...we are really going to miss you while you are away in Maui.

The Yost Boys...

The Yost & The Seeley Boys...

We had a great time tonight playing with Lucas & Zachary Yost...the 4-boys play so well together, it is so much fun to watch them grow-up together!!! We are so lucky to have such great friends...thanks Michelle for sharing your adorable little guys with us tonight we had tons of FUN!!!

Holiday Happenings Rec Center Class...

Jake & Ben enjoying their class...

Mommy sharing a great morning with Benjamin!!!

Today Nik & I took the "big boys" to the Holiday Happenings class at the Kettering Rec Center...Benjamin & his favorite buddy Jacob had a blast. We made 4-different crafts; a christmas tree, a mitten/handprint paper, a christmas tree ornamnet, and Ben's favorite of them all the jingle bell shaker! What a great time we had doing the crafts, reading christmas stories, and the BIG FINALE PARADE around the Rec Center!!! Thanks again for scheduling the class Aunt Nikki we had a wonderful time with you both as always!

Our Weekend With Neil & Carly...

Ben & his buddy Neil, Daddy & his little guy

Benjamin & Neil enjoying the U.D. game

What an advertisement...

Brian FINALLY sharing his Skyline obsession with his Canadian buddy!!!

Brady & Lucas passing the soccer ball with Carly

Jacob learning about "fish" with Neil (the bioligist)

Ben practicing to be a future "kicker"

Neil & Carly taking a shopping break with the boys

The Seeley's & The Mochnacz's

We had a wonderful weekend with our friends, Neil & Carly Mochnacz, from Manitoba, Canada. Brian & I met them many, many years ago in Maui, Hawaii during both of our annual Christmas family vacations. Since we haven't been to Maui for a couple of years, due to both of us having our children, they decided to leave their two-kids at home with grandma & grandpa and came to visit us at our house for a long and FUN weekend!!! Although we missed their kids during the visit, we had such a great time together. Benjamin of course had Neil & his daddy playing baseball, basketball, bowling, football & anything he could possibly talk him into...Ha! We are so lucky to have such a fantastic friendship with both of them, even though they are Canadian...Ha!!! We ate tons of yummy food, did lots & lots of shopping, and even made it to a U.D. basketball game Saturday night. Time definitely flies when you are having fun...THANKS Neil & Carly you are the best, but next time lets be smarter & meet up in Maui again!!!

Getting Ready For Bed...

AHHHH...my very favorite time of the day, the hour before bedtime! This time is the best part of my day because most nights I make it a point to lay in bed with my boys for at least an hour & forget about everything & everyone else in the world & just enjoy my 2-little tiny men!!! I don't think there could possibly be anything better or more important in life than being a mother (& of course being a wife too:)). I am reminded everyday over & over again everytime I look at my boys, just how truely blessed I am. I love you always Benjamin & Brady!!!

Our Annual Holiday Party!!!

Seeley & Darr...what a pair!!!

Rod, Scott, & Greg

Jodi & Shari

Shari & Spencer

Smitty, Klekar, & Yost

Havin' A Blast!!!

Michelle, Cassie, & Jodi

The Boys...

It is very hard to believe, but this year was our 7th annual "Day After Thanksgiving" party...WOW! As always we had a fantastic time chatting & catching-up with all of our old Centerville High School friends. I guess all there is to say is, "once and ELK...always an ELK!" Right?! Ha! To all of you that were able to join us this year for the celebration, thanks for making the party a great one, and for those of you that were unable to make it back to Centerville for the bash, we missed you and wish you & your families a very happy holiday season!!!

Thanksgiving At The Mayer's House...

Enjoying Our Full Bellies!!!

Meeting Chloe...

Grandma Teaching Benjamin The Piano...

What A Duo...

Grandma & My Chubby Man...

Grandpa & His Little Buddy!!!

Just Hangin' With The boys...

After we left the Aiken's we headed over to Brian's mom & dad's house for yet another incredibly delicious dinner!!! We shared our 2nd meal with Grandma & Grandpa Mayer, Scott, Uncle Jim & Aunt Vicki & Uncle Tom. We finally got to meet the newest member of the family, Chloe, Scott's new dog...she is adorable. The food was great and we had a wonderful time catching up with the family & the boys enjoyed their piano lessons from Grandma Mayer (WOW! are they good!). Thanks Grandma & Grandpa Mayer for another fun-filled Thanksgiving dinner, we love you both!!!