Our "little" January snowfall

I am so disappointed in myself for actually believing the weather man this time...usually I am a skeptic. However, I don't know why but I truly thought that we would get a good snow this time. With the temps being so low, I just knew it was going to happen. When I woke up on Thursday morning prepared to have to call in to work or go in late...I was shocked to see nothing, not even a snowflake falling from the sky! We had a few showers that came through that gave us a half of an inch and it makes me so sad because we have had more snow in past years but Connor wasn't excited about being in it. This year, Connor was really excited about the thought of playing in the snow and we haven't been as lucky. Of course when I got home on Thursday afternoon, Connor was very eager to make a snowman and throw some snowballs...SO we got out there and did the best we could with what we had. I will have to say that I am so over this cold weather and don't much care for the white stuff, but I was a good Mommy and took Connor not once but twice to play in it! :)

Connor thought that the driveway needed to be cleared for Daddy before he got home!

...and of course we had to mow!

We were standing around talking and Connor literally plopped down like a sack of potatoes to make a snow angel. It was so funny!

Secretly making snowballs to pelt Mommy with!

Watch out Mommy!!!

Connor insisted that he ride his tractor in second gear on the slick driveway. He didn't get very far...Daddy tackling Connor

Connor did better than I expected riding his bike in the snow. Poor guy...he has a new bike and tractor and it is too cold to play with both.

Benny's passing

Brad's Uncle Benny passed away the day after Christmas, which made our holiday more tear filled than joyous it seemed. We are so happy that he is no longer in pain and is with Our Father but so sad for the family that he left behind. He had a wife, four children, and three grandchildren that he adored. He has been sick for a while, so it is somewhat of a comfort to know he is free from his ailments now. We will truly miss him!

It is so hard to believe that my father in law has lost both parents, and now both siblings. I found the pictures below of Brad playing cards with them one Christmas. This pretty much sums up what they did when they were together. They always had a card game, or ping pong tournament going on Thanksgiving or Christmas.

Please pray for his wife and children. I cannot imagine what they are going through. He was such a good husband, father and grandfather.

This is a picture of Benny holding Connor in the hospital right after birth.

Brad, Ronnie, Susie, and Benny

Santa's visit

Connor wasnt too sure what to think about Spiderman...
Checking everything out.

I finally convinced Connor to challenge Spidey to a sword fight.

Something was stuck in the bottom of his stocking.

This year was even more fun than I thought it would be. Connor really understood what Christmas is all about and I know that next year will be even better! Christmas really is better with kids!

Christmas with Grannie and Pops

On Christmas Eve, Grannie, Pops, An Am, and Uncle Pete came to spend the night with us so that they could see Connor with his Santa gifts the next morning. We had a great night eating our non traditional chili, watching a movie, and watching Connor enjoy the festivities. He loved handing out all of the presents to everyone. Everyone was so good to us this year and as always we got too much! It was another great Christmas!

Connor handing out the presents.

Opening his Lincoln Logs or "his house" as he calls it.
Opening his Superman mask, cape, belt and kryptonite from Mommy and Daddy.

The mask was a little scary for him, so I decided to put it on. I think it is a little scary too!

Uncle Pete and An Am

Uncle Pete helping Connor with his house.

Christmas with the Neal Family

Christmas with the Neal family was at Nonna and Grandy's this year. It was great to see everyone and even Gigi got to be there since she is still here from NY. I feel so blessed that Connor has two great grandmothers that are still healthy enough to run around and play with him. Literally my Grandma Neal chased him around the house (they were saving the day and running from the bad guys) for at least 10 minutes! We had a great meal and really enjoyed getting to see everyone! We really missed not being able to see the Lux family. Please pray for my Aunt Linda. She is still undergoing her chemo and radiation and it is starting to take its effects on her. I know that next year she will be strong and healthy and be able to join us.

Uncle Carson reading Connor one of his books from Santa.

Gigi, Monroe, and Aunt Janice

Connor and Grandma (his great Grandma)

Connor and Gigi (his other great Grandma)

LOVE this picture!

Flexing those big Batman muscles!

Grandma showing us her tools that Dad got her for Christmas. She thinks he is going to put him to work on the farm! LOL

Connor is eating his present that he got for Grandma. He told her what it was before she opened it and then proceeded to eat it! :( She didnt seem to mind.

Tired from all of that running from the bad guys!Sweet face.

Reading his tractor book with cousin Mahlory. Mahlory is getting practice in as she will have her own little one due in May!

Christmas at Nonna and Grandy's

We had our Christmas with Nonna, Grandy, Uncle Brett and Aunt Hillary at the end of the day. As you can tell from our family picture, I didn't last much longer after this was taken. We all went to bed...we were so pooped from the busy day! Luckily we had planned to spend the night so we didn't have to go too far. Connor hit his second wind at about 7:00 that night after being up since 6:30 that morning. He was absolutely hilarious to watch and hear all of the things he was saying. Oh and yes, he had to wear his Batman pajama shirt over his cute red polo sweater that I had planned for him to wear on Christmas. ...sigh...

This moment will forever be etched in my memory. We were all watching Connor open his gift from Nonna and Grandy and prepared for him to throw it over his shoulder and move on since it was some sort of clothes. Much to our surprise he said, "Oh Mommy, I LOVE this!" Just like I would say if I was opening clothes that I really liked. I think he had heard me a time or two! Hilarious! I even got the picture as he was saying it.

Brett posing for a cheesy picture as I teased him for being overly excited about a new saucepan.

Mom holding up her 5 sweaters that she got for Christmas...ALL of them the SAME color! Evidently we think she looks good in pink!

Connor LOVES his new CAR that you shake up!

I didnt get any overly excited pictures of Grandy, but as usual he seemed pretty satisfied with his Yankee's gear!