Uncle Kelly in Korea

We think it is so cool that Chris' brother Kelly is in Korea teaching English for the year. He has a blog where he posts his travels. He's only been there since October but he's already checked out a ton of the country side and is acclimating himself quite well... check it out: http://kellylaybourn.blogspot.com/

A trip to see Santa!

We went up to Seattle to visit Santa with the Karhan's & Gores. The kids were great and waited in line patiently to see the big guy in red. Mattie wrote his first letter to Santa this year and put it in Santa's mailbox before hopping on his lap (what did he ask for... trains of course! And golf balls for Brady!). Here are Matt, Caroline (3) & Taylor (3) on the floor at Pacific Place downtown Seattle, waiting patiently to go see Santa!

Nicholas & Brady waiting in line watching the holiday horse drawn carriages go by downtown...

Joe, Nicholas, Caroline, Brady Becky & Matt hanging out on the steps while waiting in line...

The Santa Picture was well worth the wait... the boys were all smiles to see the big man himself!

Matt's Family 4th Birthday Celebration

Birthday Morning... Mattie got more trains! (Geo Tracks) He didn't wait an instant and set them up in Mom & Dad's room and played there all morning!

Our family came over for dinner to celebrate Matt's birthday.... we are so blessed to have a family who helps us celebrate every special event! Aubby, Aunt Sue, Daddy & B watch as Mattie tries out his new train whistle!

Cheeseball Brother Brady!

Auntie Jess and the boys!

Thanks for the snake Auntie Jess!

Great Grandma "B" with Mattie


Daddy, Poppy & Uncle Bob

Happy 4th Birthday to Matt! Bumper Bowling!

We took some of Matt's friends (and parents!) bumper bowling for Matt's 4th Birthday on Dec 9th (the actual day). The kids did awesome and completed a full game!

Mattie & Ethan laid down over their turn to watch their balls go down the lane!


Taryn Did awesome! She was a pro (maybe because her Dad Steve recruited Chris to be on his bowling team? Monday bowling night for the daddies!)

Mattie & Jacob disussed strategy...

Ryan, Tyler & Jenny... Tyler (1.5) even took a turn or two!

Julie & Carter on a snack break!

David on his snack break!



Joe & Caroline

Brady took a turn! Who are we kidding, its a ball - he didn't want to miss out on the fun!


Aubby was awesome, she took videos and helped keep an eye on Brady (who tried to run down the bowling lanes)

Jacob!

Nicholas!

Nicholas & Big Sis Caroline came over for a night while their parents went on a date night (we do a date night swap!). Nicholas is one month older than Brady and has totally become his other "big brother" he kept an eye on Brady all evening and snuggled close to him on the couch to watch "Nemo". Brady loved the attention from his buddy.


We love Nicholas' facial expressions!





Nicholas totally looks like his dad here!

Soccer!

Mattie played on an indoor soccer team this year... his first! And Daddy (along with Aaron, buddy Dylan's dad) coached. Here are some highlights:


Water break!

A December Day @ The Seattle Science Center

We took the boys up to the Seattle Science Center on a winter day in early December. It was very cool... Brady ran all over trying everything out for a second before running to the next spot.

The batting cage & MPH digital reader was a hit!

Mattie threw about 19 MPH!

The Great Train Expo

Poppy & Aubbie read in the paper about a huge model train expo. So we all loaded up and went to the Puyallup Fair grounds for the event in honor of Mattie's favorite hobby.


Mattie had a sholder ride for most of the expo so he could see up in the model train cities... he used Chris' ears (or who ever was carrying him) to "turn" like a horse with reins. He was silent and intent and he turned our heads and navigated where he wanted to go. It was actually pretty funny at the time!


Brady was a trooper!