Merry Christmas 2012

Family Pictures 2012

We finally got some new family pictures taken.  We haven't had professional pictures taken in over 3 year (since Carter was tiny) so we made ourselves do it.  (Even though, it is pure torture)  Our friend, Nikki Morris, who is very patient took the pictures for us.  I am so happy with how they turned out!  Glad we ended up doing it!  These are some of my favorites!

 Aren't these three of the cutest boys EVER?

 Carter- 3 years old

Nathan- 6 years old

 Landen- (almost) 9 years old

Carter's Preschool Pictures

3 Years old- Allen ISD PPCD Preschool

4th of July

This year for the 4th of July, Leah and her family came up to visit.  We had a big barbecue with them and the Thatchers (which I didn't take any pictures of).  We had a bounce house that was in the backyard, so the kids had fun working off their extra energy in that.  There would jump in the bounce house till they got too hot and then run and jump in the little wading pool to cool off, then back to jumping.  After the barbecue, we went over to Celebration Park and went to the Allen USA Celebration.  They had the Bangles performing followed by some awesome fireworks.  It was a lot of fun, and luckily- no too hot.  We had a great time!

Father's Day 2012

Best Father EVER!  Luckiest Boys EVER!

Nathan's Kindergarten Picture

Landen 2nd Grade Pictures

Bluebonnet Pictures

We went down to the beautiful field of bluebonnets in Richardson on Sunday afternoon to get some pictures.  The boys, of course,

 hated getting their pictures taken, but loved running through the flowers.  In Texas, it's illegal to pick bluebonnets, but apparently, trampling them is fine.  Who knew!

 Nathan- almost 6 years old

 Landen- 8 years old

Carter- 2 1/2 years old

Nathan- Spring Baseball

Nathan played baseball again this spring.  Phil coached his team and they were the Diamondbacks.  He is really turning into quite the ball player!

Is he not the cutest in his little uniform?

 Nate and his best buddy, Sam Empey.  

Spring Break 2012

This year for spring break, we decided to drive down to Lufkin to visit Leah and her family.  My parents were down there that week also, so it was a mini Gillis family reuinion (minus Austin and Maegan) :(  Some of the things we did:

 We spent lots of time snuggling little Cason!

 We went to the zoo.  And of course, the train was a highlight.

 The kids spent lots of time playing in the backyard on the swing set.  They have such a great time together.  Best friends!

Just some random pictures of us hanging out at Leah's house.

Cleaning out my Camera and FINALLY updating the blog!

 Landen and Nathan with some friends from church.

Ethan Empey, Jacob Empey, Davis Blacker holding Roran, Sam Empey, Landen and Nathan

Random Phil and Carter- He loves his daddy!

 Landen- Feb 2012

 Nathan- Feb 2012

 Nathan wanted a picture taken with Spike- his pillow pet.

Nate and his best friend Sam Empey

Nathan's 100th Day of School

For the 100 day of school, the kindergartners were asked to dress up like a 100 year old.  I think Nathan makes a pretty cute 100 year old!

Landen's 1st Pinewood Derby

Landen (and Phil) got to participate in his 1st Pinewood Derby for Cub Scouts on Jan. 26, 2012.  He was super excited!  Landen had a lot of fun building his car with his Dad.  (I think it stressed Phil out more than it was actually fun!  :)  He did great in the race, expecially for a rookie.  His car usually finished 2nd on most of the races- which isn't bad!  He was happy!  Landen's car got the award for the "Most Stellar."

 THE CAR!  Landen picked out the color and design himself.

Landen's Baptism- January 7, 2012

January 7th, 2012 was a very special day in our family.  Landen was baptized.  He was baptized at our church building here in Allen, TX.  We had a very nice baptism program and Landen (and Phil) did a great job.  Grandma Gee gave a talk about Baptism and Nana gave a talk about the Holy Ghost.  We are so proud of Landen and the choice he made to be baptized.  I know that he made the right choice and am grateful for his example he is showing to his younger brothers.  

After the baptism, we went back to our house and had breakfast.  (The baptism was early- 9am, so by the time it was over, it was still breakfast time).  I had a breakfast buffet set up with blueberry and almond cranberry muffins, banana bread, plum bread, donut holes, 2 different types of keishes and a fruit tray.  Summer made the awesome CTR cake.  I think it is just the cutest!  Landen was lucky enough to have quite a bit of family attend his baptism.  Nana, Grandpa Matt and Garrett, Grandma and Grandpa Gee, his cousin Stephanie Marshall, Leah and Mike and their girls, and Summer and Ben and their boys were all there.  We appreciate all the family that came and supported Landen on his special day..

Ringing in the New Year!

For New Year's Eve this year, we let the boys stay up and watch a movie as a family.  Then, about 9:00pm, we did our New Year's countdown- all complete with party hats, blow horns and sparkling cranberry juice.  They loved it!  Here's to a great 2012!

BYU Bowl Game

This year, BYU played in the Armed Forces Bowl Game at SMU, so we decided to go as a family and cheer on the Cougars!  We went with my cousin Summer and her family as well as our good friends the Empey's.  It was a perfect day- about 75 degrees and we all had a blast!

 Nathan and his best buddy, Sam Empey

 Go Cougars!

Ice Skating over Christmas Break

My parents came down to spend a couple of days with us after Christmas.  So, we took the boys ice skating.  They love ice skating and had a great time!

Carter LOVED waving to us as we came around.  It was so cute!