Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas from the Kell house to yours. We truly hope it was a very blessed day with family! Love and hugs!

We went to the Prom

Friday night was my work Christmas party. I was one of the people in charge. I ended up being the emcee for the night. It was a total blast! We set up a photo booth in the back. It felt a lot like prom. It was kind of cool, cause I wasn't in school with Darin, so we never got to go to a dance together and get our pictures taken...so here it is! It was like we went to prom! hehe...just wanted to post a picture for you all to enjoy (or laugh at).

Searching for the perfect tree

Just a few pictures from our tree hunting a few weeks ago. We ended with a beautiful tree!

Here Comes Santa Claus...

My boys...

My cute little Niece Peyton all happy today!

My nephew Logan aka Santa

Frosty was tall!

The boys got to see Santa today at the Teddy Bear picnic. My brother Jason and family are visiting this weekend, and got to go with us! Austin was such a good boy. He didn't even get scared, and Collin was good as usual. We also got to see Frosty the Snowman and Santa Paws at Petco! It was a very fun-filled day. We topped it off with a drive thru the Festival of Lights! Poor Austin missed it all...he fell asleep just minutes before we got there. Just wanted to share a few with all of you...

Thanksgiving 2008

Aren't we cute, even after almost 12 years???

Precious lil' Austin

The Kell girls...me, mamasita Chris and my sister-in-law Elaine

My handsome son Collin

The Kell guys...

The Kell cousins...Caleb, Collin, Austin and Justin

Well, one of my favorite holidays has come and went already! Man, only 26 days 'til Christmas now! We had a great Thanksgiving this year. We spent it with the Kell side. There was all 10 of us present and accounted for. I got everyone to pose for updated photos. (they were good sports). Just posting a few...since it's been a few weeks since I've done any updates. I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving with their families this year. God is good!

Austin loves to read!

So, a few days ago, I was cleaning the kitchen, and I realized it was awful quiet in the house. I thought to myself "hmmm...wonder what Austin is up to? In to? Or whatever! I decided to take a look, and when I did...this is what I found! It was so cute! He loves his lion chair and he loves to get books out and look at the pictures. He really is taking after his brother when it comes to Super Heroes. He gets super excited when he sees Spiderman. I think Austin got a little confused last night, cause Collin dressed up in his Spiderman costume and moved all over the house in it. Austin just stared at him and make "uh" noises. He was excited, but I think he couldn't figure out how Spiderman got in the house, and wasn't on TV or in a book. Too cute!

Halloween 2008

Just a few pics from Halloween. We had a great time. Darin got to go with us as well. We ended the night at our church for the Harvest Party. All in all...a great night! And, it didn't rain on us! Yeah!

Pumpkin Carving 2008

Pumpkin Carving this year was way different from even last year. This was the first year that Collin didn't grossed out when he stuck his hand inside the pumpkin. He usually would go "oooh! Gross" and make a weird disgusted face. This year he was really into it and wanted to get all the seeds out without help. Austin just dove right in. He has no fears at all! He was amazing.

The Pumpkin Patch!

Today was a fabulous day! The weather was perfect for picking out pumpkins. I am so glad we went today! Austin was unsure for awhile about whether he wanted down or not, but in the end, he walked around and even sat on some pumpkins! Collin enjoyed the corn maize as always!

The colors of Fall...

Well, fall is such a beautiful time of year. The colors change, the leaves fall and the days are shorter. I don't really like that the day doesn't have as much daylight as the summer months, but I can deal with it! I was fortunate to get a few cute pics of the boys in the leaves at the park in Tillamook a few days ago before it got too dark. Check them out!

From Generation to Generation

This is a 4-generation picture taken by Collin. I think he did pretty good considering he is only 8!!! This is of my mom, my mom's parents (grandpa and grandma to me), Austin and, of course, me. This was taken September 27, 2008. I came to realize a long time ago that you have to cherish every moment you get with your loved ones, cause you just never know how much time we have left on this earth.

Collin turns 8 years old today!

My other baby turns 8 years old today! He has grown up so much in the past few years! I can't believe how mature he looks in these pictures. (not to mention handsome). He has his birthday party tomorrow, and he is way excited about that! He has also been dealing with the hives. For whatever reason, he got in touch with something that didn't agree with him, and he has the darn hives! They make him look like he has the measles, but he has dealt with them well. Although, they make him itch something awful! Happy Birthday, my little 8 year old! I love you so much!

Austin gets his first owie!

Well, Austin officially got his first (but mild) goose egg! He decided to follow Daddy down the stairs a few days ago, and went from the first step to the last step in a matter of seconds! He is a tough little cookie, that's for sure! He cried for a bit, then got right back up and started playing! What a trooper!

My baby is growing up

Well, you all know Austin is my last baby, and he is getting so big! Lately, he has decided that he would prefer to sit on daddy's lap in the evenings now. That makes me sad. He used to just plop right up in my lap every night without hesitation. Now, if dad is anywhere in the house, there he is...at his heel! I can be holding him, talking to him, feeding him, whatever, and when Darin comes home from work, as soon as Austin hears the front door open and close, he practically leaps out of my arms to go see daddy!

I was beginning to think my son didn't love me anymore (I know, I shouldn't be jealous, hehe) but then I figured out that it has to be the recliner. If I sit in the recliner and Darin is on the couch, then Austin is my buddy all over again. My little boy is crazy I say! He can't make up his mind. But, at least I know he still loves his mommy. His 40 kisses a day tell me so! :)

Here's to you, my little 20 month old! I love you with all my heart!

We gave our son a new used car

That title probably sparked your interest, didn't it? Well, when your husband is in the car business, we can get good deals on any vehicle we want, so we did give our son a new car and it wasn't very expensive either. It's a car.................bed, that is! hehe...

He started to calm down here just a little...

...Now he's pretty mad!

Austin finally relaxing in his new bed!

Tonight we decided to put Austin in his toddler bed for the first time. He cried at first, not wanting to get on it, or in it, for that matter! But, once he settled down, he didn't make a peep and I think he fell asleep almost instantly! I wasn't able to capture very many cute pictures because he wasn't very happy with me, as you can see by the above picture. I hope the night goes smoothly for us...

Collin starts 3rd grade today

My little boy is growing up way too fast. He just entered into 3rd grade today! I can't believe it! He looks so mature in these two pictures I am including along with this post. Normally Darin and I both take him in to class on the first day of school, but I decided not to. I made sure I took the pictures, and then I let Darin take him to school. Darin told me as he started to pull the jeep over and park, Collin asked him why he was pulling over? He wondered why Darin wasn't dropping him off like he did all last year? Darin said it was because he normally goes in with him the first day of school. Collin said that wasn't necessary and that he was okay with going in by himself this time. Wow! If that doesn't make me sad...my baby is growing up! Yikes!

I just wanted to share the memory of Collin's school days! I think what also made the day easy was that he has the same teacher as he did last year and two of his good buddies are in his class again. Whew! Thank goodness for good friends!

Here's to a great school year for all of us!!!

Fair Time!!!

We went to the Douglas County Fair on August 7th and the Tillamook Fair on August 9th. I am slow posting these pictures because I knew it would take awhile, and I'm sorry there are quite a few, but this really should have been two posts, but I've combined them into one. We had awesome weather for our fair, it reached 86 degress, I think. You may say that's hot, and yes, I agree. But, when you consider the first year we moved here, the weather at the fair was over 100, I can take 86 any day!

We encountered crazy weather when we came to the Tillamook Fair. It was warm, breezy and it even rained and then cleared off. Weird, but hey, that's Tillamook for ya!

We had so much fun this year at the fair. Austin was just the right age to enjoy most of it. Unfortunately, though, he wasn't quite tall enough or old enough to ride any of the rides. Next year for sure! Collin rode about 6 rides at our fair, and Darin rode one of them with him, as you'll see when you scroll down the pictures below.

Darin and Austie enjoying some sun at our fair this year! Austin is just all smiles and such a little Darin :)

My boys got in a few games while we were there. Check out the ring in mid air! Cool, huh?

Darin was forced by Collin to ride the Ali Baba ride this year. There wasn't a huge crowd when we were there, so they were fortunate to have the whole ride to themselves!

Austin put on his walking shoes and never looked back!

Collin got to ride solo on the roller coaster!

This is Collin after jumping into the ball pit. (notice his toothless smile)

Now the Tillamook Co. Fair Pictures:

I ran into a dear old friend of mine at the fair. I hadn't seen Crystal since I was pregnant with Austin. I just love her...

We got the opportunity to hang out with the McConkey's at the Tillamook Fair this year! Yeah for us! Collin had a blast, because he had ride buddies! This is Wendy with little Paige (she is 7 weeks older than Austin).

My dad got off work and headed to the fair to hang out with the family! Course...all his grandsons just adore their papa!

This is one of my favorite people in the whole world - my super awesome father-in-law Jud! This is him doing what he loves best (besides hanging with his family). I have to admit...I fell in love with the Kettle Korn this year. I guess taste buds can change!

Collin loved going down the slide.

Collin with his long time buddy Kyle McConkey (in the middle) and his younger brother Justin.

Me and my little buddy!

Collin, Kyle and Justin riding whatever this ride is called. I can't remember...but they had a great time I know that much!

Austin just loved playing with the balloons. I loved seeing his facial expressions!