Laser Tag fun

Our Christmas break was more like New Years break, we won't go back to school until the 9th. Today was half off laser tag! I put out the APB to Aiden's friends to see if we could gather the troops for battle.
My dear neighbor offered to watch Gavin and Camille so Aiden and I could have a date together, well a group date!

Lunch Date

 Sharing a salad lunch with Spike Franklin

 His salad looked so yummy as I was cutting it all up I decided to make one as well. 

We ate it outside so he could sun himself while we ate.

I never explained how we came up with his name. Another name for the Greek tortoise is Spur-Thigh, he has these scaly front legs that look spiky hence his first name SPIKE and FRANKLIN is from the childrens book character Franklin the turtle by Paulette Bourgeois.

Happy NOON Years

We call it Noon Years as our attempt is to count down to 12:00 at noon instead of midnight. We went to church today so it was more like 3pm but fun none the less

 Camille dancing to Lady GaGa as Aiden prepared the bubbly.

 2012

 Spike Franklin had his own hat too!

 I guess there are now 4 littles...

 Gavin

 Aiden

 Camille with leis all around her neck

 Cheers to New Years!

Camille just has to DaNCe

 Wishing everyone all the joy, excitement and simple pleasures life has to offer in 2012!

A new addition... a Greek Tortoise

Guess what Santa brought us this year?? 

A Tortoise, a less than two inch Greek tortoise to be exact! 

Let me introduce you to our newest member...Spike Franklin Smith

I never thought I'd adore a reptile but I DO, he is so tiny and cute.

Gavin carries a stuffed turtle to school in his pocket most days and 

this little one is just about the same size.

 I'm acting like a first time mom, worrying about how he is acting, pooping, sleeping and eating. I'm so much more comfortable with the human kind of babies at this point. On to a new learning curve...

Christmas Eve at the Waffle House

Our annual tradition of Christmas Eve breakfast at the Waffle House in our PJ's 2011!

We arrived later than normal, about 9:30, the littles were happily playing with their birthday presents so we got to sleep in a bit.

Two years ago Santa rode up on his Harley and the littles were thrilled to see him, last year he had already eaten his breakfast, but he did leave some notes behind for us. This year when I asked if he had already come, the waitress pointed over my shoulder and there he was in his red overalls and big smile! Was Camille ever excited! Gavin and Aiden too. 

 We enjoyed our breakfast...

 Camille was having a hard time containing her excitement!

 Santa waved her over, put her up on the counter and chatted for a bit.

 Gavin just couldn't believe he was there.

 And the most perfect poster that reads "A Holiday Tradition"

Oh the MAGIC of CHRISTmas! Thank you Jesus for coming into this world and filling our hearts with joy so that we can have peace in our hearts to ENJOY the small moments in life!

Happy 5th Birthday Gavin

Gavin's first photo of his 5th year!

 How appropriate he has piggy in his hands at the side of our bed. His first stop each morning.

 Sneaky, our Elf, decorated the kitchen in Green for Gavin. He got a little tangled up in the streamers.

 Timmy and Tommy turtle in his pocket with a yoda ribbon and a 5 yr old ribbon.

 Going to school

 Gavin's teacher decorated the room for him!

That night our family took Gavin bowling for the first time. 

It was a good idea to see if he would like it before his party this weekend! 

Happy Birthday sweet boy we love you so much!

Tea Party

My Mom and Sister-in-Law, Heather, were in town to see Aiden in the Nutcracker so we passed off all 3 boys on Geoff then the girls went out for tea.

 Camille brought her own mini tea set

 Our server brought our her water in this adorable tea cup with a lemon slice on her saucer

 She was a dainty little girl and loved being the center of attention.

Though we need to work on the pinky finger lift!

 Gently tinking her spoon on the side like a pro