New Tradition- Stauffer Christmas

This year we did something different for our family Christmas with my mom and Tim. Each of us kids (Jaime, Justin, Danae and I) and our families adopted a family from the Mission Church and bought gifts for them. We had so much fun making blankets and buying things for kids who truly need it! We then gathered as a group with our adopted families and had a wonderful dinner at The Guesthouse. We had a private room so the kids were free to run around and have fun! Papa Tim told a Christmas story to the kids and they also released a bunch of balloons and played music and danced. It is such a great feeling to help others, especially during the holidays. I hope our boys continue to learn the true meaning of Christmas and what it means to give. We are looking forward to continuing this tradition!

Christmas story with Papa Tim

Cohen had a great time on the dance floor!

So did Camden :)

The balloons were a hit!

Dancing partners!

I think the kids really liked their gifts...they even put the new clothes on right away :)

Brower/Meyers Exchange

When my sister and family came into town on Thursday night (Dec. 22nd) there was no holding back! Our kids were ready to play and exchange gifts! The little guys played in the tent for awhile...

Cohen was given Duplo Lego sets from Bryce...he loves them!

Camden had the night of his life because he received a horn! Yes, he's been dying for one of these! He is perfecting his playing skills!

He also received roller skates which he had to try out in the kitchen! Brielle brought her new roller skates along too so they got to skate together :)

It was a fun night and a great beginning to the Christmas festivities!

Christmas with Friends

Last night we had our friends over for the "kid exchange". The Larkin's (+3), The Middleton's (+1), The Christlieb's (+1) and The Gibson's (+1)...so we had a packed house! We had pizza, cookies and snowman shirts! The kids looked so cute all matching, but of course getting a picture of the entire group was not in our favor.

Our big snowman Cohen

Cohen giving kisses to baby Drew

3 of the 8 ready for the picture!

4 sitting still

Now we have 6...just missing the babies!

Poor Drew is off by himself, and Carter and Taylor ran off!

Cohen was getting SICK of posing and started screaming CHEESE in a ticked off voice, as if to say, "Can we be done yet, take the picture already!"

Our group is growing in numbers so we were always missing a couple!

We eventually exchanged gifts- Camden got a pair of batting gloves (which he loves) and the Connect Four game from Carter.

Cohen and Ben were pretty happy just sitting and looking at their boxes!

Cohen scored some "monster" boots from Benny!

It was a really fun night and it ended with an episode of Bubble Guppies and a dance party on our bed!

Merry Christmas Friends!

Camden's Christmas Program

This morning was Camden's Christmas Program at school. It was adorable and hysterical all in one! He didn't sing a word, which we weren't surprised by. We were happy he stood still and didn't pick his nose or do anything silly. :)

Best I could get of him walking in...he had already spotted us and was getting shy!

This is pretty much what he looked like through the entire program

Camden's class

Cohen really enjoyed the show too!

Donut holes and refreshments afterwards!

Santa!

We took the boys to the mall last week to see Santa. Camden was geared up and pretty confident that he would sit with him. Cohen did n0t know what he was getting himself into...

Waiting in line

Merry Christmas!

Cohen preferred seeing Santa on the firetruck this afternoon...he was a good distance away from him and no one forced him to sit on his lap!

This is what Camden chose to wear to see Santa today...very festive

Watching Santa drive away

Gingerbread Decorating!

Grandma Meyers got all of the grandkids a Gingerbread house and train set this year to decorate. Unfortunately, we had to miss the big gathering where all the cousins joined in for the fun! However, Camden still had a great time decorating at home with me.

The goodies!

Camden insisted on icing the house as well...and Cohen joined in to help!

"What should we do next brother?"

My finished house!

We saved the train for another day! Thanks grandma, it was tons of fun and yummy too!

Fun in the Snow!

Yesterday the boys begged me to play in the snow! It was actually decent outside once we were all bundled up. We had so much fun, throwing snowballs, building a snowman, trying to build a fort and just running around. I was worn out!

Ready to play!

Love this picture of Cohen!

Camden was into making...

Snow Angels!

Cohen thought he'd try too!

Here's our "little" snowman

The boys played great together...looking forward for more fun in the snow!

Favorites from Florida!

We spent the last week in Florida with my sister and her family and my mom and Tim. We spent time at my sister's house in North Port and also at Grandma and Grandpa Meyers place in Siesta Key. We had great weather and the boys had tons of fun! They LOVED the airplane rides and both did well. I have a lot of pictures, so I'm sharing my favorites!

Totally engrossed in Bubble Guppies!

Our sweet Cohen

Hanging poolside

The crew in the water...Uncle Jake spoiled the kids with a nice warm pool!

Swimming with Papa Tim

Boat rides

Train rides

Aunt Nae cooked an amazing Thanksgiving dinner...and Cohen absolutely inhaled it!

Both boys definitely liked the water...Camden preferred the pool and Cohen didn't care- he LOVED the ocean! He would run right into it and didn't care if he fell down. He would lay on his belly and let the waves hit him!

Camden enjoyed playing the sand too

Got these great shots after a day of swimming

Our family at sunset

We got ice cream to celebrate our last night of vacation!