Over the River and Through the Woods.....

To Grandma's House We Go...

I heart Christmas Eve. Even more than Christmas Day. The anticipation of what's to come. The barely contained excitement in my boys eyes as they try so hard to be on their best behavior. As if, they can make up for all their random acts of rottenness they have bestowed upon each other all year. My mom makes the best goodies on Christmas Eve. We eat so much salt that you are drinking gallons of punch to make up for it. The kids hurry and eat so that they can open grandmas presents. The adults just want to talk and catch up. Of course, we picked the worst day of the year to do that.

Then we hurry home so that we can get ready for Santa's arrival.

Of course, what would Christmas Eve be without new pajamas?

Dad reading "The Night Before Christmas" then off to bed.

It takes a lot of hard work for Santa to reach everybody in one night.

Runs in the blood..

Little Wasp Wrestling

Garrett finally decided that he wanted to try wrestling this year.

He was all pumped up and ready to go for his first tournament.

Didn't matter if he was winning or losing, this kid ALWAYS had a grin on his face.

Maybe another State Champ in the future.

Deck The Halls

Annual Baxter Tree Cutting

Oh, the weather outside was frightful...

So we ran out at the first break in the storm. We took the truck and the Hummer just in case one of them got stuck. Well, the truck started spinning and we knew that we would never make it back out. Kade and I ventured out on our own looking for the closest tree that we could find.

Luckily, we found one not to far away, and Jared and Kade went off with the new chain saw to cut it down.

Kade had to take over Tag's duties this year because of Tag's shoulder. He did a great job. I am glad that this tree was close because it just about killed me trying to drag it back to the truck.








It was about 15 feet long by the time we got it up on the truck. I also cut down some Aspen branches for a project I am trying to do. I hope that it isn't illegal.

We made it home and I can't wait to get it decorated.

It Comes Down To This...

the Spirit, the will to win,

and the will to excel

are the things that endure.

A little bit of this..

And a little bit of that......

Will eventually lead to some shoulder surgery. Tag ended up having 7 anchors in his shoulder to pull his labrum all together. He had his surgery at the Tosh Orthopedic Surgical Center. His fabulous doctor was Dr. Metcalf and we love him. He told Tag that it was his job to fix his shoulder but it was Tag's job to make sure he takes care of his shoulder and keeps his brace on. He came with his baseball and it was a good thing he did because his mom was holding onto it through the entire surgery.

He came out a little loopy and has to wear this contraption for 6 straight weeks. No therapy or anything. Shoulder surgery is pretty serious. His doctor said it would be better to have blown out his entire knee.

There was one bonus to all of this. A house full of cute girls.... which we NEVER have! Bringing gifts and treats and well wishes.

Winter Fun