Who said it doesn't SNOW & Stick around in the tricity's anyway??????

As you can see we have had an interesting couple of days......the snow has been falling continuously, and wind blowing with even more persistance....We have snow drifts, taller than 4 feet deep in places, our "outside toys" and benches/decorations and strewn all over the yard and covered in snow......oh I think we will have a VERY WHITE CHRISTMAS indeed!

1ST Annual Menard's Family Christmas Party!

First Annual Menard Family Christmas Party !

We had our first annual Menard Family Christmas Party at Dad and Lynn's house yesterday, December 20th, 2008. It was a blast....here is everyone who was in attendance:
Grandpa Bud
Grandma Jeanie
Dad
Lynn
Uncle Chuck
Paula
Bill
Colleen
Tanya
Carly
Matt
April
Carissa
Cody
Michael
Ashley
Molly
Darrick Jr.
Brandon
Brianna
Jovie
..........................................I think I got everyone...........................................................
It was a blast, a great opportunity to began some very treasured memories and traditions! We played a tic-tac-toe tournament ~ YAH Michael won, he has to bring the trophy back next year to defend the title of Champion. We had a "white elephant" gift exchange and lots and lots of prices and presents, as well as lots and lots of good food, company, and just plain fun! I look forward to many, many, many more years of the "Annual Menard Family Christmas Party"!

Getting Ready for Christmas and Papa & Gma Menard's.

We had our first annual "Menard Family Christmas" at Dad and Lynn's this year. It's really the only time we will "see" people this Christmas...so we decided to "wear" our Christmas Outfits. :) Carissa and Cody went up to Dad and Lynn's the night before so it was just the 4 of us, Bill wouldn't get in the pictures, as he just wore sweats and a t-shirt..... :).....Mom and Gma & Gpa Hanson may come down on Christmas Eve and/or Christmas morning, but it all depends on the road conditions, we are having one of the worse snow storm system in a long, long time.

Brandon and Brianna are at the age that it is next to impossible to get them both to cooperate at the same time to take a "good" picture of both, so I basically let them be silly and pick their own "poses"...there is even some "funny faces" ones, but they had fun and that's what counts! :)

Brandon Turns 4!!!!

Brandon and Bri try out his train table!

When Brandon went to preschool registration last spring he fell in love with the train table they had there. He started preschool this fall and it is still one of his favorite activities at school. When Bill and I decided to get him one for his 4th birthday, I had mixed emotions, I didn't want to take the "special toy" from preschool.....but it is a little different so we agreed it would be our gift to him. He loves it! He still has a special place in his heart for the Thomas the Tank one at preschool, but loves to play with this set as well. He and Brianna play for long periods of time at the train table, and he does get more than a little possessive when she "messes up" the tracks....well I can't say as I blame him, I like things in order too :)

I can't believe our baby boy, who was born more than a month early and weighed just over 4lbs, is now a 4 year old, big enough to pass for a 5 or even a 6 year old. He is an absolute joy! He is kind, caring, and has a really good heart. My favorite thing about Brandon has got to be his quirky sense of humor.....he's a little strange sometimes, but he has such a dang cute personality!!! We are truly blessed to have such a lovely son! Happy Birthday Baby Boy!

Brandon's Birthday Present From Papa Hoke

Brandon's Papa Hoke sent him a check for his birthday. He was ecstatic to be able to go and pick out just what he wanted for his birthday.....he thought that was the coolest thing ever. He found this marble maze thing and wanted it instantly....Bill hesitated a little, but after looking at it closely and me having my input we let him go ahead and get it.....as you can tell from the picture, hands full of marbles - he loves it! Thank you Papa Hoke!

Christmas with Uncle Andy & Stephanie

Cody & Andy

Cody, Andy, and Joe

Brianna, Brandon, and Carissa

Stephanie, Carissa, and the little ones.

Andy and Stephanie made the snowy trip over the mountains to join us for Brandon's birthday party. Andy had bought the gifts he got for our family for Christmas and I had already finished his and Steph's gifts so we went ahead and had a "mini-Christmas" so Andy & Stephanie could enjoy watching the kids opening their gifts. We were very glad to have them over and hope they come visit a lot more often!

Brandon's Birthday Party - Take 2

Brandon's cake and cupcakes I made him for his 2nd 4 yr birthday party!

Papa Mike, Michael, and Carissa...oh and Toby :)

Brandon listening to us sing Happy Birthday!

Brandon proud of his cupcakes and cake

Wow 2 V-motion games from Papa Mike, Grandma Lynn, Michael, & Molly!

WOWEE he says, a game....he wasn't quite sure what it was at first, but he caught on REALLY fast! Thank you Papa and Gma!

And he blows out the candles!

Uncle Andy, Stephanie, Papa Mike, Grandma Lynn, Michael, and Molly came down the Saturday after Brandon's birthday and we had Lasagna and salad to eat with some really good double chocolate gluten-free cake, WAY better then last Saturday cake, if I say so myself :) Brandon loves his V-motion and we love all the things it teaches him!

Brandon's Birthday Party - take 1 :)

Brandon's Rocket Ship cake I baked and decorated him.

Brandon got a remote control Lightning McQueen from Great Gma and Gpa Hanson

Great Grandma (Mama Faye) and Grandpa (Papa) Paul

Brandon opens his batman car from the Ferndale Hanson's

Grandma Jeannine

Brandon blowing out his candles

Aunt Tanya & Toby

Ashley & Brandon

Carissa, Joe, & Toby

Grandma Faye & Darrick Jr.

This year we had 3 Birthday Party's for Brandon. The first one was the weekend before his birthday. Mom, Grandma and Grandpa, Aunt Tanya and the kids, and Joe came over to celebrate. Grandma Jeannine got Brandon a digital camera, but all the older kids were busy with it, so I didn't get a picture of it. :( He loves it and I will be posting some of his pics sooner than later. When I bought the icing for his cake, he decided he wanted me to make a baseball cake, easy enough right???? Ya well, he decided when we put on his "rocket ship" blanket sleepers that I should make him a rocket ship cake instead.......sooooo I suppose it didn't turn out all that bad.....I learned a lesson about the gluten free mix I used.....too dry, but hey it was just right with chocolate ice cream to moisten it up... :( Brandon is very impressed by the fact that he got to have a birthday party before he was actually 4 and enjoyed the heck out of his party attendees. Cody did attend, but managed to dodge Aunt Tanya, who was the photographer of the day :) Thanks Tan! Tanya, Ashley and Darrick gave Brandon $10 and he was in heaven he later picked out a stationary set of Lightening McQueen goodies :)