Sunday, December 29, 2013

Merry Christmas!!

The Christmas season has come and gone.  With Thanksgiving being so late this year it seemed that Christmas just flew right by us!  So here are a few pictures:

Done decorating the tree

 Decorating Christmas cookies is always a good time!

 Samuel was the first one to get up Christmas morning.  I knew it was Sam I heard go downstairs because I heard him pour himself a bowl of cereal.  Most of the other kids go right to the TV when they get up, but not Sam...he's ready for breakfast first thing in the morning.  Later in the morning I asked Sam what he did from 5:00 (when he ate his cereal) to 6:30 when the rest of us made it downstairs.  He said he just sat on the couch looking at all the gifts!  I could just imagine him sitting there!!  Oh, the fun of Christmas when you're 7!!

 Jack wasn't feeling too well this morning but still managed a smile

 Max's favorite gift was a tape measure and he uses it most everyday!

 This year Emily has shown that she is growing up because she didn't ask for any toy type gifts, but mainly clothes!
 Abby loved her princess backpack! I love her crooked smile:)

 And poor Drew got one gift this year...a toothbrush!

At Bob's parents, the kids made popcorn ball snowmen...here is Abby showing off her artwork (although Pappy did most of the work).

These are all the Garvin cousins.

MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM THE GARVINS!!!


Monday, December 16, 2013

Max's 5th Birthday

This December Max is turning 5!  This year he was excited that the Gardner family was here to help him celebrate.  He also invited his buddy Steve.  There was quite a snowstorm out, but Steve managed to make it and it meant the world to little Max!

Loved having the Gardners here!  


His favorite gift from Steve.

Well, what can I say about Max?  I guess I'll share with you just one story.  Max loves Steve.  He sits next to him every week in church and is right by his side whenever Steve is here.  Here is a picture of them after a hunt this fall.  


Everyday while we drive to pick up the older kids from school we do a bit of school things ourselves to help Max get ready for Kindergarten next year.  We count, sing, sound out words, etc.  So this is how it went:

Me: OK Max are you ready to sound out a word? 
Me: D
Max: (says the D sound)
Me: A
Max: (says the A sound)
Me: D
Max: says the D sound
Me: OK, now I'm not going to help you.  Put it all together now...D...A...D
Max: (long silence)
Me: OK, I'll give you a hint.  He's one of your favorite people.
Max without any hesitation:  STEVE!!!

We love you Max!!  You keep us smiling!