Connor's a Sunbeam (and we got our first snow)!

With the New Year came changes at church.  Connor is no longer in nursery he is now a Sunbeam!!  I can't believe it!  A couple weeks ago the Primary President sent home a letter to all the new Sunbeam parents telling us his new teacher, what to expect, the schedule, etc.  In there was also a badge he could wear his first Sunday in Primary to let everyone know he is a Sunbeam and to make him feel special.

Such a cute Sunbeam!!!  Can you tell he's excited?!!

So I took him to primary, proudly wearing his badge, and found where his class sits and was just waiting with him for things to get settled (teachers to arrive, etc.).   He was just patiently quietly sitting there waiting for things to start and taking it all in.  After awhile I asked him if he wanted me to stay and wait with him or go and he said, 'Just go mommy.  I'm ok.'   Really??  I asked if he was sure and he said he was fine.  So I left.   I didn't think it would be that easy.  I pictured a scene very different from what happened, I really thought there would be more tears involved.  But he proved me wrong.   He is so grown up!!!  I'm so proud of him!!   He did a great job and told us all about it on our way home from church.   He is such a great kid!!

In other news......we got our first snow of the season!  (Well, snow that actually stuck!)   It was freezing outside and the snow was very powdery, not to great for snowballs and such.  Bummer!  But we went outside anyways and played in it.  :)

Christmas Memories

Here are some pics from Christmas.  This year it was fun creating our own family traditions, blending Booth family and Minetto family traditions.

Christmas Eve

Connor and I made these reindeer cookies for Santa and Mrs. Claus.  They were DELICIOUS!!!

 Cutie Briella ready for Christmas in her Christmas pajamas.

 After our Christmas Eve dinner (which was a Minetto traditional Italian feast - manicotti, Christmas jello, rolls, and salad)  we acted out the Nativity (Booth family tradition).  The missionaries joined us which was great because we definitely needed more people in our Nativity.  Matt loved doing this growing up so it was a 'must have' for our new family traditions.  :)  I guess my acting skills will come out one way or another.  :)  (Ya right, acting skills, who am I kidding!)

Connor's letter to Santa, plate of cookies for Santa and Mrs. Claus,
he was always sure to include her.  :)   And his Christmas list,
just in case Santa forgot. :)

Christmas Morning!

 We had church at 9am so we decided to only open our stocking before church.  He was really excited for the Hot-wheels cars.  

Our Christmas family photo

  Connor was really excited (and surprised) to get a camera.  He LOVES taking pictures - maybe we have a future photographer on our hands.  

 Matt enjoying his Mom's homemade caramels. They are DELICIOUS!  (As you can tell!)

Briella 'opening' her Christmas present.  Connor opened all the rest.

Connor was funny about Christmas.  He loved just opening the presents.  Once he opened the gift he would glance at it say something nice and then move right on to the next one.  He just wanted to open them all (which he pretty much did).

It was nice having Christmas here in Ohio with just our family.  (A little more relaxed not traveling and so nice having our own beds to sleep in on Christmas Eve!)  I did miss my family in Oregon, but I guess this means I'm growing up and establishing my own family memories. 

Christmas Joy!

2 posts in one week!!  It's a new record.  :)   This week has been fun getting ready for Christmas.  Connor is getting really excited for Santa to come and it's fun to see him so happy.  On Wednesday we went to The Greene (outdoor mall) and had dinner, saw the live reindeer they had in the square by the HUGE Christmas tree and then rode in a horse drawn carriage.  We all loved it!  I don't think I've ever seen a live reindeer so that was my favorite part.  Their antlers are huge - I was surprised - looks like a lot to carry around.   Here are some Christmas pics of all of us.  And a song performed by Connor written by Connor!   It's so cute!  :)  Enjoy!

Connor made these at his preschool Christmas party.
One for him and Briella.  

Here's his gingerbread house he made there too. 

Putting the star on the tree.

I love our tree!  It's perfect, a real tree of course (noble fir!).

At The Greene

Real Reindeer! 

Briella enjoying all this.

This is the carriage we rode in.

Connor thought it was so cool!

Connor built a 'house' in our living room. Oh the joys of winter and being inside so much.

Here is Connor's Christmas song!  :)  He wasn't camera shy this time!

New Year's Resolution!

My New Year's resolution is to post more often to our blog!  I know my track record is not so great but I'm determined to keep this resolution.  :)    Here are some pics from the last few months.  (The order is a little weird. Oh well!)

Thanksgiving with Grandma & Grandpa Minetto

Matt and Connor at EnterTrainment Junction-
a really cool model train museum

Making cookies with Grandma Minetto

Here are our family pics taken in November.

Connor's Senior picture!!  :)

 

I love his laugh!

 

The action shots!  

'Ready, steady, Go!!!'  (That's what he's been saying
instead of 'Ready, set, Go!')

 

Earlier in the year - random pics!

January - big snow storm!

Their clubhouse!

Grandma & Papa Booth & Aunt Dani came to visit us over Easter weekend.

Shooting hoops with Papa.

Briella Lynn Booth was born! 

July 15, 2011 at 8:59pm.  8lbs 3oz, 20.5 inches long.

Dr. Connor, checking on his baby sister.

So sweet!

Fun with Aunty Katelin - July & August

He's really holding that butterfly.  It was cool!

Connor's 3rd birthday -August

Pirate Connor!  Aaaarrrhhh!

Katelin and I made that cake. :)

Halloween!

Our little strawberry!

Our little alien!