Tis the season

We are in full blown Christmas season here in the Nieter household. We have been very busy decorating, shopping and attending fun activities all while still preparing for Allison's first birthday which is one week from today. Whew! Here are a few photos from our festivities!

Blake always helps Daddy light the star

Blake decorating the tree and Alli desperately wanting to help.

Daddy & Alli putting on an ornament nice and high :-)

Mommy & Alli looking at her first Christmas ornament from last year. Can't believe it has already been 1 year!

Blake, Alli and Santa at a family event put on by our church! Yes, Santa was there and I have no problem with it. Sorry if you do :-)

Family tradition of putting up the train. Alli loves it just like her big brother!

Waiting for the Christmas parade to start

Blake loved the firetrucks

So much to look at!

Family picture taken at our church event. Merry Christmas from the Nieters!

Thanksgiving

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving this year. This is the second year when we have been blessed to have Thanksgiving lunch with my mom & dad, my sister and her family and her in-laws, Brent's parents and his sister and her family. We definitely have so much to be thankful for!

Watching for Santa with Allison & Blake

Alli & Blake with MawMaw & Bobble

The kids table

The crew enjoying our turkey

Allison's 1st Thanksgiving

Wild one! Watch out!

Megan & Rachel

The Nieter Side

Trip to NY

A couple of weekends ago we got the chance to go visit our friends Tim & Diane up in Long Island, NY. Tim used to teach at Brent's school but moved back to NY and is now a youth pastor. It was such a fun weekend of catching up and seeing the kids all play together. The weather was beautiful and we enjoyed seeing all the fall leaves. We stayed at Tim & Diane's until Sun morning when we decided to drive into Manhattan to see a few sites before heading home. We knew Sunday morning would be the best time to drive in the city for the sake of traffic and finding a parking spot. Wow! Even on Sunday morning, it was still crazy! I think the words uttered were, "we are never doing this again :-)" Thankfully we did find a parking spot and were able to see the new One World Trade Center and Lady Liberty at Battery Park. We only spent about an hour in the city but it was worth it. The kids did great in the car so overall, I would say the trip was a huge success! Thanks Schneiders for an amazing trip :-)

Daddy & Alli at the park

Alli & Kady dressed alike :-)

Ethan & Blake hiking the trail

Blake & Alli

The whole crew

We had a bonfire on Sat. night. Kids had a blast making smores!

Occupy wall street before it was cleaned up

One World Trade Center

Statue of Liberty

No tricks, just treats

Hitting the road for trick or treating
Kids in their costumes!

Aaarrrgggg!

Our precious flower

Pumpkin Patch

Last Tues. Blake got to go on his first preschool field trip to the pumpkin patch. It was so fun to meet Blake's classmates and see them all interact. It was perfect weather and definitely got us ready for fall!

Camping Trip 2011

For Brent's birthday this year, I made him up a bag of camping items along with a card that said Brent, Blake and I would go camping for one night at First Landing State Park. The back story here is that I am NOT a camper. I am not real outdoorsy, I don't like bugs, and I did not grow up camping. Brent on the other hand loves camping, being outdoors, and has many fond memories of camping while growing up. So my present to him was this trip and the willingness of me to go. Since the weather was looking perfect, we decided to go last Friday night. The first Nieter camping trip was a HUGE success. The weather was absolutely perfect (not too hot or cold, no humidity or bugs). Blake had a blast running around the site, helping Brent set up the tent, cooking hot dogs and smores on the grill, sleeping in the tent, hiking, and just spending quality time with Mommy and Daddy. (Allison stayed with MawMaw) I must say I really enjoyed myself too. It was such a great experience and so much fun to get away from the craziness of life to spend some quality time with my boys :) I think this is probably going to become a tradition so hopefully Alli can join us next time for our Nieter Family Camping Trip!

Blake helping Daddy set up the tent

They did it!

Helping Mommy cook dinner

Time to roast the marshmallows


Blake's favorite part...Smores!

All snuggled in for the night

A successful night!

Brent in his element!

Daddy getting Blake used to the trails early

Short family hike

Where's Blake?

Finished the day off at the beach!

Love this little boy!

We were so thankful for the beautiful weather and the great memories!

9 months

I have been meaning to post Allison's 9 month picture for awhile now. Here she is standing by her flower. She turned 9 months on 9/21 and she also took her first step that day. Watch out world, here she comes!!!