Big Announcement

We have a big announcement. I am getting another Brother. Andrea and Byron got engaged Christmas Eve. We are so excited for the happy couple. We love you both. Welcome to the family Byron.

Initiation into the Payne Family. I have been waiting 7 months to do that.

Payne Family Christmas

Saturday, we celebrated Christmas with the Payne side of the family. We had a wonderful meal and then opened presents. We were all spoiled once again. It was a lot of fun watching Sophie this year. She would open a gift, then want to get it out of the box and play with it before she could open any more. The first gift she opened was from Conner to her. It was a Dora the Explorer lip gloss set. Everyone had to put some lip gloss on before the celebration could go on. She got lots of girly stuff. Conner was once again interested in the paper and bows. He got a lot of toys and clothes. The boy hit the jack pot this Christmas. Everything makes NOISE.

Playing in the Toy Box

Playing Chicken

Payne's

Getting Sophie to stand still for a family photo was quite a trip, so Steph and Tim had to lay down on the floor to get the photo.

Christmas Day

On Christmas Day, we invited both sets of Conner's grandparents over for lunch. We saved a few of his gifts from Santa for them to watch him open. He got a very special visit from Santa Claus himself. He was not real sure about him, but never screamed. There were a few tears. He just liked it better when he could watch Santa from a distance. He did eventually let Santa hold him for a few pictures. We ended the day with Butter Pecan Birthday cake for Jesus. It was a great day.

His new John Deere Rocking chair from Grandma and Granddaddy Payne.

He loves it because it is low enough for him to climb on and pull up on.

Santa ate all of his cookies and left only crumbs.

Elfreich Family Christmas

On Christmas Eve, Steve, Conner, and I were off from work and daycare. We stayed home and made cookies and some food for Friday. That evening, we went to mass and then on to Steve's mom and dad's house for Christmas festivities. We had dinner and opened gifts. It was a lot of fun this year because of Conner and Brady. They were more interested in wrapping paper, bows, boxes, and the other boy than they were the gifts. Brady wanted everything Conner was unwrapping. Since, Conner can't crawl yet, he just had to sit there and watch. Brady crawled over the top of Conner's stuff a few times. Conner would just grab his clothes as he crawled over. They were a lot of fun to watch. The three of us were very spoiled again this year. Steve and I got a Wii. That is going to be a lot of fun. Conner got a lot of toys and even a recliner.

He sat in this pile of paper for quite some time entertaining himself.

Grandpa Elfreich got him his very own Lowe's apron.

He got his own camping lawn chair to keep in the camper.

Brady climbing over the top of the gift Conner was opening.

Conner trying to put a stop to Brady.

Loves the bows.

The boys and their recliners.

Wanting to crawl so badly.

Merry Christmas To All

Merry Christmas to all of our Followers. We are too busy celebrating to Blog, so pictures will be coming soon! We hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas. We are truly blessed this Christmas, like never before, to have such a bundle of joy in our lives, to share the holidays with. We hope everyone is healthy and happy this Christmas and that all of your dreams come true. Have a good weekend. Love, The Elfreichs.

Happy 29th Birthday Andrea

Happy Birthday Andrea. Sorry this is a day late, but we were out of town. We hope you have a great Birthday weekend. We love you.

Nashville, TN

I had my yearly doctor's appointment and MRI this Friday at Vanderbilt. So far, it all looks great. My endocrinologist has looked at the MRI already and said that the affected part of the brain looks to have healed nicely and looks to be tumor free still. Not that we were concerned, they will always do MRI's to be sure the tumor hasn't returned. We are still waiting for the final reading of the Radiologist, but we aren't a bit worried. I still have the 2 endocrine issues from the result of the brain tumor and probably always will, but nothing NEW to report.

My appointment is always in December, so it gives us an excuse for a little Christmas vacation every year in Nashville, TN. We love it there, so what could be better? We go every year to the Opryland Hotel to look around at the Christmas decorations, and eat dinner. So, we decided, why not stay there too? It was a great idea. We had a great time at the hotel and got a great room with a balcony overlooking the Cascades. It was awesome. Conner really enjoyed himself, too. Saturday, we went to the Opry Mills Mall for some shopping and took Conner to see Santa. The mall was a zoo. Steve almost got into a fight with 4 woman in the parking lot. They were going to kick his butt, because he told them he couldn't move from his spot because his wife was in the back seat nursing the baby. Well, they couldn't believe that we would take up a spot if we were done in the mall, just to feed a baby. They were irate and yelling. He jumped back in the car and locked the doors. What Christmas spirit we saw at the mall. Next year, we are going to change my appointment to be the first weekend in December to avoid the last minute bustle. We attempted to go to "ICE" which is Charlie Brown this year, but the line was all the way down to the mall, OUTSIDE. It would have been a 3 hour wait or so. We skipped it. Next year!!!!!!! We had a great weekend and we are all exhausted. We will be taking it easy today.

The view from our Balcony

The view into the Cascades from our balcony.

Giant tree

Happy Birthday Stanton

Today is Stanton's Birthday. Happy Birthday to Him. We met them for dinner at O'Charley's. Yummy, Yummy, Yummy. Thanks for letting us celebrate with you tonight. We wish you many more happy birthdays. We love you.

Happy Birthday Madison

Happy 11th Birthday Madison Koester. What a great young lady you have become. Have a great day and Birthday weekend. We love you lots.

Thanksgiving 2009

Steve, Conner, and I were lucky enough to spend our Thanksgiving with both sides of our family. We celebrated with two wonderful meals and great company all day. We are thankful for our Health, Happiness, Families, Friends, Jobs, and Especially Conner. Happy Holidays to all.

The Paynes

Conner with his Uncle Larry

The Elfreichs

Conner----- "Hey, Brady,,, Do you think my mom takes entirely toooooooo... many pictures?"

Conner----- "Just look at Her, she will stop eventually."

Pondering Dessert or Naptime?????????