Finishing Out 2012

I have been quite absent from the blog the past few weeks, mostly because of this little guy:

That's Newton, our new Newfoundland Dog. Isn't he just so cute?!  He has taken up my "free" time over the past several weeks as in addition to being the head chef and chief bottle washer, I am also the resident dog trainer.

We managed to get the boys to see Santa at our favorite little store (Dixboro General Store.) They even have live reindeer with Santa! I'm mostly impressed that my nearly 15 year old son will sit with Santa and play along for his younger brothers. It's very sweet.

 The kids were in the annual Christmas Pageant at our church. Here's Brett, dressed as a chicken (yes, a chicken-it was a story of the birth of Jesus from the animal's point of view!)

I also went to Cub Scout Winter Camp with my favorite Webelos scout, Brett. Camp is held at D-Bar-A Scout Ranch, about 90 minutes north of us, and it was a fun weekend. We went with my co-leader and her 2 boys and even managed a "private" room for the 5 of us in our cabin.

We made the traditional stop at the windmill on our way out of camp. My (step) grandparents donated that windmill and lots of other things (and a lot of TIME) to Scouting and to D-Bar-A. 

Christmas was lovely for our family. Brad took off quite a bit of time, so he was home when the kids were on school vacation. Here's them on Christmas morning:

Brad & I bought the kids a Wii U for Christmas. I have to say, we've really enjoyed playing it as a family!!

And that "little" Newfoundland pup of ours just keeps growing! This is his front paw and my hand. I should note that I really have freakishly large hands. Newton is just 10 wks old in this photo.

And because he's gorgeous, and because I got a new D-SLR camera (thanks, honey!), here's some more shots of Newton:

Newton, 9 weeks old

Newton, 10 weeks old