Christmas Day with the Liller, Elmlinger & Sanders families

It's been awhile since my entire family has been together in one place, so it was especially exciting for me to have them all come here to Indianapolis to share Christmas with us. My brother flew in from New York City (to Cincinnati) on Friday night and my sister, brother-in-law and nephew flew in from New Jersey (also to Cincy) on Sunday. They all drove up here on Christmas day and stayed overnight. It was a really great time for all of us (and we finally had enough space to house everyone now that our basement is completely finished!!!)

My immediate family from L to R: youngest sister Melissa (Sanders), my dad, my older brother Greg, my mom and me. Yes, I'm the middle child ;o)
Everyone had a great time opening gifts and enjoying each others company.
My nephew Kyle is in AWE of the Wiggles book he got.
Evan opens a gift as a cute Kyle (with bow in hair) looks on.
Uncle Greg checks out Blake's remote controlled doggie.

Christmas Eve & Christmas Morning

Christmas morning was so much fun, it took us back to our own childhoods. After singing Happy Birthday to Jesus, it was on to opening the presents.

Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house, only 2 kids were stirring, writing their letters to a mouse . . . I mean Santa!
I think Blake was more concerned with getting all the paper off the gifts than the gifts themselves!
Evan and Grant couldn't unwrap the gifts quick enough!
All 3 boys after the mayhem had ended.

Christmas Card Greetings!

Merry Christmas!!!
We know it's a busy time of year, but we didn't order enough Christmas cards (seems to happen every year), so we thought we would post it so the in-towners can view it on the blog! In late October, a good friend and neighbor (who is a professional photographer) took family portraits for us - and it was actually a pleasant experience! The boys did great, and we got some really great pictures. I'm excited to get them all hung up, especially the big 20X24 for over our fireplace in the family room! In our almost 12 years of marriage, we've never done professional pictures, so it was definitely worth the money! It's kinda sad to see all the boys growing up, so these pictures will be treasured for a lifetime!
We'll try to post more pics later, but if we don't get any more up before Christmas - we want to wish all of you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! May God bless each and every one of you, our dear friends and family!!!
Love, Shawn, Beth, Evan, Grant and Blake

Baking Cookies

Just a lazy Saturday morning in the Liller kitchen - okay, well not really lazy - but the boys had a blast helping to bake some Christmas cookies (which, by the way, are all gone now!!!)
I think Blake liked playing in the flour more than anything
"This flour is so much fun to play in, I wonder what it tastes like???" Evan decided to be funny as well, pretending to eat the sprinkles
Grant just wanted to roll the dough

It's the Baby Jesus!
"Nutcracker, meet Santa Claus. I'm bigger than you, so you're goin' DOWN!"
Santa takes the hit!

Blake Turns Two!!!

I can't believe my baby isn't a baby anymore! We celebrated Blake's birthday at my parents house in Cincinnati - he was more than happy to open his presents from Grandma Dear, Papaw, Grandma Jean and Aunt Stacy - and to top it off, he blew out the candles on his Spongebob cake all by himself!!!
And my favorite football team is on in the background - what better way to top off a birthday with a big OHIO STATE BUCKEYE WIN!!!
It's all about cars and trucks!!! Can you see my cool slippers from the movie Cars?!?!

I love Spongebob!!!
Blue icing anyone???

Washer Wars

So who needs a Sit and Spin (for those of you who remember those) when you can play inside the drum of a washer! Leave it to my kids to try it out!!!

Halloween - The Three Little Spooksters!

What a great night for Trick or Treating! The boys (and that includes Daddy) had a great time. Evan and Grant were too quick for Blake, so they went ahead with Daddy, and Blake and I poked along behind them. Blake was so funny, he refused to let me help him with his treat basket and he wouldn't let me carry him either - he's definitely Mr. Independent!
The 3 little spooksters, all ready to go! I think Tanner (our dog in the background) is a little jealous he doesn't get to go.
Evan the "gangster"
Grant as a clone trooper from Star Wars
Blake as Pablo the Penguin from The Backyardigans
Daddy as Darth Vadar with Grant and Blake

Stonycreek Farm Pumpkin Festival - Oct. 15, 2006

What a perfect October day for a family hayride!
On our way to the HUGE pumpkin patch! The boys couldn't wait to pick out our pumpkins for the front porch.
Blake couldn't get enough of the fresh squeezed lemonade.
Grant and Daddy watching the Pumpkin Slingshot game and Propane Corncob Launcher on the pond. Evan launched his pretty far!
The 3 boys in front of the flowers by the farmhouse.
Evan mastering his throwing skills - with a little help from his brothers. It was pretty funny to try and hit the "floating" pumpkins - I think Evan may turn out to be a baseball pitcher - gotta love that stance!
The 3 boys in the pumpkin patch searching for a "poppy" as Blake calls them.
Daddy and the 3 boys on the pumpkin trail - although Evan and Grant are waaaayyyy behind Blake the leader in their pursuit! ;o)
Grant always wanted to be Sully in Monster's Inc. - now he gets his chance!















If you're a Disney Toontown fan, Evan LOVED seeing the blacksmith using an actual anvil.

Fall MMO/Preschool Hayride & Pumpkin Patch @ NVCL

It was a little cold on Friday the 13th, but we all survived - Thank God the sun was out! Blake loved the hayride, especially when it got a little bumpy! ;o)
Blake needed a little help picking up his pumpkin.
Grant and Daddy picked out a great pumpkin, But Grant thought they were too small - so he decided he should buy his brother Evan one too!
Grant kept Mommy warm by sitting on her lap for the hayride.

Blake: Our Little Helper

As long as I have my "B" (pacifier), I can do ANYTHING my daddy can do!!! For example... I love to mow the lawn
Daddy, what's this? A power tool! Can I help???
Ummmmm, yeah sure - just don't pull the trigger...

I said don't pull the trigger!!!

Reds Game

Okay, so it doesn't hurt to take a kid out of school for a baseball game right? Evan has been wanting to go to one for awhile, so my parents got tickets for last Thursday's afternoon game. We drove down to Cincinnati in the morning, dropped Blake off with his Aunt Stacy, and headed out to the game. It was a great day, and Evan and Grant had a blast!

Waiting for the game to start...
"Evan, don't hold on so tight - I promise I won't jump over the railing this time".

Shawn thought he was cool getting the baseball-in-motion in the picture.

Evan, Daddy and Grant - taken from the nose-bleed section.

Evan and Grant thought the Reds cheerleaders were cool - or was that cute?!?