So far behind.......

Okay, I'm so far behind in all things in life so here is an attempt to catch up a little. Dec. was busy and lots of fun. We saw the Richardson City Christmas parade, the Richardson Christmas Village, Christmas celebrated here in Dallas, in Memphis with grandma, papa, Aunt Karin, Uncle Chris, Mark and Annika. We also celebrated my parents 40th wedding anniversary and both of their retirements. Good times!

We also had the sad event of a memorial for my Pop-pop who passed away on Dec 23rd just 6 days before he would have been 90. (more on that elsewhere).

We returned home for a little daddy vacation time, including house projects and Cotton Bowl game or "Cotton Ball" as the boys say. Daddy took the twins for their first real college football experience. Even though we don't root for either team they had a blast and saw a great game.

Here are a few pics from december. Not sure why I can't get them in order

Our sweet #4. Little L is about 6 weeks in this picture.
C's best new friend, my cousin Courtney

Our tree in Dallas. Our favorite one so far.

Cotton Bowl-cheering for Ole Miss-but just there for the experience

Cousins Mark and Annika meeting Little L

Papa flies his last flight.

all the grandkids there to celebrate his retirement.

Christmas morning at home with matching PJ's..best picture I could get.

This is a huge Christmas tree that played carols every 15 minute, boys are jamming

Donner or Blitzen, not sure which, up in Allen at a new shopping area. line for santa too long.

Richardson Christmas Village with the teddy bear

Carson riding the "reindeer"

Richardson City Christmas parade with lots of our friends.

Holiday TIme

Our Christmas Village, courtesy of Nana
Making a Gingerbread house

Family Photo

Merry Christmas!

We have done quite a few fun holiday things. Picking out our tree at Home Depot, putting on decorations, hanging lights outside, and watching nana set up our Christmas Village were starters. Grandma came and we went to the RIchardson Christmas Village. This is our 3rd year, the boys look forward to it more every year. We drove to Allen to see Blitzen and Donner. Yes, two of Santa's reindeer are visiting. We attempted to see Santa, but the line was long, and outside where it was unexpectedly cold and windy. Our boys are yet to sit on a Santa's lap.....hope they won't need psychological counseling for this in the future (ha ha). The big boys have 2 "Advent" or countdown calendars that they LOVE to open each morning. One just has little candies. The other one has a small nativity and a few little mice ornaments that they hang on their small tree in their room. It is so fun to see the excitement for the holiday.

The big boys also had the chance to sing at a nearby nursing home with their preschool class. L and C and I got to see a dress rehearsal...priceless! We've even wrapped up a "doll" (okay it is a stuffed animal puppy-no dolls around here) and put it under our tree. As the big boys say, "this is to remind us that Christmas is about Jesus and he is the best gift of all" They are so excited about Christmas and presents they can't see straight! Merry Christmas to all!

"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:6

TWO!!!!

Big Brothers!
enjoying my cookie cake (doesn't really look like it but I am)

blow out the candle with mommy

I'm a litle behind...so Mr. C celebrated the big 2 last week. We had a small get together of a few neigborhood friends with an Elmo theme. He enjoyed all the attention, don't think he gets birthday's yet, but I'm sure he will by next year. I tried to keep my sanity so instead of making the whole cake I bought cookie "cakes" and decorated them. Much easier and really it is the decorating part I enjoy. So Elmo cookie cake and one with Happy Birthday, Carson with apple pie or peppermint ice cream, oh and pizza were the menu for the evening. We had 3 families with 10 kids including 2 infants, and truly the adults had a great time hanging out and catching up with very few interuptions! The kids played so well!

We didn't do gifts at the party, we suggested each family give to Watermark's Stuff the Truck (toy donation to Dallas families in need) instead (he still doesn't know the difference and has more toys than he needs at this point). We did celebrate on Nov 30, his actual birthday as a family and he got Elmo Live from all of us. He loves, as do his brothers!!! He also got this really cute Crayola thing, part of their toddler coloring system. You can color all over this bear looking thing and it washes off. it's plastic belly lights up like a night light and it plays soft soothing music. Lots of fun!

So we are officially 2, and as I posted earlier, showing his 2ness

on occasion! He went for his 2 year check up and shots. He is 30 lbs in the 75th percentile and 36 inches in the 98th percentile for height. As the Dr. said, he is dense, we would agree. He is cutie and redeems his 2ness with a sweet "i'm sorry", pats on the back and hugs for whomever he offends. His dimples and his floppy hair also add to his cuteness.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Pilgrim?
A feast!!!

We have sooooo much to be thankful for. If you ask the big boys they say football, and baby. We are grateful for baby L and for college football. We are also thankful for grandma and Nana, for all of there help in the last 5 weeks. We give thanks for good health, for shelter, for provision of food and jobs, for friends, for family and most of all for Jesus Christ and what He did on the cross and in the resurrection.

What am I like at 2?

grandma trying to keep me from wiggling away
Me in a very cute moment

Mr. C is 2 this week! Hard to believe! I think the addition of his little brother has been tough, but he is a champ. So as you turn 2 here is what you are up to:

-your speech and vocabulary never cease to amaze us

-you repeat EVERYTHING

-you love to ask "what's that noise?"

-I laugh when i hear you say "touchdown" or "GO Gators"

-you play a "game" called "no push" with daddy-you push him and he goes flying across the room saying no push

-you love to swing at the playground saying "higher, higher, higher" or "no you stay over there"

-you love to do whatever your big brothers are doing.

-I need a lock for the refridgerator door-even though all you eat is cheese, milk, bread, applesauce, raisins and anything sweet.

-you LOVE your little brother, and really have been more gentle than I thought you would. You love to give him hugs and kisses.

-your white bear and hippo are your favorites for nap and bedtime.

-you love to read-Elmo, Cars and THe Foot Book are current favs.

-You weigh 30 lbs.

-You are a great sleeper.....thank you!

-You do have a 2 year old attitude which has earned you the nickname "Baditude"

-

New Normal

big brothers with "little"
Papa Meets Lincoln

What a squirt!

The littlest big brother with grandma

Not sure what new normal means, and we definitely aren't there yet, but working on it. My mom was here for 3 weeks and left on Sat. My dad came down to meet L and see his other grandsons. Of course, in 36 hours he also managed to put in a new chandalier, a new bathroom fan, fix a phone jack and do a few other small projects for us, Papa Fix it is his other name.

So it has just been the 6 of us (crazy to say that!) and all has gone well. We enjoyed our weekend, and my hubbie has been awesome to stay home until 8:30 or so to get breakfast taken care of and boys dressed, so I can take care of littlest and get dressed myself. I made it to the grocery store with "middle" and "little" as we call them, while the "bigs" were in preschool. So this is managable and fun!

Nana come on Sun and we are looking forward to that visit!!! She will cook for Thanksgiving (I hope) and be here to celebrate C's birthday.

Here he is

So cute and sweet and pretty easy going! Can't ask for much more. We are slowly adjusting to our new addition. brothers love and adore him As do mom and dad!!!