Drew scores!!

So the big boys are playing soccer season #2. They are starting to get the hang of things. It is still fascinating how different they are. One loves the competition and the thrill of the game. The other one just likes to be there to hang out with friends and have snacks. So this week, guess which one scores his first goal...that's right, the twin that really doesn't care about the game. Unfortunately it was my weekend to work a little PT (Physical therapy) so I missed the action live (it was recorded). We have had conversations with the other twin...he admits to being a little jealous. "but I practice in the backyard and score so many goals out there, why can't i be the one to score at the game?" The goal scorer was excited, but we aren't to sure he even enjoyed the attention. So unique! Love it!

Happy Valentine's Day

This is such a strange day to me, not really a holiday, seems like a hallmark fabrication, but still it is fun. In the past we have gone to IHOP for family valentine's day. This year my husband surprised me with a fancy dinner date on Thursday night. It was so much fun. A valentine's card and bag of dark chocolate M &M's on my desk when I woke up with the invite for dinner in the card. So sweet. And then a beautiful arrangement of hydrangeas when he arrived home from work early to help get all kiddos ready for bed.
Today I worked the morning, so it was Wake t-shirt and pancake morning with daddy. We made fajitas for dinner and then went out for a valentine's day treat of Cold Stone Creamery ice cream. Yummy!!! Fun day had by all!
So every day is the opportunity to tell my valentine I love and adore him, but I guess today is an excuse to do it in a new and different way.
Happy Valentine's Day to all!

Jan 2009-3 Months old

One of my favorite Christmas presents-I'm now the admin for BOYMOM designs on FaceBook

Oh, that is my new sassy mommy haircut
Sweet smile!

Proud big brother!

I love my thumb...a Kedersha indeed!

Our littlest has hit the 3 month mark. Hard to believe. It is going too fast. He is a great baby...guess number 4 should be! He is sleeping better than any of the others at this stage. In fact, we joke that he must have been switched at the hospital. He is just beginning to smile-it is sweet. His big brothers all love him to death. Makes me a little nervous to leave him anywhere-needless to say he is held more than any of the others, I think. He is lucky to get a little time on the floor while the others are "napping".

We are in full swing with Watermark Premarried Class...60+ couples that are engaged or seriously dating. It is a great class and such an priviledge to help my hubbie out in his job. We love the couples that serve with us and the young people considering marriage. It is such a great way to be proactive in helping people get off to a good start in marriage and to realize it is work, it is terrific and it is only great if Christ is the center...He made it that way!

The big boys are all growing so fast. D & D seem to be learning so much, writing, spelling, adding, etc. It is fun to watch. C is still the most verbal 2 year old I have had. He speaks very clearly and will repeat everything. He and daddy love to sing Jesus Loves Me, Jesus Paid it All and How Great is Our God....too cute!

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.