Gotta Wear Shades

Merry Christmas

We enjoyed nice, fun filled Christmas this year.
Kiddos loved their new toys! Mommy and Daddy don't know where all the new toys are going to go. Out with the old and in with the new. :)

Santa visited us this Christmas Eve. The kids didn't mind this Santa. He seemed right at home on the recliner.
Couldn't pass up a little fun in the snow...
...or some Gingerbread house making. Someone had a hard time resisting the candy. I think he put more in his mouth than he did on his house by the looks of his face.


Such a good time spent with family this year. Merry Christmas.

2 Stars Are Born

This past week was the kids' 1st Christmas program. I love that my kids are getting older and I can start to enjoy those "proud parent" moments as they sing and perform in front of a large group of people.Sissy woke up every day for weeks asking, "Is today my program?" I finally got to answer, "YES!" She was so excited to sing her songs. For as shy as she is, she didn't hold back during her show. She enjoyed waving to us in the crowd, marching down the aisles, and looked very comfortable up there. I think we may have a star on our hands.
Baby brother had no idea what was going on. However, he did great...no crying while the show was going on. He even let out a little smile and quick dance for a second. Too bad I didn't get a picture of that
My 2 little stars.

My Sprinkle Expert

We took advantage of baby brother's morning nap and made some Christmas candy. It's amazing what we can get done while the little tonado sleeps. We listened to music, put on our aprons, and got creative. We made yummy Buckeyes (chocolate covered peanut butter balls). She was my Quality Control assistant (everything tasted good to her) until I gave her Sprinkle Duty. She took the job very seriously. She switched sprinkles between each ball. I had sprinkles EVERYWHERE! She was very generous with them.

"Whooo, that was good!"

We couldn't resist a little fun in the snow.She was so excited because she doesn't remember anything about snow from last year. It was like her first time in the snow. We bundled up and found some good little hills.
Baby brothers first time down the hill. He let out a few giggles as he slid down the hills. Not sure if he could really move his arms or not. He never put them down. Reminded me a lot of the little brother in A Christmas Story. :)
"Daddy, put me down!"
She was so out of character...She did a face dive off of the sled. With her usual 0% pain tolerance, I waited for the screaming. However, she sat up laughing with a face full of snow. She then continued to roll and slide all around in the snow. On the way home she yelled out, "Whooo, that was good!"


Maybe some day, we can dry our boots off by the fire. But for now, the front door mat will do....time for hot cocoa!

Santa Claus is coming to town

You better watch out. You better not cry. You better not pout. I'm telling you why. Santa Claus is coming to town......The kids got a surprise in the mail from Santa. They each got their own letter. We enjoyed reading the letter to Sissy. Santa said what she has done good this year and also some things she still needs to work on. i.e. cooperating during bath time and sharing with brother. Sissy had a hard time hearing Santa tell her what to do and I had a hard time keeping a straight face. However, it has worked, two baths since then and no crying!

St. Nick visited our house. He even left them a surprise stocking at school, too. Bubby somehow could tell the difference between his fruit snacks and the real chocolate Sissy got. He wanted the chocolate. The microphones were great, too. Thanks St. Nick.

The holiday season is here.

First snowfall of the season...CHECK

Christmas lights up...CHECK

Christmas tree up...CHECK

Watch Santa arrive by helicopter...CHECK

LOVE 2 super great kids...CHECK

I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas.....

We are in the Christmas Spirit after taking our annual trip to Branson for the holidays. As always, we had a blast and loved every part of it. We enjoyed the lights, a parade, visiting Santa's house, writing a Christmas list, rides, sipping hot chocolate while listening to Christmas music, and so much more.....Silver Dollar City is such a great place to make family memories.We're in font of the LARGE Christmas tree. It is so lit up at night!
Silver Dollar City has the best Santa. Inside his house, it seems to glow. We made it to Santa this year without Sissy tearing up. They both made for a cute picture. They got lots of "Awe's" from the crowd when they were up there. Bubby's pouty lip and her holding is hand made for a cute pic.
She's sipping my hot chocolate.
He's supposed to be decorating his cookie with the icing instead of eating it.

Daddy and two sleeping kids in front of our favorite blue tree. It was only 7:30 but our kids were fast asleep. It was time to head home...

Our Little Flower Girl

Sissy did such a great job being the Flower Girl in my cousin's wedding. She walked down the aisle and tossed flower peddles to "make a path" for Ashlie. I just wish my pictures were better. I am sure Uncle Mat's pictures will be better. I'll post those when he gets them all finished.


She enjoyed lots of dancing.

Trick or Treat

We had so much fun this Halloween. The kids are old enough to enjoy it. Even the little guy got it after a few houses. He would walk up to the house, get his candy, and then start talking his ""baby talk" as if to say, "THANKS!" Sissy was such a great help. She always made sure he got his candy, too.
Again, Sissy is so good. She waited so patiently while we tried to wrangle these too little lion cubs for a group picture. Before I took it, they were both placed next to the correctly standing Bee. This picture cracks me up. It shows the craziness of getting 2 one year olds to stand still for a picture....It didn't happen.

We had fun dressing up in 80's outfits for my Brother and Sister-in Law's Halloween party.

"Having Fun at School"

I got a little surprise text message from his teacher today. She sent me this picture and it said,"Having fun at school." It made my day. So, happy to see he really does enjoy his days at school. All I ever see are his tears during drop off and pick up time. I am so blessed to send my kids to a place with a personal connection. Thanks Miss Rachel...

Halloween Fun

We had a great time doing a little Halloween festivities. This is our 3rd year going with our friends to the Farm. The kids had a blast dancing and playing all evening.

APPLES! and PUMPKINS!

We spent a beautiful Fall day at the Apple Orchard and the Pumpkin Patch. I love going there. It is always a great time with little kids. They loved eating their own apples.

We were trying to get a good picture with everyone (baby brother) sitting still. This was probably the 5th picture taken where we were trying to get the little guy to just sit still. HA! We finally let go of him and just had to laugh! He not much into sitting still these days.
He would get so excited about eating his apple. He would let out little bursts of laughter after taking a bite.
She chose her own pumpkin. Daddy helped him choose his. Daddy says it is the BEST pumpkin ever!