CHRISTMAS 2009

Christmas morning I woke early, 7:00 a.m., to put the breakfast casserole in the oven. The only family members we were missing at my brother's, Cameron, in MI at this time were my sister, Teri, and her crew. They were driving in that morning (drove all Christmas Eve into Christmas morning). Teri and her family made it at 8:00 a.m. and soon everyone woke. It was very exciting and crowded! There were 10 kids (12 to 2) and 9 adults.
Once we finished eating breakfast we walked to the boys into the room where the tree was and they got to see their Santa gifts. Joshua got a keyboard and Andrew got Tonka trucks. Then we watched groups of kids open their gifts. We started with the youngest two, Andrew and Oliver (both 2). Then moved on to Leelan (3), Joshua (5) and Cadance (5). After that we let the girls open their gifts, Audra (8), Samantha (9), and Robin (10). Finally, the older boys opened gifts, Christopher (10) and Kalab (12). I guess that is not really all...the adults opened in groups as well...couples. Then we opened stockings. Seriously, it takes a long time for 19 people to open gifts. I think it is important to really let everyone enjoy seeing what each other gets and having their moment to thank everyone, so we took our time. It was really a good day!
Jeff and Andrew left us that day to fly back home. Before they left we all enjoyed a feast thanks to Cameron and Jennifer. Thank you both for hosting us all at your home. Too bad we missed the snow in TX and had no snow in MI. I would not change anything...I would change something. I would have spent more time with Jeff and Andrew.
Happy Birthday Jesus!

Our family!

My sister's family...she has 5 kids!!!

My brother's family.

Mom, Randy, Pat (Randy's mom), and some random pics.

MI TRIP

The boys and I left for MI on Friday, December 18th. Well, actually we left Friday to go to Mom's and then left from her house on Saturday. So, the map says it is a 16 hour drive from Emory. We had to drive up to Oklahoma City to pick up Randy's mom and then head on up to Livonia, MI...17 hours from OK. Anyway, it took us about 24 hours to get to MI with the stops and ice weather in some spots. WOW! It was pretty hard on Andrew. It was also pretty hard to sit so many people in an SUV. My knees are still bothering me. Hopefully the ride back home will not be so rough.

We have been playing in the little bit of snow that is on the ground and trampoline. We have gone Christmas light looking, out to dinner, tons of shopping, cookie decorating (Audra is the artist), baking (eating the left overs of the baking), and just really enjoying visiting with family we see very little of (for those of you that know me this is huge for me...I really think there is nothing like family, even if you have differences).

Jeff flew in this morning...we are so very excited to see him. In fact, Andrew and Joshua will not leave him alone. My sister is driving in tonight (we pray she and her family will be safe on their drive). We should have 19 people here...a really full and joyful Christmas morning. Merry Christmas!

Our drive...

Playing in the snow...

Cookie Decorating...

CHRISTMAS PROGRAM

Joshua has been practicing for his school's Christmas program since the beginning of November. We would catch him singing various songs. He even put on mini-programs for Mimi and Grampie with piano and all. Needless to say we were all looking forward to hearing him and seeing the festivities. Jeff, Andrew, Maammaw, Mimi, Grampie, and I were all in attendance. Joshua sang and signed his heart out. The only problem I had was his white t-shirt. I had him in a nice sweater (I am not normally good at making my boys look good) and he ended up taking off his sweater just before they walked in because he was hot. Ugh! Oh well! I loved seeing him anyway. In fact, it brought tears to my eyes to hear him singing on his own.

CHRISTMAS PARTIES

The boys and I had the enjoyment of attending a cookie decorating party this year and a Santa party. There were so many fun things to do...decorating cookies, coloring Christmas pictures, reindeer crafts, manger crafts, seeing Santa, eating goodies, and of course enjoying friends. I did not get pictures from the first party, but hope to get a CD of pictures soon. The collage below is of the second party.

My favorite parts of the parties were seeing the boys really enjoy themselves and getting into the Christmas spirit. The second part was finally seeing Joshua nearly sit in Santa's lap. I could not think of a better present. No, Andrew cried as we were waiting for Joshua get a picture with Santa, but his day will come. In fact he went running to the back door when he saw Santa enter the front door.

CHRISTMAS PARTY GOODIES

Joshua's pre-k Christmas party is Tuesday, December 15th. To get ready for the party we baked some Christmas goodies, Christmas Tree sugar cookies, and Candy Cane rice krispie treats. Joshua helped mix the cookies and cut the tree shapes. Andrew helped cut tree shapes as well. However, he ended up eating more of the mix after shaping the tree than he made. I really don't like taking time to do this, but doing this with Jeff and the boys really made a difference. They are not perfect, but we did them as a family and I would not change them.

WORKING FROM HOME

Jeff has been working from home a lot these days. In fact, his new position gives him more opportunity to do so. Currently Jeff goes to our room to conduct conference calls and work on his computer. I hear Andrew go to his room and shut his door...I don't like him going into his room on his own these days since last time he was there he climbed the shelves in his closet and fell from the top...I walked in and saw him on the floor talking on the phone and typing on his laptop. He looked just like his dad. I ran to get my camera and got the shots below. The one he is looking at the camera he just got thru pointing his finger at me and saying "NO NO NO!" I tell him the same thing when his dad is on a call and I am shooing him out of the room. What a cutie! What else are they learning?

BIG BOY BED

My friend, Danni, was getting rid of a full mattress set...so we moved Andrew to a big boy bed. I probably spent 3 days looking for bedding. I did not want a theme and could not do the same as Joshua's room...it is just so dissapointing that there is not a lot of options for boys out there (clothes are the same). Anyway, I did just settle on the bedding that I ended up with. I do like it, but it is not my favorite.
It has been a long week with him in the big bed. I think that is mostly due to the fact he has a left ear infection, especially since the past few nights he has done really well in staying in his bed all night. Keep up the good work Andrew.

I am a little sad not to have a crib in the house any more. I wonder if we will have to setup a crib in the future...only time will tell.

COUSINS

Morgan and Jack were in town over Thanksgiving. They have grown so much. Their personalities are shining bright and we love them so. We are really lucky that we do get to see them as much as we do seeing as they live in South Carolina. Thanks Kristen for making the long trip to Texas!
They came over for some cousin play time and dinner one night. Grampie's and Mimi's house is pretty awesome, but they do not have all the toys that Joshua and Andrew have. Morgan had fun with all the toys, but enjoyed the kitchen the most. Jack was really stuck on the balls. He just might be a little sports player. We were able to get a few pictures in, but I am not sure why I thought I could get four kids to look at the camera. I cannot even get two kids to look at the camera at the same time.

NOVEMBER 10TH...5

Joshua turned 5 on November 10th. We celebrated his birthday with a "police" birthday party. I contacted our local police department, Northeast Division Police Department, with a request to help with my childs birthday party...like they have anything else better to do, right? LOL! Anyway, they said we could do a tour of the station and a tour of a squad car. Awesome! That is all Joshua would need to have a perfect day, see picture of him in the car. With the party set with the station Joshua put on his police uniform (Halloween 2009 costume), packed up the bears we got to donate to the police officer for his squad car (bears are needed for kids that could be scared when they have to ride in squad car), and headed off to the station to meet his friends. Senior Corporal Geoffrey Pettay was stuck with...I mean happy to give us the tour of the station and squad car. The boys even got the chance to make the siren go off way too many times. After pushing all the buttons in the car we enjoyed cake and ice cream, gifts, and the boys chasing each other (at times tackling) with the party favors (lazor guns). Happy Birthday Joshua! You make our hearts smile!

FLORIDA

Jeff and I went to Florida at the begining of November to celebrate our anniversary (8 years in September) as well as watch a friend, Brandy, get married. It was my first trip to FL and our first trip away from the boys in a long while. Needless to say FL was beautiful and our trip away from the boys was just long enough.

We stayed in Ft Lauderdale at the Marriott Harbor Beach. We had an ocean view room, which was awesome. We got to see all the large ships go in and out of the port. They were amazingly large. We relaxed at the pool every day, worked out in the gym, took naps, read on the patio with some snacks and a beer.

The wedding was at the Hyatt. It was a lawn wedding and so Brandy. The colors, the atmosphere, the food, the music all reminded me of Brandy. Thanks for including us in such a special time Brandy. We had a lot of fun and are so happy for you and Dan.

FUN IN OCTOBER...

Yes, it is now December and I am just now catching you up on everything we did in October...Dallas Arboretum Pumpkin Fest (twice), Trick-or-Treating at Joshua's school, Trunk-or-Treating with Mom to Mom, neighborhood Halloween party, and of course Trick-or-Treating Halloween night. Enjoy the pics...

First trip to Dallas Arboretum. We met my Thursday night Mom to Mom group...that was the plan. Jeff tells me I over book us...I scheduled this, plus the wedding in the same day.

Trip two to Dallas Arboretum. Mom came into town and we took her to see the beautiful flowers and have a picnic.

The pre-k 4's classes go trick-or-treating in the halls of the school. It was fun to see everyone dressed up. We had a little party after lunch with the kids eating cookies and making a ghost collage (Thank you Meredith for the idea).

Trunk-or-Treat with Mom to Mom. The girl in the pink is Emma Coleman. She won for best girl costume. Joker won for best boy costume. Gene Simmons was just a great costume too.

Neighborhood party on left and trick-or-treating on right. We just go to a few houses around the house and then hand out candy. Aunt Traci came over and handed candy out with the boys while Jeff and I went to a movie.

FRIENDS & A WEDDING

At the end of October we had some friends, Justin and Diane, come into town from Minnesota. They were in town for a mutual friends wedding, Mary (she owns A List Baby). Justin and Diane have two precious daughters, Karen and Julie Ann. The boys seemed to enjoy playing with Karen...they especially loved playing with her beauty shop toys. She fit in really well in that she liked playing hockey, racing (funny she would get upset when she lost to Joshua who is 2 years older than her and so Joshua would let her win some times), and even taught the boys a few games like Red Rover Red Rover. We enjoyed having them over and look forward to another time we can visit. Maybe Julie Ann will let me hold her next time we visit. I just love babies.

The wedding was just so beautiful. Mary was true to herself in all the beautiful decorations and festivities. Best of luck to you and John!