Christmas... (I'll warn you now, it's LONG)

This year we had Randy's family join us at our home for Christmas Eve. It was so nice not to have to drag the kids around and rush home that night to get ready for Santa.

As is our tradition, we made cookies for Santa and then decorated them. Caden got his own rolling pin this year to help me out with the cookie making. He was pretty excited!


Fast forward an hour and here they are, ready to be decorated! Icing a cookie is not the easiest thing in the world for a 2 year old!

He only licked his fingers a few times, but that's okay... we've been told that Santa doesn't mind!

Then we topped them off with M&M's (or enimens, as the boy says it)! He did so well and did not eat them until the cookies were mostly decorated!


Tada... I think Santa will be quite impressed!

The next morning... the boy was a little hesitant to see what Santa had left him. I think that he thought Santa might still be in the living room... and that is a little much to take when you have just gotten out of bed!


And low and behold... Santa DID leave him a racetrack! Just like he had asked for! It is so nice when those things work out. The sister got a Jumperoo... and man does she love it!


Checking out his stocking...

After a yummy breakfast we opened the last of our gifts. The boy got dinosaurs...

The girl got a Sock Monkey-in-the-box...

Since then we have been trying to find a place for all the new toys... we may need a bigger house!

Merry Christmas!

From our family to yours,
Merry Christmas &
Happy New Year!

We will see you again next year!

A Christmas Miracle...

We took the kids to see Santa...

1) There was NO line! Sweet!!
2) Both kids actually smiled!

Caden was so excited to see Santa and tell him he wanted a racetrack for Christmas! After we got our pictures and were walking away the boy started yelling "Bye Santa!! Bye!!"

After our visit with Santa we went down to Hallmark to pick out this year's ornaments for the kids! I love Christmas traditions!

She's 7 months old...

Dear Carinna,
Today you are 7 months old. I can't believe that it has been 7 months since we spent 4 short hours in the hospital waiting for you to arrive. You were so tiny and sweet. You had already figured out how to make a pouty face... which you still use quite effectively, by the way!
You have the fattest and cutest little thighs I have ever seen! I have to squeeze them every time I change your diaper and I am pretty sure you roll your eyes at me when I do! But that's fine with me, I know I should get used to your eye rolling! And it is 100% worth it just to squeeze those sweet little fat rolls!

You have really started getting around with an inch-worm-like crawl. If there is something you want you will get it! Especially your brother's toys. He has a fit when you try to stick his cars in your mouth... I think it grosses him out! You especially love the Christmas tree. The other day I walked into the living room only to discover you had eaten all the glitter off of one ornament!

You have now pretty much mastered the art of sitting. You still fall over occasionally, but I am beginning to wonder if you do it on purpose! Because you can sit up now I let you take a bath in the big tub! You loved it and splashed and splashed the entire time!

When I lay you in your bed to sleep you immediately lay your head down and start to suck your thumb. While you are eating you also suck your thumb after each bite. Sometimes you even put both thumbs in your mouth at the same time! It's pretty cute!

You are so funny! The faces you make crack me up! You are so happy and easy going, which is wonderful since I drag you all over town every Tuesday and Thursday while your brother is in school! But you don't hesitate to let us know when you are not happy! You also love to talk... you are such a girl! You always have something to say and your faces match your tone!

I have tried and tried to slow this first year of your life, but it just isn't working! It won't be long until we are planning your first birthday party! I love you and am so grateful for you! You are a joy! I look forward to having our first Christmas with you!

Happy 7 month birthday sweet girl!

The 2 year old version of Christmas music...

The boy loves to sing along to any song he hears... even though he rarely knows the words! It was no different today during lunch while we were listening to Christmas music. He would mumble along trying his best to sing the correct words. Finally, exasperated.... he burst out singing...

"Bad boys, bad boys. Whatcha gonna dooooo..." (actually it was more like "fad foyz, fad foyz. Whaya donna doooo")

I, of course, died laughing. Which made him laugh.

Then he said, "Mommy, dat's fwom COPS." (As though I didn't know) "I yike dat song!"

His daddy was very proud.