Christmas Cheer and Catching Up

We are finally moved and almost settled.  So, now I can catch up on Christmas and get back to blogging regularly.

We had quite the Christmas celebrations this year.  The weekend before we went to my mom's for dinner/gifts with my mom, John, BJ and family.  It was a very nice evening and we were spoiled rotten.  I think John got some photos of the evening, but I don't have any.

Christmas Eve Eve we had dinner and then went to look at lights.

On Christmas Eve we had a brunch for my mom's side of the family.

Great-Great-Grandma Shirley, Lilian, Braison, Great-Great-Grandma Barbara

Unfortunately, I didn't get photos of anyone else.  But, I got a couple of cute ones of the kids in their Christmas outfits.

Lilian and DeeDee had matching dresses

Then, we went to Ron's mom's house for Christmas Eve dinner.  It was so great to spend some time with them and we were spoiled there as well.  I didn't take any photos there, not sure why.  When we got home we put on new pajamas and opened up gifts from other family members and each other.

THANK YOU UNCLE TYLER AND AUNT CHARLEY!!

THANK YOU UNCLE KEN AND AUNT PAM!!

We got ready for bed and left some cookies and milk out for Santa.

On Christmas morning, we finally woke the kids up at 9 so that we would have time for breakfast and to check out what Santa brought before we had to leave for church.

The kids LOVE the LeapPads that Santa brought. 

After church, a little more playing, and naps we headed to my dad's house for Christmas dinner.  It was a WONDERFUL dinner, as usual and great company.  We were, of course, spoiled there as well.  My dad has photos, but I haven't got them yet.

We had a wonderful holiday and are so grateful for all of our family and being able to celebrate the birth of Jesus!

We celebrated my mom and Ron's birthdays at a little place in Star called "Sully's" 

This is how my mom felt about turning 52

This is how Ron felt about turning 33 :o)

More to come soon!

Wordless Wednesday

Something Special

I got two special emails from Santa for the kids this morning.

Here is Lilian's -  http://www.portablenorthpole.tv/watch/mY_kJrD9N7yUzU_vUF62eEA

And Braison's - http://www.portablenorthpole.tv/watch/mGh3l3B-SIv4QTF3Ka2zymA

So much fun for them and helpful for us :o)

Friday Funnies

It has been a while since I have done a Friday Funny....I will try harder to get back on the ball!

**(We were having dinner at Goodwood after the kids' birthday party, the waitress noticed the kids' pins that announced it was their birthday)


Waitress - How exciting! Happy Birthday! (She was leaning and looking down at Lilian when she said this)
Lilian - You just spit in my eye!
Waitress - Oh, you are so cute!
********************

**(Tyler and Charley sent the kids a Christmas gift, which is the only gift under our tree so far)

Braison - After Lilian gets dressed, can we go open the Christmas gift?
Mommy - No, it is a Christmas gift, you have to wait until Christmas to open it.

Braison - How do you know we have to wait?

Mommy - The gift says right on it "Don't open until Christmas"

Braison - Well, I am going to go down there, erase that, and write, "Open before Christmas"

Mommy - Oh yeah?  How do you even spell "before?"

Braison - B-F-O-R!

Mommy - Close! But no cigar...looks like you are waiting for Christmas after all!

Braison - Dang it! Can I call Daddy?  I need to ask him how to spell "before" the right way...

SANTA!

After a two year hiatus, the kids were finally ready to sit on Santa's lap again!

Our look back at years past:

2010....hysterical screaming before we even got to the chair.

2009....hysterical screaming before we got within 20 feet of the chair

2008....

2007....

Family Photos

We got our family photos done last week by a girlfriend of mine from high school.  It was cold, but we got some good photos.  Thanks again Jen!  Here are a few:

Party!!

We had a little party for the kids at Monkey Bizness again this year.  Some of the photos are good, some are grainy because the light in there is not the best.

Lilian getting ready to climb the rock wall

Getting a little help

Kloey climbing

Emma climbing

This is all the further Braison made it :o)

Braison and Anna

 The big slide was a HUGE hit....

Nana, Lilian, and Papa going down

Chloee, Kloey, and Ron

Seiah

Annabel

Trey

Timothy

Emma and Ron

Ron holding Jack

Chloee, Anna, Krista, and Timothy

Jack Jack

Addison

Brandi and Braison (he was wore out!)

Just after blowing out his candle 

Getting sung to

Nolan

Giving my dad "the look"

Payton and Papa

Grandpa Pat and Grandma Sheryl (Ron's mom and step-dad)

WHAT?!

Opening gifts

We had a wonderful time and we hope everyone else did as well.  Thank you all for coming out and spoiling the kids rotten!

Birthday Girl

Happy 4th Birthday to Lilian

Lilian is still the princess of the house!  Here are some things that she might like to know about her 4 year old self:


* You LOVE anything princess and girly.
* Daddy is your knight in shining armor.  
* You have quite the attitude when you don't get your way.
* You are always looking for kisses and hugs.
* You always want to wear your hair "just like mommy's"
* You love to read.
* You are so very smart.
* Your best friend is Mariah (you go to preschool together).
* You tell stories with your hands, so animated.
* For your birthday dinner you want "basagna"  
* You can sing all of the lyrics to numerous Taylor Swift songs.
* You know your whole name and how to spell it.

* You know both mommy and daddy's phone numbers.*

* You want a puppy, a German Shepard to be exact. 
* You like to shop, but only with mommy.
* You are NOT a morning person.
* You can write your name and most of the alphabet.
* You sleep with your "lovie."
* You love to play house.  You cook a lot of pretend meals.
* You dazzle everyone around you with your adorableness and your sweet voice.
* You weigh 31 pounds and are 3' 2.5" tall


You are such a light in our family, I can't even remember what life was like before you.  We have been truly blessed to have you in our lives!

Birthday Boy

Happy 4th Birthday to Braison!!

Braison is such a joy in our lives, here are some things that he should know about his 4 year old self:

* You are so loving.
* You are so so smart (like scares-us-sometimes-smart).
* You want to be a real Buzz Lightyear
* For your birthday dinner you want homemade pizza.
* You don't wet the bed anymore!
* You are so independent, you don't want help doing ANYTHING.
* Your smile is infectious and you are very photogenic.
* You hate peas. And meat. And cooked carrots.
* You already correct my grammar.
* You love casseroles (pretty much any kind).
* You can write your name, the whole alphabet, and numbers.
* You know your whole name and how to spell it.
* You know both mommy and daddy's phone numbers.
* You usually only hit your sister after she has hit you first.
* Your best friend is Lilian.
* You sleep with a yellow bear that grandpa won for you at the fair. And your car blanket.
* You are still terrified of the car wash.
* Everyone says that you look exactly like mommy.
* You randomly tell us that you love us and give us hugs and kisses.
* You like to work with your tools...while wearing high heals :o)
* You weigh 42 pounds and are 3' 4.5" tall.

You are so wonderfully amazing and instantly warm the heart of anyone you meet.  We are so lucky to have you in our lives!