I'm Back
11 years ago
I was talking to my friend Tiffany this morning and we were talking about how we'd love to see each other, but it's too cold to go outside. This morning when I checked the weather it was 32 with a wind chill of 22. We live in FLORIDA!!
Now, I don't mind cold weather, but what is so funny is that Tiffany and I were both saying during the heat of the summer that when winter rolls around we are not going to complain and just bundle up and go play outside. You know, be thankful we aren't roasting out in the sun. All we could do was laugh b/c neither one of us wanted to bother going outside to walk the 3 houses it would take for us to get to each other's houses.
So, we are going to stay home and let the kids play with their new toys. They've done really well so far playing with each other, but I have a feeling that's all about to end soon. But I'm enjoying the quietness of them getting along and no tv or radio playing in the background. Now, if only my feet would warm up I'd feel much better!
First, photos from my parents' house. Aunt Jenny and Anne Morgan came on Tuesday to visit and open presents. The kids and I LOVE to see AM and how much she has grown. Christopher always gets to hold her first and would take her home with us if her parents would only let him. She is so sweet and learned how to sit up all by herself a few days before we saw her. It was fun to see her new tricks!
Pop and Christopher sat at this table for about 4 hours playing with the new legos he got. They could make different trucks with them and both boys were as happy as they could be!
Sophie's hair the next morning. It was bigger and bigger every day and we just laughed b/c it was so huge I thought it would never go down!
On Wednesday we went to Mimi and Papa John's to spend Christmas. The kids were so excited to see them and knew that meant Daddy would be joining us soon.
Christmas morning, after early naps and the cousins arrival. Sophie wasn't sure what to think of everyone at first, but warmed up quickly.
It was a Wii Christmas for the grandparents and cousins. Brandon brought our remotes so we could all play together.
Sophie using Christopher's new toy on her new toy.
4 of the 5 cousins playing in Mimi and PJ's room. These kids had more fun together! It was cute to see them interact with each other. We had a great time visiting with everyone and were so blessed to be able to live close enough to see them.We are home. We had a fabulous Christmas with lots of family and lots of gifts and lots of food. I'll post photos when I get them on the computer and have a chance to go through them. We have 2 cameras worth, so be patient.
This year, since Christopher is getting older, we really wanted to push that Christmas is about celebrating Jesus' birth and not Santa. We still did all the Santa stuff, but told him that we get presents b/c it's baby Jesus' birthday and he loves us so much that he wants to share his day with us. We made a birthday cake for baby Jesus and never cut into it, so we brought it home with us. Last night we lit a candle for each kid to blow out and sang happy birthday to baby Jesus.
Well, I guess all that talk about baby Jesus sunk in b/c last night when I was putting Christopher to bed he said the nightly, "What if I get scared?" (I'm thinking it's now said b/c he's stalling.) I told him that he can pray to God again b/c God is always with him. His reply was, "Is Jesus a big boy now?" I laughed and told him, yes, Jesus is already grown up and can take care of us now.
We have been at my parents' house since Monday and it has been fun seeing them and having some Christmas time with them. Yesterday Jennifer and Anne Morgan came over and we opened our presents to each other. It was great b/c it wasn't chaotic like Christmas Day can often be and the kids would sit and play with what they got before opening another gift. It was sweet b/c it was just a few of us sharing with each other. Don't get me wrong, I find the chaos of wrapping paper flying, shrieks of joy and "thank you's" being shouted fun to be around, but it has been a bit overwhelming for the kids to have so much going on at once. I like the idea of spreading out the love a little. (I have tons of photos, but will had later.)
Today we are going to stay with Brandon's parents and will await the arrival of Brandon tomorrow night and then his sister's family on Christmas Day. I'm really looking forward to today b/c we have decided as a family to sponsor a family in need and we are taking the mom shopping for their Christmas gifts. I hope that I will be totally and completely humbled by this experience. I'll admit, it's a little scary to put yourself in a situation that can maybe feel a little uncomfortable, but we need to do that. If God wanted us to be comfortable all the time we'd never learn anything He wanted to teach us.
I pray that all of you have a wonderful Christmas and are safe in your travels and full of love when it's all done! Merry CHRISTmas!!!!
Yesterday was a much needed, great family day. Brandon stayed home and got to sleep in instead of going down to Orlando for the Niceville (state championship) football game. The kids and I were really glad he stayed here with us. We loaded everyone in the van once he woke up and headed to Destin to run some errands. I had a couple stores to return things to and it was nice to have him along to stay in the car with the kids while I did that. We went to Destin Commons and let them play for a little while and then drove thru Sonic for lunch.
When we got home, the kids and I took Brick for a waaaaaay over due walk while Brandon went to a neighbor's to watch the game on tv. (They lost, but had an amazing season.) Sophie took a nap and Christopher tried to help me make some ornaments, but he was more annoying, so I sent him to his room to play. When everyone was up and home we played outside for a while and gave Brick a bath.
We ate supper early and then headed over to the Niceville library area to look at Christmas lights. Brick even joined us and he loved it. It was great! There were only 1 or 2 other families there and we got to see Santa and Mrs. Claus, who gave each kid a teddy bear and a bag of candy! When we got home, we put on our pj's, put the kids to bed and Brandon and I curled up in our bed to watch a movie. We love doing this, but never get the chance. We both said before falling asleep what a great day it was.
I wish that I'd had my camera, but sometimes I just want to remember the moments instead of trying to capture them. Hope you all have a great weekend too! Tomorrow the kids and I are headed to AL to start celebrating Christmas and we can't wait!!
Today we went to a friends' house to play, make some Christmas cookies and have lunch. It's a little boy that is in Christopher and William's class at church and Tiffany and I work with his mom in MOPS. It was so fun get together with them and watch the kids play together and to visit with Sarah.
Christopher loved putting his hands in the flour and wiping it on his shirt.
Will's dad was home and took the boys out back to play swords.
Regan napped peacefully.
Will carefully licked the icing off. Isn't he adorable?
William just waiting to dive in.
Sophie's evil eye...
followed by her evil laugh.
I'd also decided to start a project for myself. I had a feeling I was probably crazy to attempt it, but I thought the end result could be worth it. I had bought yarn years ago to add to my Christmas presents in place of regular bows and I have so much left over I thought maybe I could make a wreath with it. It took a little figuring out, but I finally finished it today. I think it turned out pretty cute. I think maybe some red buttons as "berries" could be really cute too, but I don't have any. Maybe I'll add them next year.
Last night I was folding laundry and I hurt my shoulder while shaking out one of Brandon's shirts. Is that sad or what? I wish I could say I did it while diving to catch Sophie jumping off the couch again, but I can't. I'm not sure what I did, but it hurt and it still hurts today. Too bad moms don't get workers comp!
On another note, here's some photos from lately.
Just a peek at what we've been looking at for the last four days. I don't know how people in Seattle deal with all the rain they get. Today it's finally sunny and we are going to meet friends for lunch... outside!
Christopher was cold after he woke up from his nap, so I covered him up with a blanket. Sophie hopped down off the couch, ran to her room to get her blanket and did this... with a little help from me. She is crazy in love with her brother!
Last week I was feeling really under the weather so I called my mom to see if she could come help. I never do this, maybe it's a pride thing, but I was feeling pretty crummy and didn't know when it would end. I'm so glad she was able to rearrange her plans and come down. The kids LOVE having her (and any of their grandparents) visit, so they ate her up while they could. I had a gingerbread house for us to make and she had never made one so it was perfect! It's a very cute house, if I do say so myself!
Finally, some fun in a box. My kids L O V E to play in empty boxes. If you can't ever figure out what to get them you can just send one of these. We play in them until the sides fall apart and I have to throw it away. This one became a car. I love how Sophie is holding her hands thinking this will help make her smaller.Last night I heard singing coming from Christopher's room. He's not much for singing songs, but this week he's started to show more interest. I realize it's Jingle Bells. Sort of. I grab my camera, set it to video and start to sneak down the hall to capture his version. Unfortunately he came out right as I was halfway down the hall. I got him to sing it again and I am hoping to get the video on here soon. Here's how it goes:
"Jingle bells. Jingle bells. Jingle all da way.
Oh what fun we have in a water hole sleigh.
HEY!"
So cute! I'm glad he likes to sing now. There's nothing cuter than hearing a little one making up their own words to songs. Sophie tries to sing along. She's got the tune, but not the words yet. But we've got time.
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