Date Night

We headed out to see Better than Ezra last night- what a great show. Thanks mom for watching Jonah as we had a fun night out on the town.

Play Date ~ all day long

Jonah and Emma got to hang out all day Monday- really breakfast, lunch and snack! They kept each other busy, in and out of the playroom, reading and "talking" to each other. Lunch was served at Chick fil A and then onto the germ infested play gym. Thanks Emma for coming over to play all day. Until next time~

Cmas holidays continued through the weekend!

We are so lucky to have family come in from San Antonio to spend Cmas weekend with us. Of course there was good food, but it was just nice to sit around and chat, catch up and laugh. There wasn't much planned except to have our traditional "white elephant" exchange, which got really interesting to say the least. Outburst was played and we found out how many things we really can't name! We played outside for a little bit, just to release the cabin fever of inside. Wii fit was tried and tried again. 3 generations of family making the time for each other- priceless! Looking forward to next time.

Santa, Santa, Ho, Ho, Ho

Here's hoping your Cmas holidays are filled with friends and family while creating lasting memories!

The snow was still there after it fell Cmas Eve. A fun Cmas, especially to see it through Jonah's eyes - a tree, lights, ho, ho, ho, etc. Jonah slept in and then we headed towards the tree to see what Santa had brought us. Rookie parents put out the school bus from Santa and well that's all he wanted- he was done! We didn't know to hide the "favorite" thing for the moment til the end! We'll be on it for next year. We enjoyed our AM by ourselves opening gifts from each other and from Grandma and Grandpa in WI.

Then off to Justine's house for a late lunch / early dinner and more gifts! It was a relaxing time and Jonah was very fortunate with all the gifts. It was especially thoughtful for K & J (cousins) to spend their own money on gifts for Jonah- what a sweet gesture!

And finally time for bed ~ but first our stockings! This has been a tradition since Rick and I were dating. We wait to open our stockings right before bedtime- just to make the Cmas Day last a little bit longer. So Jonah was very excited to find a school bus in his stocking as well as some books, but really it was just about the school bus. His fascination is with school buses, especially since we see so many on our way to school each morning. So good night sweet Jonah.

Twas the Night before Cmas......

And all through the house we were busy getting ready for everyone to come over for some holiday cheer! I put Jonah in his seat with my iphone and his favorite apps ready to be played so Mommy could get some work done (what did we do without technology?) The weather said snow and it did (or according to friends and family in the Midwest, it was a dusting- if you don't use a shovel, it's not snow). But for us, it was a White Cmas - one that I've haven't seen in my lifetime in TX, so we all enjoyed it. Outburst was played and the girls gave up their winning streak to the boys- lucky guesses! Cousins read to Jonah before Santa would arrive and we put out cookies and milk for Santa (as my niece and nephews reminded me- Mommy slacked on this one- forgot to get that special cup and plate- oh well- not worry Jonah- Mommy will get you one Dec 26th- half price at that!) We're ready Old St. Nick!

Jonah's rehired

If you remember some time ago, Jonah was fired from going to the grocery store with me. Well he's rehired as long as this shopping cart is available. He loved it. Said hi and bye to everyone, enjoyed "honking" the horn, turning the wheel, etc. Now if some other kid has this cart, there will be some serious pleading and bribing with that kid to give it up so we can have a stress free and productive grocery shopping experience!

The Classic Santa picture

We took Jonah to see Santa this week and who knew it would go so well. He waited patiently in line. He didn't kick, hit, throw a tantrum or such. Oh did I mention he did scream at the top of his lungs and held on tight to us all the while saying, "no, no, no, bye bye". Santa even got up and had me sit down saying "sometimes it's better if the parent sits in my chair and I stand." Well good idea, but no go for us. So here's that classic picture of Santa and Jonah- better luck next year.

Isn't it all about Elmo anyways?

Thanks Mason for my Elmo chair. Dad says I'm like Archie Bunker! I take it everywhere I go around the house.

Shopping...well not really... just looking!

Winter is here!

Uncle George would be so proud!

Just wrap it up and we'll take it....yea right!

Catch 'em if you can

Watch out for flying candy canes! I didn't know trying to get a pic of Jonah with candy canes could be so much fun....for him that is..... as Rick and I dodged the candy canes.

Giving & Baking

We had the Zoo over for our annual shopping from the Angel Tree. The kids had their child selected and we headed out to get some of their needs and wants. Then back home to eat dinner and then start baking Cmas cookies. We've been doing this since 2003 and it's so much fun to see them look forward to it as much as we do. Yes, it's chaotic with 5 kids in one kitchen, getting the ingredients, making sure we don't eat too much dough that our tummies get hurt, that we make easy enough cookies that even a 3 year old can do it and most importantly that we have fun. K & J are older now, so they can really help with the L & M (Jonah sat at the table playing with his cars and was more than happy). L enjoyed decorating the cut out cookies with M&M's, M enjoyed pouring way too many sprinkles, and K & J enjoyed doing the cut outs. And what a good way to end a fun night eating warm cookies out of the oven and watching a movie snuggled on the couch!

From Mom to my Son

I finally finished my Cmas project for Jonah. I made him his own Cmas book with the Cmas cards we received in 2008- his first Cmas! Just look- yours might be in there. It's an ABC of Cmas. Basically I found cards depicting the letter of the alphabet. For example: A is for Angels, so the page is filled with cards of angels. D is for decorated doors, etc. It turned out really cool, if I may say so. He might not be into this year or even next since the cards aren't flashy, pop up, etc, but it's something I wanted him to treasure . Mommy loves you my sweet baby big boy!

From our families to yours!

Sending peace and wellness your way!

Choo Choo

Thanks Grandma & Grandpa for Jonah's new train set. He loves it. He'll let us know it's time to turn it on and go watch / play with it when he says "choo, choo" and moves his arm up and down like a Conductor. He knows how to work the remote (he is his father's son, you know). And enjoys hearing the whistle and the bell.

ThanksGiving PM

Yes, those are sales ads on our dinner table- but not to fret, we pulled them out once lunch was over! We do have priorities! And of course there were games (girls against boys- girls still rule and boys still drool). And K & J created a nice Thanksgiving skit for all of us to enjoy.

Lots to be thankful this year, especially with so much sorrow surrounding our family, so here's to being thankful for time with family and special friends. Here's hoping everyone had a wonderful day with friends and family alike! Hope your bellies are full, your cheeks hurt from smiling and laughing and your stress free.

ThanksGiving AM

Our Annual tradition of the YMCA Turkey Trot

where he did the 8 mile (in preparation for his 1/2 marathon in 2 weeks)

and we all did the 5K

with the other 40,000 people

and the doggies

to enjoy good treats at the finish line and later on at home too!