Christmas is a time for sharing...

unless, of course, you're talking about Blake's chocolate Santa. Back away from the chocolate Santa and no one gets hurt.

I hope you all had a Merry Christmas,

full of love, laughter, and sharing.

It's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas!

We went to a Christmas party at a friend's house yesterday, and it was such a great start to the holidays! It was even a little chilly outside like December is supposed to be. Santa was escorted to the party by a fire truck, and then he read a story and posed for pictures with all the kids. Then, The Biscuit Brothers performed outside! Yep, that's how we roll up in the 78681...I am not sure how our friends are going to top that party next year!
Here comes Santa!

Looks like he's been working out...

Adelyn was super excited!

Santa reading a story to the kids:

Blake was not super excited about meeting santa...



my little loves:

The Biscuit Brothers!

Blake liked the Biscuit Brothers better than Santa, he kept bouncing up and down to the music! A good time was had by all!

blah, blah, blog...

I am super tired, but I can't sleep because I washed down a Claritin-D with not one, but two low carb monster energy drinks today and I am WiReD!! I also have a problem going to sleep when the kids go to sleep like everyone tells you to do. I always say I will do that, but then I sit down and realize it is quiet and I just keep sitting and enjoying the quiet. My life is loud. My kids are loud. My kids are my life. Speaking of kids...Aubrey lost a top tooth last night, Blake said 'tree' today while pointing to the Christmas tree, and Addy bonked her head so hard on the edge of the laundry room sink that I thought we might have to go to the ER (now that I know she is ok, it was pretty hilarious). Speaking of sinks, the one in our kitchen is sInKiNg into the cabinet below...it is an undermount sink, which means it is glued to the granite. It first happened while my parents were here watching the kids, so my dad used epoxy to fix it, but that did not last. I have called so many countertop places, and apparently people don't want to make any money because most of them said they would only fix it if I was a previous customer. really? I finally found someone who should be coming out tomorrow (although he said he was coming today and I still have a sunk sink). And about tomorrow...I think Aubrey is sick. She was sound asleep by 6pm tonight, so I'm pretty sure she won't be heading to school in the morning. I don't like it when my kiddos don't feel well. Blake was up for a couple of hours last night looking like he wanted to rip his tiny little pug nose off because it was so stuffy. Poor little guy. Speaking of little guys, our Elf on a Shelf made his way back from the North Pole. I really think he should reconsider his options come Christmas day...he could have a very nice permanent residence on the library wall in our front room...year-round watching and reporting to Santa Claus might make things run a bit more smoothly around here. Ha! We are all excited about Christmas; it will be the first of many in this house that we now call home. It is so nice to finally be settled. The monsters are wearing off and the exhaustion is creeping in, so if I don't stop typing now, I will start getting all mushy. I am just so thankful for everything in my life. Especially the quiet moments, when I actually have time to reflect on how lucky I really am. And, if you are reading this, you are probably part of what makes my life great.

hard to believe...

that FOUR years ago, I was going home with this precious bundle of joy...

Happy birthday, my sweet Adelyn. You never cease to amaze me.

I love you to the moon and back, times a million.

shutterfly...

I am home alone with a sleeping baby, so I thought I would go ahead and work on my Christmas cards...when you order, you can embed your project on your blog and get $25 toward your next Shutterfly purchase! sweet, except now people can see my card...maybe just don't scroll down...;-) I am so excited to decorate for Christmas soon, it's my favorite time of the year!!

christmas card

Family Roster Christmas Card

Make a statement with Shutterfly Christmas photo cards.

View the entire collection of cards.

a little landscaping makes a BIG difference...

We had some guys put rock around the flower beds, and I think it turned out FABULOUS!

BEFORE

and AFTER!

love it.

tried to get a headstart on christmas card pics...

little man was not into it. at all.

I thought moving to the playground would help.

but then he fell down...

maybe we'll try again tomorrow.

luckily, my two little ladies were fabulous.

but, no peeking till Christmas...

we vant to suck your blood....

or at least eat your candy!

little pumpkins

Have a safe and happy Halloween!

not the easiest family to capture on camera...

My friend, Sara, took some pics of us at a wedding a couple weeks back....she did an excellent job, considering what she had to work with! Aubrey can make a normal face, check some more out here: http://saratredennick.blogspot.com/
I thought y'all might like this picture better than the broken leg pic. Addy is doing much better. Now the only challenge is going to be keeping her off of it long enough for it to heal!

not the best way to spend your Saturday night...

she is one tough little cookie. and she wants the trampoline GONE! consider it done. gave it to someone sitting in the ER waiting room...she's coming to pick it up in the morning!

Looks like somebody is ONE!

Blake's birthday was last Friday, but we've been having some computer issues. Love this little guy.

day in, day out

my day, the condensed version.
roll out of bed.
get greeted by my sweet six year old who is already dressed and ready to go.
pour cereal.
make lunches.
take my blood pressure meds.
get Blake, who is waiting patiently in his bed.
wake up Addy.
talk Addy into wearing pants since it's chilly outside.
agree to let her get in the car wearing only her red blanket.
drop off Aubrey.
donut run for Addy.
egg McMuffin run for me.
take a bite at the exact moment I smell Blake's poopy diaper.
change diaper.
make Addy put on clothes.
play outside with the kids.
take sidewalk chalk out of Blake's mouth.
color with Addy.
clean whatever piece of furniture that Addy has colored on.
talk to Addy in a firm but fair voice that we only color on paper.
put a puzzle together with Addy.
pull the toilet bowl brush out of Blake's hand.
put Blake down for a nap.
try to run on treadmill only to discover it is broken.
decide to clean instead.
discover gum on the carpet.
talk to Addy in a firmer tone about throwing chewed gum in the trashcan.
can't take her seriously because she's wearing panties and a tiara.
get Blake up from his nap.
eat lunch, maybe sit for the first time all day.
read Addy a book.
watch horrible cartoons.
watch Blake take a few steps.
remove ping pong ball from Blake's mouth.
talk Addy into putting clothes on again.
check facebook on the ipad while sitting in the pick-up line at Aubrey's school.
listen to the girls bicker for a good thirty minutes until they realize they love playing together.
snack.
start cooking dinner.
daddy's home!
realize the kids are being way too quiet.
discover permanent marker on the wood floors.
finally lose it with Addy.
eat dinner, talk about our day.
laugh.
decide to go on a family walk.
discover a new park.
listen to Addy cry about peeing her pants on the slide.
help her finish peeing by a tree.
watch Aubrey's face light up when she finishes the monkey bars for the first time.
crack up at Blake holding on for dear life in the swing.
crack up at Addy for just being Addy.
finally make it home.
bathtime.
reading time.
receive a note from Aubrey that says "I luf you mom, you re the bist mom iver"
hugs.
kisses.
read another story.
one more night night hug and kiss.
bring water.
turn on night lights.
just one more hug and kiss.
watch sweet babies fall asleep.
one more kiss on the cheek.
feel overwhelmed by love.
feel thankful for this life I have.
go to bed.
repeat in the morning.

really?

I ask myself this question so many times in a week, so I thought it would be fun to document the reasons why this comes up so freakin' often! I am sure this will be the first of many "really?" posts...

Really, Blake? You're only 11 months old! I mean, really??


Really, Aubrey? Do you want to have a heart attack at age 6? I mean, really?

Really, random idiot? Why in the world would you choose to haul your broken down house on mopac, causing a serious traffic jam, on perhaps, THE rainiest day in the history of Austin? I mean, really?

Really, Adelyn? Could you be any cuter right now? I mean, really...