Words

I wish that I could freeze in time the way that my little kids say things, the phrases they use and the words they mispronounce. I'll never forget the day that "sabagetti" became spaghetti for Avery, or that she always used biggy instead of big. For Lincoln a few favorites are still there, like "mapolice man" and "vampirate", but "issay" has now been replaced by sissy and "Heneryry" is now simply Henry. Hopefully Hen will have a few special words of his own, but for now we are just loving the ones he says...dada, momma and his latest "up" (complete with arms outstretched).

All our kids have spent whole eras of their childhoods as a "pretending guy". I remember Avery as prince Phillip for most of her second year of life while now she spends most of her days as Purrly the Supercat. Lincoln is no longer Kwazii cat but prefers to be "Pider Man". Never want to forget these alter-egos

How Avery will discard toys and gladly throw them away or donate something that was once her prized possession but ask her to throw away a string off of her sweater and i have to hear her say as she opens the trash "don't worry string, you'll be with your other string friends"

How today as I was cleaning up a bazillion Christmas tree needles and Lincoln says, "mom, do you mind if I stand over here by you?" I say no I don't mind but silently cringe knowing he'll step in the needle pile and spread them further throughout the living room...but as I'm worrying about this very thing he says, "mom, you know I really appreciate you cleaning up we house. It looks great mom" WONDERFUL

Christmas with the cousins

On Christmas day we headed over to Nana and Grandpas and got to spend the day opening gifts and having Jesus's birthday party with Kevin's family...including his 3 sisters and their families...it was very fun to spend time with everyone. Lincoln entertained the grown ups, while Avery played with her cousin Chloe and did a FANTASTIC job entertaining and playing with her little cousin Jack. Henry did his best to enjoy the day (while still having terribly painful ear infections). Merry Christmas!

Cousins!! Avery (5), Henry (10mo), Lincoln (3), Jack (2), Chloe (6) and Parker (4)

Kevin, his mom and dad, and three older sisters

Christmas morning

When Christmas morning came we couldn't wait to run upstairs and see if Santa found us at Grammy and Papa's...he DID!

Lipstick in her stocking :)

Christmas Eve and cookies for Santa

We stayed with my parents while in town and as tradition goes had our familly celebration on Christmas Eve, then went to early Christmas Eve church so that we were home in time to get to bed early and anxiously wait for Santa. Everybody had so much fun opening presents and spending time with each other...everyone except poor little Henry. He put on a brave face, but unfortunatley spent his first Christmas with double ear infections :( This was round number 5 for him since mid-September and when we could finally get into the doctor on the 26th we got the referral (finally) to see an ENT. Hopefully this Christmas will be the last round of ear infections for our little trooper!

Before its time for presents, we've got to have cookies ready for Santa! A few peanut butter blossoms to go with the milk and reindeer food!

Lincoln had no problem making sure he rolled his in PLENTY of sugar!

Henry spent a lot of time being held...poor baby :(

 

a little movie always helps us to wait patiently (notice my brother and Kevin jumped at the chance to watch something!)

Grammy's read the best stories and NEVER EVER are too busy to read!

 

my Christmas cuties!

 

 

SNOW in KC!

We were SO excited that it snowed just for us :) We were only in town for Christmas but got snow as an extra special treat!! So of course we had to play in it!

Avery especially loved skimming the ice layer off the top...for my girly-girl they were crystals of course!

Lincoln loved the snow this year and really got into snow angels!

time for hot chocolate!

Avery's program

She was so excited last week when it came time for her Christmas program at school. All of the Kindergarten classes and 1st graders performed together and then later in the the evening 2nd-5th had their songs, etc. Avery's class sang 4 songs and recited a Bible verse and they did a fabulous job!!! We had so much fun watching her and at the end Daddy surprised her with flowers.

Christmas the day after

Hundreds of dollars of new toys and what does my family do? Merry Christmas!

Lincoln's Christmas program

Last Thursday was Linc's program..he did a GREAT job! They sang three songs and recited a poem. He even got to use the microphone to announce one of the songs! Good job buddy!

getting ready...

all of the 2's class together

my buddy!

now for the real fun, Jesus's birthday party complete with Christmas cookies and juice!

let me have some!

no way brother, I'm still bigger than you!

(they LOVE to play togethr, and while this looks mean, Lincoln had just chased Henry down and crawled on top of him, and he was loving it and giggling like crazy! They are brothers, what can I say?)

long time...lots of pictures!

It's been a long time since my last post (especially with pictures) and I really need to do some catch up! All has been well with our family just busy, busy, busy. Everybody has Christmas programs and parties, gifts for teachers, not to mention getting our own family gifts purchased and ready to go. This will be our first "traveling" Christmas and I have mixed feelings about it. I traveled every year for Christmas when I was little and really enjoyed how extra special it made the holidays feel. But now, selfishly as a mom, I don't want to share my wonderful little guys! I want all the hugs, smiles, showing of gifts and wonders of Christmas to be all mine to soak up...who says I have to share with Grandparents?! But I also know how much my kids LOVE their grandparents, so I guess, for this year at least I will share.

We LOVE to dance to songs...Avery twirling in her Christmas dress!

Linclon needed one too :)

 

Henry just started walking, but still prefers to be holding on to something....so one of our new favorite games is "chase" around the dining room table

 

Even big sis is getting in on the action

making a "fort" on the couch

 

best kids in the WHOLE WORLD!