Preparing For Christmas

Everyone talks about how wonderful Christmas becomes once you have children. They must be talking about children that understand the magic of Christmas. We tried to start some traditions this year but I'll be honest in saying many of them are just for the photo op or the "we've been doing this since you were 6 months old" because they are never going to remember this! We did have a lot of fun dressing them up and taking them out.

Gigi did a mini photo shoot of the elves! I am especially thankful because I don't have any pictures of the kids in front of our tree... want to know why? We'll because the gorgeous tree we treked up to Asheville to select and chop down never made it inside our house! We have an artificial "pretty" tree upstairs that houses all of our "pretty" and coordinating ornaments. The basement tree has always been a live tree decorated with all of our meaningful ornaments. I took Jay forever to unbundle the tree from the trip home and then a while longer to cut the bottom to fit in the stand and then it just sat in the garage. Poor tree. I kind of feel like his life was cut short in vain. Anyway I pretty much felt like a bad mom everytime we walked outside and saw the naked tree standing there. I have no pictures of my children decorating their first Christmas tree... better luck next year.

I love this picture and feel like Holden will be doing this while Emma Cate babbles for years to come!

Elf feet are pretty darn cute!

My mom also did a mini photo shoot with some Christmas outfits!

love these bibs!

I'm going to eat you brother!

Who does love a fancy-pants covered tush!

My handsome guy

These toys with the holes cut out are the best. I get a kick out of watching the babies try to stick their tongues through the holes.

My little naked guy getting ready for the bath

We decided one evening to meet Daddy downtown to listen to the bears sing. They set these bears up in Founder's Hall every December and they sing and "dance" to Christmas tunes. Many families come down to see the bears and there were lots of kids dancing around in front. My sister works in this building and said that whenever she comes down for lunch in December the place is packed with little kids meeting their Daddies downtown and dancing to the bears. What a sweet tradition! Thanks to my whole family for meeting us!

December Part 2

The last week before school got out was a little random... still I have some pictures to share!

This is what Emma Cate does for tummy time. See the arms out to the side. I wonder how she will ever crawl!? Did any of your children do this?

My dad wanted to get my mom a build-a-bear for Christmas. We thought it was kind of a silly idea but she loved it. Guess he does know her pretty well! Allie and I went to make it for her and had fun choosing a wardrobe and washing the bear. His name is Beary by the way!

Jay's mom wanted to include the twins in her Christmas card this year. Unfortunately, it was dark when we had time to take the picture and they didn't turn out super great but still a fun shot with Gran and her little elves!

Our favorite thing to do on Saturday mornings is to bring the babies into our room and feed them their first bottle of the day in bed. We normally lay around and play until they go down for their morning nap. I looked at these pictures and noticed how crazy skinny my son is and decided to up the ounces in bottle. We'll see what the pediatrician says!

Really Emma Cate?

*the paci is kind of a joke in our house. My children only like the NUK (the cheap) pacis. The only place I can find them is Walmart. The latest colors for girls- camo....

December Part 1

I've gotten way behind in blogging for a few reasons...
1. I haven't been at work. When I'm at work I pump in front of the computer and it is peaceful and no one interrupts me. I get a lot done.
2. Prior to Christmas, my priority was getting everyone a Christmas present. Unfortunately, I had some issues with my shipping address and presents got send back and I spent lots of time on the phone trying to get them back.
3. I've been enjoying the holidays with my family and not my computer.

But I'm back so here we go:

In December, the twins spent their first night in a hotel!

My high school cheer team competed at the State competition. It was my first time taking them to this competition and I was really proud they placed 7th out of 21 teams. Our squad is all sophomores and freshman with one junior and no seniors. They did so well competing as a varsity squad. The babies came along and cheered for the girls! I love this team and their parents and all the help they give me with the babies. Big thanks to my mom for coming with us and watching the babies as well as making their CCHS Cougar shirts!

The following morning, we were asked to light the advent candle at church. The babies did a great job and went to the nursery for the first time! Of course I had to document.

That evening we went on a "sleigh ride" through my mom's neighborhood! They load up a big wagon and the horses take you through the neighborhood to sing carols and look at Christmas lights. We had such a good time!