Christmas 2011

Christmas this year was so much fun! Taylor is the perfcect age! We celebrated this year at home since I am so close to having Tyson. We didn't want to chance getting away from home and going into labor. We did alot of crafts, went to the tree farm, dropped our letters to santa in the BIG box downtown, and built a gingerbread house. Here are a few pics of that and then some of the kids playing...or sleeping, with there christmas toys.

Trent turns 6

I will start out by saying that I can't believe we are here. Six years, seems like we have been here for a lifetime, and yet still feels like yesterday we welcomed this awesome little boy into this huge world. He means the world to us and I look back alot at all the milestones that he has accomplished. Just pure amazing!

This year Trent decided he wanted to have an Incredible Hulk party. No big deal. WRONG!! I searched all party stores and any other stores that may possibly have the decorations. They didn't have them, and since I waited too long to place the order online, we were out of luck. Next up, Captain America! So I run to Wal-Mart, buy the party supplies. All except the for the piniata, which they didn't have. I thought, no big deal, I will just get  that over at the party store. WRONG!! They are discontinuing those party supplies! The piniata and pizza were the main things Trent wanted for the party! So I convinced him that we could do a batman piniata, and have a super hero party!

When the day was finished, he was thrilled. We had friends and family, pizza, cake, party bags, and we made a Captain America shield. Finally we broke the piniata and everyone was happy.

Halloween Weekend and Trick or Treating

On the Friday before Halloween, Trent had his Halloween party at school and I went to help. The kids made crafts, painted their pumpkins, and decorated cookies. It was really cute watching them all work together to do things. I think Trent was happy I got to come and help out.

That night the kids and I went to our moms group Halloween party. They really had a good time. They made crafts, played games, and just loved being with all the other kids. The moms did such a good job putting this one on!

Trent had school on Halloween so when he got out, we made Halloween cookies from scratch and Trent decorated them. I won't be doing that again. The Betty Crocker mix is just as good. Maybe it had something to do with the fact I totally over cooked them;-). But the kids don't even want them. LOL! At least he had fun making them! We made mummy dogs and homemade mac n cheese for dinner. The kids loved that. 

Dan had to work but he did manage to get off a little early. We headed out about 6:30. Taylor was LOVING IT. Trent saw many kids he went to school with. Once the sun dropped it got pretty chilly so we headed back in. Trent was excited to do so because we told him he could pass out treats at home. We topped the night off with eating some treats, and watching scared shrekless. Hope you all enjoyed your spooky night!    

Trent's first field trip

I went on Trent's first field trip with him yesterday! We went to Beasley's Apple Orchard for a hayride and pumpkins. All the kids got to pick a pie pumpkin to take back to school and they will decorate it at the fall party Friday. I think he was more excited to ride the bus than going to the patch. While he was there, they also got to have fresh cider, and eat a cookie. It was really cute!!!

 too much sun

 waiting for the bus

our group

Zoo Boo

We went on our annual zoo boo trip Friday! We went with the Campton's, but daddy had to sit this one out because he was sick. For those of you that don't know, they decorate the zoo for Halloween, and you get to trick or treat throughout the zoo. Taylor enjoyed the animals, but most of all, she loved the train ride!! At the end of the day, Trent and Madison decorated cookie, and got to play a few games. Here are a few of the pics that we got of the kids.

 hanging out

 the colt's player, cheerleader, fairy, and the Hulk

 choo choo

 pumpkin bowling

obstacle course

Let's carve some pumpkins

 In the past we have made 3 trips to the pumkin patch, bought pumpkins, and paid by the pound for them. This year, we went to our annual pumpkin patch visit with nana, took daddy along, and got small pumpkins to decorate (stick decorations in). Then, on Thursday, we drove 5 minutes to walmart, bought 3 very large pumpkins for $2.99 each, brought them home and carved them!!We saved a bundle and everyone was happy! This was Taylor's first year getting to carve with us, and she just kept saying "EWWEEE" and "YUCK". LOL!! 

This is a family tradition. You know, the kind of thing that you do every year. No matter what the weather is, how old or young you are, that you and your kids will remember for the rest of your lives. It makes me so happy when at bedtime for the last 2 weeks, Trent's book of choice has been "Fall Fun 2010", a scrapbook that I made last year for them that had all the things we went to and did. I hope to make another one this year! I just think that people get so caught up in everyday life, that sometimes they let go of their memories and they are so busy that the day or time slips away. Whether it be making time for family in this busy world, or even as simple as reading a Christmas book to your kids on Christmas Eve, I hope that this will inspire you to start new traditions, or maybe pick up some old ones that you had when you were little. Just another reason the word FAMILY means so much.

 

Taylor Turns 2

It is just unreal that our baby girl is 2! First of all I have to send out a thank you to Nannie for making her outfit, and Miss Katie for doing her hair bow!! I asked, and received just what I had expected!! We celebrated her special day by having a family party. We ate lunch, had some very yummy cake, played outside, and opened presents. She loved opening presents this year. Since all of our family lives other places, I also have to thank each and every one of them for coming so far.

I took Taylor last week for her well check and she is doing great. She weighs 28 pounds, and is 35 inches tall. She loved the doc this time, which was opposite of her 18 month check up. She did get her flu shot, which she yelled out when they stuck her, but then she was fine! We have been having some sleeping issues lately.  Both of my kids were sleeping through the night at about 8 weeks, and would wake up at night when they cut teeth. She is waking up at night and not wanting to go back to sleep. Some mornings, like 4:30am. Not cool, since she screams louder than ever (this is also new;-) I am trying to cut back her naps (she still takes anywhere from 3-4 hr. naps) Just pray this helps.

She still loves shoes, purses, and jewelery. She is a daddy's girl, loves to look at pictures, and have her nails painted!! She talks constantly and repeats EVERYTHING she hears. Most generally, she is happy! But Dan and I both say, "when she's bad, she's BAD." Girls are definitely different than boys. I have no idea the reasoning, but anyone that tells you different.......IT'S A LIE!! ha ha. She is a precious gift however, and we will deal with whatever she gives us!!