We Had Ourselves A Merry Little Christmas

We had an awesome Christmas this year. I love Christmas and seeing all of our family & friends at gatherings. We hope you had a good one too!

We went to see The Living Christmas Tree a couple of weeks ago. I love going to this.

Before the chaos ensued on Christmas morning:

Christmas Eve:

Christmas Day:

Christmas Parties, Gingerbread Houses & Santa's Village Oh My!!

The girls had their class Christmas parties this week. They both had so much fun at them and enjoyed exchanging gifts with their friends. Here are a few pictures from the parties.

We tried the Gingerbread House thing again this year. If you will remember last year's didn't hold up. Keep your fingers crossed, so far this one has lived for a day....

Last night we went ahead and ventured out to Santa's Village since it may have been the only decent night left to go before it closes. I love going here every year. It's just so precious. Check out Alyson thinking as she's writing her letter to Santa.

Let me brag on my little artist, Alyson. Is this not the cutest? (It was done on a paper bag, so it's not the clearest)

I'll have more pictures coming soon... :)

Schoooooool's Out For Christmas....

Monday night the whole fam rode with me to drop off my final English project. WooooHoooo. I was exempt from my math exam. Yay me!! So, should be A's for both classes.

After I dropped that off, we went to the Galaxy of Lights. It's so pretty and the kids love being able to unbuckle and sit up front with us. It was great family fun. (Alyson has strep throat-that's why she looks so sickly) She's better now!!

Here are some of my favorites:

Going-Ons

Wow, we have been so busy here lately, but I'm loving every minute of it!! I wanted to share some recent pictures.

Around the house:

My precious babies:

This was Bryson's first time at "Build-A-Bear":

The Girls' Christmas Book Party:

May I just say that I've got the most awesomest husband ever!! Last night Alyson was singing at the PTO meeting and what do you know, I had class, so I wasn't able to go. And, Santa was going to be there for pictures. He did so good getting them ready and even took pictures for me. I mean you know how stressful pictures with Santa can be, or any kind of pictures for that matter, especially with 3 kids. He said that Alyson did great and was singing REALLY loud. :) I think he did wonderfully.

Our Thanksgiving In Pictures

Our Guests For The Day (plus my daddy & brother-not pictured):

The kiddos:

After we were stuffed to the gills with our Thanksgiving feast we had to turn this:

into this (and decorate 4 other rooms):

And the finishing touch (she was the only one not scared to get up there, is anybody surprised?):

We had a great day, we hope you did too.

3 Years Ago Today...

...The doctors and nurses were coming into my hospital room after a week long stay to tell me "today was going to be the day". It was the day after Thanksgiving, and I was going to give birth, via c-section, 7 weeks early to my last baby, my only boy. My blood pressure was just getting extremely too high and was not being controlled. At around 2:30 that afternoon I was wheeled down the hall into the delivery room and moments later my son made his debut. They were saying he looked great but of course he would be going to the NICU because of his prematurity. Greg was amazing during this time while I was out of it. When I finally did make it down there to see my precious boy I distinctly remember how he hung on his Daddy's every word. Those little eyes followed Greg's voice everywhere. I so wanted a "momma's boy", but it looked like we had a "daddy's boy".

Those next two weeks that Bryson had to remain in the NICU were filled with tears, I missed my baby so much, trips to the hospital, exhaustion and unspeakable joy. I still tear up now just thinking about that time. It was so hard on all of us.

Then the day finally came and we were able to bring him home. We were so releived and thankful.

Well, we all see what a rambunctious, healthy toddler he is now!! Praise God!! They say he's under average on his height, but I blame Greg for that!! :) Happy Birthday Bryson!!

Bryson's Birthday Bash

We had Bryson's 3rd birthday party (sniff, sniff) on Saturday evening. I decided months ago that his party was going to be monkey themed. He's just a little monkey, always into everything, always jumping around, etc.

Throwin' Spider Man Webs in his new dress up outfit.


Cracking up with his new remote control hummer from Pop.

Here's the invitation, which I designed myself on Vista Print, pretty cute huh?

Front:

Inside:

I included these in the goody bags. They're magnets, aren't these the neatest little party favors? I also included a monkey spoon and fork set, monkey snack cup and barrell of monkeys game in the goody bags. I was going to make "monkey munch" to go in the bags too but ran out of time. Oh well.

Me, Greg & our big boy-what a great picture this would've been if Greg wasn't being an idiot!

Showing off his new "Pida Man" book bag.

Bryson with Uncle Jay

The boys: Christopher, Eli, Bryson & Camryn

Tonight Sabrina came over with just the cutest cookie idea. You take a sugar cookie and turn it into a turkey with candy corn, mini m&m's and icing. Please excuse my shirtless redneck daughter in this picture!!