Christmas Morning

Santa thought that someone was pretty good this year, so he brought a work bench, puzzles, books, an IPhone loaded with his favorite games (pretty identical to Mom's old one!), PlayDoh, and other stuff to go along with it. 

He's becoming more of a fan of the big guy in the red suit....even if he won't go anywhere near him!!

Playing with everything. His favorite is the drill. Only bad part is he wants to drill "new" holes every where. Oh dear!

In complete amazement.

He still had other presents to unwrap, but he couldn't seem to tear himself away from that work bench.

It was so fun getting to see the magic in his eyes this year. He is old enough to understand what is going on and what Christmas is really all about. 

It was a great year, and I can't wait for the next one!

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve was a pretty big day for us. It usually always is. We had Christmas with Bella that morning. I went to work for a little while for all of the last minute shoppers, and then we had Christmas at Brandie's house that night. The day started around 7:30 that morning and didn't end until Santa passed around 12:30 that night.

This was our Christmas Tree this year. 

Christmas with Bella

Thinking that even if this doesn't have his name he will still claim it....

Luckily for him, it was his!!!

Helping Daddy open his presents. They were both excited. (Even though all Cullen realized was there was Angry Birds on the cover!)

Bella was wonderful to us, as usual, and everyone got things they wanted....especially the train that someone picked out in the Pottery Barn Kids Magazine!! There weren't any pictures of Mom and I because we hadn't gotten ready for the day quite yet!

We headed to Aunt Brandies that night....

Cullen was really excited that Jackson got a present!!

He was also excited that Jordan got an IPod Touch.

My little Rudolph

The girls with their new animal hats. They are too cute!!

Of course...more presents!

30 weeks along!

The kids!!

Back row: Julien, Jordan, Katelyn, Jackson, and Trey

Front row: Cullen, Wyatt, Megan, and Katelyn

It was a lot of fun, and the kids had a blast. Thanks to everyone who had a part in spoiling my child rotten!!! Next up....Christmas morning!

Acadian Village

Amanda and I had the bright idea to take our 2 boys to Acadian Village to see all of the lights, Santa (really, to let Benton see Santa. Cullen hates the big guy!) and to do all of the fun stuff they have to do over there. We knew it would be a challenge, but we wanted to be the "good and fun mom's!" 

The night we chose was supposed to be freezing cold, and not that great of weather. We planned on getting there as soon as it opened to avoid all of the parking and entrance lines. 

The only part that panned out as planned was the getting there early!!

Waiting for the gates to open....the very rare time they were actually IN their strollers!

Attempting to take a picture, but they weren't having it!

This is what became of "lets put them in the strollers so they are able to ride and look!"

Benton wanted to dance instead...the boy has moves!

The peacock in lighting....one of the few decor pictures I took.

Benton wanted to walk and push his stroller like Cullen, but he was just little enough to fit under all of the ropes and go into the ponds!

"Just put me down Mom!"

Benton and Cullen in the picture spot....our quick and only attempt to get a good picture!

He would rather climb around all of the props

Our little elves

Cullen (L) Benton (R)

I gave Amanda the stroller (I had folded mine up and put it inside of hers to allow more free hands!) and took Benton from her. He had been fighting her for about 30 minutes and when I took him he just let me hold him while we walked. It was amazing....don't know why I didn't suggest that 25 minutes earlier!!

Benton was too little for the rides, but Cullen was extremely pumped to drive the train.

Climbing in.

"Come on...let's go!"

Every time he would pass he would make sure he looked at me and waved. He is getting used to me snapping pictures!!

We let Cullen ride twice and we headed out. The temperatures were pretty low, but Amanda and I were both sweating. It is hard work chasing a 3 year old and 1 year old around. 

We headed to eat with all intentions of "getting something really good," but we were so tired of fighting them in there that we didn't have the energy to go to a restaurant too. We went to Raisin Canes and then headed home....I looked back and found this...

It was definitely a fun night, but was nothing short of exhausting. We nominated Ryan and Brud for next years journey to Acadian Village with the boys. Amanda and I will head to that restaurant we inteded to go to this year and wait for them....they just don't know it yet! 

Thanksgiving 2011

We had Thanksgiving at my house again this year with my Mom, Uncles, and Grandma. 

Ryan was able to come home very early Thursday morning and he didn't have to leave until Sunday night, so that was great! We ate and watched football all day. 

Granny, Uncle Steve, Uncle Pat, and Mom cooking in the kitchen

Ryan, Cullen, and Granny holding down the living room.

Our spread. It was way to much food for 6 people, but it was oh, so good!!

My cousin Chris and his family stopped by after lunch to visit, and of course Cullen had to take them for a spin on the Gator. I am shocked he let anyone else drive, but they all got a chance....and they all survived!

Riley, Avery, and Cullen

Cullen broke out the bat and balls and they had their own little batting practice. It was funny, and they had so much fun. 

As soon as they would hit it  they would run their bases....in a straight line! It worked out though because it would give the next person time to get their bat in without them realizing they were taking turns!!

Emery couldn't bat, but she was able to tag them out as they ran along!!

Cullen had so much fun with them, and watched them drive away until he couldn't see their car anymore. He was sad because they left, and Riley was convinced Cullen was going to her house. I'm almost positive that the 3 girls were asleep before they got out of our driveway!

We watched 3 football games that day. 2 were NFL, and the last one was the Texas A&M vs. Texas last rivalry game. Texas A&M is moving to the SEC, so Texas has decided not to play in our annual tradition rivalry game anymore, so, as of right now, that was our last game. It was a good first half. The 3rd quarter was brutal, and the 4th quarter was way too stressful to watch!! We lost by 2 points, and basically due to penalties (some deserved and some undeserved) but thats ok. We are moving on now!!

I did have Ryan take all of the Christmas decorations out of the attic that morning because I was "putting it up THAT DAY!" I demanded that he not do a single thing until he got them all out of the attic for me. I usually would not have been so adament because I would have just done it myself, but being 6 1/2 months pregnant I wasn't able to do that! Needless to say....it didn't get started until the Sunday and wasn't finished until the Monday.

All in all it was a great 4 days, and I am so thankful for everything that we have. 

We are on to Christmas.......

Twins Birthday and Halloween 2011

Megan and Wyatt turned 7 on November 4th....yes, I feel that they are no older than 4 or 5!

They had a costume party for their party this year, and it was a lot of fun to see all of them dressed up with all of their friends!

Cullen ready for the party.

Shelbi, their cousin, as Snow White

Most of the party guests. They are in school now, so their friends are invited to their parties now....how did this happen? Where is their toddlerhood???

The birthday girl and boy

Halloween was on a Monday this year, so I was off and Cullen and I spent the day together. I had made this shirt to sell at the store and the one left was his size so I snagged it and he wore it for the day!

About to run errands....pumpkin in tow!

Georganna, Mike, Brandie, Bo, Me, Jordan, and the all of the kids all piled on a trailer and went trick or treating for a little while. They had so much fun!

Katelyn making sure that Cullen got to and from his destination!

The Whoopie Cushion (Jackson), Dirt bike rider (Julien), Butterfly(Adalie), Pirate(Cullen), Ninja (Wyatt), Cat (Megan), and the Devil (Katelyn)

We ran into Ryder Cormier, the astronaut, along our ride around!

Cullen and Mom on the ride....he had ditched parts of his costume by this point!

Adalie and Megan

Katelyn, Brandie, and Jordan

We all went to eat afterward. The adults ate, and the kids didn't because they "weren't hungry!" It was crazy because when we got to their bags to steal candy all the good stuff was gone.....wonder how that happened!?!?!?!?!

October 2011

It is hard to believe but not only has October come and gone...so has November!!  I can honestly say that I feel that if I am still in August!!

Anyway, Jordan is a freshman in high school this year and he played football. We went to all but one of his home games to support him. He did a great job, and I honestly couldn't be more proud of him for choosing a sport and giving it all he has. They actually did not lose a game all season, so I am really looking forward to watching their team grow over the next 3 years.....even if that means that I am actually facing the fact that my baby brother is in high school!!

He is #53, and he is in the middle of the field in this picture.

Watching defense play....

Uncle Jordan's #1 fan....and always scamming Pawpaw or Paran out of food and drinks!!

 At the beginning of October we headed to Gulfport/Biloxi, MS to meet Ryan. It was the annual Cruising on the Coast Rally. For those of you who do not know...that is a huge hot rod show that my husband has ALWAYS wanted to attend. We couldn't be there for the whole thing, but we got to go and see old cars....thats all he really cares about! 

We met after work on Friday night and headed out to the show on Saturday morning. We went to the auction and to the part where they have all different kinds of things for sale. There is a name for it....I just can't remember it. :-\   I had my camera but also had a 3 year old around very expensive antique cars that were for sale, so I didn't get many pictures at all. 

Like I said, we attended the auctino....WITHOUT a buyers paddle!! It was definitely interesting to witness a live auction and to watch people spend crazy amounts of money in the blink of an eye. Cullen wasn't extremely interested in it of course, and I was in charge of him while Daddy took it all in!

Looking at a Camaro....or drooling....i'm not sure which one.

We were walking through the auction beforehand and looking at all the cars and I was talking about how my Grandpa would have been so excited to be there as well. Especially if he could have checked out the red convertible mustangs.....as soon as I turned the corner this is what I saw....

Someones grandpa looking at a red convertible mustang.....My grandpa may be in heaven, but i'm pretty convinced he was in this showroom that day!!!

We headed back to the hotel later that afternoon and let Cullen swim in the indoor pool for a few hours that night. He was worn out....WE were worn out. The next morning we headed to the outlet mall, and I got some retail therapy in during boys weekend!!