Happy Birthday Jesus

This year I decided to start a tradition of trying to remember what Christmas is really about as a Christian. We have been attending a new church and I really love it. I think in the past 6 months I have really become much closer to God and I feel like the gift I am giving my children is the most precious of all gifts. Maddie came home and told me about Jesus. She said it was his birthday and he needed a party. So we did just that. Aunt Tonya and Maddie decorated the cake. In case you don't know Jesus loves sprinkles per Maddie. What is a birthday party without a candle? We sang Happy Birthday and had a great time. I know that Jesus was watching us and I feel so happy that we shared that time with him.

This is a hard time of year for our family. We lost a brother and a cousin on New years eve many years ago. I think that knowing that there is a place after this place ( A much better place) is such a sense of peace and hope. I don't know why bad things happen but I do know that there is a God and there is a reason. It is nice to truly know that my brother is in heaven probably playing Rambo (his favorite character) with all the other angels. Merry Christmas everyone and may this next year bring you lots of joy and happiness.

Christmas at Grandmas

We had a really good time at Grandma and Papaw's house. Maddie got the biggest doll house I have ever seen. She loved it and will love it even more when we find a way to get it home. Papaw spent hours working on this house. It is custom re enforced and ready for years of fun. Everyone had a great time.

Grey was as happy as could be with a simple little ball. Maybe he will have his dads love of sports.
Oh boy, he is on the move now. Officially crawling everywhere. It happens so fast. He is pulling up and trying to stand everywhere. Watch out world here he comes.

Christmas Morning

Christmas morning was so much fun. We let Grey wake up Maddie who decided to sleep in. Those of you that really know me will know that that waiting on Christmas is one of the hardest things for me. Grey had a great time. Maddie had wanted this cat for a long time. I hadn't planned on getting it for her as her wants seem to come and go daily. However a few days before Christmas she said " Mommy what if Santa forgets? Do you think he will remember?" Well as you can see he did and Santa went to 4 stores on the night before Christmas to find this cat.
Maddie and Daddy got Mommy a waffle iron. Daddy surprised us by making them himself. He was so cute. He followed directions and they turned out great. I think it is the first thing he has made in the 15 years we have been together.

Christmas Eve

I really like Christmas. It is such a fun and happy time. OK it is a little stressful and full of running around and buying too many things we don't need. But in truth it is such a wonderful time to be close to the ones you love and remember what the season is all about.
We had fun making a gingerbread house.
Our tradition is to open one present on Christmas eve. Maddie choose a gift from aunt Megan. Daddy put it together and both of the kids had a great time playing in the tunnels.
Maddie and I made cookies for Santa. Maddie wanted to make sure that the reindeer had a snack too. It is such a magical time for kids. I sometimes wish that we could keep some of that make believe world just a little longer.
Maddie and Daddy peaking out of yet another tent.

Nutcracker

We had a very fun filled week with some upsets and some wonderful experiences. First Maddie had her performance of the nutcracker. She was a ginger baby and she did amazing. Dad and mom were a mess and so nervous for her. She came out on stage in front of hundreds of people and did all the right things. She was so cute, looking out in the audience for us. We were so proud and happy for her. Maddie and Erin. They are so cute together always hugging.
This was the whole group of babies. They were so excited. It was a very long day but they held up well. Maddie was the youngest person in the show.
Erin and Maddie playing.
We had a great time watching her but we were a little sad because our very special Aunt Marcia flew in all the way from Denver to see the show and a few hours after getting here she broke her leg and was hurt pretty bad. She was such a good sport and still went to the performance even in all of her pain. She is so special to us and we love her so much. I don't think many people would have made it. She is the glue of our entire family and I know she will soon be back on her feet. We love you Aunt Marcia......

Picture Day

Yeah, we finally got it together to get our pictures done. Believe me that is a feat. All dressed in matching outfits without any visible spots, stains or spit up. We were glad that the kids were well behaved. Hope you enjoy them.
Maddie is doing a pose here.
One of my favorites. Grey thinks his Daddy hung the moon right now. It is very cute to watch.
My sweet babies. I can't believe they are mine sometimes. What a blessing they are!!!

Maddie's Christmas Party

I think this is one of the sweetest pictures. Grey sat with Santa and just stared at him the whole time. He held on to his beard tight. This Santa was so great that I told Joey that "I believed" We were so proud of Maddie. She has never sat with Santa before. Ok when she was little I made her while she was screaming and crying. I know I will have to pay for the therapy for many years I am sure. She told Santa that she wanted a Game to learn her letters. I don't know what that might be but I sure hope Santa does.
Maddie sang with her class and did such a great job. She surprises me all the time. She was very good and very fun to watch.

I know more Mexico

We went to a parade in celebration of Our Lady of Guadalupe. They celebrate for 12 days and it was very fun to see the culture all around us. This picture looks fake. I was trying to get some Christmas pictures but my son only wanted to eat the sand.
Ok I am a really bad mom. We ordered Maddie a virgin Daiquiri and when it arrived we just handed it to Maddie. She took a few drinks and then Lisa took a little taste and freaked out. It was filled with the bad stuff. Thankfully Maddie wasn't crazy about it and only had a few sips. So the morale of my story is try the drinks in a foreign country before giving them to your most precious little girl or boy.....
I don't think that Kevin knew that Lisa would lose her heart to another male in Mexico. Grey loves her and didn't even mind that she kissed him 976 times and that is per day!!!!
Still hanging that tongue out!

More Mexico

Maddie and Grey had a great week with Daddy. They miss him so much in the summer time and they really thrived with all of his attention. "We love you Daddy" Grey was sitting up just like a big boy.
We were so lucky to have our friends Kevin and Lisa with us on our trip. We haven't had a lot of time with each other over the years but we have stayed very close. I know I couldn't have done this trip without Lisa. She is such a caring and loving person. She took care of my babies all week and let me have some one on one with each of them. Thank you Lisa!!!!

The donkey was still there this year. Maddie loves this part.

Mexico

We were so lucky to go to Puerto Villarta again this year. Joey plays in a golf tournament and we get to play all day. We needed a break from the stress of everyday "grown up" life and we had a great time. My boy loved the sand and loved eating it even more. We had more than one sand filled diaper. (yuk)
Maddie had her hair braided again this year. We found the same lady that did it last year. Maddie is such a good girl. She let the lady work without a peep.
We went to Walmart and Grey fell asleep. This was an experience. Whenever someone walked by him they would touch him and say in Spanish "Child of God" I wasn't offended at all. It was a very neat thing to see so many people wanting to touch him. I know I think he is filled with good fortune.
Joey took Grey out swimming. Grey did really well in the pool. Maddie is a fish and Grey is just getting his fins.

Mexico

Hello everyone, we are in Mexico right now enjoying the beach. Just a quick update I will post some pictures this weekend. Hope everyone is doing well. It is hard to be without a phone for me. $4.60 per minute here. Watch for new posts soon.

Sweet Neil

We had a very hard day. We lost our cousin Neil at the young age of 5. Were not sure what happened only that God seemed to think it best to take him home. Please say a little prayer for my family. I can't imagine losing a child. I have often wondered why such bad things happen to such innocent people. I don't think anyone knows the answer to that. Thanks to everyone who has helped us through this tough time.

Hug your loved ones

We had a really bad scare yesterday. On the way home we were in a car accident. A car came into our lane and hit us pretty hard. My cousin Damon was driving and by the grace of God he held the wheel and avoided a roll over. I had one of the most awakening moments in my life at that moment. As we were being hit I stared at Maddie who just looked up with sweet trusting eyes. Everyone was ok physically but I think emotionally it is going to take a while. In those few moments of uncertainty I was so afraid that something was going to happen to my children, or to one of us adults. I am so thankfull that we were all ok and I just wanted to share this with you as a reminder that our lives are so precious and uncertain. Hug your babies every chance you get. Take a moment to tell your husband or wife that they are important to you. I don't want to sound like a Hallmark card but maybe that isn't so bad. I just want people to remember that everyday we have with each other is a gift.

Happy Thanksgiving

We all met at Aunt Vicki and Uncle Steve's house for Thanksgiving. It was really fun to see everyone this year. We had a great time and Aunt Marcia bought me a tofurkey and that was such a great treat. Aunt Marcia held Grey for a long time. He has a way of capturing your heart with one look in those baby blues.
Man the kids had a great time. Maddie and her cousin played for hours. They even missed dinner due to so much playing. We thought they would eat when they were done so we just let them play.
Grey and Cousin Derek. He is engaged now so maybe this was a little practice for the long awaited Cook heir:)
We had a great family vacation and a nice visit with family.

Snow Snow Snow

Maddie had her first real snow play. She was so excited and wanted to stay outside for hours. We played chase and Daddy and Maddie made dinasour tracks and hunted humans. I forgot how much fun snow could be and how good it felt to warm up afterwards.