An Early Christmas

The Saturday before Christmas, Aunt Stacey and (soon to be) Uncle Randy made the trip over for an early Christmas celebration.  And since Grandma and Grandpa Terry had flown in the afternoon before, we were able to have my whole family down for the day to celebrate Christmas a little early.  We hung out, I cooked a family dinner and then we exchanged gifts.  Jackson is pretty much obsessed with the gift they got him (a Russell Wilson jersey) and was so proud to wear it on gameday.  And since they kicked the crap out of San Fran, maybe it is good luck!  We will have him wear it from here on out just in case.

I'm so glad we had a day to hang out with all my immediate family members.  It was our first Christmas where we weren't all together so it made our early Christmas really special.  Thanks for making the trip over Aunt Stacey.  We love you!

Homemade lasagna for dinner

 

Audri's first present EVER!

 

 

December Fun



Thought I'd get a quick post in while the kids are napping and before I tackle cleaning the house some more. The day after Christmas always makes me want to have a panic attack so I'm trying to keep my OCD under control!

December has seriously been a blur (or maybe my whole life is) and jam packed with lots of memories and fun. The week before Christmas we did our second annual Christmas light tour with Jackson (Audri stayed with Nana & Papa). Same as last year.... special dinner at McDonald's and then we drove around and looked at the houses.

Dinner first...

 

 

 

And then we're off

 

 This was our favorite house again this year.  They do such a great job... it must take forever to assemble!

 

And no December would be complete without snow.  So happy it snowed before Christmas.  

 

 Dad's helper

 

 Snowball fight!

Eight Months

Miss Audri... another month has flown by.  For some reason the jump from seven to eight months seemed huge.  Maybe it's because you are growing like a weed or it could be because you are doing so many new things.  I'm not sure.  All I do know is that I love you so much baby girl and even though this last month has been full of sickness, you have been such a trooper.  Your smile has remained through the fevers, nose wiping and coughing.  And for the most part your appetite has remained too.  I've been amazed at how much you'll eat these days and you're doing great with your sippy cup. 

You love to sit and play with your toys especially anything that makes noise. Your brother is still your favorite and he makes you laugh everyday. Pulling off your socks (or shoes) provides you a great source of enjoyment and you know you're not supposed to do it (which is evidenced by the big grin you give me). When you get excited you twirl both your ankles at once and it is fast. It amazes me because I sure as heck can't do it and especially not as fast as you can.

Your latest trick is clapping and you'll clap on cue or when you watch your brother and Dad play. Drooling is still a big issue for you as your two top front teeth have poked through. I can't wait to see what you look like when they fully come in. And my favorite first... your first "word." So proud to say it is ma-ma. Yep, you took after your brother and said ma-ma first. :) You'll also say ba-ba occasionally. Your Dad is really working on da-da with you. We'll see how long that takes.

Happy eight months to you little miss. We so enjoy every single day with you.

 

First Apple Cup

Another late post. :)  Here is my little Husky.  Too bad they couldn't pull out a W this year in the Apple Cup.

Tree Time

Well, once again I'm behind.  I feel like it is the story of my life these days... there has just been so much going on.  Tis the season right?!  And add constant sickness on top of it and I'm struggling just to keep up with everyday life.  The kids were nice enough to pass on their first colds and then before I was able to recover from that one, I was hit with their current sickness which includes a nasty cough.  Poor Audri has had coughing fits the last four nights and if she has more tonight, we are making a trip to the doc tomorrow.  :(  This might be a long winter!

Anyway, this post is way overdue as we actually decorated for Christmas the weekend before Thanksgiving (another side effect of BJ's hunting trip).  But I just couldn't bring myself to post the pics before Thanksgiving so they just sat on my camera card until now.  Jackson pretty much put on every ornament this year (with a little guidance) and I only had to rearrange a few. :)  He had fun and Audri had fun watching (I'm kind of thankful she isn't mobile yet because I think the tree would be a magnet).  Now I just need to get wrapping so we have some presents to go under it!   

Our Very Own Thanksgiving

 

This year, we made a last minute decision to stay home with the kiddos and brave my first ever Thanksgiving dinner. It was BJ's last full day with us prior to his hunting trip so it was great to spend the day together and I have to admit, it was really fun to finally get the chance to cook my own turkey.

The day started off great. Jacksie and I did one of our favorite things... cook banana bread together. 

 

 

 

 

Then it was time to prep and stuff the turkey. Let the games begin. :)

 

 

 

 

 

And that is pretty much where my pictures end as far as our dinner. By the time dinner was ready, miss Audri was running her first ever temp and coming down with a nasty bug. But for the most part everything turned out ok other than the rolls that were a little crispy on bottom. :) I feel like I learned a lot and I can't wait to try it again. And, I loved spending the day as a family of four. We have a lot to be thankful for.

 

My Heart is Full

After the kids woke up from their naps yesterday afternoon, they both sat in the chair in Audri's room.

Jackson: "Mom, take our picture."
Me: "Ok, look at Mama."
Jackson: "Mom, I just love baby sis (holding her hand)."

He can be such a stinker sometimes and then other times, he just melts me.