Red Shoe Love

Kaden needed new basketball shoes, so we loaded up and headed off to the shoe store. As we combed through all of the shoes, I turned around to see Rylie holding a pair of red shoes. I knew by the look on her face it was over... she was in love {and i can't say that i wasn't}. They were adorable, and very festive. So lucky for us, it was a buy one~get one half~off day! Yay for us!! Since the day they came home they have rarely left Ry-bugs tootsies...

Finally she ditched them to do some slidin'...

and some jumpin'...

And this picture is classic Parke. Two different shoes on his feet, basketball shorts with his church shirt, and his 'shooting gun' {as he calls it} in hand. He is probably yelling out something like, "I'n gonna shop(chop) your head off!" Seriously, I know. I don't know where he comes up with this stuff. What can I say, the boy is all boy! Don't know if I'm going to survive him, but I love him that way.

Christmas 2010

It was an early kick-off! Our bed was filled with kiddo's around 5:30, and by 6 we realized that there was no turnin' back. We woke up the babiest one, and scoped out Santa's work...

Yep, he came all right... and spoiled us rotten.
The bean bags were a big hit...

Rylie got a new baby doll that you can style her hair. Kaden was so excited about his Lego police station, and Parke was super pumped about his new jersey! That boy sure does love his "bassebaw jersy's!"

Then it was time for that birthday boy of ours to open a few presents...

Once we finished opening presents, and cleared a bit of the wrapping so as to see the floor again, we sat back and enjoyed some of our new toys... Parker was so excited about his new train set. He just kept saying, "I'n so happy Santa brought me this new train." He is so precious right now. All of the kids were fully satisfied.

And what do ya know, those crazy reindeer left another mess on our front steps...

Koda was so excited about his new bone... and we were so excited that Santa was a doll and got him a new name tag! {in case the little stink gets lost again}

Then we spiffed up a bit, and headed up to Mimi & Papa's for a little brunch. They had their traditional pumpkin pancakes w/cinnamon syrup, quiche, and Christmas morning casserole... so yummy!

Then we exchanged gifts, and were once again spoiled rotten... thanks Mimi & Papa! I love the look on Parke's face when he saw another piece of his new train set... priceless!

Chloe was hilarious with these Zhu Zhu pet hamsters... she wasn't quite sure what to think! We only had two hair mishaps with the hamsters... not bad.

The morning was a little somber because my sweetie of a Grandma couldn't be with us. She fell the week before, and wasn't feeling up to coming over. We sure did miss her, but we went to see her and give her a Christmas love.

{sorry she looks a little rough}

Afterwards, we headed off to see Gramy & Papa. Nic got called in to work,{darn it!} but it couldn't have been better timing. Parker fell asleep and I got to sit on the couch for 2 hours~ count em,' 2 hours! and snuggle my baby. Best. Thing. Ever! Nic made it back in time for dinner, and then we exchanged gifts...

What can I say... spoiled! Thanks Gramy & Papa!

Then we all gathered around the birthday boy for some singing! Honey, we are really growing up~ aren't we. I'm not quite sure about it... but I hope you had a happy day! And you know how much you are loved and adored!!

Happy 32nd Nicholas!

And a Merry Christmas to all!!

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve this year began with cookie dough...and bed head. Parker was a huge help {wink, wink}. We baked up lovely Christmas shapes in preparation for our big 'Cookie Decorating Party' at Candace's... I learned a fun new trick this year, thanks to the ever-s0-clever bakerella. Who'd a thunk to turn an ice~cream~cone cookie upside~down and make them into little elves and Santa's. Very clever indeed, but you have to see hers...they are too cute for words.

Once our cookies were baked up, we headed off to join our cousins for some serious decorating. The kids each made a very special cookie for Mimi & Papa to take home...{i wouldn't eat those if I were you:)}
It was pretty cute to watch all of them hard at work... some frosting for the cookie...and a little for the taste buds...
Mimi & Papa...{Papa was a little nervous, because he was about to venture out 'Santa Style' and make a few stops...I love that you do that Dad.}

Cassie and Dax... next year Dax, next year...

Usually on Christmas Eve we are making the rounds, and running crazy. This year we found ourselves with a quiet night at home. It was kinda nice. Santa had left the kids some really fun messages in Mommy's inbox, which got them all hopped up and ready for bed at around 6:30. We put cookies out, read our Christmas story, and Rylie sprinkled the yard with her special 'Reindeer Mixture' that she made at school... a guarantee that those reindeer would find us! How could they resist {sprinkles and oatmeal}?

Can you see how excited she was?

Then it was off to slumber land for our little tots...

Kaden was so darn excited that he could not get to sleep. So I put him in our bed{there is something about our bed that works every time}, read 'The Quiltmaker's Gift' {which I highly recommend by the way}, and snuggled him till we were both fast asleep. Nic had to come stir me out of my perfect slumber...nuts!

And Santa came quietly that night, and gobbled up his cookies, and drank all of his milk...

And snuck gifts under our tree...

Feliz Navidad!

Our Christmas Eve Eve party at my parents took on more of a Feliz Navidad! feel with all of the yummy Mexican food. Mimi had put out quite a spread, and it was all delicious. I stuffed myself to the brim! Then somewhere in her travels she came across this red velvet cheesecake from the Cheesecake Factory for Nicholas' birthday cake... oh my. It was so naughty, and so good!

I have a pretty big crush on that birthday boy!

{I don't know which looks better right now though, him or that cheesecake?!}
Then, as per tradition... Papa read 'Twas the Night Before Christmas' {even though it was the night before~the night before Christmas...you get the idea} to us all.

Candace indulging in her little sweetness, Krew...he is so precious.

I just love this picture of my Dad...

After our story, we were all spoiled with a shiny new pair of pj's. It was really awesome until Rylie made me cut~yes, cut! the feet out of her darling new pajama's!! I was dying {as was my mother, I'm sure} but thank you Mimi for being a good sport about it! It was a great party. Next year I think we should expand to some maracas and singing!

Thanks for everything and Feliz Navidad!!

Our Home at Christmas...

Is actually quite chaotic. There are a million and one things that need to be done. There is the house that needs to be decked from top to bottom with our finest holiday treasures. Gifts to be thought out, bought, and wrapped. Parties to attend, old friends to catch up with, and memories to be made. There are Christmas cards to send off, lights to see, goodies to make, and letters for Santa to write. There are sweet Christmas stories to be read, love and charity to share, and the true meaning of Christmas taught to our children. Through the hustle and bustle, we found a few quiet moments to sit back and really feel that sweet Christmas spirit that fills our home with warmth and love... and the smell of fresh citrus...

My favorite Christmas ornament...

The advent calendar
{or the 'candy house' as Parker calls it}

Our Christmas elf who watches over us...

Hope you all have a very Merry Christmas!

Friendly Christmas Party

Merry Christmas friends. I had such a wonderful time with you! The best part was that we didn't have to lift a finger~yay! for us. And I went home with lots of yummy and fun new treasures {hope you all enjoy your cookie dough scoops!} Thanks for everything!{p.s. no i do not have any announcements to make... just a poor choice of shirt. And pose I guess:)}

Christmas Goodies

What is it about the holidays that makes me crave sugar, and chocolate, and anything naughty...

Every year we have a whole day set aside that we do nothing but bake, and frost, and enjoy yummy goodies...
While I was piping away, Rylie says, "Look! Mom, it's a heart." And I looked up to see this...

She is an angel girl.

Fudge, red velvet cupcakes, holly wreaths, carmel's, and turtles... that was about as far as we got before I was plum tuckered out!

And of course, goodies are always sweeter when you share them...

I think I've eaten enough sugar to last me through 2011!! Yipes.