Don't Miss A Cranky Night With Us



So...Actually only Logan is cranky tonight...the lack of our usual routine is really starting to get to him!  Gavin has been a trooper(thank goodness).  I love that we get to see so much family but I honestly can't wait for think to get back to normal.  I also can't even remember what the above pictured breakdown was about.  Bad Mommy!

60 degrees in December!

This week we have had some exceptionally warm days.

Thank the Lord because mommy was about ready to go crazy stuck inside.

We have been keeping Colby because Nana went to visit Aunt Kristin.  He has enjoyed the nice weather too!

Logan couldn't understand why I would not put water in his pool and let him swim...

I think we are gonna have to get a bigger pool next year!

Trying to Catch the Dimple

Gavin has been smiling and giggling.  I have been trying so hard to catch his big dimply smile on camera but as soon as the camera comes out, the smile disappears!  One of these days...

Good Friends From Far Away

Today our good friends the Henderson's came over to play. Bonnie and I used to work together at the nursing home when I was in nursing school, then again at SBAMH when I worked there 4 years ago.  Her kiddos are 3 and 1.  She moved to Florida 3 years ago because her husband is Airforce and is stationed there.  We went and stayed with them for about a week a few months before we got pregnant with Logan.  I miss her dearly but life is simply to busy to keep up!  They were back in KS visiting for the holidays then will soon be deploying.  It will be several years before we see them again.  The kids had a great time playing and the mommies had some good catch-up time!

Christmas 2011 Part Vl {Nana's House}

Well....lets just say that by the time we got to Mom's house Christmas Day Evening Logan was anything but in a good mood.  After three days of not getting scheduled or full naps and being drug all over the place he was a HOLY FREAKIN TERROR.  In case you are reading this when you are older Logan, we love you so much and we recognize that your behavior was soley based on pure exhaustion and lack of sleep.

Logan couldn't even open all his gifts he was so tired.  I felt even worse for Grandma and Grandpa Newman and Steve.  Mom would try to talk to or redirect him which would end up in even more screaming and wailing.  After two spankings(who wants to spank their kids any day, let alone on Christmas?)  he finally straightened up enough to get through the visit.  He did get some awesome Thomas tracks from Nana though!

I am so thankful we have so many who love us...but I was SO thankful to be home and done for the evening!

Christmas 2011 Part V {Papa's House}

After the kids were done opening gifts and eating breakfast with us, we went over to my dad's house.  This year instead of having yet another place to travel to, Granda Wilma and Grandpa Kenney came to dad's house on Christmas day.  My dad went all out!  He fixed a turkey dinner, complete will all the sides all by himself.  Don't get me wrong, my dad is not completely inept in the kitchen, but this was definitely more than I have ever seen him do.  And, it was YUMMY!

My cousins Kendra and Brandon were there too.  Brandon was home on leave from the armed forces.  He is starting to get so bulky and big.  He reminds me so much of my Uncle Korey.  The boys got more fun gifts and this was an easy Christmas for us as my dad was one of the only people on my list who would tell me what they wanted!

Christmas 2011 Part 4 {Christmas Morning}

Over the past couple of years we have struggled with our own family Christmas tradition.  Between wanting to wait until Christopher comes home from his mom's, the divorce of my own parents and life in general we haven't really established any tradition of our own.  We decided this year was a good year to start!

The boys slept until almost 7:30.  Then we got up and opened gifts(we opted not to make Logan wait on Christopher).  Grandma Lori came to watch the fun and Aunt Kate was there too since she stayed the weekend with us.  In addition to gifts, I decided to start buying the boys each an ornament every year.  I have to admit, aside from Gavin's stocking we really didn't buy him much.  We did the same thing for Logan the first year.  Honestly, my boys are so spoiled at the other 8 Christmas get togethers that they open gifts at, that it's difficult to find things to buy them!

We fixed breakfast, complete with yummy homemade(ok, so maybe not!) by Wal-Mart cinnnamon rolls bacon and eggs.

So, my house looks like Christmas has just puked all over it...toys, wrapping paper, stocking stuffers and half put away decorations litter the floor.  I'm feeling a little bit guilty that I get to go to work tomorrow and Steve will be left with the chaos!

We had a great Christmas morning, hope you did too!

Christmas 2011 Part III {Newmans}

We celebrated Christmas with the Newman side of the family as well...it just wasn't quite the same.  Sofi and AJ were greatly missed.  I always miss AJ but he and Graham were always the comedy routine that kept this side of the family in check.   I was a little cranky because it was way past nap time and so were the boys.  Always good to see and love on family and little ones.

Christmas Eve, Early Present Opening

Logan was soooo excited about Christmas that we had to let him open a gift early...he loved it as you can tell!

The Night Before Christmas

'Twas the night before Christmas and all through the home,
Thomas the Train had taken over, toy engines did roam.
the stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
this year we made another addition, Gavin's name was there!

The children were snuggled, but not in their beds.
Gavin with Aunt Kate on the couch, Logan with mommy who read.
With daddy in his pajama pants, mommy covered in baby puke
Gavin and Logan were Christmas jammies and were oh so too cute!

Then out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
the darn neighbors were fighting, someones drink splattered.
Why must the white trash have invaded our happy block?
Sometimes we wonder when the madness will stop.

Mr. moon was a-shining all white and all round.
The temperature was seasonably warm, no snow on the ground!
Two thousand eleven, another year has flown by.
Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!

Christmas 2011 Part II (Great Grandma Howell}

Tonight was the Howell Christmas.  The two little boys pictured about with Logan are two months older and two months younger than Logan.  Three two year olds!!! They were quite the entertainment.  Our 5 generation picture was a hit again, just not with Logan apparently.  The car ride home was anything but enjoyable.  And so starts the Christmas weekend!

December 20, 2011

We are busy, busy, busy getting ready for Christmas.  I work Mon-Thurs then off the whole weekend so it is really dragging out the week.  Two gifts are all I have left to buy...has to be a record to have shopping done this early.  The boys are both well, can't ask for much better than that!

Christmas 2011 {Taylors}



The Christmas season is officially upon us!  We went to our first of many family get togethers today with Steve's family.  The kids had special fun playing outside since the temps were almost 60 degrees!  Logan got to drive the pink Mustang and was beyond pleased with himself.  Nina and Papa spoil these kids beyond belief.  It's difficult for me just to be still and be thankful.  This year we have really tried to stay within our means for Christmas.  That also meant not necessarily buying what we thought we would for the kids. 

I know that God is good and he provides.  Simple things such as winning a $100 Dillons gift card from the Hospital Ambassadors are gentle but firm reminders.  Though I didn't buy what I thought I would have this year, I know this Christmas will be especially wonderful.  My boys are simply happy to be together and having presents to unwrap only adds to our simple joy.

We are so blessed!

Annual Christmas Pic

Christmas 2011

Street-rat

One of the sweet girls I work with made loaves of french bread that she handed out on Saturday.  I brought it home in a gift bag that also had some little peppermint candy canes in it.  I told Logan there was a surprise in the bag and to my shock, he went for the bread not the candy!  I came in from the kitchen and this is what I saw.  Reminds me of the street rat scene in Aladdin!

Dipping Pretzels with Nana

Logan loves to do anything in the kitchen...including the dishes.  Might sound like a good thing but when you can't get him out of the sink it isn't always fun.  Tonight Nana came over for supper and Logan got to help her dip pretzels before we ate.  He was in hog heaven!