Christmas

Christmas was so much fun this year. The kids were finally old enough to fully understand Santa and to get excited about their presents. We had lots of Christmas parties to go to. Here are some of my favorite pictures.
This is Christmas Eve at my mom's house. Skylar and Jordan are eating with my cousin's son Seth. Maci refused to give me a good smile for a picture of her in her hat

That's a little better

Now that's a smile! Is someone excited about Santa??

Here are the kids putting out cookies and milk for Santa. The milk was expired. I hope he didn't drink it :)

We started a new family tradition this year. Every Christmas we are going to have birthday cake for breakfast and sing happy birthday to Jesus. We want the kids to remember the true meaning of Christmas....and who wouldn't love birthday cake for breakfast?!

Maci was a little jealous that she didn't get to ride in the kids' new car. Maybe next year.

They were so excited to see this. It goes really fast and even gets FM radio reception!

They looked like rock stars with their new guitars.

Maci got a new blanket toy with her name on it. Santa must have ordered that online.

Skylar asked Santa (about a thousand times) for a blue stroller. The look on her face when she opened it was priceless.

This is our little niece. Isn't she beautiful? She's at that age where she thinks the bows and paper are much better than the gift inside.

Maci and her cousin. They are only 3 months apart.

I got the best gift of all....my three little angels. Jordan and Skylar love playing with their 2nd cousin Lindsay.

Maci and her grandma

Jordan is only about 3 months older than his cousin Ryan. In fact, Jordan, Skylar, Ryan, and Seth will all be in the same grade in school.

Maci partied her little heart out!

We did gifts at my mom's house the morning after Christmas. Here's all the kids. Notice my girls' matching hats. I love those hats!!

Jordan got a new Woody doll. Umm..I think the hat is for the doll buddy.

Jordan fell asleep right after presents. Too much partying for him.

Went from my mom's to my other grandma's house and Skylar was very happy about the sweet rolls and bacon.

My Dancer

Skylar has been loving her tap/ballet/gymnastics class. Unfortunately, the place is closing down and she had her last class this week. We got her signed up for a new place that she will start in January. I hope she likes it just as much.

November

Okay so everyone is getting on my case about not posting often enough. I won't name names. You know who you are! :) It's hard to do with all the little one running around me. Here is an update for the month of November.
We spent three days at Disneyland. The 3rd day there was also the anniversary of when Paul and I started dating. 13 years!! That is soooo long!
Skylar was super excited to see all the princesses. Jordan wanted to say hi to Snow White but she told him, "No Jordan. It's for girls!"
Jordan is never afraid to speak his mind. When Pluto came to say hello to him at lunch he told him that his lunch "tastes like dog food!"

It was VERY wet but the kids didn't seem to mind a bit.

Best friends

Someone was way too tired. When he woke up he had a huge red mark on the side of his face. Poor guy :(

This is when we first arrived. They were so excited.

This is her 2nd time to Disneyland and she was only 3 1/2 months old. Can we say spoiled??

The kids got to tell Santa what they wanted. Skylar said "a blue purse" and Jordan said "milk." Seriously Jordan? Milk???

Tree house

Thanksgiving

Thankful for my wonderful dad who held Maci while I ate :)

My 3 cuties

Setting up the tree.

"We love egg nog!"

Santa hats

Tree lot

Jordan was not happy when we told him he couldn't run around.

So happy

"What is this thing on my head!?"

Birthdays and Pumpkins

I can't believe my little girl turned three this week! Where has the time gone? I can proudly say she is almost completely potty trained though. Yea!! I took her birthday off work so I could leave the other two kids with my mom and spend the day with her. She rarely gets her own time with me anymore. We went to get her nails painted. Then we went to Starbucks and got a really unhealthy chocolate drink. We walked around with our drinks for a while. Then we went shopping for a new Tinkerbell dress and to pick up her birthday cake. It was a fun day. That night the family came over for cake and ice-cream.
Skylar asked for a baby crib. I found the cutest one ever! She loves it.

This is my little niece. Isn't she adorable?

Pumpkin Patch

Life as a Family of Five

Wow I thought life was busy before, but I had no clue! It's like a little zoo around here. We are working on potty training which is a blast :( I have sunk so low as to pay my kids money for going to the bathroom on the toilet. It was actually a pretty good idea if I do say so myself. They earned quarters over the weekend and then they got to go to the store with me and pick out a candy. They each went up to the register and paid for their snacks themselves. It was really cute. I wish I had taken pictures of Jordan in his pajamas last night. Talk about cute!! I love love love the kids in winter clothes! They just look so snuggly. Unfortunately it is going to start warming up again soon. Here are some recent pictures. The first three were taken by my cousin shortly after Maci was born. He is an awesome photographer! If anyone wants his info I will get it for you. He is very patient with kids and puts 100% into making his pictures come out perfect.

New Pictures

How Quickly Things Can Change...

Last night Maci went from completely healthy to a stuffy nose, bad cough, and fever. The doctor told us if her temperature goes above 100.4 it is "an emergency." This morning it was 100.8. I took her to the doctor, not extremely worried because I figured she just has a virus. The doctor acted very concerned. He put a catheter in her to collect a urine sample. He then sent us to the hospital for blood work. He said if the results were abnormal, she would be admitted. Luckily, everything came back fine. We are waiting for some 2 and 3 day cultures to return, but she should be okay. I feel so blessed to have three healthy kids. I have been thinking about all the mothers who take their kids to the doctor like this and are given some aweful and scary diagnosis. I don't know how I could watch my baby suffering every day and not be able to heal them.....