Christmas Eve!

The Mendez family came for dinner Christmas eve and helped fill in need spots in our Nativity. We are so grateful for good friend at this time of year when we are so far from Family. Our Narrator Every year our kids draw names and make "Home made Gifts". My parents started this when we were little and we still do it to this day with my brothers and sisters and our spouses. As we have all grown and had children of our own we have continued this tradition. Cameron made Lexi a mini corn hole game. Nate made Mia some blocks with the help of Dad! Lexi, Mason and Mia made Hats and Scarfs for Tyler, Mason and Nate. Tyler made Cameron a pillowcase and blanket. We also get new PJ's every year.

Christmas Sunday pictures!

Trip down memory lane!

tonight I was making some soup and needed butter. I opened a new box and pulled out a cube to find out that is was half the size of a normal cube (4 TB rather then 8). The cutest thing ever! OK not quite but still pretty dang cute. My first thought was that this cube of butter would have been something that my grandma would have gotten for our doll house. We had a the coolest doll house ever. My dad put up a wall in a room in our basement and literally made us a mini house with a full kitchen living room and bedroom equipped with all of our Doll "accessories". It was like our own house only everything in it was miniature. My grandma would always find real things that were little for us to put in our doll house like ketchup, mini loaves of bread, tiny salt and pepper shakers, etc.... We lived in our doll house and I still remember everything the way it was. So when I saw this Small cube of butter I couldn't help but miss my grandma, my doll house and the comfort and security of being home and little again. Christmas was always amazing at our house not because of what we got but because of the traditions and thought that went into it. I only hope that my children will have as great of an appreciation and fondness as I do for my childhood. Thanks mom and dad. You really are the best ever!

Twelve years!

Our engagement picture Today Kev and I celebrate our 12Th year anniversary! I can't believe how fast the years have gone. I just want to tell Kev that I love him even more then the day I married him. You are an amazing husband and Daddy and we are so blessed and grateful to have you. I can't imagine going through this life with anyone but you. Thank you for all you do to help out with the kids and all of life's busy-ness. I'll always love you More!

Oh Christmas tree OHHHHH Christmas tree!!!

One Sunday while I was home with sick babies I decorated the tree. It was really pretty. I saved a few ornament for the kids to add when they got home from church. Lexi got to put on the star this year....and the year before and the year before that and pretty much every year since she was old enough to know what she wants which was pretty young. The kids and the tree. But alas.... our tree was pretty no more! You see we have TWO very busy bee's around our house. And do they love the tree. No matter how many times I tell them no or put them on the couch or take things away they just keep going back. So every night right after I put them to bed I redo the tree so I can enjoy it for a few minute just to have them destroy it again the next day. The ornaments have all moved up the tree leaving a big empty bottom and the beads never look quite right but in the not to far future I will be missing this "LOOK "and wishing all my babies where little again!

Surprises!

Last Saturday night was Kevin's work Christmas party. I had gone to run some errands and when I got home he said he had a surprise for me upstairs in my bedroom. So like most of you girls my first though was is this a surprise for me or for him? But when I walked into my bathroom hanging on the towel hook was a new skirt and blouse. I was seriously surprised and excited but even more surprised and excited that it fit. I think I must have the best Hubby ever. So I not only had a fun new outfit to wear to his party I have a new dress to wear Christmas Sunday. Yippee!

My little reindeer!

Lexi's preschool Christmas program

Lexi with her two teachers

Our trip to Texas!

We left Tuesday after school and headed out for our 14 hour drive to Dallas Texas so that we could spend Thanksgiving with Kevin's brother Matt and his family and Grandma and Grandpa Hyde. We broke up the drive over two days both directions so it really wasn't that bad. The kids did great and they were so excited to see their cousins. We got there Wednesday afternoon and spent the day playing outside and riding the 4 wheeler. Matt and Angie have a great yard a beautiful house. We had such a blast staying with them and are so grateful for all they put up with during our stay. Thanks you guys. Can't wait until next time.

The next several post are of our trip. It's amazing how fast the days go.

Fishing

Uncle Matt set up a great day of fishing for the boys and Whit. They had a great time and you can see why. The fish were huge and they caught about 65 fish. Their guide did everything for them so all they had to do was catch them. They didn't even have to put on their own bait or take off the fish. Spoiled if you ask me. Thanks Grandpa and Uncle Matt for a great time. The boys will remember that day forever.

Thanksgiving Day!

The boys started out the day with a game of basketball..... Then at breakfast Nate decided to fight a shelf hanging on wall with his head...He lost! Lots of blood but no stitches.

Then the kids decided they wanted to go for a swim. Uncle Matt tried to warn them that is would be really cold but they didn't care. The Temperature outside was about 75 and the water temp was 54. Crazy....I know! I don't think they expected it to be so cold but the look on their face was priceless. It was so cold that Kevin and Matt had to dare them to jump back in...for money of course. Thanksgiving Dinner. Ummmmm was it good! And the company was the best part. Bet you can't guess what I am Thankful for!!!! Don't forget to add Kevin to this bunch. I just didn't get a picture of that.

Rock climbing and swimming

We went to this really fun place that had a big rock wall and great pool. The kids had a blast and liked the temperature of this water much better.

foil dinners and smores!

We made yummy foil dinners then roasted marshmellows and had smores.

Gingerbread houses.

The kids got to make a gingerbread house and decorate it. They turned out really cute. It was fun to see all the different houses unfold. The frosting didn't want to stick very well so they had to be creative. By the end of the night we had a whole Gingerbread village. I have to say I am glad this only happens once a year....WHAT A MESS! Super fun though and the kids loved it.

Just for fun!

Kevin went out to mow the lawn (or should I say leaves) so I figured I'd better get pictures of the babies playing before they were all gone. They were so cute but they thought it was really fun to lay down in the leaves. We had a hard time getting them to sit up. Oh well, it's all for fun anyway right.