"getting ready for a merry Christmas"

The boys have really enjoyed putting up the Christmas tree and "getting ready for a Merry Christmas" as Ethan would say. Yesterday I let them pick out an ornament to put on the tree. They were so excited to show Eric the ornament they picked and hang it on the tree.

Ethan picked out a Wall-e robot ornament

Austin picked out a Little Einstein Rocket ornament that plays the song from the cartoon. He was very proud of it!

The pace we are going with decorating the tree, it may not be done by Christmas. Oh well, the boys are having so much fun every night that it's worth it! There is nothing like seeing your children so happy and excited about Christmas.

It's our tradition that every year we get an ornament to represent that year. My parents started this tradition for my sister and I when we were born. Our tree may not be filled with matching ornaments and beautiful decorations, but I love that it is filled with wonderful memories of our lives.

oh Christmas tree

Last night we put up our Christmas tree. The boys had so much fun helping! Being the great organizer that he is, Ethan did a great job of sorting all the tree branches and Austin delivered them to me. It was great system. Next year we will have one more helper to set up the tree!

Wimberley fun

Austin and Daddy in their matching orange and camo heading to Wimberley.

We snuggled in the camper watching Christmas movies Friday night since it was freezing outside!

The boys braved the freezing temperatures all bundled up in their wagon. The cold didn't bother them at all as they munched on their favorite kettle corn.

After market days, we headed to the local park to play. The boys had fun playing with their cousins Kip and Kori while getting filthy dirty.

food for thought

The boys and I made mini cupcakes yesterday. I was craving The boys wanted a special treat and we thought it would be fun to make something together. They gobbled the cupcakes up and begged for more. Strawberry cupcakes aren't very boyish, but they didn't seem to mind.

I do have some good news for moms of picky eaters. After years of offering healthy foods and the boys refusing to eat them , they are finally starting to try new things. Austin will usually try everything, and now Ethan is finally following suite. I have actually cried tears of happiness when I saw Ethan eat meat other than "cold, brown chicken" (aka the evil chicken nugget at the perfect lukewarm temperature) and Austin munching away on green beans. I guess it's true what they say about not giving up and keep offering the healthy food! They are still picky little things, but it's a start!

our sleeping sock boy

made with love

Lauren's room is coming together! I found a bed skirt I loved and decided to cut it up and frame it to go above the crib. Eric's grandma Nanny beautifully embroidered Lauren's name on it for us. I painted and distressed a white frame to make it match the room. I love how it turned out and I love that Nanny helped make it!

turkey day

We had a fun Thanksgiving with my sister and her family in Louisiana. The boys loved playing with their four cousins and already miss them terribly. Eric and I had fun playing cards every day, shopping and eating Russell's great cooking. In Louisiana spirit, we had fried turkey for Thanksgiving dinner. It was yummy!

Praying before our Thanksgiving meal. (Truth be told, Tatum bribed them to pretend like they were praying with a marshmallow and took a picture!)

We played Liverpool Rummy every day on my dad's handcrafted card holders.

Austin enjoyed his first taste of chocolate milk. To say he liked it was an understatement.

Eric and his boys

Taylor, Tatum, Trent and Trevor were so great with the boys. They read books, played with a giant remote control spider, watched movies and enjoyed spending time together.

Unfortunately I was too busy growing a baby last week to take a ton of pictures, even though I wish I had. We had a wonderful time and I'm so thankful to have such a loving family.

the evolution of thanksgiving

"Mom, the stuff in the middle of the turkey won't fit out of its butt," I said in desperation. It was my first time to cook a turkey and my mom had to give me instructions over the phone on how to do it. I had four hours to get my first Thanksgiving meal prepared. Alone. All alone to cook a full Thanksgiving meal. I was determined though. I made turkey, mashed potatoes, green beans, stuffing, rolls and pumpkin pie.

Eric showed up right as it was almost ready. We sat at the table together and enjoyed our Thanksgiving meal. When we were stuffed full of food, we snuggled on the couch together and watched the Cowboys play football until we fell asleep in a turkey coma.

No, that's not what happened this year on Thanksgiving. This story took place 10 years ago when Eric and I worked at the Gristmill together and had to wait tables the next day. We were very sad to not spend the holidays with our families, but in the end, we created one of my favorite Thanksgiving memories. I think the food, combined with the football is what made him finally decide I was the girl for him. :)

This year was much different. We were surrounded with family, continuously playing card games, chasing the boys around and the only cuddling involved was when Austin whined "hold me!". Not to mention the fact that Eric and I could not fit on the couch together anymore with my growing belly. Though this Thanksgiving was definitely not as relaxing as the one 10 years ago, I wouldn't change a thing. I'm very thankful for all God has blessed us with.

a dinosaur and a bat

Cold weather is officially here. We welcomed it in style all dressed up like a dinosaur and a bat. The fleece costumes kept the boys warm while they played in the freezing cold. OK, it wasn't freezing, but after a l o n g, h o t summer, it felt like it!

fall festival

Today we headed over to our neighborhood's fall festival with the boys. They were very excited to jump in the big castle and slide down the big slide.

They both enjoyed their first taste of cotton candy

They loved watching the clown make them some balloon swords.

All was fun until this sweet little boy's balloon popped. He made this sad face, not once, but twice and got new swords. The third one didn't pop until we got in the car on the way home.

They also got their faces painted. They each sat very still while she painted.

It's so fun to relive childhood through our own children's eyes!

acorn park

The boys and I met Erica, Grace and Carter at Acorn Park yesterday to play. The boys were so excited to take their buckets and hunt for acorns. They are truly acorn obsessed!

Filling their buckets was serious business! They did actually spend some time playing too!

hat heads

Aren't kids in hats the cutest?