A super long Christmas Post

I realize that posting over 40 photos in one post is insane. Lemme sum up.... Nearly my entire family lives out of state. I want them to feel included in our celebration of Christ's birth and the joy their gifts brought my children.... so just scroll quickly. Plus, unlike Diana and Melanie, I don't purge well. ;)

The catheter was a hit. Bunny was cathed a few times Christmas day and I can report he is feeling much better now.



Andy is becoming a super star.

I just love this photo and his mischievous smile of holding his sister's lovie.

Grammy enjoyed her book.
Thanks, Gramma, Amaw, and Aunt Barb! Suzy loves to be read to.
Andy is also enjoying his books from Aunt Barb, Amaw, and Gramma.

He also enjoyed his puzzles from Aunt Deb. On a side, he carried around the little baby Jesus and manger a large part of the morning. It's as if he knew who we were really celebrating. Ha!

Suzy's teacher said this was her favorite book. That's exactly what she said when she opened it. :) "MY FAVORITE BOOK!"
A rare moment when Andy was allowed to open his own gift unassisted.
Do you see the frustration on Rob's face? Do you notice Andy walking away?
Yup, he independently opened the correct drawer and brought Rob batteries. They were even the correct size! So funny. He's a handy little helper already.
His first big truck.
More Baby Jesus.
His first candy cane.
Andy's first Christmas Sweet Tea Ring.
Grammy and Papop bought Suzy her first bike. Hello Kitty at that. And a bag. Suzy LOVES bags and Hello Kitty.

I love that my kitchen is ginormous and Papop could teach her to ride a bike inside it.

Then out to the Cove for a big test ride. She did great! (She's currently at the park with Daddy as I type this...). My sweet big girl!
Suzy also has renewed her love of Curious George.

We call this a "Suzy Sandwich". I love her face here.

Andy's first Gingerbread house. He did surprisingly well with not eating all the candies.

Mamaw and Dopadop sent Suzy an adorable hat, apron, purse, and garden set. She loved it so much she took it to bed with her.

They sent Andy his first very own back pack that is absolutely adorable. He loves his new little drum shaker as well. Thank you!
Grammy and Papop also bought Andy his very first train set.


Suzy was pretty sugared up by the afternoon when we broke out the train set. So spunky...
Andy was more interested in disassembly vs. assembly.
He does try and be helpful.
I finally decided to glue a portion of the track to a board so that he could actually figure out that the train should be able to roll on the tracks and not just take the tracks apart. Me and Liquid nails, yeah, we're tight. ;)
I left a portionopen to build on later when he's a little older.
Andy is really starting to communicate and I love his little thoughts and ideas.
Since I seldom throw things away, I kept the cut portion of my little train board and turned it into a stair slide. The kids LOVE it!

Whew! You made it to the end! I hope you all had a very Merry Christmas as well!

Christmas Eve

We had a lot of fun this Christmas. The kids are now at an age where things are starting to be really magical. Grammy and Papop were even able to join us for all the festivities which made it extra special. We started the night at 4:00 with the fabulous church service at Hill Country where they actually made it snow. Granted, it was soap bubbles, but it was pretty cool to see snow in Texas. (OK, so it really did flurry a bit, but I still think the church snow was a definite highlight.) On a side, I had a brilliant idea this year to bring our own little LED votives instead of trying to keep the kids from lighting things on fire with the little church candles. I highly recommend other Mommies stealing that idea.

After that, we came home, started the Christmas Tea Ring dough, and quickly changed into our Christmas jammies and set out the cookies for Santa. Of course, we had to sample them ourselves first. ;)


Then it was bundle up and head out to look at our neighborhood Christmas lights.
I hope to never forget the sound of his precious little voice saying, "oooh, peeEE Lia!" (I'm guessing "pretty lights!??" Echoed by Suzy's "Frosty! Frosty! Happy Birthday Jesus!"
Then Papop read us the Night Before Christmas book.
and a few more fun Christmas books.
Andy was so cute reading the First Nativity book under the tree. I think this might be another one of my favorite photos. He's such a sweet little guy. I am so blessed to be his Mommy.
Of course, since he missed the first reading, that meant Papop had to read The Night Before Christmas.... again.
Then, the stockings were hung by the chimney with care.

And later filled by Santa.
A few of the nativities were straightened up. I love how Suzy arranged them this year.
The little people seem to be rushing the stage of some big mosh band.
Then it was prayers and songs and off to bed to await the bearded man himself....
He did not disappoint. Thanks to Dr. Awesome, a pink potty and baby catheter were obtained.
Andy? Well, he got a fire truck.
Wrapped in the obligatory "purple paper".

In case you missed the story a few years ago, when Suzy first met Santa, I told her he would give her presents. He asked her what she wanted when it was her turn and she pointed to a purple wrapped box on display and said, "That one". From that point on, she believes Santa gifts are always wrapped in purple. I have to stock up at Easter time. Do you have any idea how hard it is to find purple paper at Christmas time? ;)

Bethlehem Star

It is definitely the Christmas season around here. Jammies, cookies, caroling, crafts, etc. As part of our celebration, we have an advent story calendar. It's really great. Each day has a story that is part of the Birth of Christ. We also have the box one with candies, so we do both. About day 10 or so, the stories were about the star of Bethlehem. How it shone on the wise men, the shepherds, and finally the town of Bethlehem itself near Christ's birth. So, a few weeks ago, Suzy comes bursting into our room at around 5:30 asking if it's Christmas yet. I try and explain that we aren't done with our calendars, haven't made cookies for Santa, haven't done carols at church, etc. She then looks at me all serious and says, "But Mommy, the star of Bethlehem is outside my window tonight!"

Yup, it's the same street light that has been shining for the past four years, darlin'. ;) Nice try.

Although, depending on your perspective, it is pretty convincing.... ;)

December Doings

After a super busy work season this fall, it's been really nice to just hang out with the kids at home. We've made cookies. LOTS of cookies. Suzy really enjoys helping and so I usually set out some dough for her as well and her own little tray so as not to cross-contaminate. ;)
This time, Andy has decided he's old enough to join in on the fun. Suzy supplied his flour and he ate as much as he rolled.
My sweet friend, Tanya, came over again for our annual cookie bake. We made lots of cookies. Like six hours worth of Christmas Yumminess. It was insane.
And it was delicious. So much for my weight loss this month.... ;) I was glad to give most of them away to neighbors.
Suzy has also been enjoying wearing a few new pair of tights I bought her for this season. She just cracks me up on a daily basis.
Andy has decided to try artwork. He loves the markers and crayons. Where Suzy likes to use just one color, he's more rainbowish.
Not bad, for sixteen months.
I have to figure out a way to frame this one. It's a Suzy portrait of her and Andy. Andy is blue and she is "pink".
She also did a family portrait, including (umprompted) Mamaw and Dopadop and the dogs.
Andy is climbing EVERYTHING. He is learning how to use the PVC stairs like a pro to get into all kinds of new mischief.
Suzy and I went to the Nutcracker Ballet with Grammy. She loved it and I was extremely surprised that she made it through the entire thing. We are starting her in little dance lessons in Jan. and I figured it would be a good segway.
I solidified further my reputation as "that family." Now, in my defense, I bought my own footed jammies a few years ago simply because I find them hysterical and they are great for theme parties. I really don't wear them that often. It's hot in Texas, ya'll. But, I bought the kids Christmas Jammies as little Santa's Helper reindeer footies and wanted to get some photos of them. Then, I found this hysterical Santa footed jammie at Target this year and bought it immediately for the Fisher's White Elephant Christmas Party. I bought a large simply because I didn't know who would end up with it. A room full of professional magicians? It had to be the best gift brought. And it was. But first, I had to subject Rob to some too tight jammie torture. He really is the best husband.... EVER.

If this photo doesn't bring you a little Christmas cheer, you need to go bunk up with the Grinch. :)
Merry Christmas, everyone! Happy Birthday, Jesus! I'll post soon on some more of our specific Christmas funnies.

Suzy's School Program

I am CRAZY busy with my last tour in NY and working on my annual photo album....

I'm LOVING the action set from Amy-Rose and Life is good right now. No one is sick. Andy is teething and working down to one nap. But, I can't complain. Tis the season and we are LOVING it!