Christmas picture update

Well...my computer memory is full, so until I get some of the old files deleted, I can't add any pictures from Christmas day or after. I do still have some updates to do for the LHS Christmas program and the few days leading up to Christmas, but figure I'll just wait until I can get them all on there at once. We had a fantastic Christmas at home, lunch with some dear friends and Annie and then got to see most of my family, which is a feat in and of itself--we are extremely blessed!

Conversations

with a 5 year old...we've had some quite memorable ones around here lately, so I wanted to get them down before life gets in the way and I forget.

L getting out of the bath one night: "Mama, when we have the babies and I take a bath one night and they take their bath the next, can I help you with them in the bath. Like wash them and rinse them and get them in their towel?" (By babies, he means Elly and sweet #3).

L eating lunch: "Mama, can you wait to give Elly her applesauce so that I can feed it to her?" (yes, at lunch we are still spoon-feeding this child...mama doesn't want to strip her down to feed her and give another bath...can you tell its the second child???)

On our way home from church Wednesday night:
Me: "Logan, I need you to help me stop drinking so many cokes."
L: "Why?"
Me: "Well, its not good for the baby for me to drink cokes and its not very healthy."
L: "God'll take care of you, Mom"

And while we're on the subject of talking, Elly is crazy talking. She is full of words and will parrot any sound or word she hears. She sings along and dances with any song that comes on the radio or any of her toys and although she doesn't know the words, she generally belts out the last word in a line until we get to the end of the next line. Her favorites words these days include:
"Peeeeeeaaaasssse" for Please
"Help"
"Up"
"Thank you"
"ahhhhhh"
"Hi Maddie"
"Bath"
"eat"
"bite"
"eye"
"hat"
"Night Night"
"Whoa"
and a high pitched "Hi"

I know that some of these are basic, everyday things...but the girl seriously says them all day long...hat and eye being two that she finds all day long.

The Monday after Thanksgiving, Jarrod told me that he was surprising me with a trip to New York City the following weekend. It was SUCH a fantastic trip and the first one that we had taken without both kids. I had always wanted to be there at Christmastime and it was wonderful--it even snowed on Saturday night. We got to see White Christmas on Broadway and of course it was fabulous!!! I often take Jarrod for granted, but I never, ever forget that God blessed me richly with this man as my husband and the father of my children. He truly is one of a kind and I thank God daily for the amazing man that he is!








Rockafeller Center Christmas Tree

The tree at night--in the snow!

No trip to NYC would be complete without a stop at Macy's and look who was there---Mrs. Clause greeting the kids (and adults) who had come to see Santa!

Jarrod thought that Logan would get a kick out of this...so I couldn't resist posting it!

The toy store to beat all toy stores...this was after we had not waited in line the day before and after waiting that morning in the line wrapped around the store just to get in and shop! Crazy!!

Julia Stiles and Bill Pulman were doing a Broadway show while we were there, so we were able to catch up with them afterwards for a photo!

Thanksgiving Feast at School

The Pre-K at school dressed as pilgrims for our Thanksgiving Feast. I think that they turned out super cute. These are two of Logan's favorite friends!

Brant and Logan

Logan and Ella

Thanksgiving 2009

This year we were exceptionally blessed to host Thanksgiving at our house for part of Jarrod's family. We were joined by his mom, Gramma, his sister, Lorre and her husband (known affectionately at our house as "Uncle Drew"), and Jarrod's aunt Terri Sue and Uncle Dave. It was a lot of fun and we had a great time. The boys all went hunting on Friday morning and Ann joined me for my annual "Black Friday" bargain day. We had a great time. Then on Monday, we decorated the tree and started with Christmas decorations.

Logan's 5th Birthday

For Logan's 5th Birthday he won a Karate Party from a local Karate center. We weren't quite sure what to expect, but he LOVED it! It turned out to be a FANTASTIC place for a party and we had the added benefit of not having to pay for anything other than the cake--they even provided "prizes" at the end of the party for each attendee. Logan begged to take lessons, so for Christmas we got him a karate uniform, patch and one month of lessons to try it out. He'll start in January and go 2-3 times per week depending on how much he enjoys it.

Logan's Fort

For Logan's birthday this year, several family members went in together and got him a fantastic fort. Needless to say he and Elly both love it and its hard to get them inside after they've been out playing on it.

Logan's First Hunt

Logan got to go hunting with Jarrod several times this year. I always said when he turned 5 he could go--so this was the big year. I'm not sure who was more excited--Jarrod or Logan, but it was such a treasure to witness them both. I will cherish it as one of my favorite memories of them. They were supposed to leave the Thursday night before opening weekend, but time got away from them and they couldn't justify getting to the lease in the middle of the night, so Jarrod told Logan to come get him as soon as he woke up. We awoke to the sweetest little voice at 5 a.m. asking if they could go. Jarrod told him that it needed to be light outside so that they could load up, so Logan went off to bed and was back in 15 minutes saying, "I see a little blue. Is it time?" So, Jarrod had him crawl in bed with us and he was able to hold him off until about 5:45. He was ready in a flash, dressed in his camo, wranglers and boots. Such a handsome little boy, even if I am a little biased!

Halloween With Friends

We had a fabulous Halloween this year Trick-Or-Treating with some of our close friends. We love celebrating holidays together and watching our kids grow up. We are truly blessed!!

Pumpkin Carving

The kids were both into carving the Jack-O-Lantern this year! So much fun!!!