12.30.2012

A Short Trip to Charlotte!

We made a quick trip to Charlotte after Christmas to visit family that was in town.  We had a wonderful time at the park, having dinner and then games and sweets at the hotel! 








Hilary, Namu Patti, Karina (Lara's friend from Mexico) and Vijaih

Gayathri, Lara, Micah & Vinnie!


12.26.2012

Low-key Christmas

Merry Christmas from NC!  We had a relaxed day of some nerf-gun turkey hunting, sword-wielding, and a wonderful time with family!!  








12.24.2012

Ugly Sweater Anyone??




How do we look?  

This past weekend we attended an Ugly Holiday Sweater Party.... Andrew even took home the grand prize!!!! 

12.22.2012

IT IS A......

BOY!! 

Yes, despite our best efforts to keep it a secret from the kids until Christmas, and everyone else, Ben discovered the balloons as we were trying to stuff them in a box, so everyone gets to find out 3 days early. :)

YAY for another BOY!!!!  Let's bring back the blue!!

12.19.2012

11.29.2012

Bedtime Routine

"Mama, I you bubber-fye!!"

 Sometimes I could just eat this girl!  

I thought I would right down some of her crazy bedtime routine, because I am sure it will end all too soon.  :)  Here is small insight into our naptime and nightly routine:

Naptime, she sleeps in our bed so that Ben can play in their room:

while dragging at least three stuffed dogs and her favorite purple blanket:
Naomi: Mama!  I need YOUR pillow!!!
I move my pillow to the middle of the bed (it is the best pillow in the house) as she jumps three times and lands on the pillow, and puts her head down.
N: Sing Baby Beluga and Tih-Tle my Back!!
L: Okay, Naomi, that was our last song, now you need to close your eyes and go to sleep.
N: Lay down with me PIIIEEEE (five) mih-mih!! Tih-tle my belly.
I tickle her for 15 seconds...
N: Tih-tle my two arms! (all said with her eyes closed.)
I tickle her for 15 seconds...
N: Tih-tle my two legs, my pie (five) toes, my two feet, my pie fingers, my side, my other side.... etc.
If she does open her eyes, she just grins as if all is right with the world, and then closes them again.
L: Okay, Naomi, I am all done, sleep tight!
N: I need my old boo (her word for dog) and my new boo and my huge boo!!  
L: Okay, here you go!
N: No Mama!  I need to see their FACES!!  
I arrange all dogs so that their faces are facing hers.
N: Blanket Mama!  Cover my arms, but not my ear, but it can touch my chin.  And don't close the door all the way!!!!  

---

Bedtime is much the same, except that it involves teeth brushing, and pajamas (if we can force her to put them on... she much prefers to sleep neh-neh!), stories and more singing.  Then bed...

However, usually within 15-20 minutes, from downstairs we hear the squeak of her getting out of bed and then her great trek from her bed to ours, and back and forth about 4 times to gather all her stuffed dogs and favorite blankets.  Then all is quiet again... And when we head to be a few hours later this is what we find (minus the passie now!!!  YAY!!.  :)

As Andrew often tells her... "It is a good thing you are so cute!!" :)
 


11.27.2012

Tree Decorating...

 Every year with kids gets a little more fun.  They understand more, and enjoy the traditions so much more.  This year Ben especially was sooo excited to decorate the tree and see all the decorations.  I love telling the stories of where we got each one.  :)
Crazy Kiddos

Decorating...

Decorating the tree!

Finished Tree

Turning 30

 Andrew's attempt to make 30 not feel so bad.  I love yellow, it is such a happy color.  :)


Coloring cards for his mama. :)

Well, I am now 30.  The birthday that most people dread.  Well, despite my best efforts, I cried a few times leading up it.  I think I just felt like I wasn't where I wanted to be in life (not sure exactly where I was supposed to be, but just that I wasn't there :) and feeling so sick and pregnant didn't help at all. 

However, I survived, and life hasn't fallen apart yet... :) 

11.25.2012

Picking Out A Tree

 This is our 7th Christmas picking out a tree from Sandy Holler Farms.  The kids love riding the tractor-pulled trailer, not to mention the mini candy canes they hand out.  :)  I love going right after Thanksgiving and getting the tree all decorated before Thanksgiving Weekend is over. :) 
Naomi & Aunt Becki

Watching Daddy Cut Down the Tree

Hanging with Beloved Aunt Becki

Taking it Home! 

11.23.2012

Thanksgiving Cinnamon Rolls!

 For the past several years I have had a Thanksgiving Day Brunch... this year we moved it up a day since Micah was in town.  The kids helped me make the cinnamon rolls. :)
Many Hands Make Much Work :)

The best part of helping...

Getting dirty making orange rolls...

My cinnamon roll making helper with his masterpiece.