It's Beginning to look a lot like Christmas

We are really starting to get into the holiday spirit around here. Nannie has done a wonderful job getting our house decorated and the 'chilly' weather has made it fun to walk around the neighborhood at night and ooh and ahh at all of the decorated houses. Addie started wearing Christmas jammies the other night, this pair is special, they have been worn by my little sister and my cousin and now Addie. I love when things are saved and passed down so I had to get some pictures.
Here is a video Jon took, I love hearing Addie's thoughts about Christmas.


Yesterday Addie had her very first performance at the preschool she goes to. I have been so afraid that I would go into labor and not be their for Addie to sing her songs, thankfully Scout has stayed put and we were all able to see Addie sing her little heart out. She looked so sweet all ready in her snowflake dress.
Ben wanted to be in the picture too. Scout gets lots of love these days as my belly gets bigger and bigger.
Ben was ready and waiting for the performance to start. There were lots of fidgety little brothers and sisters. We sat next to our friend, Xander, who was willing to share his toys since we forgot to bring any.

Once the kids came in it was very hard to get any pictures, this is a zoomed in shot of Addie singing "This Little Light of Mine".

Addie was in the front row and she did such a good job of standing still, we were all so proud of her.

Everyone was dressed up so we tried to get a few pictures before we took Daddy out for his Birthday lunch. Addie and Ben were sweet at first.

We had a little bit more trouble getting a good family picture.

Jon and I traded and we were able to get a decent picture of the 4 of us.

Here are Scout and I, it was pretty funny watching me try and stand up, I am moving pretty slow these days.

Playing at the Park

Addie and her friend Sarabeth taking a break on the swing.

Practicing their balance beam skills.

Ben likes goind down the slide, but he will only go backwards. He got a little too brave and I had to climb up a slide and go down with him, it was a twisty slide and it was not pretty.

Sarabeth's little brother, Nathan, he was having fun playing too.

Addie saying "Hi" to Nathan.

Scout and I hanging out at the park, it is a good thing Nannie has been here to help, keeping up with both kids at the park is a work out for me right now.

Our Little man loves playing outside.

Being sweet for a minute.

Happy kiddos, I love it.

I was being silly trying to get the kids to smile, it worked!

The kids tried out frosted animal crackers for the first time, they were a hit.

Both Addie and Ben loved them, and so did all of our friends. I love it when one of my random coupon purchases turns otu to be yummy.

Gymnastics Girl

Nannie got to go to gymnastics class with us so she was able to take some action shots of Addie.
Here is Addie practicing her balance beam skills. When she first started she would hang on the the teacher's neck, she has come a long way.

Doing a little hop scotch.

Practicing her hand stands, she does this at home against the kitchen cabinets too.

Working on the rings, she really has learned a lot in the couple of months she has been taking her big girl gymnastics class, I am so proud of her.

Keeping up with this little man during Addie's hour long class is another story. He does very well most of the time, but once the snacks run out he is ready to go. He did figure out how to turn the tv on in the waiting area and all of the younger siblings have started haning out together.

We are taking a break from gymnastics while we prepare for Scout's arrival and adjust to having another person to entertain so it was very neat to get some pictures of our little gymnastics girl.

Daddy's Little Helpers

Jon has always talked about putting Christmas lights up on the outside of our house, but with deployments and always traveling over the holidays it has never happened. This year we are going to be spending Christmas here and the kids love outside lights so we definitely wanted to put lights up.
I haven't gotten a picture of the finished product yet, but here are some pictures of the kids while they 'helped' Jon put up the lights.
Ben was only outside for a couple of minutes before he found mud to play in. He also kept getting into the street and running as fast as he could. He is getting faster and I am getting slower, it was a good thing the neighbors were all out and Nannie was their to help me catch him.

Addie helped by singing and dancing. She made friends with a little girl who is in town visiting family. It was a fun night on our street.

Scout and I trying to help. This is right at 37 weeks.

Then Daddy got some more help doing the dishes. The kids absolutely love this, they try and push the chairs up to the sink every chance they get.

Ben needed a little snack, he loves bread, any kind of bread.

Happy Turkey Day

Thanksgiving this year was a special treat, my family brought dinner to us. We were supposed to drive to Dallas to spend the holiday at my Aunt and Uncle's house, but doctor vetoed that idea. My Mom, Dad, Sister and their two dogs came to stay for a copule of days and Aunt Wendy, Uncle Joe and Mikey all came for dinner.
Here are Mondie and Addie getting reaquainted. When we lived with my parents when Addie was little they used to look out the window just like this.

When Mondie left Ben wanted to see what they were looking at.

There was so much excitement during the day that Ben wore himself out and had to take a little snooze in the chair with Daddy.

Everyone was ready to dig in, everything looked and smelled so good.

Ben with his Turkey Day Bib on, it didn't last very long and neither did his time in his high chair.

Ben, me, Nannie and Addie. Addie helped me put all of the place cards out this year, she had fun helping me decide where everyone should sit.

Mikey, Uncle Joe and Aunt Wendy. Aunt Wendy brought almost the whole meal to us, My mom took care of the turkey and a few things and Aunt Wendy did everything else. It was a very relaxing day for me and everyone really enjoyed getting to spend time together.

We have a picture of Mikey chowing down on a turkey leg when he was Addie's age.


Enjoing our new fire pit, one of my Black Friday finds at Target.

GeeGee and Ben having a moment.

Addie enjoying a hot dog that was cooked over the fire, YUM!

The kids loved the fire, but they made everyone a little nervous.

Aunt Wendy and Mikey.

Aunt Laura enjoying some yummy s'mores.

Addie and her Aunt Laura.

Ben holding still long enough for a picture with Aunt Laura too.

Mikey loving on Pinot, she is one of the most cuddly dogs I have ever seen. I didn't get any other good pictures of her because she was always cuddled up with someone.

Ben finally started to slow down.

We had such a wonderful visit with everyone and Nannie gets to stay! Only a couple more weeks until we get to meet Scout.