Merry Christmas!

Guess who woke up first this morning? You got it.....!

Next up was Peanut who needed a quick hug from a certain someone.

This little guy didn't seem to realize the occassion. He was just fine, thankyouverymuch, hanging out on Dad's shoulder where it was warm and comfy. I don't think his Dad minded very much either. Too cute!

Eventually Bingo woke and decided it was time to get in there and see what the old white-bearded guy sent his way.

Bingo found a couple pieces of chocolate in his stocking and as you can see, he thought it would be perfect for breakfast. Yum!

It was great to see Punkin being the delivery girl this year. She was so proud of herself being able to read the tags on the gifts. I remember that being one of my important jobs as a kid and I took much pride in it. I can see she is taking after me. Poor thing.

I think Bingo may have been a bit confused at this point. He was still a little groggy from waking up.

Peanut opened her new microphone that Santa brought her. No doubt there will be plenty of YouTube videos in our near future.

Punkin showing off a book she got.

We hope you all had a wonderful week and look forward to seeing you this next year!

Eve

The kids are all nestled in their warm bed at GrandCyndy's, wearing their new pajamas that they got from us tonight. We drove back here with sleet on the streets and snow in the forecast. We've got a few presents left to wrap and a plate full of oranges and apples to get out for Santa, who Punkin said was "already fat, so he needs healthy things". Off I go to get his plate and milk ready. G'night!

Santa, His Nieces and Nephew

Hello everyone! We've been visiting family this past week and I want to apologize for not making the time post pics of the kids and keep everyone updated on their cuteness. ;)

We are having a wonderful time spending countless hours sipping coffee, snacking on fudge and laughing at all of our stories that we've probably already told to one another several times. But, tonight topped the cake when we pulled up in front of my mom's house and "Santa" was sitting on the porch.

This is my brother Gabriel, aka Uncle Gabe. Gabe loves to have important roles like Santa and the Trojan (keep it clean people) for the high school he attends for the second half of his school day. Gabe is special, so very special to our family as you can tell by how much the kids love him.

So, when we pulled up to my mom's house and Uncle Gabe Santa was waiting for them, we heard nothing but squeals and little feet slapping the sidewalk. One of my Aunt's (see her below with her kids) friends in her Optimist Club bought this Santa suit especially for Gabe. Wasn't that sweet!

The funny thing is, when Gabe was a year old, he had a suit almost exactly like this one - everything but the beard. He was this little rolly polly baby in a Santa suit and he was absolutely adorable...almost as adorable as he is now. Thank you Gabe for making tonight even more special. I love you more than you'll ever know.

We still have lots to do for the remainder of the week, many people to visit with and more food to eat (YAY!). I hope you all enjoy your families as much as we are enjoying ours. If I can squeeze it in, and I will try my hardest, you'll see more photos in the coming days.

Memory Lane

I just found some old photos from when I was a kid. This was my favorite dog, Nikki. She was such a wonderful pooch. Docile and loving, but not needy. I like to remember her as somewhat snobby, but not too full of herself.

She was so well behaved that we rarely used a leash to walk her. She never chased down rabbits or misbehaved in that manner...well except those ducks my dad had purchased for my mom one year for a gift to go on our pond...but really she was just trying to help bring them in. I'm almost completely positive she never meant to break their precious necks and leave them under the willow tree for my mom to find...

There were times when she would look at you and you'd swear she was smiling. She also did this "lip curl" thing where her lip would snarl up on one side, no growling, just a little attitude. That one was normally only given to special people, like Sharron. Ha!

I think in this picture she is smiling, no lip curl in sight.

Oh wait! That's not Nikki...it's a dog I saw trotting down our street on the way to get the kids yesterday. I had to double-take when I saw her. I thought for sure it was a descendant of Nikki. I was too busy keeping the little ones on the sidewalk, or I would have ran up and hugged her and ran my fingers through her thick, soft fur. I love the memories that just seeing this dog brings back. Ahhh.

**Yes, I realize this post has nothing to do with my children...but it is my blog afterall, right?! Maybe if there is little complaining I will try and gather up enough time today to post another with pics of the kids. We'll see!

Milk Monster

"If you don't give me my milk NOW, someone is going to get hurt."

Let's see if I can get these kids dressed so I can make it to the gym this morning before I start my crazy, hectic day. A day which includes baking, dishes, laundry, packing, Holiday Party at Punkin's school, all the while trying to fit a couple of kid naps in there somewhere...let's hope for some stamina today!

Oh! I also get to cram a second screening of New Moon in there along with dinner with a new, good friend. Really...it's not a cram, it's more like the best part of the day. :)

A Little More

Here's a little more from our Pre-Christmas this past Sunday. I figured y'all wouldn't mind a few more pics of the kids all happy and enjoying themselves.

I love the look on Punkin's face. It is pure joy at seeing the one gift she asked for right there in front of her. She couldn't stop grinning.

Here's Punkin feeding her Baby Alive. Mmmm. What I wouldn't give to have a taste of that green mush. Looks exactly like...oh wait.

I wish I looked this happy and beautiful when I get up in the morning. Sheesh.

This shot of Punkin reminds me that not too long from now she is going to be a teenager. :(

But for now she is content helping her little brother figure out how to make his new police car work. Thank goodness.

We all need a little help from our Daddy once in a while...

...or at least until we find the courage to do it on our own.

Early Texan Christmas

Look! It's Santa!! (And a cute guy in the background putting dishes away.)

The kids were excited to have a little pre-Christmas this year. We wanted to make sure they got to have a some special time with their Papa before heading to see the rest of the family later this week.

I think Bingo was super-de-duper excited about his "World's BIGGEST Candy Cane"! His eyes were huge and he kept showing it off.

The girls decided to take the "cane" part literally. They were so cute walking around all hunched over laughing at one another.

Peanut was Santa's Little Elf Helper this year. Ha!

Checking out a portion of the gifts, trying to figure out who they belonged to. The one on the bottom was MINE! :)

Bingo was extremely happy to see what was under the wrapping paper of this gift. Boy did he have fun with this! It was nice outside too, so it was a lot of fun watching him tear around the driveway over the weekend. He is getting pretty good at it!

Thank you Tom for all the wonderful, generous gifts you gave this year! Remember, if you need some juice, just give me a holla! ;)