Is it the flash? or on purpose?

Well, we had family pictures taken today with Kirt's family. It went really well until we went home and took a look at the cd....Sam closed his eyes in almost every picture. I didn't know if I should be mad at him for goofing off or laugh because there was nothing I could do about it! In some pictures he has his eyes closed and has his lips pursed like he is waiting for a kiss! Luckily the photographer said he could fix it easily with photoshop. But we did find that we did have one great picture of everyone with Sam's eyes open and smiling! I guess that is just part of having a 7 year old boy (they are a little naughty sometimes)

Christmas Day

She wanted to go sledding again but we didn't have time so Kirt pulled her around in the kitchen!

Helen, Dottie, Tina, and Emerson with Emerson's new lipstick

My parents got her a bike! She loves it!

And here is Sam practicing his bow and arrow. My friends at work asked me if we were going to get the girls and the dog a shield for Christmas! Ha!

Sam had a hard time falling asleep Christmas Eve---it was about 11:30 when he finally fell asleep. He said he was worried because Emerson told Santa that he hadn't been good this year. Poor guy thought he made the naughty list! They were SUPER excited when they woke up--- Santa really delivered this year bringing us a Wii and lots of other toys too! Sam got a bow and arrow, a marshmallow gun (yes it shoots giant marshmallows), a lego table (aka his old train table with the lego baseplates glued on), Emerson got a bike, American Girl doll clothes, an Easy Bake Oven, and at her request green lipstick (just the tube is green not the actual gloss), and Caroline got a ride on train, a puppy dog that barks, and a baby doll and stroller! I think we will just stay home the rest of the weekend and play, play, and play! Here are a few pictures. We had brunch at the Ruby's and then lunch at my mom's and we are heading back out to the Ruby's for turkey tonight! Oh and I almost forgot that the kids got a Zhu Zhu pet---thanks to my mom and dad who were lucky enough to find one!

Christmas Eve Part 2

Sam, Mark, and Emerson watching the snow--- or conspiring to have a snowball fight???!!

Tracey and Max

Max, Brooke, and Emerson

Me, Michelle, and Tracey

Sam and my Grandma

Sweet Emerson

Christmas Eve Part 1

My mom and Caroline enjoying the snow!

My neighbors let us borrow their snow sleds! I think I liked it as much as the kids!

The best! A WHITE Christmas in Texas!

This is my favorite gift! Sam bought this book for me with bible verses at his school store. He was so proud of it and it has been under the tree since the first week of December. I will always treasure it!

Candyland houses

Kirt is always a little tired of all of my "traditions" but this is the last one that I make sure we do every year.

Lights Lights and more Lights

Emerson and my dad--- we went to Prairie Lights this year. It was a wonderful display! We were so glad my parents could go with us on our "Christmas Adventure" as the kids called it!

This is one of our favorite traditions!

Sam's party

And this is Sam's street sign that hangs in the hallway by his class! We got it at a silent auction at the Fall Festival!

This was my first year to be the room mom for Sam's class. It really was very stressful trying to find a game, activity, and snack for 16 little 1st graders! I kept reminding myself that they really don't care if I have the coolest activities they just wanted the candy! Anyways, we ended up doing a book exchange, we ate cupcakes and rice krispie treats and we made ornaments, and had reindeer food. I got glass ornaments and took the tops off of them and we put paint inside and let the kids swirl them around to make a design. We finished it off with ribbon and their names on them and they were done! Not too messy and the kids were very entertained by the paint! All in all it was a success, but I am glad it is over for this year and only one more party to plan for Valentines Day! Caroline went to the party with me and the kids were very entertained by her. She drank a juice box and had cupcakes just like the big kids! My mom helped by picking Emerson up at school since her party was the same time!

Room mom crafts

Reindeer Food

Field Trip

Winter Recital

I don't think there are very many things cuter than a dance recital for 3 year olds!

They danced to Walking in a Winter Wonderland (the Mickey Mouse version). They all had little round dots to stand on and had strict instructions to stay on their dots. Well when they made a circle one of the dots got moved and Emerson & another little girl started standing on the same dot. Well, with Emerson being the bigger one she refused to move- so the little girl bent down and was trying to pull the dot from under her feet. Meanwhile all the other little girls continued to dance oblivious to the "fight over the dot" happening next to them. It was hilarious-- I got part of it on video until I was laughing so hard I couldn't video any more. I know Kirt got it on tape so we will try to put it on the blog. HILARIOUS! When the song was over the girls all walked off but Emerson and the other girl were still fighting over the dot! Emerson refused to move off of her dot!

Swimming in December

We had a fun party for Sam at the swimming pool- the kids had a great time!

Even Caroline had a great time playing!

Pizza, swimming and cake-- the kids were in paradise!

Yes, this mommy even let the 1 year old have a capri sun! I would have never done that when Sam was a baby!

Our big SEVEN year old!

Emerson loved it too!