Visiting Santa 16

Santa had visited my classroom before and was AMAZING AMAZING AMAZING and I had always heard his 'shop' here in town was worth the trip.  Had planned to go last year but pregnancy got in the way of that so we went this year and it WAS worth it.  So much to look at and such an amazing spirit. 

EVERY child leaves with two toys.  You get a stuffed animal that an elf delivers you as you are on Santas lap and then as you are telling Santa what you want for Christmas another little elf is finding you a treasure.  Jaren said a puzzle and he got a puzzle - Ryland said a car and he got a car - Landrie said a surprise and she got a pink backpack!!!

So much fun - so much magic - so so so many smiles.

Dec. 16 misc.

December was  good month for us.  I had so much fun feeling good during this holiday season and enjoying our family time.  Our kids are at such magical ages we just all really had fun!

Our advent wreath is one of our favorite holiday things

Day one - make a chain countdown to Christmas

Snuggle little girl with her new blanket from Mima Cheryl

Jaren got football pads from Mima Cheryl and Papa Mike and ball pants.  He was just missing the helmet (which he got at Christmas from mima and papa mac!

Jaren was being a prep and landing elf.  If you have not seen that WONDERFUL Christmas show you need to look it up next year.  Prep and Landing and Prep and Landing Naughty Vs. Nice - they ARE worth it.

Daddy and Landrie dancing to Christmas music

Family tradition - Lay under the tree and look at the lights.

Advent wreath favorite - Make a snow scene out of shaving cream

Christmas Shopping trip 16

This year marked our THIRD annual Christmas shopping trip to KC with my mom and sisters.  Last year we had baby Olivia with us and this year we had baby Taylin.  

In my sister Nikkis words when answering Elizabeth about when she would get to go with us.

Only babies go after that you won't get to go.  This is for Grandma and her daughters.  (That is not a quote but something to that effect)  It will be a nice tradition to keep for sure with many wonderful memories each year.  If you are not breastfeeding or not a daughter or daughter in law to Mom  - sorry!

Our trip this year fell on the same day as Sarah's benifit walk so we took our shirts with us and walked in KC for Sarah.

We made shirts this year and Taylin got one too, but decided to poop on it rather early in the day.

I was trying to make it where you could see my shirt, but  not sure it worked and pretty sure this is when she pooped.

looks innocent right?

No she is giving her green apple soda from the soda shop

Can't trust a Mima every I swear ;)

Taylin displaying our findings for us

Taylin Tess 3 month pics

Big girl!  Just can't believe how old she is getting.  

Nov. 16 misc

Taylin is just growing so darn fast I can't believe it.  She is 6 1/2 months old now and growing everyday.  

First big girl bath!

She LOVED this cereal.  This was her first attempt.

 Since these pictures feeding took a hit here.  After Thanksgiving Taylin and I both got sick for about 3 weeks.  We did not get better till I got on an antibiotic and steroid.  In the process with her not being able to breath we held off on feeding the cereal since she was miserable. 

Then after she was better and we decided to give it another shot - she was gag and throw up as I presented the spoon.  After much work and LOTS of gagging she will now let us put about 1/2 a container in her mouth without throwing up but she is not liking it and is not swallowing but 1/2 of what we put in her mouth.  I have been to two pediatric feeding conferences and actually working on oral motor and feeding is very close to the top of my list of what I like to do at work, but it is not the same when it is your own kid.  

Decorating the tree always a favorite here and I got to enjoy it this year!!!

Daddy always helps them get it high.  We got a new 9 foot tree this year so he had is work cut out for himself.

I love that look on his face.

Taylin liked watching it happen

So rolly!