Christmas

We had Christmas the last 2 weekends with the Highleys then the Krugers. We have had such a great time. The Highleys came 2 weekends ago. The weekend was too short but the kids had a blast. They opened presents at Marmi and Gampa's house. We had a delicious dinner and sat by the fire and listened to Christmas music while the kids opened presents. We were so proud of Cameron and Ethan. They were so sweet and gracious while they opened their gifts. They were the way you hope that your kids grow up. They said "Thank you" after each present and were so good when the presents were gone. The weather was so pretty on Sunday that the kids got to play outside. They rode the new plasma cars that Santa brought them and had so much fun. We packed as much fun as possible into the little time that Michael and Ryan's work schedule allowed.

The next weekend the Kruger's came. Again we had a blast. Jen and Craig came on Thursday and Fred and Deb came on Friday. We shopped and went out to lunch. The kids opened presents on Friday night. They got so many neat things. Jen got Dance Revolution for the Wii. She and I played it for over 4 hours on Saturday night while everyone else played shuffleboard. It was such a good time. By the time we were done we could hardley move our legs. We had two awesome weekends in a row. We are so lucky to have such a fun family.

Santa and his Elf

Who are these gigantic kids on Santa's lap, because there is no way they could be mine. Mac's legs look a mile long and Cam looks almost too bid to sit on his lap. They were really sweet about Santa. Cam talks to him every time we go to the mall, but Mac has been scared to death of him. Mackenzie told him that she wanted the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, and Cam told him he wanted small face Robin. Last week we got "The Elf on the Shelf". He is a little elf who comes with a sweet story about how he watches the kids and makes sure they are being good so he can report back to Santa. Each night he flies back to the North Pole and tells Santa what he saw all day. When the kids wake up the next morning he is sitting somewhere different to watch them. The story explains to them that he is magic and they cannot touch him. It says they can talk to him and he can hear them, but he is under strict orders from Santa not to talk back. They have been so cute with him. Cam came up with the name Redwhite because of the color of his suit. They have been on pretty good behavior since Redwhite has been in our house. If they start to fight with eachother they tell Redwhite they are sorry. The other day I was having Cam pick up all of the Batman toys that he dumped out in his room and he told me that Redwhite was watching and if I didn't help him pick up I wouldn't get any toys for Christmas.

Picture with Santa

 

Happy Birthday to my best friend. She gets prettier every year.

Happy Birthday Kendra

 

Thanksgiving

We had such a great time at Thanksgiving. The kids had so much fun together. It was beautiful weather and they played outside most of the day. Avery is getting so big. She is the sweetest baby I have ever seen. She just doesn't cry for anything. Cameron, Ethan, Drew and Mackenzie were great. We looked out the window and saw them all working together to get the sandbox lid raised up. We decided after that kind of teamwork we couldn't possibly tell them they couldn't get in with their good clothes on. The food was awesome, and being with everyone was too.

Avery

 

 

 

Mac

 

Christmas Decorating 2008

I know it is a little ridiculous, but we decorated our tree over the weekend. I guess we're not too ridiculous since the Highley's beat us to the punch. This was the best decorating year yet. Cameron and Mackenzie really got into it. I worked for a little while on Saturday and when I got home Ryan had the Christmas music playing and chicken wings going. We have always made a big deal about decorating for Christmas. Even before we had kids, we played Christmas music, and had fun snacks and made a special weekend of it. Since we've had kids I've been waiting for them to react the way they did this year. They were so excited about all of the decorations. They loved hanging stuff on the tree and they sang along with Christmas music. They hid in the Christmas tree box and pushed each other around in empty totes. They were just so sweet. The Mickey Mouse snow globe that plays music was a huge hit as were the fiber optic moose and snowman. They had so much fun together and got along so well. Mackenzie is shocking with how much she seems to get and understand about Christmas. She is just so smart and articulate. Cameron is obsessed with Santa. He wants to know when he is coming and which Batman toys he will bring. Every time we pass a Salvation Army bell ringer Cam gives them money. We have told him what the money is for. One time he stopped some people who walked by and told them they forgot to put money in. They are so full of spirit and happiness. My mission in life is to create warm, fuzzy, childhood memories for the two of them like the one's I have. I'm pretty sure this year we nailed it.

 

Halloween 2008

Halloween was great with the kids this year. They were both so excited about trick or treating and their costumes. We played trick or treat the whole week before halloween. We would take turns knocking on Mackenzie's bedroom door and one of us would be inside to give out candy. Cameron was Batman and Mackenzie was a puppy dog. Michael teased Cam that since he is Batman everyday of the year he should dress up as Cameron for halloween. Mac really got into the actual trick or treating. Normally she is a little shy and wants to be on my hip when we are away from home, but she was first in line at every door with no thoughts of where I was to get her candy. We had 3 halloween parties to go to and the kids had a blast at all of them. The neighborhood party was first and we had a bonfire and the kids ran around and played then went on a hay ride. For a solid week Mackenzie told anyone who would listen, "I'm going to a halloween party at Ethan's next weekend." Luckily it was as fun as she built it up to be. The kids had such a good time. Everyone dressed up, adults included. Ryan and I were Danny and Sandy. All in all I think we packed as much fun as you could pack into one holiday. It felt a little like Christmas because there was a little bit of a let down for the kids when it was all over. But can't every day pretty much be halloween when you are 4 and you dress up as Batman and eat lollipops everyday anyway.

Fun Fall Weekend

It was a perfect fall weekend. We had such a great time with our family. David, Sandy, Drew, Michael, Kendra, Ethan and Avery were here. It was the first time for David and Sandy to stay at Mom and Dads. Mom was the perfect hostess. There were fun snacks and drinks, and the house looked great. It was so neat to have them here. Cam, Ethan and Mac have so much fun with Drew. There is so much laughter and chaos when all the kids are running and playing. They all get along so well and are such good buddies. When Drew got out of the car he started running and I don't think he stopped the whole weekend. On Saturday we went to the pumpkin patch. The weather was perfect and the kids had so much fun. They ran around in a maze made of hay bales, went on a hay rack ride, and picked out the perfect pumpkins. They loved the maze the most. We came home and Michael helped all of the kids carve their pumpkins. Drew's was a classic jack-o-lantern, Ethan's was a cat, Cam's was Batman, and Mac's was a princess. While Michael carved Mac's pumpkin, she stared at him and did not leave his side for a second. She watched him like he was her hero, then didn't leave his side the rest of the night. The kids had such a good time playing with David. He chased them and ran with them the entire time he was here. It was great to see the kids spend so much time with David and Sandy. We miss them so much and wish they were closer. Avery was a perfect angel all weekend. She has changed and grown so much. She smiles all the time and laughs out loud now. Mackenzie is so fascinated by her. She hovers over her and talks to her and holds her hand. She giggles at every face Avery makes. When she starts crawling I think Mackenzie will absolutely loose her mind. Today was a relaxing day at home. The kids rode bikes around the pond and caught frogs. They all had a hard time leaving eachother. We can't wait for our next family weekend. I definately prefer the chaos, laughter and energy that comes with company to the quiet that is here when everyone goes.

Cameron

Yesterday I lost Cameron for about 5 minutes. It was by far the worst 5 minutes of my life. We were walking home from the pond and he cut through the grass between the houses while I walked his bike home on the road. He has done this before and waited for me on the driveway. When I got home yesterday he wasn't there and immediately I panicked. I was screaming his name and he wasn't answering. I kept going back and forth between the backyard and front yard. An AT&T worker stopped what he was doing and started looking. A worker across the street yelled "he's right here" and I looked and it was a boy from down the street. Every second that passed was so sickening. I ran to the Moore's down the street because that is his favorite place to go. When they said he wasn't there I thought I wouldn't make it. I could hear Kim telling the boys to get on their bikes and start looking. It all sounded like a piece from a horrible movie. As I was running back to ring another neighbors door it hit me that maybe my front door was unlocked and he went inside. I never leave the door unlocked so it didn't seem possible. When I opened the door I could here him coming down the stairs from his room. He remembered his new batman underwear on his way home and wanted to change. It never occured to me that he could have gotten into our house that is always locked up. I am posting this so we can all remember to be more careful.

Mackenzie

I have never known a little person like Mackenzie. She is so full of energy and life. She is so smart and sweet but also so independent and strong willed. Her favorite thing to do now is play with her babies. Every one of them is named Baby Avery. She wraps them in blankets and pushes them in her stroller. She pats them on the back, kisses them on the head, and sings "Little Feet Be Careful" to them. Everything with Mackenzie has been easy. She talked early, potty trained easily, and switched to a big girl bed without missing a beat. When she was 18 months old I told her it was time to let other babies have her paci's. I told her that mommys of babies without paci's would pick them up on our porch overnight. She said "Ok Mommy" and walked a ziplock baggy full of them to the front door and tossed them out herself. She never asked for one again. She is the toughest little girl. It is so funny to see such a little thing climb a rock wall and throw rocks with her brother. There is nothing she won't try. She loves dresses, bows, and princesses, but also loves matchbox cars and dirt. She has the most beautiful hair that looks like honey and she makes every dress look like it was made for her. She is everything you could ever ask for in a little girl. Since all of this blogging is for the kids to see someday, I thought I better take a second and let her know how amazing she is. Mackenzie, I am awfully lucky to be your mommy.

Baby Avery's baptism

We are so honored to be the godparents of such a precious little girl. She was so beautiful on her big day. She looked like an angel in her dress. Mackenzie told everyone all day that Avery was wearing her dress. The boys were so good all day. The weather was beautiful. It was a perfect day for a perfect little girl. Avery has the sweetest little personality. Her smile can light up a room. She really loves her Mommy holding her. I had her one time by myself for a little while and could not get her happy. I went and got the shirt that Kendra had worn the day before and put it over my shoulder and immmediately she stopped crying and went to sleep. It is going to be so fun to watch her grow up. She reminds me of Mackenzie in so many ways already. She would prefer to be held and she hates her carseat. Sounds like the making of another little princess!

New Room

Thanks to Grandpa, Mackenzie has a beautiful new room. She calls it her princess room. It is amazing how quick and neat the project was. Mackenzie has so much room now for her toys and to play. What a lucky little girl to have a Daddy, Grandpa and Gampa who would work so hard to make her room perfect. I know she will love growing up with such a fun place to pretend, dress up, and play.

New Room

 

New Room

 

Soccer

 

Soccer

 

Wii

 

Wii

 

 

Batman

 

Black Eye

 

Another Fun Weekend

We had such a fun weekend at Michael and Kendra's. We went all the way home on Saturday and took Big Dave and Drew to lunch. We also got to see Ashley, Jordan, Tammy and Scott. It was so great to see evereyone even if it was for such a short time. Our cookout Sunday with all of the family was so much fun. Kendra has such a way of making everyone feel at home. Debbie brought such delicious food. The kids had fun all day, and after they went to bed the girls played Wii and the boys played bags. It is always so hard to leave after such a fun weekend. Baby Avery has gotten so big. She is so pretty and bright eyed. It is amazing to see how much she has changed since the last time we saw her. She and Ethan get sweeter every time we see them. Cameron and Mackenzie love being with Ethan and Avery so much. It is neat that they have a place that they can look so forward to going to.

My Little Cheerleader

 

 

 

 

Beautiful Baby

 

 

Pretty Girls

 

Cousins

 

First week of school

Cam's first week of school has gone so well. He has been so happy when I drop him off and pick him up. He is so full of energy and excitement about his day. He loves his new teacher and his new friends. He is so sweet how he jumps out of the car and walks in holding the teacher's hand. His little mouth is moving the whole way telling her something about his morning or Batman I'm sure. I could not be more proud of him. This morning he didn't have school and he was crushed. He begged me to take him to school. In my wildest dreams I never imagined it would go this well. I recently discovered there is a little girl at school that Cam's friends refer to as "Cameron's girl". He talks about her every night and I saw her hugging him on the playground on Thursday before I picked him up. She is cute as a button. When I ask Cam about her he remembers what she wore each day. He tells me she has long yellow hair. I sure wasn't banking on him having a girlfriend 4 days after school started. Thanks to everyone who worried about him with me. All of his great family is what has given him the confidence to pull this off.

We had the company picnic on Saturday. It was hot, but the kids had a blast. Cameron was so bright red from running around. His friend Adam from school was there and they did not stop running for 2 hours straight. It was fun meeting all the people Ryan works with.

Open House

Here is Cam before his open house at school. We went to his classroom to drop off his school supplies and spend an hour with his teachers and a few other students. He had to cut out a prince and color the prince's clothes. The classroom has a castle theme this year so the boys cut out princes and the girls princesses. He colored his black so he would look like batman. He asked his teacher why his prince didn't have bat ears coming out of his crown. He had me make a bat symbol on his prince's shirt. He had a fun time playing with his buddy Adam. He was a really good boy at school again. I think he is ready to go by himself on Monday. He told me he was a little scared for me to leave him alone at school. I promised him a trip to the toy store on Monday after school if he can make it through the day on his own. I am certainly not above bribing him with a new batman to get him through the day!