Christmas 2011!

This was our Saylor's first Christmas Season and although it was busy it was such a joy to have her with us this year and to enjoy the magic that the season brings with little ones around. I had 443 photos from the 2 weeks over Christmas break!!! I have narrowed them down but I think my eyes are permanently crossed! Here is a very abbreviated glimpse at our wonderful Christmas this year!

Boys had a party at school, they did a little program and got to sit in Santa's lap!

Christmas with the Pierce's! All 7 grand kids, this picture is always a tradition, Saylor preferred to chew on her hat versus wear it.

The big girls, Julia, Adrienne and I all received hand-sewn quilts from Nana and Pappy Pierce!

Christmas morning before they could go look under the tree, they got to sleep in Mommy and Daddy's room and "Princess P" was not awake yet so she got to sleep through the first part.

This was at The Brown Christmas at Dean and Ashley's house in Mobile. The kids had the best time playing as did the adults, between ipads, Kindle Fire, and Wii....we all played a game or two.

Granny and my brothers

Our 3 in Christmas PJ's

Building Nanny's Gingerbread house, always a fun tradition!

At Nanny and Pops on Christmas, Saylor is in my old rocking chair.

Christmas at Mawmaw and Pawpaws! All the kids helped her open her gift from them, a portrait of all 5 kids together!

After a written clue was read to each kid they got to go find their gift! The boys got their first BB Guns! (minus the BB's for heavens sake! They will probably be 22 before I let them have ammunition that is not from NERF)

WE had such a great Christmas with each family and although it gets a little hectic, it could not have been better as far as getting to see everyone and enjoying our time together! We were blessed this year to be able to attend church on Christmas morning since it was on a Sunday.

A Birthday Party for Jesus!

Harrison and Hudson had their first birthday party for Jesus during the Christmas break. Every child brought a monetary donation to the Cyndi Trest Mission and some canned goods for the Edwards Street Grocery. We raised almost $150 and had over 60 cans of food! We read the book Humphrey's First Christmas and talked about giving. They did a canned food hunt in the backyard, we sang Happy Birthday and ate cake then played the rest of the time! We were so glad that our friends and cousins came to play and fellowship and hope to start a tradition recognizing and teaching the real story of Christmas and how each of us can give just like our savior did for us. Like Humphrey, the camel at the manger in Bethlehem, he gave his most treasured blanket to the new baby so he would not be cold.

A planner for a toddler

Do they make planners for toddlers? If so we desperately need one for Harrison. You want to talk about a child who thrives on routine??? Since we are all over the place this week and through the holiday season we ( as in which ever adult is in charge of him at the time) has to go over his schedule with him over and over and over ad when he finally memorizes it he will repeat and repeat and ask if that's right. He is VERY type A and likes routine and to know what is going to happen like his Daddy! He started this morning about 6:15 asking me if his schedule for the day that he repeated fears correct, God Love Him, I am just the opposite and have a hard time relating! I'm a "fly by the seat of my pants" kind of gal. Christmas festivities start tonight for our family and they could not beige excited! We had a birthday party for Jesus on Tuesday and it was awesome, that post is coming soon!

Bassinet rediscovered

I just figured out that I can put her in here to play and wheel her wherever I go! I wish I had not wasted so much time not using it. I was having a hard one putting it away because it meant closing a chapter....now I can prolong that for a little while!

First Christmas

This will be baby Saylor's First Christmas. It is so special and sweet and magical! She loves the lights all over the house and her little tree in her room. She is a sweet girl and I hope we can soak up every little minute of this Christmas season with 3 precious babies :) this is her by our tree in a gown my mom saved of mine when I was her age.

Dear Santa

We have the best mail lady in South MS I would put $ on it! She always brings the boys a piece of candy and if we don't see her she leaves it in the mailbox. She gets out and hugs them and asks about their lives, we love her, Mrs.Carla. She knows how to get Santa's mail directly to him and had been telling the boys to get their letters to him in the mail so we did that today! Miss Saylor was asleep but he knows what she wants (not baby food that's for sure!!) she got her first tooth a week ago and the second one is right next to it!

We have on special request for Santa, to get our new friend baby Miller healed and back home with his family. This is my dear friends Kimberly and Brian Moore's sweet newborn. He had heart surgery today at 6 days old and we have all been on pins and needles, praying, watching the clock and checking our phones for updates. We love you sweet boy an will see you soon! Here is his

Santa came to check up on us!

We came to Nanny and Pops house tonight and had some holiday fun! The boys with their cousin Liam helped decorate Nanny's gingerbread house and did pretty good considering all the tempting candy! Then they settles down to watch cartoons when there was a knock at the door.... Santa! He came to check on everyone and see what the kids wanted for Christmas. They all sat in his lap and they got so nervous and excited they couldn't remember what to ask for! Even Saylor talked to him, it was so sweet how she just stared up at him. Harrison asked for an airplane and autobots. Hudson asked for a Batman phone (help?!) and a snake catcher!! Yikes! Saylors brothers told him that she needed some baby toys. It was a great night and we can wait for Christmas Day!

The advent

My mom gave me the advent calendars my brothers and I used as kids. We needed them badly because Harrison was asking several times a day if his stocking would be full in the morning, or if I could get his stocking down in the morning when it's full, or if Santa was coming tonight.... I thought it would solve all the confusion :/. Now I have to explain that we can't choose a number and eat the candy...daily... Maybe by Christmas we will get it!

7 months old!

Saylor is 7 months old now which means she is closer to 1 than newborn and that just can't be!! I still feel like she just got here. She is really coming out of her shell now. She is jabbering and squealing and says "da da da". She sits all the time and stands with support. She eats just like Hudson (and me) which is picky. She does not love baby food, she loves her bottle and water! She is about to get her first bottom tooth. She is such a sweet baby! We love our Saylor girl, happy 7 month birthday baby!!

Thanksgiving 2011

I'm so far behind I was minutes from giving up... So I'm going to try to do this from my phone to catch up! Miss Saylor had her First Thanksgivings this year! We had a great week of family and food and started at my parents house, went to Joel's moms on Thanksgiving and hosted his Dad and family on Saturday. Uncle D even came to visit!! Saylor is saying "da da da" and talking all the time. Harrison is asking everyday how many days left till Christmas and has got great holiday spirit! Hudson wants to watch all nature and hunting shows now over cartoons :( We are decorated for Christmas and enjoying all the magic it brings having little ones around :)

Here is their tree they decorated for their room.

Here is Saylor's tree

These were hysterical, they came home from school with these.... if you know Joel you know this is going to put some pressure on him as he doesn't hunt! But looks like he will have to give it a go this year!

The kids table at our Thanksgiving was very helpful in keeping attention!

Harrison had his first "coffee" (hot chocolate) and giggled the whole time.

Sissy on Thanksgiving

I pulled out the tea party on our Thanksgiving, it hasn't seen the light of day so I thought if not now I will never get it out!

This is Harrison's, so sweet and so true for him!

Let me fill you in...

This is the longest I have gone without blogging...It has been quite busy around here! I have to say as crazy and unstable as this life can be right now... the kids are all at the most fun ages and are saying the funniest things. They are fun to hang out with...if they have napped and eaten ;)

Harrison at the doctor when we found out he has asthma, (who knew!?) I hope it is something that is not constantly around and he will grow out of! We now have steroids, allergy meds, nebulizer and antibiotics to give to a kid that has hysteria when its time to take a vitamin.

Kayla our youngest niece turned 3!! We went to her fun party at Mitchell Farms.

Kayla, 3, Kali, 5

It's Halloween everyday at our house!

I turned 30 this month and Joel had a surprise party for me at home... and he did such a good job. We had tornadoes the night before and had no power all day and as the first guest showed up it turned on, he was sweating it!

I made the comment how birthday parties really do change with age...10 years ago I didn't know this many kids much less were there kids at my birthday party!! I loved having them there they always make it more exciting!

Joel and his Dad hanging new curtains!

Uncle Matthew assisted ;)

Before

After

My 3 stooges