Gingerbread Houses...

We went to a dear friends house for a gingerbread decorating event. The afternoon was filled with yummy foods, fun activities, and great company! As always Ms. Acosta was the hostess with the mostess. The boys had so much fun and were already asking about next time.

Electric Critters

So glad we went when we did! I was talking to a friend and she said the news reported that someone stole 40+ extension cords from River Bend the next weekend. Isn't that just plain awful!!! Makes me so so angry when mean people do mean selfish things! On a brighter note it will be taken care of and Electric Critters will go on!


Checking out the lights at Electric Critters...


Giving Santa 5

Paxson is patiently waiting while Parker explains to Mrs. Claus what he wants for Christmas.

Gooble Gobble

Daddy had to show Parker that he could still carry him!

Look familiar??? This is daddy and Paxson but I have the same exact picture of daddy of Parker when he was 2! Wearing the same coat. Can't beat hand me downs!

Church Program

Parkers line: "Lets all go to Bethlehem to see what the Lord has done for us." He said it perfectly!

Santa came for a visit after the program!

Kell House.....a tour to remember

We started going to the Kell House when Parker was 2. Therefore we have been several years. However this was year a tour to remember....We went to the Kell House for their yearly Christmas tour and it absolutely could not have been better. We arrived just before they closed for the evening. We waited a bit but no one else showed up for a tour so it was just our family. The elves showed us special attention and man on man Santa was a hit! He addressed Parker & Paxson the entire time by their names. He asked them to make special promises and do favors for him. He let them help with the story. I was a wonderful evening!



So sad Paxson was tired. He had been up since 6:00 and out playing with daddy all day with no nap. These would have been Amazing!


After making their ornaments.

Frosting cookies with Mrs. Claus

Hearing the Christmas Story and visiting with the elves.

Small Town Parade...

A pretty cold evening but we couldn't miss the Christmas Parade...

Paxson stayed snuggled in the stroller while Parker chased the candy! Of course he shared with little brother!

Las Pasados....

Our church held a celebration this past week. The children dressed as Shepard's, Angels, the shinning star, and sheep. We even had a "real donkey" that walked with us. The donkey kind of became the highlight with the children. :) After walking around the church and eating an authentic dinner the children opened a pinata!

They took a few good swings...

Pinata fun...

Knock knock knock.....asking to come in...

Walking around the Church singing and reading scripture!

Preparing for the journey...

A small group of the children posing for quick picture.

Just a quick Parker note...

The boys I were making their Christmas lists for Santa and for Meme and Dandy. We made large sheets of paper and labeled them Christmas list for Santa.....Christmas list for Meme and Dandy. (Meme requested a list and gave us a catalog.) While making the lists Parker cut out a picture of a toy and said he was going to put it on Santa's list. I told him that he already had a lot for Santa he might put it on Meme and Dandy's list. He looked at me very seriously and said. Well this toy kinda looks like it might cost a lot of money and I don't want Meme to have to use a lot of her money. Santa can just ask an elf to make it so it won't cost him a lot of money.
......How sweet is that!!!!!

Shopping Adventures..

So this past week I made an adventurous stop by Hobby Lobby. We ate lunch and left SLP about 12:30. I simply needed one more box of red light to go down the other side of the drive way. Easy enough....... Well of course I had precious Paxson, patient Parker, and entertaining Ella with me. But I knew they could hang in there for one stop. We hurried in the store .....which was packed I should have taken that as clue #1. Then we picked up the box of lights and carefully selected a box sweet and sour candy canes. Next we headed to check out. Anytime I run errands with Parker, Paxson, and Ella people seem to look at me with bewilderment. They assume that Paxson and Ella are twins. I watch their eyes and they go to Parker, Paxson & Ella, and then to my big round tummy. Most of the comments are very sweet and amusing. However I am sure that most people are thinking Lady are you crazy?!? Anyway back to our shopping experience. As we head to check out I notice how long the lines are but that is to be expected at Hobby Lobby. So we decided on a lane and enter the long lines. After 10 minutes I started thinking man is this really worth it. The kids were all being so patient and peaceful. We played rock paper scissors, head & tails, guess the hand, etc. and I thought about how much prettier the drive way would look with another row of lights. Ahhh we waited this long we can do it. There were only 2 people in front of me. We waited another 10 minutes now it was beginning to get a little ridiculous. Yet I was determined to get my lights at this point after all I had waited in line for 20 minutes with three little kids during nap time. They were SO SO SO good. I broke out my phone and opened the box of candy canes and they once again waited peacefully. Finally it's my turn to check out the lady starts scanning and tells me my total. As I look in my purse my eyes started swelling up! The people in line behind looked at me like I was crazy. I looked at the "checker outer" and said I don't have any money. I left my walled at home. (I had bought some things online the night before and forgot to put my wallet back into my purse.) I even offered to leave my purse. I desperately wanted that box of lights after everything we had been through. She kinda laughed and said I can hold your things. Will you be right back. I looked at her and said no! I live in Henrietta and these kids need to take a nap. Sadly I closed up my purse gathered Parker, Paxson, and Ella and started walking out. I just kept thinking won't someone offer to pay for my things. yeah right... I would have. The kids had no idea what was going on. Parker just kept saying what about our candy canes. What if someone gets them. I explained that I really didn't think anyone would get them since the box was missing 3 candy canes. I felt like Hobby Lobby could deal with the opened box of candy after all that. So we loaded back in the suburban and headed home. I called Casey nearly in tears telling him the story. Now I can laugh at it but while it was taking place pure frustration was felt!!! So needless to say when Casey got home from work he said "Baby lets go get your lights" and we drove back into town and got the candy canes and box of lights. LOL :)

Whirlwind Thanksgiving...

What a awesome & wonderfully busy Thanksgiving we had!

Honestly I don't think we could have possibly fit anything else in. On Tuesday Gigi and Papa came down for the boys feasts at SLP. Then we came home and Papa and Parker put lights on the house and Papa put the crib together (WITHOUT any instructions)! Way to go Papa!!!!! Gigi and Paxson did a little napping. They are such great nappers together. :) Then we squeezed in a little visiting before Papa had to leave. The next morning Uncle Jesse and Haley arrived to finish helping with the Christmas lights. While Uncle Jesse, Haley, and Parker climbed the trees and decorated our yard Gigi, Paxson and myself went to Wichita to run a few errands and look for fabric. My dear sweet precious (unknowing what she got herself into) offered to get Grandma Kay to help her make the baby bedding when she goes for a Christmas visit. Poor Grandma Kay had now way to back out. So Grandma Kay and Aunt Kasi will be designing the baby bedding for our new little Angel. My knowledge of sewing is lacking so I wanted mom to be with me while I purchased the fabric. It took longer than we anticipated but I am so so excited to see it all put together! It will be beautiful! After a full day of errands we picked up pizza and headed back to Henrietta. Upon returning home the lights were hung but we had to slightly reconfigure the plugging in situation. I only had a few melt downs. Not completely myself right now. :) Nothing quite like a hug from your mom! Pretty much solves anything! Aunt Kasi and Gammer arrived later in the evening and entertained the boys while Gigi and I did some pre Thanksgiving baking and called it a night!

We arose early on Thanksgiving day to start all the yummies! Aunt Kasi pretty much did whatever I asked (she was very understanding to my petty worries). Like finishing the name place cards the boys and I made. I had totally forgot to put the feathers on the turkeys. The boys painted our place mats and made the table decorations. Thanks Kasi! Uncle Jesse and Haley played hide n go seek with the boys while Gammer instructed us on how to prepare things. (just kiding) We had and early lunch and everything was so yummy! I noticed everyone slipping away from the table one by one and the kitchen became very quiet. Gammer rested on her so so comfortable blow up bed she willing and happily sleeps on when she visits. Gigi and Paxson headed for their bed and Uncle Jesse and Haley headed back to Oklahoma for Thanksgiving with Haley's family. Casey made his way to the living room for more football. While old faithful ......Aunt Kasi helped me clean up. :) It really wasn't bad and we got it done pretty quickly! Being the loving sister she is and knowing me so well Aunt Kasi offered to help me with the outside lights. Poor Casey felt bad and tore himself away from football to help us girls get things working. It took a bit but it all looks so beautiful! We we will add more next year. It takes a little time to get everything just as you imagine. But the boys love it and we have received many compliments! I think everyone that helped believes it was well worth the effort! :)
Once evening approached everyone arose from their naps and Gammer entertained the boys while Gigi, Aunt Kasi, and myself put up the family tree. ( The boys have their own tree that they completely decorate on their own. But mommy is a little more particular about the family tree. LOL)


It was a wonderfully busy 3 days! Thank you so so much everyone for all your help! I am so lucky to have such a patiaent, loving, caring, and understanding family!!!

3 down and 1 more to go...

We spent the weekend in Round Rock for Megan's wedding. It was a beautiful ceremony followed by an extremely enjoyable reception. Everything was organized so nicely and flowed so well. It was a great weekend. It will probably be the last of the travels for me until little miss has joined our family.
(In reference to the title...we have had the pleasure of attending TD's, Hillary's, and Megan's wedding. Next will be sweet Allsion's.)

Meeting Meme and Dandy at the church...

Already getting a little tired of photos and the evening had just begun. We couldn't help they just looked so darn cute!!

Waiting on the ceremony to begin.

Preparing for the toast. It's so funny how much children can enjoy the simply things. They love drinking out of "fancy" glasses whenever they can!

The reception was at a beautiful golf course club house. The view was amazing. I am sure Megan and Chris will have some awesome images from the reception.

Paxson and his favorite thing.....CAKE

He couldn't wait for them to cut the cakes! He was so patient through , dinner and the toast. We took a few visits looking at the cakes and he kept rubbing hi tummy saying "yummy in my tummy". It worked out perfectly because we headed straight for the cake as soon as they started cutting it and were fortunate enough to get a corner with tons of frosting! He was happy!

TD and precious Brooklyn

Parker was ready to get his groove on...

He has been telling us all day how he was going to show us some cool dance tricks! He had so many questions about he ceremony and reception. Such an inquirer.

Enjoying a little dancing...

They were both anxiously waiting for the Father/ Daughter dance to end. Not to rush such a special time but those little guys where anxious to get to dancing.

God on his mind...

Lately Parker has really had God on his mind. He has shared a few thoughts, dreams, and conversations that he has had with God. Each story has brought tears to our eyes. It is such an amazing feeling to see your child grow closer to God. He is only 5 years old but his understanding and perspective of our Father completely astounds me. I am beginning to grasp how much I have to learn from a 5 year old. I wanted to share one of his recent conversations.

Parker told Casey...
"Daddy you know what God told me last night?"
...No what did he tell you
"He told me not to worry about you going to Heaven. That he won't take you to Heaven until I am older and can take care of myself. He won't take my daddy from me while I am still a little guy."
...I am glad to know that Parker.


And pretty much tears and hugs took over for bit from Casey and myself. One pretty special little boy! Thank you Father for blessing our lives, thank you for trusting us and allowing us the privilege to be parents!

Halloween Eve...

Batman adjusting the black light.

Parker and Paxson passing out candy to the Karate Kids

Enjoying handing out candy

Headed off to get some goodies.

Paxson and I stayed behind to hand out candy. Parker and daddy ventured out to collect yummies. He returned after about an hour with an overflowing bucket and stayed behind to help us pass out candy. Honesty I think both boys enjoy passing out more than trick or treating. Daddy wore the "Jason" mask with gloves and hooded sweatshirt and stood in various places around the yard. A few kids turned around and decided not to come up once thy saw him standing in the yard. Parker yelled "it's just my daddy it's okay". SO I guess he wasn't to scary. LOL We were busy with trick or treats for 2 1/2 hours straight then headed to Meme and Dandy's for the boys Halloween Surprises. Back home by about 9:30 and quickly turned in for the night! And the costumes were retired to the dress up trunk for later fun!