Halloween 2011

This Halloween we took the kiddos to a small pumpkin patch that the local pottery/nursery store put together. I was really impressed with the result. The had a small maze of straw bales that the kids enjoyed. It was hard keeping them in the maze instead of climbing over the bales. They loved all the funny shaped "pumpkins". I must admit, I have never seen so many oddly shaped gourds either.

Hayden was excited to see this sign since

he was wearing his Great Pumpkin shirt!

Check out the green pumpkin!

What a big girl she is.

This is probably the biggest pumpkin he has seen!

Our Jack-o-lanterns:

A cat and a ghost

They're so excited!!

We did our yearly tradition of going to Mineola where all the down-town businesses hand out candy. I feel good about trick-or-treating there and the kids get to see their cousins and Uncle Cheese and Aunt Suzi. They loaded up a ton of candy and had a good time. I don't understand some of the costumes that I saw though. It's like people are trying to either be as gory as they possibly can or reveal way too much. Whatever happened to super heroes and princesses? I guess I'm getting too old.

Pirate of the Caribbean

The cutest little Witch!

Walking with Uncle Cheese

After trick-or-treating we went to my Mother-in-law's. We always have to get a picture of Hayden with the Halloween bucket. I'd say he's grown quite a bit. He's still just as excited about the candy at 4 years as he was at 5 months.

The Holiday Season All Crammed Into One Post

The last three months of 2010 went by in a blur. We really didn't do too much, but it just seems that I blinked and it was all over. I'm sure that's a norm for most people, but it just amazes me how quickly it was all over and new year was beginning. And so I will quickly rundown the year end and sum in all up in one neat if not little post.

Thanksgiving we had Craig's family over. And until now I hadn't realized that I didn't take a single picture of the family at Thanksgiving. How is that possible? I did take some of Hayden's little feast at school. It consisted of pizza, string cheese and fruit. Most of which I am sure they were all very thankful for. It beats PB&J sandwiches and chips. The boys had little Indian headbands and the girls had pilgrim hats. It was so cute!

The site of the Feast

Hayden's best buddy Preston

Some days they get to sit together, but most days

Ms. Gaye has to separate them.

I'm pretty disappointed that I didn't get any shots of our thanksgiving together, but it was just a small gathering. Craig did ALL the cooking and I did ALL the cleaning. I got so lucky with this man! And so did everyone that didn't have to eat any food that I made! We did get our lovely bird (which deserves it's own picture, if I had one) from the famous Greenberg Turkeys. A year can't go by without a Greenberg Turkey. It's worth every penny and my mouth is watering just thinking about it right now!

Christmas was so exciting this year. The week before Christmas we took the kids to Santa Land. It was a huge hit with Hayden, but Reagan didn't much care for it. In fact she spent most of her time in my lap nursing as we drove through the line. After we made out of the lights, we took them to see Santa! Once again that line was pretty long, but Hayden was very patient. I was somewhat upset when Santa called Reagan a "little guy" but hey, he is pretty busy, so I'll cut him some slack!




We didn't break the bank this year, but came pretty close. Looking back now I have realized what I am sure most parents quickly come to terms with: the kids got way too MUCH! It was worth seeing the looks on their faces though. Hayden got a new Thomas the train set and a huge train table. We quickly realized that the train set was way too big for the table, but Santa had already put the table together so we couldn't really take it back. So we made a small track to stay on the table and when I'm felling really adventurous we get the entire set out and take up the whole floor.

Santa was generous!

We went to Craig's grandmothers on Christmas Eve. When we got home Hayden put out some cookies and Reindeer food. He was so excited. I was surprised how quickly he got into bed. I know in the future he'll be trying to stay up late, but for now he is still willing to go to bed without too much fuss. I took a few shots, but mostly got video. I set the camera on the tripod that I could help Reagan open her gifts. I realized about twenty minutes later it was still rolling. I haven't watched it yet because I'm afraid that might be something incriminating on the tape!

Reagan (it was really for me) got this ornament from Aunt Cricket.

Craig's Mamaw, his Dad and Peaches, as grandpa calls her.

The first of many gifts on Christmas morning.

New Years Eve we had some close friends come over with their kiddos. We had a bonfire and roasted hot dogs and made smores. It was really cold, but so much fun for the kids and adults! We had a sleep over and rang in the new year with champagne for the adults and sparkling grape juice for the kids. It really was a great way to end a good year.

Craig's mom, brother, sister-in-law and their kids came over on New Years Day and we had a yummy feast of Chicken fried steak, potatoes and corn casserole, hamburgers for the kids and much more. It was full house with 7 adults and 8 kids! I loved every minute of it. It was a great way to start out the new year. I know 2011 is going to be great!

And finally, I must explain this picture below. This is my nephew Matthew. As hard as it is for me to believe, he's 13 now! The big gold fish on the left was his kindergarten teacher's fish. Each new school year this teacher gets some fish and then gives them away when summer comes around so that she doesn't have to take them home. I saw these fish at Thanksgiving that year and they were tiny. Matthew knew that at the time I had an empty tank that needed some fish so he volunteered our tank as a home for them. I was prepared for little fish and set up a 10 gallon tank. When they got there I had to set up our 30 gallon tank so they had room to move!That was spring 2005. We have since lost one fish, but by my calculations that makes this goldfish going on 7 years!

Time To Catch up...

I didn't realize it had been so long since I posted, but it's time for me to catch up. I will start with Halloween.

Since Hayden's first Halloween, we have gone to Mineola's downtown area because all the businesses close early on Halloween night and hand out candy. It's great for the kids and I feel much safer taking them to trick or treat there instead of going in a neighborhood where I don't know anyone.

For the first time Craig has been off and was able to go with us. I don't think he realized how much of a candy haul we would come away with. In fact I finally just threw away some candy yesterday because I was tired of looking at it.

Daddy and Tinkerbell

Sitting back and collecting candy.

Hayden and Uncle Cheese

After trick-or-treating we went to my mother-in-law's house. We can't miss a Halloween at her house because the munchkins HAVE to dig through her bucket of candy. This is also a tradition.

Showing off her skills

of walking at 10 months

Her candy of choice. See how it

matches her pretty eyes.

Hayden with "the bucket"

Just as a flashback:

Hayden's first Halloween (2007)

Snow Day Then and Snow Day Now

A lot has changed in 11 months!

A Little Confession

Ok, a big confession. I have the best intentions in all that I do. But I am starting to realize that I am real. A real person who would like to improve herself. I wish that I was the perfect mother and woman. But I know I'm not. I'm not a good blogger. I tried blogging daily about what I am thankful for and quickly got behind. I'm not a good cook. I tried making my own baby food, but Rea seemed to not care for what I was offering. I want to start getting serious with photography, but I'm afraid that I won't be good enough. I started selling jewelry, but I don't like it as much anymore. I worry all the time that I'm not doing enough for my children, but I think they are happy well adjusted babies. All these things make me real. And they make me who I am.

Day 21 - Siblings

As an only child I always wished I'd had siblings. I didn't have anyone with which to share all things, good and bad. And so the thing today that I am thankful for is that my children each have a sibling. They already enjoy playing together. Reagan thinks Hayden is the coolest and he already seems protective of her.

Day 20 - My Horses

This is my baby Splash. He's really pretty and just the sweetest horse around. I am so thankful to have these beautiful creatures right in my own front yard. I absolutely love sitting on the front porch and just watching him and the others graze. Watching them is just so calming and peaceful.

Day 19 - Marriage

I am so thankful for my marriage. My husband has been my best friend for 8 years and it just keeps getting better. God has blessed me more than I could ever imagine with this union.

Day 18 - Bryson

Ok, I know I'm very behind. Family reunions and such. And as you can tell I don't have a pic today. This day I am thankful for the birth of a new little guy. My best friend, Holly, had her sweet baby boy Friday November 12th. He was 7 pounds and 6 ounces and has made his mommy and daddy so proud. I don't have a pic because I haven't met him yet, but I have seen pictures and he's pretty darn precious. I'm a proud "Aunt". Congrats Jeff and Holly.

Day 17 - Family

I didn't take this picture seeing as how it was taken WAY before my time (note the stylish clothing). But it's of my Uncle Jerry. I miss him so very much. It's hard to believe it's been 9.5 years since he passed. Where has the time gone? Tomorrow we have a family reunion. It's always sad that he is not here anymore. He was the best story teller. He loved getting together with our distant relatives and catching up as well as reliving old times. So tonight I am thankful for two things. I am thankful that I had the most wonderful Uncle, who was much like a father. And I am thankful for the family that I do still have.

Day 16 - Love of Country

On this Veteran's Day I am thankful for the sacrifice that so many have made so that we can enjoy a country like America. There aren't enough words to express how grateful I am that we have the freedoms that we have and that so many men and women are willing to lay down their lives so that this country can remain free.

Day 15 - The Girl

For as long as I can remember I have wanted a little girl and her name would be Elizabeth. As it turns out my Mother-in-law's middle name is Elizabeth, so it was meant to be that Reagan would share her middle name. From day 1 of my pregnancy, I knew this was the little girl I had been waiting for. She will be 10 months tomorrow and she makes me smile everyday. I can't wait for days of playing tea party and house. Who knows? She might be a little tomboy and want to get just as dirty as her brother does. Either way, I am so very thankful that she has come into our lives.

Day 14 - Matthew

Matthew is my youngest nephew. He became my nephew when I married Craig. He won my heart over at the age of 6 when he called me Aunt Christie before I was even married to Craig. And how can I forget that he proposed to me before Craig did? Today is his birthday and he's a teenager today. It's hard to believe that's he's 13 now. Happy Birthday Matthew! We love you!

Day 13 - Premier Designs

I am so thankful to have an opportunity like Premier Designs. I know God put this company in my path for a reason. I have met many wonderful people and had so much fun in the process. I have also been able to contribute money to the family bank account. Having worked since I was 16 it was hard for me to get used to staying home and not making a paycheck. I know my "job" of raising kids is the most important work I can do and I am so very thankful to be able to do it. But I am glad that I am able to do my job with Premier Designs around our family schedule.

Day 12- Salvation

What more can I say? I'm just so thankful for the gift that Jesus Christ gave when He died on the cross.

Day 11 - The Boy

I never knew how much my life would be changed when I had children. It has been the best experience ever and having a son has been just the icing on the cake. My days are filled with dump trucks and cars. I knew that little boys love their mommies, and that is so the case. I also told him the day that he was born that no girl would ever be good enough for him. He makes me laugh every day and although he is a challenge at times, I am thankful for every moment I have with him.

Day 10 - Against All Odds

It shouldn't make sense, but my Mom and Step mom are here spending the weekend with me and we are having a blast! I am so thankful that they get along. Most families could never dream that this would happen. What a joy to get to spend time with Mimi and Gigi!