Trimming The Tree

We spent Saturday night after Jack and Bailey returned from Memaw's and G-Dad's trimming the tree. This was the best year ever! We finally have our complete family all sitting around looking at the lights and putting ornaments on. The older two love to put on the ornaments and Connor just sat and watched everything we did. Greg put on Christmas music and Jack and Bailey really planned out where to put all the ornaments. I only had to move a few around this year! Of course, we didn't put anything on the bottom layer so Connor won't be tempted. So far he hasn't tried to pull up on the tree. I give him a week and then he will realize how fun it would be to pull down the tree! Greg doesn't "get into" all this Christmas stuff like I do. I have always loved to decorate and celebrate the holidays. Greg puts up with it for me and now for the kids. Bailey is going to be just like her mommy. She gets so excited over everything Christmas and has been bugging her daddy to put up the lights on the house. Which he did just for her (and me)this Sunday. We are ready for the fun to begin!!! Christmas is really special to me this year, it is the first year for our completed family to celebrate. With Connor added this year everything will be new and the other two can't wait to show him everything. I want this to be the best Christmas ever.

Blessings!

This time of year is spent on remembering the things we should be thankful for. I hope to instill in my three children that we should always be thankful not just at this time. I love all holidays but especially the one where we "Count our Blessings".
Here are a few of mine-
My loving, patient husband, who keeps me grounded.
My three adorable, wonderful children.
My family, who loves unconditionally.
My close friends, who keep me in line and support me no matter what.
My home, clothes, and food that God provides us.
My grandparents, who I have such treasured memories from my childhood.
All our sweet family members who have gone on to be with God. It is comforting to know that they are watching over us.
My children's teachers who help guide their little minds.
Our health, that we tend to take for granted. So many people are dealing with serious health issues.
I guess I could go on forever...
One of my pet peeves is not having a Thanksgiving. Every year now it seems like we jump from Halloween to Christmas without more than a quick stop to be thankful. The meaning behind this holiday is so special and we should never forget to celebrate it!

My Favorite Season

We spent a great afternoon this last Sunday playing in our backyard. The older two kids love to play out back and will stay out all day if I let them. Jack was out back with a short sleeve shirt and Bailey had no shoes on. You wouldn't know it was cool if you looked at my older two. Take a look at Connor and how bundled he was and you can tell it was cooler.
Greg put back up our baby swing and we bundled Connor up tight and let him swing. He loved it and watched all of us, laughing everytime Lulu ran past him.
Jack and Bailey piled leaves up and jumped into them for a long time. We have a GIANT tree out back and the amount of leaves that fall off of it in the Fall is enormous!
Daddy and Jack played football and Bailey jumped on the trampoline while I pushed Connor in the swing.
I love everything about Autumn. The colors, the smells, the crisp cool air, football, jumping in the leaves, the long sleeve clothes, Bailey in tights and long dresses, flannel pajama pants, socks all day long, all the new shows on TV.

Halloween #2

Halloween this year was really quick! With a little one again for the first time in years we only tricked and treated a few houses. It was chilly and Connor didn't need to be out in it very long.
After we dressed everyone in their costume we headed over to Mimi's and Papa's for a good scare. After they knocked on the door Papa came running around the corner outside and yelled BOO! Only Papa was dressed up as a skeleton. Jack just looked at him but Bailey screamed and screamed and cried and cried! Very dramatic.
Connor was just trying to figure out what was going on. After going to a few of Mimi's neighbors we headed home to show some of our neighbors the kids in their costumes. It was pretty late by then so we went home and got everyone ready for bed. Bailey always decides her next years costume the Halloween before and never, ever changes her mind. She is so funny. Two years ago she decided to be Snow White and she was. Then last year she was going to be Ariel and she was and then this year she decided she would be an Aggie Cheerleader and Jack needed to be a football player and she wanted our new baby to be the mascot! Well, that is exactly what the three of them were. I can't wait to hear what she thinks, no what she knows they will be next year!


These are the three cutest kids in the world! At least according to Mommy and Daddy!
Our Nebraska Football player, our Aggie Cheerleader, and our puppy dog mascot!
Happy Halloween!

Halloween #1

This year we decided to carve the pumpkin into a cat! Jack and Bailey both showed me how to draw and then cut it out. Both were very picky and careful with the carving. But, neither were very excited about helping me dig the seeds and goop out of the pumpkin. Bailey did help me seperate the seeds into a pan so we could roast them. (then after I roasted them no one would even try them) Jack wouldn't touch any of it! So, as we finished carving I threw some goop on his foot and he got really mad at me. You can see that in the picture. I probably scarred him so bad that he will hate pumpkins forever! Conner, sweet baby, just sat and laughed and laughed at us while we fixed our jack-o'lantern. Three Kids and a Jack-O'Lantern!