Someone wanted to wish you all a Happy Christmas… (and we broke out the bumbo chair!)

this hat was on jackson when he was 6 months old.. too funny!

What a blast!
I invited the 5 other boys (with their Mom’s and infant siblings!) who are in Jacksons class over today for a playdate.  Unfortunately two of them didn’t make it but we’ll be sure to catch them next time!

To say the boys had a blast is an understatement!  Jackson went to be talking about his playdate in the morning and woke up bouncing off the walls ready to have his friends from school at his house!  

This was the cutest thing — All of us Moms were talking holding the babies when we realized it was very quiet!  I peeked into Jacksons room and this is what I saw….

Needless to say – all of us were ‘aww-ing’ over it for sure!!

I’ll let the rest of the images speak for themselves –  check out the slideshow!

Thank you guys for coming over — We had a ball!  I’m definitely up for making it a regular thing – especially through the winter!!  See you in the morning!! xoxo…

I’d just like to take a minute to say a really big THANK YOU and I LOVE YOU to my awesome husband! He not only cleaned up after me last night (when I completed TWO baking projects – one for a holiday gift for Jacksons friends, and a second for sugar cookies for the boys to decorate and eat today!) but he cleaned up the house, all the toys, let the boys jump on him, read books with them, AND even cleaned up after dinner!  I really am so very blessed to have such an awesome husband and amazing father – I love you babe.  Thanks for being so great to us!!

What a busy weekend!  It’s Tuesday and I’m just getting a chance to post about it! Seeing as I’m a few days late I’ll get right to it

Saturday morning we had an awesome breakfast party with the best neighbors in the world who we miss terribly!  Donna and Paul came over for some pancakes and sunshine!  As you can tell by the shots below  both Jackson and Molly were thrilled to have them here – as were Rick and I!  It has been WAY too long since we’ve seen them and it was so nice to have morning coffee, laugh together and catch up on all the latest gossip of the apartment complex!  Thank you guys for coming over – we cannot go so long between visits – that was just crazy!  We love you!!!

Hangin’ with Paul!

The best Donna playing “Choo-Choo’s” of course! 

Sunday we headed to Manchester to Mimi and Grampy’s to check out one of the holiday events – Santa on the firetruck!! Now I’m not sure if thats something that happens everywhere (but I’m guessing it doesnt!) I remember it from when I was little – but needless to say – its a sight to see!  Santa drives through town on the firetruck and throws all the kids boxes of animal crackers – Jackson was PSYCHED!  Not only did he get cookies but he didnt even have to sit on Santa’s lap! (We’re a little freaked out of Santa up close and personal!) 

Checking to make sure Santa was coming but wasn’t getting TOO close!

Trying to keep warm with giggles with Mimi and Grampy – it was FREEZING!

Hey Santa!

Jackson was yelling as Santa went by — “I’ve been a good boy!!! I would like the ROSIE TRAIN PLEASE!!!” It was one of the funniest things ever – he was trying to get the last word in as Santa drove by – Don’t forget that Rosie train Santa!

checking out the animal crackers!

“That was Awesome!”

See you next year Santa!

On a sidenote – we are SO excited only one more week until Uncle Randy – cousins Logan and Alyssa and Grams and Grandpa Pete arrive! And then just a few days later Aunt Shelly and Ryan visit too! We can’t wait to have everyone here to celebrate the holidays!!!

Happy Holidays – Only 8 more shopping days!!!!

just as i kissed both my kids goodnight i came in to check my email one last time before bed – hoping there isn’t much to respond to i make a pit stop at my blog reader first — one of my favorite blogs to visit is a fellow photographers blog – i had no idea what she posted was about to hit me like a ton of bricks.

how grateful am i to hold my babies – kiss them goodnight – and with the grace of God see their smiling faces in the morning. in the busyness of the holidays – this video stopped me in my tracks to remember what is really important.  it is not about the things you checked off the ‘to-do’ list – but the love and gifts we are given by God each day – share those gifts with those around you- you never know just how much of an impact you might have.

as i sit here in tears after watching the most amazing video i am thankful.  thankful for all the amazing gifts we are given. gifts like eliot.

oh and i should warm you – you will bawl like a baby.

Click here:

99 balloons

many blessings

k

Sweet Baby Girl-

I cannot believe how fast time is going by.  I cannot believe you are already 9 weeks old and growing bigger and stronger every day.  I feel like just yesterday I was complaining that I had another 4 weeks left and you were wrecking havoc on my back!  But now I look at you while you’re sleeping with your angelic face and chubby little hands and can’t imagine my life without you.  Sometimes I have to put you down because I just want to kiss you so much I could squeeze you!  I feel like I want to freeze time or at least just slow it down to remember all these small things.  Maybe thats why I’m writing this – just a way for me to remember the sweetness of my baby girl.. 

I love the way you smile in your sleep when I watch you in the middle of the night as the light of your brothers monitor softly lights the room.  I love the way you sleep with your hands folded together like little prayer hands – it looks so peaceful.  I love the way your smile puts a twinkle in your beautiful blue eyes that can light up an entire room.  I love the sweetness of your baby breath.  I love the way you wiggle when you smile.  I love the way you look at your daddy.  I love the way you let your brother give you hugs and kisses (even if he’s a little rough sometimes!) I love the way you look up to him – as if you already know he’s going to be one of your best friends. I love how long and beautiful your eyelashes are. I love the way you snuggle close when you fall asleep in my arms.  I love the way you kick your piggies when you’re happy.  And most recently – I love the way you tell me stories with your sweet little voice that just melts my heart… I wish I could bottle these memories up and save them for years from now when you’re grown up and it’s hard to remember how little and pure you were!

I love you Molly Lillian. These first 9 weeks have been amazing, I can’t wait to see what’s waiting for us in the future.

And to my first sweet baby..

I cannot believe how big YOU are getting too!  Everyday you ask me something or tell me a story that I just cannot believe you are big enough to know or understand.  You have grown into such an amazing little two year old.  Your questions about how the world works reminds me of your innocence yet your witty remarks remind me that you are growing up so fast too!  Your beautiful smile and adorable voice is enough to make me want to bend any rules just to make you smile!  Your inquisitive mind is constantly at work always figuring out the next project.  Your chubby little hands have grown into strong little boy hands that you love to trace on paper – I am going to frame your handprints so I always remember just how little you were.  Your smile can warm a room more then anyone I know.  Your giggle is so contagious and so precious, I can’t imagine a day without it! You are so caring about your sister it makes me incredible grateful to give the gift of being siblings.  I love the way you tell me about your day and all your favorite parts. And most of all, I love the way you look at me when you run up to me in the middle of the day just to say ‘I love you Mommy.’  
I love you too Jackson David.  Thank you for being such a blessing to our family.