New Christmas Pictures

The kids did great for their Christmas pictures, well until we got to the actual Christmas background...I'll share a few so you can feel sorry for me on how hard it is to get a good shot of three kids smiling.



Caden...arguably one of the most photogenic kids I've every seen. Not just because he's my son...but come on now...




This is my new blackmail picture.


My Logan...his Cheese smile...not as cute as his "look"
Cheese:

His "look"

"Agh, come on guys."


And the Princess




Bloopers: Note, you can tell Caden and Logan were staring at Heath and I. Heath was making funny faces and I was threatening them that they wouldn't get a Christmas if they didn't smile. Caden kept sticking his hand on Presley's face, pulling her dress up or watching Logan's meltdown. The lady try to get me to buy the least bad one. She said, this one isn't bad. I said, Yeah, I didn't like the background enough to buy a portrait that "Isn't that bad"...Thanks though! Lesson learned...good background first. Also, Caden and Logan won't be getting professional pictures again for a while...just Miss Priss.

Merry Christmas

My friend who made my baby bedding, made my stockings...Her link is below Taylored Expressions and she is very talented. Thanks, Michelle!


Heath's attempt at our "Vegas style Christmas lights"



Stockings





Someone asked me how I keep the boys out of the tree and presents...they don't know any of the gifts are for them. They think all of their gifts come from Santa and other people. So, they aren't interested at all. Either that or it's because I have exceptionally behaved children...um yeah, they don't think they have any gifts.

Also, if you want a laugh and I didn't already send you through email our ELF video...here it is:

http://elfyourself.jibjab.com/view/CxVxAp7PbQEkBK7TqF1x

Divine Intervention

On September 7, 2007 I woke up with the left side of my face completely paralyzed. Many of you know...I had very slow recovery over the following months. My case was severe enough that it has left residual effects of inability to completely close my left eye and a "crooked smile" as Caden calls it.

Yesterday I went to an ENT/Plastic Surgeon who I found online. He was part of a team of doctors who rebuilt a women's face after it had been shot off. He was on Oprah and Larry King Live. What I didn't know is that he'd broke his back last December and has a spinal cord injury that has paralyzed him from the waist down.

He told me that I could get better...gave me the tools to get better. Things I can control that no other doctor has yet told me. I am renewed and determined to feel comfortable having a snapshot taken or being in a family portrait. I am also humbled by a doctor giving me so much compassion about having an inability to smile when he can not stand up and walk. The physical therapy he taught me yesterday are the same techniques he uses. Three months ago, he couldn't move his legs and yesterday he walked for one minute bearing 80% of his body weight. He said, if I can do it, you can do it. Wow...talk about motivation.

Anyway, so the next time you see me...ask me how my physical therapy is going. 2 sessions of 15 minutes in front of the mirror making faces...is not as easy as it sounds (especially with 3 kids and a full time job) and I need some accountability for actually doing it!!

Logan and Presley

Caden

Logan trying out his new big boy pants...


cha cha cha chia...my little chia pet.

Santa Claus

Caden reminds Heath and I of Will Ferrell in Elf. He is so obsessed with all things Christmas. Remember, last year he wanted to be Santa Claus for Halloween until June.
Always eager to see Santa and enjoy all the festivities.

Logan, not so much. LIkes the idea of Christmas, doesn't care so much for Santa (same with Chucky)...but this year, we explained that he would sit in Santa's lap for a photo and tell him what he wanted for Christmas. He said, Okay, I not cry.

To our amazement...he didn't cry. As soon as Heath set him on Santa's lap he said quickly...Mickey Mouse Racetrack...as nervous as ever. He was such a trooper.

Of course, Presley slept through the entire adventure. Other pictures from the weekend...we had two birthday parties on Saturday and made it Bass Pro Shops Sunday evening after the Texans beat the Packers...woohoo!

I will post pictures of our National Lampoons decorated house (outside) as soon as my stockings come in, I finally bought our own decorations for the inside, instead of just using hand me downs!

My Christmas Valentine



Logan doing what he does best...jumping off the couch.


Caden posing, as always!


Presley Partying it up at chuck e cheese.


Logan loving on the birthday girl...Taylor who is Caden's age


Caden and Jordan...I asked him if he thought she was pretty...he said, yes, not as pretty as Baby Presley though...(I'll remind him of that someday)







Bass Pro Shops


Heath's dream chrismas tree.


This sums up how we all felt at the end of our very busy weekend.

Earings and Playdates

So, the directors at the boys school told me that I could get Presley's ears pierced at 2 months. So, I did it on Friday so she'd have them for Xmas pictures. She did fantastic and we surprised Heath with them!!!! He was SO SUPRISED.




Sarah Vana, Krystal Landers and I all met at the mall playground for a playdate...Caden, Logan, Sydney, Riley, Parker, and Presley (and Savannah who Sarah babysits) all played together...somewhat. At least Logan and Sydney had a good time.






How does Sydney Sechrist sound??? Logan is such the ladies man!

Ri Ri


Savannah and Parker piggybacking it in the stroller. Sarah, you look ready for #3!!!


Caden insisted on having his picture made with Wall-E at Circuit City. Thanks Disney, another thing we get to collect...wall-E toys!!! Woohoo.

Spikes

When I dry Caden's hair it sticks straight up, which I think looks cool...but he hates. He pushes it forward and says My Hair is tired, it needs to lay down...

I got this picture after threatening that he wouldn't get a Christmas if he didn't let me take it.

Just us Girls

Monday Caden started preschool...again. This is his old school that I never realized how much he'd miss. He loved going to Miss Leslies but really missed his friends and the organized structure of school. Caden loves his schedule! He likes to know what day it is and what he's doing tomorrow.

Anyway, walking in with Caden's new outfit and new backpack...we found out that they now had room for Logan too! So, Logan started...less prepared but probably better for him. AND it was a successful day. Logan actually woke up on Tuesday and told me he wouldn't cry today at school and this morning, his third day, he woke up and said, I am ready to go to school. WOOHOO...I didn't screw him up too bad by changing their routine, yet again!!!!


Click on this picture to view it bigger...Logan and Presley have the same exact expression!




Presley will be staying with Poppa and Nana when I go back to work in January for a while to get some much needed "extra loving"...she will start Tigerland when she is ready.



Her first time in the jumper...



So, Monday Pres and I came home from dropping off the boys to an empty house. So, I start working on a work project next week and it's just me and Presley...I am thinking I might paint the gameroom, sand a cabinet I got from my grandparents house, finish all Christmas shopping and organize closets!!! Oh, and spend every waking moment with my GIRL!

Presley's two month checkup went well. She is 11 lbs and 23 inches. Happens to be in the 75% for height, HUH????, I asked them to check that number. (Logan is 4% and Caden is 8% for height). Well, who knows...maybe she'll be a runway model. Hehe.

Also, Presley woke Heath and I up last night in her bassinet...she was laughing and playing. We thought, who does that?