SUNDAY BRUNCH WITH SANTA AND A WICKED WINTER STORM

This morning we braved the winter storm that we have been having for the last 3 days and went with our cousins the Dieterles to have brunch with Santa. Jeff took Tucker last year, but Carter and I were laying in the hospital keeping each other company. So we missed out on all of the wonderful food and seeing Santa. This was the best brunch. All of the kids were on their best behavior because Santa was watching them.

Who needs food when you have spoons?

Tucker, Gage, and Landin waited patiently for everyone to finish eating to go see Santa.

The Brunch Gang

Gage loves his little sister MacKenzie

MacKenzie did not love Santa

But Tucker had no problem telling Santa all about the soccer ball, baseball, and football he wants for Christmas.

Carter was okay for about a minute.

Then he started wailing. Look at that adorable face!

He didn't seem to mind the fake Santa.

There is a picture of a creepy little elf circulating at my in-laws house with question where it came from. I can assure you I didn't take it. But I did take this picture of a creepy little Santa.

It has just been snowing non-stop for what seems like forever. We have a boat load of snow, and it is still falling. These are from yesterday. We have probably gotten 5 more inches since then, and 5 more on the way by tomorrow morning.

Jeff LOVES his snowblower! And thank god we have one!

Next blog...CHRISTMAS!!! I can't wait.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

CELEBRATING LIFE

I have a hard time around this time of year remembering that Parker and Grace are not with us to celebrate Christmas, to see what Santa left under the tree for them, and go to family parties with us. They would have been 2 years old this year and I think that they would have loved all of their new toys. I hang their ornaments on the tree for everyone to see. That even though they are not here, they are still apart of this family and we will remember them on Christmas.

This is their plaque hanging in the NICU of Sister's of Charity Hospital. Parker and Grace's Memorial Fund raised almost $6500 for the NICU and they honored my children with a beautiful plaque for all to see.

In this world loved ones pass away, and babies are born everyday. With the grief we have celebration. And today we are celebrating Hayden Christopher's birth to our dear friends Jill and Chris. He was born in the wee hours of the morning on 12/17/08. Jill and Hayden are doing great. Hayden is in the NICU being monitored for his breathing and heart rate, so we are all keeping him in our prayers. Having Parker and Grace's plaque there, helps me believe that they are watching over him. HE will hopefully be able to go to the normal nursery in the next couple of days.

Isn't he sweet! Yes, Chris and Jill let me go up and see him. I was honored!!!

He is a perfect mixture of Mommy and Daddy.

Awwww, I just want to kiss those little toesies!

Tucker and I made cut-out cookies last night. It lasted all of 20 minutes before my patience ran out, knowing I had almost 150 cookies to make and it was already 8 o'clock at night. We both had fun though, and Tucker was so proud. Not to mention, there was a lot of taste testing.

And Carter was so proud of himself today. He finally got the pop-corn toy to pop all by himself.

SANTA CLAUS IS COMING TO TOWN

Yesterday we went to visit Santa Claus. Tucker was so excited and Carter was his usual happy self. The line was ridiculously long, but both boys (and both parents might I add) endured the crowd to sneak a peek at the man in red.

And here is Carter playing with a few of his favorite toys.

O CHRISTMAS TREE, O CHRISTMAS TREE, HOW LOVELY ARE THY BRANCHES!

This past weekend we went on our annual Christmas Tree Hunt. This year I think that we found the perfect tree. It's not too tall, not too small, not too thick, not too thin. PERFECT! Tucker really enjoyed being a part of the hunt and the decorating. He really gets it this year. I know I said that last year, but he really gets it this year. He understands that Santa comes and brings you toys if you are good. And the cutest thing...Tucker asked me how Santa is going to come through our gas fireplace. "Mommy, is Santa going to knock on the fireplace window and you can let him in to bring me toys?" OK, how cute is that?

Bundled up ready to go find our tree!

Tucker was in awe of all of the trees.

He really wanted to take the string off of the tree and watch it spread its branches.

Go Tucker Go

Daddy and Tucker going through ornaments. Tucker is only 4 years old, but we counted 12 ornaments with his name on them. He kept wondering if each one had his name on it. If it did, he had to hang it.

He even hung them up high. Although we found one branch with 10 ornaments on it.

Hey, finally a picture of me! Well, the side of my face.

We have started giving Carter a spoon to let him learn how to feed himself.

"I think I would rather use my hands."

Here are the brothers in their usual position to watch Baby Einstein.

Carter has Daddy's hat on while brushing his 2 teeth.

"I think it looks better on me than Daddy!"

"Give me the camera Mom, no more pictures!"

ALL IN 3 DAYS!

This has been a whirlwind of a last 3 days. Carter decided that he would learn how to walk behind a push toy, learn how to climb stairs, say "Mama", not to eat baby food anymore, get his first official pair of "walking shoes", and graduate from his infant car seat to his big boy car seat.

I just wasn't prepared for all of this at once. He already has 2 of his bottom teeth, and at his pediatricians appointment this morning, they told me he was still in the 90th percentile for height.
I might be having a hard time letting this one grow up. He is still my little baby!

Today when Tucker came home from school we broke out the Christmas decorations. Carter's stocking arrived today, and we felt the need to hang them all up.

Tucker has his own pirate themed Christmas Tree.

Aunt Sue Sue sent Tucker a Playmobil Pirate Advent Calendar. He is stoked...so stoked that I caught him tearing through ALL of the boxes 5 minutes later.

Tonight was Spaghetti Night at the Morris'

I could've sworn I had a noodle around here somewhere...

Found it!

"Look Mom, watch me go!"

Whew, this is hard work. I am half way up!

I think that I will stop and rest here.

"Hey Tucker, Hey Tucker, Hey Tuuuuuccckkkeeeerrr! Look at my new shoes."

"Great Carter! I love 'em. Leave me alone now!"

"What did I do?"

"Well, you like them right?"