What We've Been Up To...

I cannot believe that Christmas is in three days. It has literally flown by this year, I hope I can make the next few days last and really enjoy this Christmas season. The past week was crazy. We had parent night at Lily's dance studio, three birthday parties, Ram Rally, Lily's school Christmas party, and my family came down to celebrate Christmas with my mom's side of the family. WHEW...I am tired even writing that down. :) I just finished making sugar cookies with my two oldest. I love making these cookies, and sharing this love with my kiddos is so much fun. We are going to decorate them during Ruby's afternoon nap. Don't worry she won't even know about it. :) Tonight we are going to have a Christmas celebration with our little family. We travel so much every year that we like to have one special night with just us and give the kiddos their gifts from me and Josh. We really like to focus this night on the best Christmas gift ever, Jesus Christ. Josh always reads Jesus' birth to the kids, then we give them three gifts to symbolize the three gifts the wise men brought. I bought a book that comes with seven little gifts from Mardels that is called What God wants for Christmas, we have been reading and opening one gift for the last six days, the little statues inside have made up the nativity scene. Tonight the kids get to find out what God wants for Christmas and they are so excited. The last box has a mirror inside so when you look in it you see yourself. This will be my last post until the new year, so we would like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. May God bless each and everyone of you this holiday season.

Getting ready to head to Bass Pro to see Santa, can you see the excitement on Coop's face?

My precious babies with Santa. Coop was waving to him while he was in line, Ruby could care less, and this was Lily's first time to ever sit on Santa's lap willingly. We had a great time.

We walked around and looked at all the Christmas decorations. Ruby was fascinated with this elf and his beard.

You can't go to Bass Pro without trying out a gun.

We were invited to a parent night at Lily's dance studio where we got to see part of their dances. They are precious and Lily did a great job. I thought she would be nervous with a big audience but she did fabulous. Here is Lily and Alora waiting for their dance to start. They were so cute.

You have to stretch before you can dance. :)

Lily's class made these antlers at their Christmas party. She loved wearing it around with her Rudolph nose, again I was very surprised.

We had a great time with our family this weekend. Here is Uncle Bert and his little mini me, sweet Heidi.
Ruby loves to climb on anyone who is on the floor :)

The kids great-grandparents got them these really cool wands that use static electricity to move around the little foil pieces. I think the adults enjoyed them more than the kids, they are really cool.

Lily loves to sit on Pa's lap

And finally here is little Ruby hanging up her first Christmas ornament...

She didn't want to let go. :)

Wordless Wednesday

Finally- A New Post

I have been a terrible blogger, I notice it more when I get mad at others for not updating and I realize I haven't blogged in a month. So everyone who is reading this- get to blogging! Anyway, we had a wonderful Thanksgiving week. We started off in Camargo at Josh's dad's house. Josh stayed the rest of the week to hunt while the kiddos and I headed to Woodward to spend time with my family. We met for Thanksgiving dinner at Josh's grandma's house, then split again so Josh could of course keep hunting and I could head to OKC to shop til I drop. I also got to see New Moon with my mom and sisters (my wonderful dad kept my three kids- thanks dad!) This movie was FANTASTIC!!! Just in case you haven't heard me say so, I LOVED IT!! I am a huge fan of movies staying true to the book and this one didn't let me down. Friday me, my mom, and sisters shopped for fifteen hours. It is so much fun and I truly look forward to spending this time with them every year. We all met back in Owasso on Saturday and started putting out the Christmas decorations. Josh and I were more than exhausted, but the kids were so excited how could we say no. So right now life involves me trying to get a weeks worth of laundry done and getting myself motivated to get back into the gym. I am going back tomorrow, what is it about freezing weather and never wanting to go anywhere. I have got to get my rear in gear. :) Well, I hope to see many, many new posts very soon so get busy!

The kids have so much fun visiting Josh's family. They got to drive all around the land and loved every minute of it. Side note: everyone is bundled up like it is freezing and poor Ruby is coatless and sockless. It was not that cold and we were inside, but ran outside for a pic opportunity. No judging ;)

Each year the kiddos get to decorate my parents tree. Mimi is showing the grand kids some of her favorite ornaments. They didn't sit this still on week.

Trying to get all the kids in front of the tree. As you can see Ruby and Ryder are being held in against their will.

Thanksgiving day was spent at Josh's grandma's house. The food was delicious (like always). We always have a great time at Mema's house and can't wait to go back in a few weeks.

Mema is the best place to catch a nap after a long and busy day :)

Josh's big kill. I am sorry I just don't get hunting. Sitting out in the freezing weather, hoping to shoot something, then having to gut it and clean it? Not for me, but he sure is cute (Josh not the deer)

Lily loves to decorate our tree, she's so pretty.

My handsome Coop is pointing to his favorite ornament.

Trying to get all three in front of the tree. It's hard to keep Ruby sitting in one spot for very long. Please ignore the boxes in the back, it had been a very LONG day.

Lily and Cooper love the sign my mom painted for us. She is working on a Ruby snowman for us to add, until that time Lily said Ruby could be her doll she is holding. ;)

Halloween Fun

We had a great weekend at Mimi and Pa's (when do we not)? It went by way too fast, but we'll be back in a couple of weeks for Thanksgiving. The kids woke up Saturday asking to go trick or treating. Needless to say the day was a little long for them, but then time seemed to get away from us when it came down to getting eleven kids dressed and ready to go. My poor mother's house will never be the same. ;) The weather was gorgeous, we were really lucky especially because my two girls' costumes didn't cover them up and keep them warm. Mom and Dad's kid fest at their church was a big success. I think they had around 800 people come and go. My mom's booth is by far the most popular. She is the fish lady, throw a ping pong ball and win a fish, my mom made sure all eleven grand kids had a fish of there own. Thanks a lot Mom! Lily named hers Goldie, Coop's is Shrek, and Lily named Ruby's Nora (from Pete's Dragon- they have been watching that movie a lot lately). So far the fish are still alive, I hope they last a few weeks, the kiddos LOVE them.

Wonder Woman

Spiderman

Chubby Wonder Woman :)

All eleven together: Lily- Wonder Woman, Ben- Dragon, Max- Headless Horseman, Cooper- Spiderman, Sam- Knight, Ella- Elphaba (the misunderstood witch), Ryder- Frankenstein, Brock- Mad Scientist, Emily- Ninja, Heidi- Teddy Bear, Ruby- Wonder Woman

Mimi and Pa are good sports and dressed up for the kids fest. They are by far the best Mimi and Pa and we love them very much!!!

Token family shot before the gathering of candy :)

Enjoying the trunk or treat
Here is the best pic I could get of my two Wonder Women, Lily loved dressing the same as Ruby. Lily's costumed had to have some creative sewing techniques from Mimi to stay on her tiny frame and poor Ruby's chunky frame barely fit into her costume. :)

Wordless Wednesday

Painting Pumpkins

Every year we let the kids paint pumpkins for Halloween decorations. They love this and beg and beg to do it as soon as they see their first pumpkin in September. :) We took them to the pumpkin patch a couple of weeks ago to let them pick the "perfect" pumpkin. They had so much fun. The pumpkin patch was the place to be. There were games, face painting, mazes, juniper jumps, horse rides, etc. We didn't come prepared for all the fun activities, Ruby was needing a nap so we didn't get to stay long. The kiddos didn't care they were ready to get home and paint. Each year the kids have just colored their entire pumpkin a variety of colors. I encouraged Lily to paint a face, picture, or something on her pumpkin. She did a great job! I tried to get Coop to do the same, but he just wanted to paint his entire pumpkin. He loved it!

Finding the perfect pumpkin can sometimes be a challenge

Making the kids pose with the pumpkins, it was a beautiful day

CHEESE!

Look at those faces, they are working hard

Here is Lily posing with her pumpkin. As you can see she painted a scene of a beautiful day...

and on the other side she painted a cool cat!

Coop is posing with his master piece

And for your viewing pleasure, here is a pic of the kids before they went to Awanas on crazy hair night!! They thought they looked GOOD!

Lily Had a Birthday Too!

I am the worst mom ever, I forgot to post about my princess turning six years old! Lily celebrated her sixth birthday on September 26th. WOW- six years old, still can't believe it! Lily had a few girlfriends over to help celebrate her birthday. The first place that we hit was the Beauty College where the girls got their fingers and toes painted, they were all so precious and really seemed to enjoy getting made over. Next, we came back to the house where the girls got to decorate their own purse, this also seemed to be a pretty big hit. We followed up with presents and cake and ice-cream. We had a great day and all of the girls were so sweet and they all got along great! :) Lily, you are such a kind, loving, sweet little girl. I love watching you grow and see you change each year. I love you very much!! You may be growing up, but you will ALWAYS be my baby!!! Happy (late) Birthday Sweetie!!!

Lily and Ella loved getting their toes painted

Showing off the electric blue finger nails :)

Lily and her girlfriends

Present time :)
Blowing out the candles

Ella and Alora getting in touch with their creative side.

And finally, here is Lily posing with her clown ballerina her Grammy and Grampy sent her for her birthday. She LOVES it!! I don't know if you remember Chuckles the clown that they sent Coop for his birthday, but the clown is still going strong. Soon we will have a little cluster of life size clown people in our living room. :)