Johnny Turned 6 on January 3rd

Johnny's birthday landed on the day they went back to school after winter break. That made it extra fun for him. He was able to bring goodie bags for his friends (they won't let us bring cupcakes or treats anymore, boo!!) and got to wear a birthday crown all day. Then, he came home and saw his presents all waiting for him. Too bad he had to wait for daddy to get home before he could open them.

He had a birthday cake with my family and birthday cupcakes with Thomas' family, so he wanted ice cream sundaes on his "real" birthday. Lucky guy.

Enjoying his new ipod touch :)

Christmas 2011

Better late than never, right??


A couple of photos from our annual family Christmas FHE. All of the cousins reenact the Christmas Story as Grandpa reads it from the scriptures. I love this first photo of "Joseph" attacking the unsuspecting "Wise Man".

I love Joey in this picture. I can only imagine what he was thinking :)

Our visit with Santa. The second photo is a candid shot they got after Santa asked Johnny what he wanted for Christmas. He wanted to think about it. Don't want to tell him the wrong stuff - it's pretty serious business.

Christmas Eve

Johnny putting out the "Reindeer Food" his kindergarten teacher gave him.

Santa Came...

...and he brought Natalie a make-up set. What was he thinking? No, she really does well with it and has enjoyed it a lot. I will post some photos of her after she has "made herself a fashion girl", as she puts it, later.

I always LOVE their reactions when they are opening their presents.

Ready for church.

All of us by my parents tree.

Christmas Fun

She was one worn out girl by the end of the day (as was I).

And the winner is.....

On December 7, 2011, Ben's scout troop held a space derby. Ben and Thomas worked really hard on Ben's rocket (several weekends and during Thanksgiving break). All their hard work paid off, because Ben blew everyone out of the water and won the derby.

Then, two days later, Ben had his school spelling bee. He had already won his class bee and now was competing against all the third graders in the school who had also won their class bee. I went to see it and it was very stressful to watch. You could just feel the tension and nervousness that filled the room. Ben sailed right through the words he was given and ended up winning the third grade spelling bee. I couldn't believe it. I had to hold back my tears I was so proud of him. Later that night he told me that it had been the best week of his life :)

Silly

Just some silly photos of Natalie and Johnny the adventurers.

Johnny's First Lost Tooth

Johnny lost his first tooth on December 2, 2011. As with everything else, he has also watched Ben loose teeth and be visited by the tooth fairy. So, he has been anxiously awaiting this for literally years. Right before it came out he came to me and said his mouth hurt. I wiggled his tooth and said that it was ready to come out tonight. He left the room and not a minute later came back into the room proclaiming "I got it!". I wasn't turned towards him, so I asked him "What did you get?", only to turn around and see his hand stretched out with a little white tooth in it and a lot of blood (both on his hand and dripping down his face). Pain means nothing to this silly little boy. I rushed him to the bathroom to clean him up and his only response to me was "So, Mom how much money do you think the Tooth Fairy is going to give me? Do you think I'll get enough to buy a new game?". Thankfully, he didn't seem too disappointed the next morning when all he found under his pillow were 4 shiny quarters and a package of Starbursts.

Thanksgiving Break 2011

We took a little trip to San Antonio over the Thanksgiving break.

Sea World

We were able to pet baby sting rays, they were really cute.

The Sesame Street Christmas show. Johnny was too nervous to go up to the stage. His big brother who put up a big stink about even going to the show because he didn't want to, without us asking, grabbed his hand and took him up to the stage. He stood up there with him for the entire show. What a great big brother :) I love this photo because they are all standing there holding hands. I have such great kids.

The Alamo

When we went to the Alamo over the summer I really wanted to get the boys Davy Crockett caps, but I was convinced by someone that it was too hot to get them. So, this time I had my mind set on getting them. I would have loved one when I was little. We were going to get one for Natalie too, but she opted for a stuffed hedgehog. I still don't even get why they sell those at the Alamo.

Natalie having fun with the boys' caps during a potty break on the way home.

Happy Birthday to my Better Half :)

Happy Birthday Thomas. I am so grateful and lucky to have you as my husband and the father of my children. We are all blessed to have you in our lives. You are, and will always be, my best friend. You know what I'm thinking before I say it, understand me when others don't, have the shoulder I lean on when I need support and will always be the happiness in my life. I love you. You've given me a beautiful family and a wonderful life to enjoy together. Thank you for all you've given me and continue to give both me and our children. Love you.