Ivan and his Thomas Train

Aunt Wendy, Uncle Chris, Alex and Ivan all came to our house on Christmas Eve. We opened presents with Papa, Grandma Pat and Steve, Amy, Liam, Alena and Evan. Ivan got a Thomas Train, which he LOVED!

Christmas in Muskogee

Emily, Nathan and Ashley at Aunt Linda and Uncle Mike's. On the Saturday before Christmas, Brooke made a big Turkey and Roast Beef dinner, and then we went to see the Christmas decorations at the Castle.

Christmas!

Nathan singing Christmas songs with his Pre-K Class


I'm taking a break from cleaning up my wreck of a house to update my long-neglected blog. Although, I have to say, I didn't really take any pictures between Ashley's wedding on November 8 and the kids' Christmas parties at school on the last day before winter break. So here are a few new pictures . . .

Emily and Papa

Emily loves getting piggyback rides from her Papa!

Emmie and her Daddy

This is one of my favorites -- just look at that hair! We'll probably never see them like this again as both girls have super straight hair.

Keely before and after

Keely getting her hair done.

Emily before and after

Emily getting her hair done.....

Some more wedding pics

Thought I would post a few other pictures from the wedding. It was a little difficult trying to get 2 kids (and myself) ready, make sure they knew what they were supposed to do, and take pictures at the same time. But I got a few good ones that I'll put up. The picutre above is Ashley and her bridesmaids and flower girl and the rehearsal Friday night.

A Wedding Video

My sweet Ringbearer and Flower Girl, right before the wedding.

Ashley and Aaron's Wedding

We had such a great time at Ashley and Aaron's wedding yesterday, and the kids were SOOOO good and SOOOO adorable. I was so proud of them. It was such a long day, and long weekend for that matter, and we got through it without any major catastrophes, meltdowns or other problems. I was pretty stressed about how the kids were going to do, until Brenda reminded me that they are just kids and no one expects them to be absolutely perfect. Besides they were so cute, I'm sure no one would have noticed if they acted up! I know I sound like I'm bragging, but I really am very proud of both of them. I have so many pictures, I'll probably put up a few at a time over the next few days. Today, we are being lazy and watching football, and putting off cleaning the house (which is a disaster, as we were in and out all weekend, and have wedding stuff strewn everywhere!) So anyway, congratulations to Ashley and Aaron, and thanks so much for letting us be a part of your special day!!!

A little accident with the Mustang

Yesterday, Nathan and his friend Everett drove the mustang right off the rock wall and flipped it over when it hit the ground. Thank goodness, they were not hurt, except for a few scratches. I really don't know how they weren't hurt, I guess their guardian angels were looking out for them. Its about a 7 to 8 foot drop from the top to the bottom of the rock wall. I tried to catch the back of the car as it was about to go over, but I couldn't hold on, and I fell down the wall right after it. I have some bad scrapes and cuts on my legs and arms and bruises all over, but I'm just so grateful the boys weren't hurt. We were all pretty traumatized, that's for sure! And its a good thing I'm wearing a long skirt to the wedding this weekend, because I am wrapped in bandages from the knees down! That was the adventure at our house yesterday, hope we don't have any more like it!

TOO MUCH CANDY!!!!!

I think this one speaks for itself.

Trick-or-Treat

Finally, last night we went trick-or-treating. James got back from Las Vegas just in time to go with us, and the kids were SOOO EXCITED TO SEE DADDY!!!!! (mom was pretty happy to see him too!)

More Halloween Parties . . .

Yesterday, the kids had more halloween parties in their classes. More games, treats, goody bags, etc. They took home so much candy, I told them we didn't need to go trick-or-treating at night, but of course, they were not thrilled with my suggestion.

Halloween Parties and Trick-or-Treating

These are pictures from the halloween party at school Thursday night. We had a lot of Halloween this week! They got to play games, decorate their pumpkins and walk in a costume parade in the gym.

By the way

By the way, the new background is from LeeLou, and there is a link to their website, if you scroll down a little. Their page for free layouts is undergoing some construction right now, but if anyone is interested, they have the neatest backgrounds and layouts for your blog.

Almost Halloween

Haven't updated the blog lately as James has been out of town, and we have been super busy all week. I don't have any updates, but thought I'd put up a new background for Halloween (better late than never!). And I'll have pictures of the kids in their costumes (hopefully) in the next few days.

Circus

These are some pictures from the circus last Sunday. Emily got a free ticket from the Summer Reading Program at the library, so of course we had to go! It was the first time the kids had seen the circus, and they loved it. Nathan was completely still and quiet in his seat the entire time, he was so absorbed in the show. Emily of course, loved all the animals. We sat in the nosebleed section, and we were up so high, we missed trapeze performers because the rafters blocked our view! But it was a lot of fun anyway.

Pumpkin Patch

Yesterday was the last day of fall break, so we went to the pumpkin patch with Grandma and Papa. It was a beatiful day for playing outside- the kids had a great time picking out different kinds of pumpkins to decorate.

Not much new going on here lately. We are all still reeling from the OU-Texas game. Oh well, maybe next year (ha). Emily went to the pediatrician yesterday for her 6 year checkup and got her flu shot. She was not too happy about that, but since she held still and didn't pitch a fit, she got a little beannie baby puppy (the one she's holding in the picture) afterwards. I don't think she has let go of him since yesterday. He even went to Sunday School with us. She named him Biscuit because Grace told her he looks like the puppy in the Biscuit books (which he does!). She and Nathan have been outside playing all afternoon. This is a picture of all the neighbor kids in the wagon last night- I thought it was pretty cute.

Ashley's Wedding Shower

Yesterday, Emily and mom went to Muskogee for Ashley's wedding shower. Emily helped Ashley open her present from us (a teapot). I think she had a good time for awhile, then she got a little tired of sitting with all the grownups, so we had to go outside and explore the yard.



Keely and Emily at the shower






Emily and Ashley opening the teapot






Emily, Aaron and Ryan playing with Ashley's puppies

A Day at the Fair

Watching High School Musical on Ice


What a cool dude!


Emily and Corinne on the rollercoaster


Wow, what a day! We got to the fair early this morning so mom could see the beautiful cakes in the Sugar Art Show. The kids (and dad) enjoyed the cakes for about 2 minutes, then they were bored. So mom had to do "the cake walk" as fast as I could, so we could go on to - - - "HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL ON ICE"!!!! Of course, the kids really enjoyed the ice show; daddy, not so much. Then it was on to the rides and the food, and back home in time for the OU football game. We are all pretty much worn out, but it was a great day!

Emily Alex AND NATHAN

Well Nate is home sick again today, even though he's feeling better, he threw up again last night, so I kept him home. Anyway, we are kind of stuck at home, so I was messing with the blog, and he wants a picture of Emily, Alex AND Nathan on here, so here it is.

Emmie and Alex

This isn't a new picture, but I thought I'd put it in because its just so darn cute.

OK, I have Nate settled down, so here are some pics of Emmie on her bike. She really loves riding in circles around the patio!

Opening Birthday presents this morning

HAPPY BIRTHDAY EMILY!!!!

Well my oldest is 6 now, I can't believe it. It was a great day for Emily. She got a new Barbie bike, a barbie doll to ride with her, and all kinds of other animal friends to play with. Best of all, Daddy met her at school for lunch! She was so surprised and very excited. He even brought her some birthday flowers. What a lucky girl!
Too bad it was not such a great day for Nate, he has been sick all afternoon. Poor guy, hope he feels better soon (and that we all don't get it next, too). Don't have time to put up pictures now, got to take care of Nate. I'll try to put up some pics of Emmie on her bike tomorrow

Emily and her cousin Ashley (she's going to be a flower girl in Ashley's wedding!)

Emily and Corinne

Emily's Birthday at Bounce U

Emily had a lot of fun at her party playing with her cousins and friends. It was hard to get good pictures as the kids were moving and bouncing so fast! But they all had a great time. They were not too worn out to keep playing at home after the party!
Note from Emily: I got a new dog at Bounce U at my birthday. All my friends signed it. Everyone had lot of fun at my party.
Love, Emily

Note from Mom: Emily is bugging me to set up her spinmaster painting kit (from Ashley (THANKS ASHLEY!), so I will post more pics later--