Christmas 2008 & Alex's 2nd Birthday

At church Christmas Eve

Whoa! Jack pot!

Aww, how sweet. Alex and Gabby await dinner with cousin Katie watching a Christmas movie on Grandma's couch.

Let the unwrapping begin.

Look what Santa brought!!!

A train table for Alex!

BIG 2 year-old boy

Boy cousins hanging out at our house for Alex's birthday party.

The girl table.

Alex really blew out the candle! What a big boy!

Cousins galore! Everyone awaits the pinata in order of age.

Daddy shows Alex some moves.

Present time. Aww...look how he cuddles his new pet monkey.

We have a little tradition of taking our kids to Chuck E Cheese on their actual birthday since their party usually falls on a different day. It also happens to be Alex's absolute favorite place. Be careful if you mention it. He will keep begging to go there!

Love the crazy hair!

I realize that this is a really long post. But how could it be short? Two really huge events have happened this past week. Christmas and Alex's 2nd birthday. We not only wanted a special Christmas, but also a seperate and special birthday celebration. Since all of our family was in town, we had just a family party at home. Just our family meant 17 cousins and all of our brothers and sisters. It was an incredible time getting to be together and celebrate Alex's birthday. This time also marks being one week away from delivering the baby!!! I am scheduled to go in next Thursday, January 8th. Please keep us in your prayers for a healthy delivery and baby!!! Happy New Years Everyone!

What We've Been Up To...

Here is the bumper I made.

Finally the nursery is done!!!!

Special thanks to Steve, my brother-in-law, for drawing this tree mural.

Our bags are packed...we're ready for you Mackenzie.

Here's an example of Alex's silly personality. He took his changing pad off and decided to sleep on it perfectly on his pillow.

Gabby has been very busy with dance this month. This is after a gift exchange with her fellow dancers and a performance in the studio for parents to see how much they've improved.

Gabby posed in front of the Christmas tree before her Sugar Land Town Center performance this Saturday.

Aww...Daddy and daughter.

Gabby is on the far right. This is the ending pose of her precious ballet performance. We are sooo proud of how well she did.

Gabby and Alex went to see Santa Claus in Quail Valley. Then we went next door to Aunt Teri's. I totally recommend seeing this Santa Claus with your own camera versus the mall lines to see Santa and their poor quality pic with a screaming child that has waited for 30 min to see him....I guess you can tell we've had a similar experience.

Merry Christmas Everyone!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Busy Season

In Granbury, Alex's first attempt in a big boy bed, and he falls out and sleeps on the floor.

Addison, Gabby and Kaelyn

Horse Swing!

Thanksgiving Feast

We were visiting my brother at his home in Fort Worth. Alex sure loved that trampoline!

Cousins

We went to my nephew's highschool Fort Worth Christian basketball game

When we came home we had our annual family Christmas slumber party. We had a special dinner in the dining room, smores and egg nog for dessert. Then we decorated to Christmas tree and lastly we watched a Christmas movie in the living room next to the tree. We then attempted for the whole family to sleep on the floor together...but Alex kept everybody up. Oh well, I guess we can try again next year!

Don't be fooled by this calm picture. After the movie, Alex was still awake and playing. Needless to say, he spent the rest of the night in his crib.

Sorry I haven't updated in a while. This has literally been the busiest season of my life. I have just sent out all of my Christmas cards explaining this. I have been trying to finish Baby Mackenzie's room, which has meant multiple errands and sewing and painting and the weekly doctor visits. I have also been decorating for Christmas, shopping for Christmas, wrapping for Christmas, sending out Christmas cards etc...and I'm still not done. Not to mention, Alex's birthday party is at the end of this month as well. And he just made the huge transition into his big boy bed. So...it's been quite a busy, but exciting ride. I haven't even posted pictures displaying what a fabulous Thanksgiving we shared with my parents and my brother and his family in Granbury. It was a special trip considering I won't be traveling again anytime soon until the baby comes. Mackenzie's room is almost ready with about 3 1/2 weeks to go, so I will posting the final product this weekend after we buy the changing table. But, for now here is a little family update with pictures.

Mackenzie's Nursery Phase 1

Here is just a few pics that basically sum up what Chad and I have been up to since Saturday. Although it took forever, I can't believe how straight the lines turned out! I was sad to see the green diamonds go that our dear friend Ashley put up when she lived here, but I am excited about putting all the bedding and colors together. Up next, a tree mural. Will post final product later!

Trick or Treat

Here we are getting ready for our church's Family Fest. Alex is a frog that refused to wear his hat.

Pretty girls!!!

As long as there was candy he was a happy frog.

This was taken on Halloween. We decided on a army man costume instead.

Grandma and Gido gave their own treats.

Grant and Gabby...how sweet!

The fam out at the Sugar Grove trick or treating event.

This was taken after trick or treating. I just thought it was so cute the way they lay looking at eachother.