We've Been a Little Busy

Between Christmas celebrations, traveling, getting the house back in order, the kids going back to school and Justin going out of town, I haven't had time to update the blog. Here are some pictures from the past few weeks.

Our elf, Ginger Boy, heard that we wanted to be at Mimi's for Christmas. He checked with Santa and brought us a letter saying that Santa would be able to make it a few days early. The kids were so excited but I thought Kinsley was going to jump out of her skin. She was beyond wild that day.

All the kids making cookies for Santa.

This picture is a little out of place.

This is "Christmas" morning as the kids wait to go downstairs.

Putting out reindeer food.

Picking out the best cookies for Santa.

Notice the Thank You note Kinsley likes to leave to Santa in advance.

Our own Little Miss Manners.

Waiting to hear The Night Before Christmas.

This year we got all the grandparents to record them saying parts of the story on one of the recordable books from Hallmark. The kids thought it was so cool.

Christmas morning

What else would Santa bring Colby but tons of trains?

Kinsley with her Tangled Barbie.

Poor Hads just had no clue what the excitement was all about.

She looks really excited to get a baby doll.

Or really scared.

More trains

Of course, they had to set up the tracks downstairs.

On the 23rd, we headed to Mimi and Pop's.

Here they are being VERY involved in a gingerbread train.

Not too bad!

Hadley before one of the celebrations.

Kinsley wore the same outfit during her first Christmas season.

This is about as good as it's going to get with all three of them.

Look whose trying to crawl!

So goofy.

Hadley got a Laugh and Learn house for Christmas and all the kids have had fun playing with it.

It's so nice that they all can "play" together.

When did she get so big?

Loving bath time!

Learning to cook.

Here's a picture just for you mom.

Colby with his jet pack and laser gun.

Check out the wild hair.

We have had some gorgeous weather this week, so we had to get outside and play.

Check out little man's new haircut.

The wildness is no more.

Kinsley got a new lock, kickstand, and bell for her bike.

She was so excited because now she can ride her bike to school.

She practiced hooking it up to the water hose.

Hadley in the little red car that every child of mine has LOVED riding in.

Apparently, all that riding just pooped her out.

Happy 6 Months Old Hadley Sophia!

We Love You!

We Love Christmas time!

This has nothing to do with Christmas.

Just Colby being his always cool self.

Colby's pre-school party was this week. I didn't get any pictures at the party because Hadley was fussy (we later found out she had an ear infection). This was him before we left.

The other night we took the kids to see Christmas lights.

I made up hot chocolate and chocolate milk for the ride and the kids put on their Christmas jammies and cowboy boots.

We have an extra booster and for special treats Colby gets to ride in the "way back" of the car with Kinsley.

Ready for lights

On Saturday, Justin took the big kids to Galvestion with some friends (I stayed home with poor Hadley).

They rode the ferry across the bay and saw tons of dolphins.

They also went to Moody Gardens to see the light display.

So predictable!

They said this guy juggled fire!

Kinsley also had her school party on Friday and Santa even came! I do have pictures but they are on my phone.

Yesterday Kinsley climbed one of our trees.

She been dying to do it and she finally found one she could climb.

It was a bigger crepe myrtle on the side of our house.

Justin made the kids a fort in the playroom last night.

Oh how they love a fort!

They had to come out to watch Toy Story.

Justin's mom sent us a foam gingerbread house to make.

It was MUCH more easier for us (and less messy).

Kinsley's Dance Recital

Sweet Hadley was ready to watch her first dance recital on Saturday.

Gone are the days of sweet tutus.

Once you're in Kindergarten it's jazz time with sassy outfits.

Model pose

Getting Ready to Perform

She was still in diva mode that night.

Check out the outfit she picked out.

Sea horse leggings, pink plaid skirt, tie dyed shirt with a zebra print peace sign on it, green scarf and of course her pink cowgirl boots.

Kinsley also sang in church on Sunday night. Here they are in their robes with candles (actually they are glow sticks) singing Silent Night.

Colby's Christmas Program

Colby's program was super cute last night. I got a little teary eyed watching my little man go on stage and sing. Here are some pictures from the night and the only video I could get to load. It's just the one of Colby leaving the chapel (or travel as he calls it).

Prepare to be amazed by my pics....

Well not by this one. Last night I finally got the "big girl" Nikon. I went to download the last of the baby Nikon's pics and this was the only one on it. Kinsley wearing Colby's Woody costume (she was Jessie of course) while her and Colby rode the stick horse.

Last weekend I had a girl's weekend in Canton and Dallas. It was great. We spent 10 hours shopping on Saturday at the Canton market then had very sophisticated grown up dinners at night in Dallas. Justin and the other 2 husbands who were babysitting all hung out together all weekend. They took the kids to Santa's farm on Friday night. The local FFA kids invite the community to check out their farm and see Santa. I jokingly told a friend (that was staying in town) that if she saw one of my kids wondering around by themselves at Santa's Farm to make sure she got them back to Justin. Well sure enough that night Justin lost Colby. AND my friend happened to be right there when it happened. They found him after 30 seconds (according to Justin) but I think it shook both Justin and Colby up. Other than that their weekend went well. We were impressed with just 3 dads for nine kids, they did alot.

I will have lots of opportunities to use my new toy this weekend. We have Colby's school play tonight, our Sunday School Christmas party on Friday night and Kinsley's dance recital on Saturday. Hopefully I learn to use it in time!