Christmas 2008!!

Christmas was lots of fun this year. We looked forward to having Santa come for many weeks. We made and decorated cookies to leave for Santa, and left him a glass of milk too. The boys wanted to leave them on their table so Santa could sit and rest. I think Santa did very well...our boys are definitely spoiled! Hope everyone had a wonderful holiday!!

The boys by their special contribution to Santa

Blake and Daddy

The goofy boys in front of the tree.

Pre-chaos...after Santa made his visit...

Cody opening his pile from Santa



Blake was very proud of his pile!

Checking out what Santa left in our stockings.

Comparing power rangers...

The after picture....

Visit with Santa and Christmas crafts

A very successful trip to the mall followed by Christmas crafts at home made for a very fun day!! We listened to Christmas music and decorated paper trees and snowmen, and made a little paper chain for our tree! It really put me in the Christmas spirit!!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

We decorated the house and our tree last week. Cody was very into decorating the house. Blake helped, but not as excited about it as Cody. We are excited because while the boys "got" Santa last year, this year they REALLY get it. They talk about the reindeer, and they know that Santa's watching (does the holiday season have to end?), and they know Santa comes down the chimney. We're already planning on making chocolate cookies and milk on Christmas Eve.

More turkey day pics

Blake and Taylor ready to watch Wall-E

Cody and his favorite cousin Collin watching Wall-E



Pictures of them walking will always be my favorites. I just love them!!


Chasing chickens at the house behind us with Kylee.

Kylee and Cody

Turkey Day '08

We headed to Waco this year for our first Thanksgiving with the Crosslins in about 3 years. The boys, as usual, were thrilled to spend time with their favorite cousin Collin, and all the girls. They played so hard and crashed last night when we got home. It was a fantastic football weekend too, and we had a great time cheering for all our teams. The Bears almost did it...they've come a long way!!

Mom, Taylor, and Blake post Thanksgiving dinner.

Me and Mom!

Tadd & Taylor

The boys playing Mario Kart...again. I think they spent 90% of our time there doing that.

Cody being silly with his Papaw.

Soccer Party

Soccer is officially over for the fall season. We had our last game this past Saturday, followed by our team party. The boys all got trophies, which they were very proud of!! Coach also gave them nicknames based on their personalities. Cody was "muscle man" and Blake was "speed racer". We had lots of fun playing soccer and look forward to playing again in the spring!

In memory of Cameron Brown

This is a sad post, but I wanted to mention Cameron as a reminder for all of us mommies and daddies to hug our precious angels and be grateful for their health and happiness.
Cameron is the son of a girl I met on a mommy forum before the boys were born. He has a sister who is the boys' age. Cameron has been fighting childhood leukemia for 5 years, and sadly, lost his battle on Thursday night. He was 9 years old.
I can't even begin to imagine what Lori and her family are experiencing right now. How confusing it must be for 5 year old Samantha. Thinking of him makes it a little easier to listen to the whining and fighting. My boys are healthy and they are here with me.
Cherish every moment. Please pray for the Brown family.

Courtney

www.caringbridge.org/visit/cameronbrown

Happy 5th birthday!!

How is it possible that my tiny little babies are 5 years old today? This birthday has been strangely emotional for me. I guess because I know they will be starting school soon, and five is the first "big kid" age.



On another note, I think they had a fantastic birthday. They had three parties all together, and made out like bandits as usual!! Here are a few pics from their school party today, and then our "family" party with our good friends the Regans from down the street!!
Have a wonderful 6th year my angels...I love you!!!






Our biggest hit. The geo trax airport.

Birthday party!!

The whole birthday party crew!! Thanks everyone for a great time!!!


Cheesing with our buddy and favorite cousin, Collin!

We had our fifth birthday party at a bowling alley called Alley Cats. We had all our Texas cousins there and a few friends from school and the neighborhood. We got to bowl and play video games, and we had lots of fun!!




Cody practicing his skee-ball skills.

Blake and Daddy racing.


That ramp helped the ball go lots faster! Thank goodness!!!

Trip to Alabama

We took a family trip to Alabama last week to visit my brother Ryan, his wife Brandie, their daughter Cecelia and new baby Wallace! The boys did very well on the 10 hour car drive and we had a great time while we were there. We went down to Tuscaloosa one day to see Ryan and Bran's old stomping grounds (University of Alabama). It's a beautiful campus. I had never been there before so it was nice to go. The boys even got to run on the same track Uncle Ryan used to run on.






And of course I spent lots of time cuddling my precious new nephew.

Mommy's birthday party

We were out of town for my actual birthday so the Saturday before Mom came over and we cooked out and had cake and ice cream with some neighbors and their kids. It was lots of fun for everyone!!