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| From Christmas 09 photo shoot |
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| From Christmas 09 photo shoot |
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| From Christmas 09 photo shoot |
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| From Christmas 09 photo shoot |
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| From Christmas 09 photo shoot |
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| From Christmas 09 photo shoot |
Sunday, December 20, 2009
My friend Lori rocks!
Holiday Play-Dates
As busy as the holidays have been, we've made a special effort to get the kids together with their friends. It's been too cold for much time on the playground, but the kids always find a way to have a great time! Luckily it gives the moms a nice chance to visit, too!
The twins' buddy Allie came over with her mom and big brother for a few hours one afternoon - look at those girls kicking up their feet and having a great time!
We also got to hand out with Jorja, another buddy from their old school. The kids talk about Allie and Jorja (and of course Will!) all the time so it was great to have time to laugh and play. We hung out at the playroom at our church and the kids had a blast with all the toys, especially the instruments (loud but a blast!). Jorja is definitely Jackson Camper's first crush - thankfully he can't read this blog yet!
Our friends Hillary and Nathan and son River were so sweet to bring dinner to us recently- we thought the royal-treatment-for-new-babies had ended and were soooo grateful for their generosity and thoughtfulness (we have been spoiled by our fabulous Arkadelphia friends, by the way)! Lasagna, cheese bread and lemonade pie - yum! Check out River and Jackson Camper's coordinating togs! Clearly their mommies share a sense of style!
We also had a fun afternoon with Elmo at friend Jude's birthday party... once the kids got over their terror! The party was just precious but the kids were not quite prepared to meet a life-sized Elmo upon arriving at the bash - I can only compare this to the reaction they have to Santa Claus! The twins have continued to talk about how "big Elmo scare me" - I don't think he'll be coming to their birthday party this summer! They did have a good time at the party and got to hang out with several kids from their new school, which made everyone happy!
In early December, one of my good friends from LSU, Lindsay, got to come visit with her son. We had a great time and feel so special that they made the trek to come see us and meet the twins and Evie Claire! The twins got to stay home from school for two days so we could play - the visit was 99% wonderful with the exception of a major biting incident between Jackson and Lindsay's little boy - Jackson's vampire alter ego came back with a vengeance and we all felt just terrible. Minus the incident, we had a great visit and hope to see them again soon!!!
Finally, we've had great times at church with all of our buddies. It is the sweetest thing to watch the kids play with their friends! They are also learning so much about the Lord and are beginning to understand Jesus and the relationship they share with Him. I have a few pics from the annual Christmon Tree dedication - the kids all bring chrismons (similar to ornaments) down the aisle during church to hang on the tree. It's chaotic, but a special tradition at our church. During church that Sunday they brought communion back to the nursery, which is another great new tradition and one that, as both a mom and a Christian, I find so beautiful to witness!
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| From Christmas playdates |
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| From Christmas playdates |
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| From Christmas playdates |
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| From Christmas playdates |
We also had a fun afternoon with Elmo at friend Jude's birthday party... once the kids got over their terror! The party was just precious but the kids were not quite prepared to meet a life-sized Elmo upon arriving at the bash - I can only compare this to the reaction they have to Santa Claus! The twins have continued to talk about how "big Elmo scare me" - I don't think he'll be coming to their birthday party this summer! They did have a good time at the party and got to hang out with several kids from their new school, which made everyone happy!
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| From Christmas playdates |
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| From Christmas playdates |
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| From Christmas playdates |
Finally, we've had great times at church with all of our buddies. It is the sweetest thing to watch the kids play with their friends! They are also learning so much about the Lord and are beginning to understand Jesus and the relationship they share with Him. I have a few pics from the annual Christmon Tree dedication - the kids all bring chrismons (similar to ornaments) down the aisle during church to hang on the tree. It's chaotic, but a special tradition at our church. During church that Sunday they brought communion back to the nursery, which is another great new tradition and one that, as both a mom and a Christian, I find so beautiful to witness!
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| From Christmas playdates |
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| From Christmas playdates |
Quick Trip to our Old Kentucky Home...
Wow, we're tired! We made a very fast trip up to Russellville, KY, over the weekend for our dear friend Sarah's wedding (Kendal was honored to actually marry them!). We left on Thursday morning and got back at 3am this morning, tired but happy to have had an unexpected opportunity to see a lot of old friends and a beautiful place full of great memories.
We stayed with our great friends Chris and Leslie and their kids Clark (now in 1st grade - whoa!) and Caroline (2 years). Clark has been our buddy for a long time, but this was our first opportunity to meet Caroline - what a sweetie! I hated the twins weren't with us, but we thought they would be happier with Nana and Papa this trip (if anyone can find a wizard's port-key between our house and KY we may try it next time!). We had a great time just hanging out, eating, watching "The Office" reruns, watching Chris work on the farm - it was like nothing had changed :) I also found out that Leslie makes the most precious clothes for kids - check out The Gumdrop Shoppe! Evie Claire made the trip and was absolutely amazing - no fussing, just sweet as can be. I love the pic with EC and Caroline - look at those smiling girls! Looking very forward to getting all five of the kids together one day very soon. The girls got to do some shopping in Bowling Green on Saturday while the guys hung out at the house - just like it should be!
We also got to hang out with other wonderful friends - my friend Jackie and her kids Mariah (4) and Mason (1) and Glen and Linda Gilliam. It was such a treat to have time to sit and catch up, we treasured every minute.
We also had the chance to see old friends at the Shaker Museum at South Union, where I worked for two years. We hung out with my old co-workers, bought some great gifts (yay for Candleberry Candles!) and got a special tour of the nearly restored grain barn and visitor's center by director and good friend Tommy Hines. We couldn't believe how much had been accomplished in the four short years we've been away - if you are ever in the area, make sure to pay the museum a good visit!
Finally - it was time for the wedding! What an honor to celebrate with Sarah and Mario, two absolutely amazing people. Sarah was in the youth group at FPC Russellville when we moved there in 2003 and she was a close friend from the beginning. We love her family so much and we so happy to share in their day. Congrats, Sarah and Mario Ibarra :)
Evie loved the wedding and all the attention SHE got, too! She almost stole the bride's thunder :)
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| From KY 2009 |
We also got to hang out with other wonderful friends - my friend Jackie and her kids Mariah (4) and Mason (1) and Glen and Linda Gilliam. It was such a treat to have time to sit and catch up, we treasured every minute.
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| From KY 2009 |
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| From KY 2009 |
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| From KY 2009 |
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| From KY 2009 |
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| From KY 2009 |
Finally - it was time for the wedding! What an honor to celebrate with Sarah and Mario, two absolutely amazing people. Sarah was in the youth group at FPC Russellville when we moved there in 2003 and she was a close friend from the beginning. We love her family so much and we so happy to share in their day. Congrats, Sarah and Mario Ibarra :)
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| From KY 2009 |
Evie loved the wedding and all the attention SHE got, too! She almost stole the bride's thunder :)
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| From KY 2009 |
Saturday, December 5, 2009
Daddy is 32!
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| From Thanksgiving 09 |
Happy Birthday, Kendal! We celebrated his 32nd back in Arkansas with lunch at Little Rock's Star of India (fabulous!) and a trip to Fermentables, Kendal's favorite home-brew shop. Later, we enjoyed the Land's famous marble cake and opened presents - sweet time with family and the perfect way to celebrate the most important man in our lives!
So Much To Be Thankful For
Thanksgiving in Mississippi was wonderful! The week flew by (can't believe we're in the midst of the Christmas season now!) but we are grateful for the special time we were able to spend with my family. The ride down - as always - was long. We prepared with a host of new Thomas the Train and Barbie movies for the twins, which helped keep them occupied for a little while. Evie Claire was a trooper - she slept nearly the entire ride and never made a fuss (how in the world did we get so lucky?!). Kendal and I passed the time with the "Glee" soundtrack (love it!) and some books on CD and plenty of caffeine!On our first morning, Kendal, Evie and I were able to worship together at an Episcopal church in Hattiesburg that my friend Susan's mom attends. Miss Rosalie was a worship leader that Sunday and we had a great time celebrating Christ the King Sunday with her. That afternoon we got the sad news that our friend Toney McMillan had passed away, so Kendal got back in the car and returned to Arkansas to prepare for his memorial service. The kids and I were a little shaken to suddenly be without Kendal, but we had plenty to keep us busy.
The most special were our visits with Mama Diket, my grandmother who has always been one of my very best friends. To have her spend time with my kids and hold Evie was a gift I'll always treasure. We also got to spend a lot of time with my parents (the kids LOVE their GanGan and Big Daddy!), my sister Anna and her fiancee Matt. My mom prepared some of our favorite meals, including Leatha's barbeque and a full Thanksgiving Part II meal on Friday! Just like my grandmother, my mom shows her love for others through her hospitality and amazing cooking - not good for trying to lose the post-baby weight but much appreciated nonetheless! We all spent tons of time playing with the kids, trying to coax them into naps (to no avail!) and enjoying the too rare time together. We also got to spend some precious time with a number of my oldest friends. My BF Susan was in from Chicago and we got to see her nearly every day of our trip. Our visits were very laid back - we just around the house - but I was so happy we coordinated our holiday trips home. I am looking very forward to the day we can take the family to visit her in Chicago and take Carlisle and Evie on a special date to the American Girl store on Michigan Ave! We also got to see Kelly (a great friend from high school) and his daughter Sarah - she's a beauty and the same age as the twins!
The kids and I also got to spend an afternoon with my oldest friend Emily (we met when we were just 3!) and her three kids. We had a chaotic play-date at the park and quickly decided it was a better idea to take the party to her house. Her precious girls were so sweet to the twins and to Evie and her new baby (Jac) is as handsome as can be.
For Thanksgiving Day, we all loaded into the car and headed to Lauren to my Uncle Ed and Aunt Read's house. Spending Thanksgiving in their home was the norm when I was growing up and it was a treat to bring my kids there and spend the day with family we too rarely see. I missed my cousin Tally so badly - she was always my "partner in crime" growing up but she couldn't made t in from Cali for the holiday. Instead, the twins got to play with their cousins - they all took our place at the kids' table! After lunch, it was time for another tradition - a walk to the park! My dad and Uncle Ed always walked Tally and I to the park after dinner and it was our turn to carry on the tradition. The weather was perfect as we set out - my dad (Big Daddy), Anna and Matt, Uncle Ed, his grandkids (Madison, Cam and Caleb) and the twins enjoyed the short walk to the playground and got to spend some time swinging and sliding. *The picture I included is one from a Thanksgiving during my high school years - some of the faces at the '09 meal have changed but the gathering was as special as ever.
Here's just a cute pic of Evie Claire I wanted to include - she's all bundled up for the first cold December night in Arkansas. Too precious, I love this little girl more than I ever imagined possible! She is truly a perfect child - rarely cries, sleeps like an angel, is already cooing and beginning to really smile when she looks into your face. She loves staring at light, she's just mesmerized by it and it makes you appreciate life's simple beauties as you watch this small child's amazment!
Hayride!
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| From evie and hayride |
We are so fortunate have an amazing preschool director at our church - the twins love her and are always asking "Where Breanne go?!" Miss Breanne was gracious enough to invite the children of the church to her parents' home for a fall hayride. The kids had a great time! The weather was crisp - perfect for roasting hot dogs and marshmallows! Jackson prefers his marshmallows "raw" we learned as he shoved four into his mouth (he thought we couldn't see him!). After dinner, we enjoyed a hayride through the woods. The sky was clear and the stars were huge - the kids all looked amazed. Sweet Evie slept through the ride, but hopefully the church outing will be a new tradition!
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| From evie and hayride |
Halloween Treats
We have been busy - clearly too busy to post anything but, luckily, not too busy for me to take some pictures along the way! While all three kids are sleeping, I'll try to update the blog...Halloween was a huge success! Jackson and Carlisle both donned last year's costumes with no fuss and we even found a baby bee costume for Evie. It looked absolutely terrible (she looked like a striped octopus) but it was a decent effort! We joined our buddies the Eldridges for trick or treating and all the kids had a blast! "Fire Chief Will" joined the twin bees for a drama-free stroll around Arkadelphia. They collected tons of candy, were polite at each house and had a great time. We went back to the Eldridges' for chili and cookies and mom's first post-baby beverage - treats for the adults as well :)
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| From trick or treat 09 |
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| From trick or treat 09 |
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