December Catch-up

A few random pictures from our month so far:

Hailey and I had a "girls day" one Friday. We did s little Christmas shopping and got our hair cut. I love getting to spend one-on-one time with my girl! We went to bed,bath and beyond to pick something up and she saw these massage chairs and asked what they were of course she wanted to try them out...she just giggled the whole time. Sweetness 

Reece testing out Hailey's microphone

One Sunday morning I was taking a picture of the kids and Hailey said, "now you get in the picture mommy"

Silly girl in her reindeer antlers

Reece's new favorite pastime: getting into EVERYTHING

Family movie night. This eating arrangement actually worked out better than I anticipated 

We are having a blast preparing for Chrisymas! I can't believe it's almost here!

Early Christmas in Charlotte

At the beginning of December we went to Charlotte for the weekend to do a lot of celebrating! We celebrated my nephew's birthday, mom's birthday and Christmas with my sister and her family that lives in Atlanta. 

We came in on Friday night and Hailey was so excited to make pizzas for dinner! 

Saturday morning we were all excited to see Mary Katherine, Justin and Caleb who had arrived overnight. We tried for a few pictures of the kids but you know how that goes...

But aren't these two boys precious?!

Saturday morning we celebrated Mack's 3rd birthday at a sports party. Hailey was only interested in the bounce house, although she did enjoy about three bites of a cupcake. 

Reece mostly did this

Although we finally got him to love the bounce house at the end. 

After the party we went back to Grams and Das' house. We took some Christmas card pictures (more on those in another post) and just enjoyed being together. We tried to take some pictures if all five grandkids in their matching shirts but Reece was NOT having it. 

It was so sweet to see all FIVE grandkids with Grams and Das. 

Then the kids got to open their stockings. Reece was way more excited about the yogurt raisins in Tucker's stocking than anything else. 

Hailey was way excited about her paw patrol hat and mittens, slippers and spin toothbrush. 

Then we got to exchange gifts with MK and Justin because we won't get to see them on Christmas. Hailey got a microphone. That girl is quite a performer. We have heard many jokes and songs 

We had a yummy dinner which was not-at-all relaxing with five kids. Ha! We drove back to Raleigh at bedtime and the kids slept almost the whole way. They actually did pretty well transferring to their own beds at home too. 

We had such a great weekend with family! I love it when we can all spend time together. 

It's Christmas-time!

As soon as we ate Thanksgiving dinner Hailey said, "now it's christmastime!" Ha! This girl has been thrilled about Christmas since August. She was SO excited to put up our Christmas tree as soon as we got home from Charlotte. We got home at about 3:30 and the tree was up by 6. This girl just couldn't wait! 

She of course wanted to decorate it herself so she got her stool out of the bathroom and went to work. 

Reece wasn't a fan of the tree at first. He cried as Ryan put it up but then became really interested in the ornaments. 

He was so funny! We have an ornament that is the book "Pat the Bunny", which he loves. But he just could not figure out why he could turn the pages and why it didn't have all of the pages. He got so mad! I had to go fine his book and give it to him. Ha! 

They were both super interested in the nativity scene too. 

And Hailey was so excited we let her put a little tree in her room this year. She uses it as a night light as she falls asleep every night, then Ryan or I unplug it. Be as soon as she wakes up in the morning she turns it back on. 

Hailey undecorates and redecorates both trees almost daily. She is really enjoying the decorations and lights this year. I pray she learns and is just as excited about the TRUE meaning of Christmas too. 

And just for fun...some cuties in Christmas clothes 

 

Thanksgiving

We traveled to Charlotte on Tuesday of the week of thanksgiving. We wanted to spend time with my parents before they headed to Atlanta to be with my sister for the holiday. Can you tell two little people were excited?! 

Tuesday night we had a little "pre thanksgiving" dinner with my other sister, brother in law, nephews and parents. 

The kids had a blast running and playing after dinner. I love that Hailey loves playing with her cousins. 

Wednesday morning Das took Hailey for donuts as is their tradition. She was super excited for her pink frosting and sprinkles. 

I tried to take a few pics of the kids for our Christmas card but it didn't quite work. Ha!

Wednesday we headed to Ryan's parents' house. Hailey got to spend lots of time with her Mimi and Bobo (the dog)

Ryan and I got to go on a date Wednesday night! We actually went to see a movie. I can't even remember the last movie I've seen in a theatre. How sad...

Thanksgiving day we just hung out at the house, watched the Macy's thanksgiving day parade, and played. Hailey got to make some cookies for our dinner. 

Reece had fun exploring Mimi's house. 

Before we went over to his aunt and uncle's house for dinner I tried to get a cute picture of the kids in their turkey shirts. 

We even tried for a family pic! There was lots of craziness going on behind the camera for these and it may have included a harmonica. 

We had a great dinner with Ryan's extended family. It was fun to catch up with everyone. 

We headed back to Raleigh on Friday. The whole way home Hailey was begging to decorate the Christmas tree! We had a wonderful thanksgiving but on to Christmas! 

Hailey sweetness

Here is a catch-up on my big girl:

Before her first school picture day

Turkey outfit for yellow day at school. All we could come up with were yellow turkey feathers :)

Enjoying her Friday breakfast date with Daddy. She asked for a donut with "strawberry frosting and sprinkles" 

Building with our new blocks. She made a bounce house with a swimming pool

She asked to wear a headband to school one day. It made her look so old!

Dressed in her Native American costume from school 

She is such s great big sister. She loves to make Reece laugh. This day she was playing peek-a-boo over the side of her bed. 

She wanted to help me wrap presents this year! She loved helping with the tape  and tags :)

Then it turned into sword fighting with an empty wrapping paper roll :)

I love this sweet, funny, loving girl! I am so thankful for her humor, love, imagination and all that she teaches me everyday.