Our Christmas Break

Our Christmas break looked like a bunch of this:

ANd a bunch of this...

Next year I think the kids (and us) would like to celebrate Christmas in a different way!!

Best Buds

These two have already become quite the pair... they are both sound asleep in this pic!

Christmas Morning

We got to spend Christmas morning with Grammy and the girls... the kids had so much fun opening presents (although they were still sick at the time).

Christmas Eve- at parents

Christmas Eve the kids were ready for Santa to come. Luckily they got to spend it at Sugar and Pops' house. They were not disappointed, sick...yes....but that couldn't stop the fun!!

Nativity play

The kids enjoyed being in the Nativity play...Halle was Mary, Bennett (and D) were sheperds, and Miles was a lamb...who refused to have anything to do with the play. Kids did great and had fun...Halle even memorized her parts!




Then they got to sit on Santa and Mrs. Clause's lap!!!

Time with Jean & Russell

Before Christmas we were able to spend time with Jean and Russell. They were so generous and took us out to Golden Corral (sp?) we had so much fun!!

Reason 578 Why I LOVE our pediatrician.

It is always hard moving, it really doesn't matter how far you go-always hard. One of those hard things has been leaving our pediatrician. Anyone that has kids can understand this one- once you find one that you like/love it is always hard finding another one that you appreciate as much. We moved away from Vegas right before Thanksgiving and really haven't needed to find another pediatrician so we haven't been to see the new one we "claimed" on our new insurance. This week we headed up North to visit family during the holiday and lo and behold I forgot Bennett's nebulizer. And OF COURSE he started having some major asthma issues last night. Of Course. I called our old pediatrician from Vegas last night and they gave me some over the counter stuff to try. This morning at 7:30 am their time the nurse called back to check on Ben. I told her he wasn't doing too hot so SHE worked our new insurance to get us a new nebulizer delivered to my mother-in-laws home, she got some new meds called in to our local CVS (mind you it sounds a lot easier...all the red tape that had to be crossed) but yes, once again our pediatrician came through. I love them. And if you have never loved your pediatrician before...it might be time to switch to one who you can appreciate!

Friends with giveaways!

When I was pregnant with Halle my husband had just started a new job in Dallas, I had a few friends and I consider this next delightful woman one of those. Katy is fantastic! We no longer live close, but I love that I am able to keep in touch with her via the blog world.

The best part is she is doing a giveaway right now on her blog...for a $100 giftcard to gap!! (SERIOUS!!) Check it out, and while there make sure you check out all the crafties that Katy does..you will be jealous.

Sharing the Crazies

As the Christmas season approaches, and budget strings are tight after moving across the country I have been debating on making holiday cards. I actually read an article in a money magazine that says Christmas cards are one "old tradition" where it is ok to start doing email cards. I figured that is what we would be doing, but after hearing about the promotion that Shutterfly is doing I think we might resort to a more traditional card and SEND them! Who doesn't love seeing how families have grown and changed over the year??

I think I'm going to have a hard time choosing a Christmas card this year, because I LOVE so many of their designs (and they have an unbelievable amount to choose from!! Not only can you do their Holiday cards, but you can also do photo cards!

So, after uploading ALL those family photos I figure also why not make something out of those... like a calendar? That would be a fun present for D... to hang in his new office. (because we all know that all those photos taken about 95% of them are HILARIOUS! So why not remember that time we spent trying to get all three children to look at the camera, make sure everyone is smiling (for the most part), and no one has crazy hair. Or you could just upload fun pics from the previous year to make a calendar... then put them on the calendar for grandparents...because up until now we have lived AT LEAST 18+ hours drive away...and they were never there to see the kids grow and change!! Geez.... I need to get started asap on this project!!!!

WAnt in on this deal?? Go HERE

Town Tree Lighting

The town that we live in had their annual tree lighting ceremony so we thought we would join in on the fun!
Here in Texas (well where we live) they actually make snow. Here they are making snow areas for the kids to play in...

They also had free carriage rides and we got to be one of the first on there before the lines got packed! IT was so much fun, we love the community down here and how everyone is super friendly!! It is such a nice change!!!

Miles 1st Birthday

Miles turned one on November 16th, 3 days before we moved. He is such a sweet easy baby and LOVES his siblings so much.

For his birthday dinner, of course we had macaroni, chicken nuggets, (and some healthy stuff for D and I)

I show this picture in shame...yes, this is a store bought cake. (shame shame shame) with 3 days till we were moving most all of our kitchen stuff was already packed. I will def. have to make up for this next year!!

Miles loved the cake- loved the frosting, and even more loved all the attention he was getting.

At one year- Miles is doing fantastic!
He weighs in at 26 lbs
Wears 24 month clothing on most clothes
Signs all done and more
Gives kisses and hugs willingly
Sleeps through the night and takes two naps during the day.
Can walk along the furniture and stand.

We are so thankful that Miles joined our family...such a sweet blessing!

Florida Trip

Trying to catch up-

Last month Dustin had a conference in Orlando so we thought it would be fun if I tagged along! My mom flew into Vegas and we literaly handed her the keys at the airport, told her how much we loved her and took off!! IT was so much fun and so refreshing to have that alone time!! Especially at the most wonderful place on earth (ever been without kids?? I highly suggest it!!)

Here we are at the begining of one of our days- sadly it was the coldest in Orlando that it had been all year. OF COURSE we only packed one pair of jeans...

Because we had anniversary pins on (thanks Deya for the recommend) they pulled us off the street right before the parade started and put us in private seating where we got to meet EVERY disney character imaginable!! (I was so giddy)

Jafar was kissing my hand...creepy and ironic (I was Jafar in a family musical...)

Here Ariel was hitting on Dustin... don't blame her.

IT was such a fantastic trip- and we had so much fun just the two of us! It was nice to relax because we knew that as soon as we got back to Vegas we would have a little over a week to get our entire home packed and moved.

Back to the Lone Star State

I can't locate the camera cord yet, so a verbal update will have to do. (I need some major pics update, Miles birthday...moving...) We are in Houston and LOVING it. It took a bit to get here but are so grateful we made it!

We left our place on Saturday afternoon (the 20th) after some very nice friends came and helped me spit shine the house while the men moved everything. Another good friend took the kids for the day so we could get everything done! We left the house, D driving our car, and my brother Drew driving the moving truck. It took us 6 hours to reach Flagstaff (which normally takes about 4). The truck wouldn't go faster than 70...so my sweet husband put Drew in the car with me and he took the moving truck. Drew and I went ahead and made it into my parents place around 12 on Sunday (no stopping) and Dustin pulled in around 4ish (he took a brief nap while driving...but a hero for driving the monsterous moving truck the whole way).

We played for a couple of days at my parents place- riding horses, driving go-carts around, playing games. Then went to my mother-in-law's for Thanksgiving lunch (fabulous as always) then after naptime we headed to Houston. We made great time down and checked into a hotel (3 kids, and two cats in a hotel room = lots and LOTS of fun). Then Friday morning we moved into our apartment! It is super nice, and we live in a fabulous area. We went to church on Sunday and met some great friends (also ran into some that I haven't seen in years). Monday morning Halle started her new school- HOLY COW. They go from 7:50 to 3:10 everyday. There are only 17 students in her class, (say what?? BIG CHANGE FROM VEGAS!!) She gets computer time, recess, PE, library time (every day). Her teacher is fabulous, and reminds me alot of a childhood friend who for the longest time I have been telling that she will be teaching Halle. The school system is so fantastic here (don't think I can say enough).

We live about 40 minutes from the beach, the area we live is super nice with lots and lots of grass (coming from Vegas you would understand), and we have already seen more rain in the past week than we did the entire time we lived in Vegas. We are excited for this new step in life- I will have to put pics up soon!!