CBC Night in Bethlehem

Our church did its annual "Night in Bethlehem" for the preschoolers and we decided that since the kids were a little older we would attempt going again.  This was an event we went to the very first year we were here even before we joined the church.  We were so lost and knew absolutely no one that was there.  We decided that we would skip last year just because we didn't think the kids would even care because it's mostly just a chance to do some crafts, pet some animals, and take a picture with Mary and Joseph.  They really enjoyed it and I'm glad we decided to take them.  I was laughing hysterically though and the polar opposites that are my children.  We walked over to the petting zoo on the way out of the church and Kyleigh immediately walked right in the middle of everyone because she was so enamored with the goats.  Cooper on the other hand told us he was ready to go because there were too many people lol.  Love these kids so much!!!

Kyleigh's 1st REAL haircut

Last week I took Kyleigh to get her haircut.  Lately it has pretty much looked like someone chewed on her hair, and I am not a very good hairdresser when it comes to fixing hair for little girls.  I have struggled with what to do to her hair and finally decided if someone cut it a little more that we might be able to do more with it.  It turned out so stinkin' cute and I love that cutting it a little shorter made the curls come out like crazy!  I LOVE that one of my kids was blessed with curly hair because I have always had the most board straight hair imaginable.  It is something I hope she continues to have forever.....or at least as long as I'm the one doing her hair :)

First Trips to the Dentist

After decorating the house for Christmas I just had this feeling that the kids would either mess with the Christmas tree and/or stockings.  Little did I know they would more than mess with the stockings but actually pull one down, bust a lip, and chip a couple of teeth.  Kyleigh did just that one evening while I was gone to get my nails done SO we made our first trip to the dentist.  They brushed her teeth and talked to me about her chipped teeth.  They told me to just watch them over the next year and if they change color they would have to come out.

As for Cooper, we have been horrible about not taking him to the dentist mostly because I was a coward and didn't want to deal with the possible fallout/dramatics of taking him.  I must say that on both fronts, it was a really pleasant experience.  Both kids did awesome and I attribute a lot of it not just to them but also to the awesome pediatric dentist we found here in College Station.  I am so proud of both kids for doing so well and I hope the next one goes just as well!

I have no pics of Coopster at the dentist because Daddy took him instead of me :(

Thanksgiving in College Station

This year we hosted Thanksgiving at our house!  We had all of Daniel's side of the family (except Amanda and Jerrod :( )  come up for a few days and spend time hanging out and enjoying each other's company.  Carter, Laura, and Charlotte even got to come in on Friday and hang out for awhile.  We ordered a ham and smoked turkey from Honeybaked Ham and holy moly was the smoked turkey to.die.for  I'm not a typical turkey person but I pretty much ate only turkey after tasting the amazing smoked turkey they prepare.  We also all pitched in on sides and desserts and had way WAY too much great food and fun.  Amy and I even managed to sneak away and do some crazy Black Friday shopping - I'm kind of obsessed with it every year but this was her first and needless to say CS did not disappoint on craziness.  We also took the kids to Santas Wonderland one evening to see all the lights.....somehow I think this might be our last year because the kids could have cared less.  I can't wait to get together and do it all again at Christmas!

Thanksgiving Feast at SFLP

So maybe it's just me but there is something about actually going to have lunch with your child at their "school" that hurts a mother's heart in terms of growing up!  I couldn't help but feel like Cooper wasn't in preschool but in like 4th grade or something and I was going to have lunch at the school with him?!  Needless to say, he is NOT in 4th grade but we did have an awesome time getting to eat lunch with him as a family and get to know some of his friends he talks about all the time.  It was so fun seeing his little shy personality blossom as he saw his friends and his teachers and he wanted to introduce us to them.  And I should also mention that the food was so yummy!!

Success in Thirty-One

As most know, I started my Thirty-One business back on October 28.  Since then I have had three parties all of which have done remarkably well!  I am really excited to continue this journey and I pray that God uses me in a great way and that I continue having success in the future.  I love the idea that I get to have nights out with girlfriends, talk about my favorite things which are bags, and all the while make money while doing it.....who gets to say that?

Christmas in Africa

This year Amanda and Jerrod will be spending Christmas in Nairobi with the children at the orphanage.  While I am selfishly sad they won't be with us, I am so honored to get to be a part of what they are doing there.  I somehow keep feeling as though even though we aren't there in person we are still getting the chance to spend Christmas with them in spirit.

Amy felt led to put together packages for each of the 50 children at the orphanage and I was more than thrilled to help out.  I got to buy stuff for three little boys, Caleb (who I have somewhat fallen in love with and would like to go get him and bring him home with me), Anthony, and Fedinard.  I cannot wait to see pictures of their Christmas party from Amanda and Jerrod.  Thank you for letting us be a part of your amazing ministry and I pray that God uses these small tokens as a way to brighten each one of their hearts and minds and bring the true meaning of Christmas to them through you!

Art Show at SFLP

Cooper has been doing so well at the School for Little People that we could not be more thrilled and proud of him.  They have been working diligently all year on all kinds of fun artwork using glitter, glue, paint, etc. and they had an art show one Thursday night in October.  We got to go and see his classroom and where he sits in class.  We also got the see the fun art projects he had been working on and enjoy some cookies and punch.  We are so proud of you Cooper and can't wait to see what you do next!!

Halloween 2012

The kids had to get a picture with their bff/neighbor "Mr. Jeff"

Kyleigh pouting because I wouldn't let her have anymore candy

Me and my little bff Grace aka Pinkalicious

This year for Halloween we had such a great time with the kids.  They are both getting old enough to understand the concept of dressing up and trick-or-treating.  Cooper decided he wanted to be a fireman this year and Kyleigh (at the last minute and while spotting a sparkly costume at Costco) decided she wanted to be a mermaid.  They both turned out so stinkin' cute and I will forever buy my halloween costumes at Costco.  They definitely have the most realistic and good quality costumes I have ever seen!  We trick-or-treated with our friends in Pebble Creek and the kids even got to enjoy a little hayride to take them from house to house.  Too bad now they think we should take a hayride EVERYWHERE we go lol.

A&M vs LSU

This weekend was such a fun weekend spent with all our 'ol Pioneer Energy Services family.  We love these couples so much and hate that we don't get to see them as often as we would like.  Wyatt and Jenn are now living in Denver with their beautiful kiddos and Bill and Cassie are still in San Antonio but they all decided to come in and stay with us for the long anticipated game.  Even though we lost to LSU :( it was such a close game and I think a fun time was had by all.  We have almost decided we should do a little reunion every year for this game :)

Pumpkin Patch

October was a very busy month for us as you will see.  The weekend of the A&M vs LSU game I met Mom in Palestine and she took the kids for the weekend because we had two couples coming to stay with us for the game.  They had such a great time with MiMi, Pop, Uncle Matt, Papa B, and MawMaw B.  One day they took them to the pumpkin patch in Pittsburg and my mom and grandma made sure I had lots of pictures of the memories made.  I'm so thankful to them for always being willing to take the kids and letting us have a break every once in awhile.  Thank you ALL!!!!

Buddy Walk 2012

One Sunday in October we headed out to Wolf Pen Creek park to attend Buddy Walk.  Buddy Walk is put on by the Down Syndrome Association of the Brazos Valley.  We went to support our buddy Kohen and there was such an awesome turnout!  We all wore our "Kohen's Buddies" tshirts and walked together in the one mile walk.  I really hope this is a new tradition for our family that we can support and attend each year!

Daddy's Birthday

We celebrated Daniel's birthday pretty low key this year.  We stayed at home and had a nice family dinner and I attempted my very first Paula Deen pound cake which came out fabulously if I do say so myself lol.  What wasn't low key is his gift.  My mom and I decided a year ago we wanted to send all our "men" to the Masters golf tournament in 2013.  We have yet to buy tickets and book anything but this is just a reminder by writing this blog that we need to do so...lol.  Daniel does so much for our family and I couldn't be more thankful.  He is a wonderful husband and an AMAZING father to our little munchkins.  We love you so much Daddy and are so glad we can celebrate your special day with you!