Merry Christmas from our family to yours...

I am so pleased with our Christmas cards this year.  Thanksgiving weekend my sister in law took our pictures at Abilene Christan University. The campus is beautiful, the weather was perfect, and both boys were happy.  She takes great pictures and it was tough to chose which one to use.  My talented friend, Rebecca, did the cards for us.  I met her when we moved to Houston and treasure our friendship.

I hope you all have a wonderful week and a very Merry Christmas!! 

~front of our card~

~back of our card~

Bennett William's sweet nursery

Planning for my sweet little boy's nursery was so much fun.  There is an abundance of places to fabric shop in Houston and I took advantage.  I wanted his room to have a soft, calming color scheme...newborn baby-ish.  The colors I chose are, white, baby blue, a pale shade of green, & chocolate brown.  Brooks' nursery was bright, vibrant colors that perfectly fit his personality.  Now, Bennett's room totally fits him as well!!  Funny how that happens...

I found a picture of his crib bedding on Posh Tots and had a lady make it for me.  These pictures don't really do it justice.  The bumper is white linen with pale brown/baby blue plaid piping.  Bed skirt is blue linen.  The drapes are white linen and a pale blue toile pattern.  I absolutely love it.

My friend, Jamie, painted a few canvas's for me.  She is so talented and easy to work with.  For a hormonal, pregnant mommy to be that is very important.

We used the same green, chenille glider, white crib, & changing table that were in Brooks' nursery.  I added an antique wood dresser and ordered a small table from Ballard Designs to hold a lamp beside the glider.  So very pleased with the outcome and our little Bennett seems to also love it.  :) 



I think the shelves & crosses are perfect above the changing table.  Second canvas...so sweet!!



Custom pillows to match bedding & toy sack from PB Kids...love the polka dots!!

Bennett & I have spent many hours in that comfy glider.  I love to rock my babies.

Crib & the third canvas with one of my favorite verses.  "All your sons will be taught by the Lord, and great will be your children's peace."  Isaiah 54:13

Love the chocolate brown stripe we had painted on each side of the walls in his room.

Aunt T made his letters & I think they are just perfect!!

Our journey on the Polar Express to the North Pole...

*I decided to do a current post, because this was such a fun day(AND Jamie, my mom, & sister have been doing some serious threatening...).  Next up, Bennett's birth!!*

On Sunday, December 5th, we made a trip to East Texas to ride the Polar Express.  Some might call us crazy, a nine hour road trip for an hour long train ride.  1 magical experience for a precious four year old little boy=priceless!!

We have read the book, watched the move, and now been to the North Pole.

All Aboard...

Ticket in hand, ready to be punched

Waiting paitently

Sweet baby boy ready to board

The conductor checking tickets

Ready to have his ticket punched

Two cutie pies



Shocked that the conductor is actually punching "HIS" ticket...

My sweet family, so thankful this is who I wake up to each morning!!
Drinking our cocoa...it was a perfectly cold afternoon.



Looking for Santa & beating on the cold window





They read the book over the speaker as we headed to the North Pole.  One of the 

helpers who walked through the cabin as the book was being read.

Arriving at the North Pole.  Jolly Ol' Saint Nick had just been spotted...

The elves dancing around and welcoming us.



Boxcar full of wrapped presents waiting to be delivered to all the good little boys & girls...



Look who made a surprise entrance to deliver bells to all the children.  Bennett was in awe.  Don't they look cute in their matching jammies?

Makes my heart happy

He truly had a magical day...

 

Brooks' 4th Birthday

I truly couldn't believe my sweet baby boy was about to turn four and now in a few short months he will be five.  It seems like yesterday we were living in Seattle with a brand new baby boy.  Time is just flying right by me and I want it to slow down.  I want to cherish this time with my babies and soak up every minute.

We had Brooks' 4th Birthday party at the Houston Children's Museum.  It is the coolest place and I'm sad to say that we haven't been back since the party.  His baby brother was born one month later and we have just come out of hibernation!!  We definitely will go back soon.

Brooks wanted the theme to be Spiderman & Batman.  I took the easy route with party planning this year since I was about to pop and waddling around.  Ordered two cupcake cakes from Kroger, picked up a few balloons, made a cute sign, brought Batman & Spiderman toys from home to decorate the tables, and called it good. 

Aunt T, Uncle D, Evie May, Baba, & Poppa sent this cool, Spiderman fruit basket to the b-day boy.

Brooks and his buddy,Ryan, playing a game

Brooks & Drew

Birthday boy being shy when we sang Happy Birthday

Cupcake cakes...this picky & attention to detail minded Mommy cringed when I picked them up...I could have done a better job had I made them at home.  5th birthday will be much cuter!!

Decorated table

Brooks LOVES Spiderman, Batman, & anything about super heroes

Brooks & his cousin, Corbin

Playing in the museum

Family photo outside the museum

Playing a new game with Aunt Linsey & Uncle Davy after he opened gifts

Dinner after the party at Double Dave's pizza, one of his favorite places to go


I was so scattered the day of his party(read below) that I took the wrong camera lens to the party.  I didn't get any good pics of the rest of our family that came to the party.  We had a great turn out and Brooks had a blast!!

Sadly, the morning of Brooks' birthday party, my dad called to tell us that my sweet Papa had passed away.  We put on a happy face and attempted to make the day super special for our Brooksie.  My parents were not able to be there for the party, so we celebrated a few days later at their house.

Opening gifts at Baba & Poppa's on February 2nd, his birthday.

Baba & Miss Priss(Evie May)

He got to eat chocolate cake for breakfast on his special day!!

Holidays 2009: Part 4 Christmas with my family

Christmas Day, my family came to our house to spend a few days with us.  Brooks insisted we open presents as soon as they arrived!!  We had a late afternoon meal, and because it took me so long to do a post, I can't remember what we had.  :)  I'm so excited to be coming up on the 2010 holiday season with a new little bundle of joy in our family.

I think this pic of Evie hanging out with her daddy is too cute!!

The fam minus Bryan and my big ol' preggo self front & center

Brooks reading a new book from BaBa & Poppa



Holidays 2009: Part 3 Christmas Eve & Morning

Christmas Eve morning Bryan went in to work for a few hours, so Brooks and I decided to make a few goodies.  Cookies for Santa and Reindeer Chow were on the agenda.  He chose the slice & bake Christmas tree cookies at the grocery store, which was fine by me.  I made chili to have for dinner after the Christmas Eve service.  We had a great day together as a family!!  One of my favorite things about being a parent is seeing the magic of the holidays through the eyes of a child.

Recipe for Reindeer Chow:

6 C Crispix cereal

1/4 C peanut butter

1/2 pkg milk chocolate chips

powdered sugar

In saucepan, heat chocolate chips until almost melted.

Add peanut butter and finish melting together.  Pour over cereal.  Stir until cereal is coated, then pour in large Ziploc with powdered sugar.  Shake until cereal is coated.  Pour into large bowl to cool.

Enjoy!!

Shaking it up!!

About to indulge

He was so excited

Eating like a reindeer...no hands!!

Dressed &and ready for Christmas Eve service.  I love this pic of them.

My sweet, sweet boy

In our jammies, cookies & milk for Santa, and treats for the reindeer

Reindeer food(hay) that Brooks put together at school 

Goodies from Santa...went for the stocking first!!

Excited little boy, I love his candy cane jammies.

Then, we headed upstairs to the playroom for his big surprise, a train table.

Love the conductor hat

I thought his serious expression was so sweet.  He wanted all of the trains to stay connected to each other!!