December 15th

Christmas is getting closer. I am almost finished with my "homework" from church by having everything completed by the time we go to church on Sunday so that we can focus fully on the coming birth of our Saviour! I am really enjoying this sermon series and keeping Christmas simple.

Today I met Allison and Evan for lunch at La Madeline. It was so nice to just get out and visit for awhile. Sweet Evan snoozed the whole time but I snapped a couple of pics of him that I will post and Mark woke up for his bottle and then checked out the place. We visited for almost 2 hours and just caught up on life and new mommyhood!

After that I headed over to Target. I needed to buy my presents for the Angel Tree at church and finish Z and M. Z is definitely done. He is too easy and fun to buy for but I have to stop. I really haven't bought all that much but it feels like it adds up! Especially when I know the grandparents will have stuff too! Poor Mark, he is pretty much getting the shaft this year but he wont remember so its all good ;-)

As usual, target sucks you into a "money vortex" as one of my friends called it and I ended up with more stuff than was on my list. But, I am also complete for Christmas for the kids and close for Matt. woohoo! I need to make him an actual list, I know he hasn't gotten me anything. My list is shrinking since the 2 things I really want are pricey and we just don't need to be spending that right now. Perhaps another time. Its more fun buying for the kiddos any way! :) And then get my one package in the mail and we should be good to go!

December 14th

Quiet day today...it has been rainy/drizzly for the last few days. UGH! I did take the time during Z's 3 hour nap to start wrapping presents and also have placed all the cards in the mail. I was surprised Zach was not more interested in the presents under the tree when he woke up because yesterday at the birthday party he wanted to open all the presents! Maybe the fact that these are wrapped and not in gift bags makes a difference?

Not too much left to do before Christmas. I need to finish my list this week and get one package in the mail. Our church has been having a sermon series on Keeping Christmas Simple and there have been goals to accomplish every week of Advent (week 1-put up christmas decor. week 2-send cards, week 3-wrap all presents) so that by the 4th Sunday, you have everything finished and can relax and really enjoy the meaning of Christmas. I am close to being on track and I look forward to not being totally stressed those last few days before Christmas. I will definitely need to make use of Tues-Thurs when Z is in school to finish things up but I can do it!

How are you doing on all of your Christmas To-Dos?

December 13th

Sunday we went to celebrate the early 1st birthday of Kari and Steve's sweet twins...my Godson Dylan and his sister Lilly. The cutie pies were adorable as always and I was so happy to share in their very special day. Dylan went to town on his cake and was quite a hoot while Lilly barely got messy! I was also spoiled with Kathi and Claudia giving lots of love to Mark so I just had to keep an eye on one boy! :)

It is so funny to go to these important celebrations as the group just keeps getting bigger and bigger and I love to witness it all. We are up to 16 kids amongst us now! Seems like just yesterday we were hitting the town on the weekends and bringing our dogs to all of our house parties. Now its pack n plays and toys and booster seats! How times have changed!

December 12th

LIGHTS! Zach LOVES them!! We had some lights hung lining the house today and Zach was MESMERIZED watching them go up. He sat in the front window and the upstairs window just watching. And then tonight, before we went to pick up our pizza, we drove through the neighborhood for almost an hour...Z was chattering the whole time. "More, More, More! Santa, lights, pretty, car" etc etc etc. So sweet. He didnt even want to come home. I think we are going to go to Prestonwood one of these nights. He is going to LOVE that! :)

Oh, and I got all the Christmas cards addressed and stuffed! You should see them in the mail soon! :)

December 8th

Today Mark and I went and had lunch with my good friend, kerri and then went by the office to meet all of mommy's co-workers! It was great to catch up with Kerri during lunch and we got to eat at one of my fav spots...CHUY'S! Creamy Jalepeno...YUM-O! Mark was such a good baby and all smiles at the office. It was nice to see everyone but also nice to go back home and be with my boys! :)

Zach and I decided to make some Christmas sugar cookies tonight. Nothing fancy, we didn't do cookie cutters or anything, just had fun and iced and sprinkled them! Zach was a great sous chef!

December 7th

Christmas 2008.........

And Christmas 2009!!!

Today was Santa pic day.......let's just say the pic wasn't the best! ;-) And in Zach's defense, it was not his fault. We got to the mall at 1:01 and Santa was on his break till 2pm. We decided to wait it out and visited the pet store and had some Chickfila. We got back just as he was returning and only had 3 people in front of us. WOOHOO! All was going well and both boys were in good moods! Unfortunately, there was some film issue and they were not ready to take pics. Z did so well standing in line for about 20 min but about 5 min before we finally got to see Santa...the melting began. I will have to scan the pic to share in the hilarity. And of course as soon as the boys were off Santa's lap, he was fine! Ah well, I cant fault the poor boy and it made for a funny family memory which is proudly displayed on the mantle!

December 6th

We made it back to church for the first time since Mark was born. It was a little hectic trying to get us all ready but we made it! Z went to the nursery of course and Mark was a delight to all those around him. He got lots of oohs and ahhs! Since it was Communion Sunday, Mark went up to the front with me to receive communion. On the way out, a nice older lady patted me on the shoulder to say how cute Mark was and that seeing him made all the grandmas and would-be grandmas hearts go pitter patter! So sweet!

For dinner we headed over to Grandma and Popsie's house for dinner. It was actually Mark's first visit over there too. We have been so spoiled with them always coming to us! Z enjoyed the drive over and seeing all the Christmas lights. One weekend we will have to go for a drive. Anyone up for a trip through PrestonWood?

We had a great evening and grandma and popsie spoiled Z with a ton of sugar and M with lots of cuddles!! Their house is always fun with different toys to play with and the big bathtub! Zach ended up not going to bed until we got home at 10:30 but treated us by sleeping in til almost 9! What a great Sunday!

December 5th

Annual Book Club Kids Gift Exchange!

We played with our friends...

We welcomed the newest members to the group...

We opened presents...

We ate...

We did a craft...

And we even managed to take a group picture with 10 mommas and 16 kiddos, even if not everyone is looking at the camera! ! :)

Love you guys, you are all my family and I am so thankful to call you my friends!

December 4th

Well of course today was all about SNOW! yes, it snowed in Houston and was the TOP news on tv, radio, facebook, etc! Apparently we did not get near as much as other areas of town but it was neat to see it coming down!

December 3rd

Dressed for an outing to the hair salon with Mommy (he was such a good boy and after his feeding, he just slept!)

Big brother giving him a smooch good-bye!

And Christmas card OUT TAKES! :)