Christmas Morning :)

We had a wonderful Christmas!  Callie Beth was a lot of fun as she actually ‘got it’ this year.  Ben had a lot fun ripping in to presents!  It took a long time to open gifts as Callie Beth just wanted to play! 

Before…First look… First gifts they went for… cutie :)new rain bootslove the hats… new camera And for Callie Beth’s big gift…she was SO excited! as she calls it “a big trampoline”

jumping away!Ben in his chair We hope you all had an amazing Christmas!  We are already looking forward to next year.  I can only imagine how much more fun it will be!

Santa Came!!

Santa made a visit to our house on Christmas Eve!!

Christmas Eve

We had a wonderful Christmas Eve!  This is our first Christmas as a family of 4!  Callie Beth is so excited…she already got up and asked if Santa came yet :)

Our little tradition…after baths tonight, the kids got in their Christmas pajamas, we went downstairs and opened one gift.  Callie Beth got milk and cookies ready for Santa and left some reindeer food on the front lawn.  We then read ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas’ and tucked her in bed :)  Ben was already fast asleep.

I thought it would perfect to get a picture of the kids in front of the tree…Ben had other plans…She knew Santa was watching…Binos so she won’t steal her Daddy’s anymore. She loved them.  Let’s just say they are in bed with her tonight :)Ben’s turn…he really liked the ribbon.Glow worm like his sister.Reindeer food…after she put it out she started yelling for them to “come and get it” and “Here reindeer”  So cute! Merry Christmas Eve!

Tis the Season

We have been really busy lately getting ready for this wonderful holiday season!

Getting the Christmas tree was lots of fun!  Callie Beth tells everyone that we have a big tree at our house and then invites them over to see it :)

First look at the decorated tree…

Just too cute :)

Two and 3/4 :)

Callie Beth is 3 months away from her 3rd birthday!  She is changing so much so I thought I would do a little update.  She is turning in to a little girl and no longer a toddler.

 

• She can get herself dressed and undressed with no help.
• She brushes her own teeth
• She washes herself in the bath tub.
• She puts her own clothes away in her drawers.
• When she does something new on her own she says “I did it all by myself and I did not need help”  So proud of herself.
• When doing her hair and she has knots, she says “be gently Mom…I have crazy hair”
• She says “I love you” and “I love you too” out of the blue.
• She is such a good big sister. Before I can even get done changing Ben, she grabs the diaper and throws it away.  She will also refill the downstairs diaper caddy when it is empty without asking her to. 
• Her vocabulary amazes me every day.
• She is doing a lot of pretend play.  Swiper lives in our basement :) 
• She is a pleaser…she asks all the time “Are you happy?” “Does that  make you happy?”
• She is in the watching movies lately.  Some favorites at the moment are: Tangled, Toy Story, Up, Frosty the Snowman, and Rio.
• She loves her baby dolls.
• She loves to read.  She will sometimes end up with MANY books on her bed. 
• She likes a night light on at night and likes listening to nature sounds.
• She likes puzzles.
• She loves to dance and jump.
• She has a very sweet heart but also a strong personality with a temper.  Luckily, she really usually only shows that side to her Dad and I.
• She still likes warm milk in the morning.
• She is still tiny but tall.  She can wear 24 month shirts but wears 2T pants.  She can only wear 2T pants that have the adjustable waists or leggings. 

Christmas Card 2011

Here is this years Christmas card…

Ben is 8 months old!

Ben was 8 months old last week!  We are so lucky to have such an amazing baby!

Here is what is going on with Ben these days:

Weight….18 pounds 14 ounces……50th percentile

Height…..28 1/4 inches…….75th percentile

• He is starting to sign for “more”
• He likes to pull hair
• He shakes his head no
• He is crawling everywhere now!!  He gets faster each day.
• He has 5 teeth (3 on top and 2 on the bottom).  The 6th is breaking through now too
• When he is healthy (not sick and no teeth) he sleeps sound right through the night.  He goes to bed around 6:30 and gets up around 6:30.  When he doesn’t feel good, he sometimes needs a little love in the middle of the night but goes back to sleep.
• Ben LOVES his food.  If you take too long between bites he gets mad at you! When he is full, instead of not opening his mouth, he lets you put the food in but then coughs or sneezes it out on you! 
• He is pretty good at using a sippy cup.
• He loves to jump.
• He is obsessed with the remote control.
• He will go to anyone and smiles at everyone but loves his Mommy!  Sometimes he just wants me to hold him.
• He loves to follow his sister around.  Callie Beth always puts a smile on his face.
• He is curious! 
• He loves “Patty Cake”  If you ask him to clap he will.  He will also clap his feet for you.
• He is a cuddler! 
• His eyes are still blue.
• He says “Mama” “Mom” and “Dada”
• He gives great hugs!