Putting up the Christmas tree

Carey got down the Christmas tree and the decorations on Sunday. We put the tree together and began to decorate it. Abigail and Porter fought over a few ornaments. To be expected. No biggie. But I thought that it would be a good opportunity for mom and Abigail to get out of the house by ourselves and let the men have some time to themselves. But Carey didn't decorate the whole tree. He waited for us all to help. So Abigail and I headed off to Target where we walked up and down every toy aisle. Abigail first went down the bike helmet aisle and had to wear a helmet through the store. It was so cute. She touched every toy. I told her to say bye bye to the toys when we were done. She would wave and walk off. So funny. She is super into bikes. She wants a bike and rumor has it that Santa will bring two from Tulsa this Christmas. They will also get the Step 2 Grand Walk-in kitchen. I have a feeling this is nicer than my kitchen.

Abigail and I also split a hamburger and fries at Chili's. She sat across the booth from me. Big girl I suppose. But then she wanted next to me when the food came. She just used me to put ketchup on her fries.

When we got home Brother Bear and Dad had the tree up and dad had the lights on. Abigail and Porter love the lights. They have to be turned on every morning. First thing.

We have some favorite ornaments: the ornament given to us by Carey's aunt and uncle that says "Our first Christmas Together" and the ornament given to us by our neighbor when we were expecting the twins.

What's a special ornament you and your family treasure?



Dad with the tree. All the lights are perfect thanks to him. (I couldn't bear to hang around and watch him place the lights perfectly. It would have driven me mad)



This tree is so cool.



Grandma Best's bells. They are metal bells that the kids love to ring.



Take note Porter. You'll be helping dad big time next year. You might even be the one to climb in the attic.



Way up there!



Sharing the bells.







Admiring dad's lights. It was beautiful to see the glow of the lights on his face.





Under the tree with dad.



On the table.



Precious.





Beautiful.



Playing with Mr. and Mrs. Potato Heads



She was posing for this pic and laughing.







Bubba, you are one handsome dude.

Thanksgiving 2008


Grandma's Joyce and Sondra



We played Wii. At first Porter was trying to play Wii with the fan remote. Silly man.



We had tons of freedom in our cousin's backyard.



We bounced on the trampoline.



We had fun with Uncle Brady.



We had fun with daddy.



We watched Shrek III with cousin Scottie.



We took naps.



We wore cousin Kyler's hat.



We looked super cool.



We played horseshoes.



Horseshoes.



We balanced the horseshoe in the stake.



We dug in the dirt with the horseshoes.

These kids are cracking me up on a daily basis. Abbey is into saying "No" alot. "Abbey, are you pretty?"......"No"......."Abbey, you wanna go outside?"........"No." She is starting to fake pout too. She's keen on emotions. She bows her head and sticks out her lower lip and bobs her head up and down while pouting. Quite the drama Queen. Save the drama for your momma.....oh wait, I am your mom. Today she got down on all fours and started barking like a dog. It was too cute.

Porter can open the gate from the small yard to the big side so I got a lock. He likes to take the big plastic bat and whop Sissy on the head. A big no no. He is still wanting to get on the counter but is slowly understanding that mom doesn't want him up there. Foot prints on the stove are not cool. lol. Oh and we all dance to James Brown's "Get up off that thing" from the Robot's soundtrack. It is quite the show. They bob their heads.

We acquired Great Grandma Best's hutch. I'm quite sure it's from the 50's or 60's. I have liked it ever since I saw it. I never knew we'd get it. I put it in the kids room to hold some books and toys. Later on I'll have it in the dining room.

Here are some recent pics from around the house.



Abbey had a cold and was super tired. She fell asleep on the couch.



Here she is with a bow in her hair. Rare moment. Look at that smile.



Struttin' her stuff on the catwalk.



Pointing at the camera.



awwwwwwwwwwwwwwww



They made a line of books and had to hug in order to pass.



Who is this? Why it's Porter watching Star Wars like a big kid.



Bananas!



Here the kids are with the new hutch.

Our play time last week
We were invited to join some of our friends for a play date last week. We too our ride ons and headed to Cedar Park.



Bubby with his cookie



Abbey and her new ride on



Look out everyone.



Abbey



Ok, time to go kids.

Just another pretty day in Austin