Merry Christmas!!!

WOW! Okay, first off, let me apologize for being a really, REALLY bad blogger the past few months. SO many things have been going on in our crazy lives and I just can't find the time to sit and blog! (However, I can find the time to sit and read everyone else's blogs...:) It's one of my favorite things to do, so I am now committing myself to be a MUCH IMPROVED blogger in 2010.

December came and went so fast, like it always does, but we shared lots of fun memories with family and friends. Our first family Christmas was in Claude, with the Campbell side of the family. Aunt Diane so graciously opened her home to ALL of us, and ALL of our crazy kiddos! I am SO glad we were able to see each other and visit, even if it was just a short while. The kids sure had a blast, and even got a surprise visit from Santa! The two and a half hour drive home was not so fun...Cayden ran and played SO hard all afternoon that he just cried and cried with leg cramps the whole way home. Poor guy! :( And then Cole...who talked my ear off the entire trip home...even talked through Cayden screaming...he just talked louder! I was so glad to reach the Lubbock city limits that night!

Dean and I were able to share some special time with just the boys before we headed to Clarendon for Christmas Eve. Family days is what the boys called it...we cooked a big dinner, read the Christmas story, and open gifts from each other at home. It was a lot of fun, and the boys were super excited to find their four wheeler and jeep awaiting them outside! They spent the afternoon riding, racing, and being wreckless on their new toys! We ended the evening with Sheridan's ice cream, and looking at Christmas lights...blowups specifically. The lights are cool, but the blowups are even cooler to our sweet boys! I can't even imagine how many times Coley asked Dean if we could find some blowups...have I mentioned he talks a lot? I mean A LOT! just precious...

We were on the road to Clarendon a day early because of the snow, and SO glad we did that. The snow storm was awesome...but I was more than happy to be watching it from the inside rather than driving through it. We spend the next few days enjoying our time at Gigi and Papa's. Chad, Christy and the kids made it over on Christmas Eve as well, and it was nice to all be together. The kids decorated cookies and sprinkled reindeer food outside, and then crawled in bed with Gigi and Papa (I know they just LOVE it when we come to stay...the boys always end up in their bed one way or another!) Christmas morning is always a blur, and with toddlers....they open presents so fast I never can keep up! The boys are huge fans of Toy Story right now, so basically everything they got had something to do with Woody or Buzz! My favorite gift this year was the framed picture that we all gave my mom and dad. We had pictures taken of Kaylee, Karson, Cayden, and Cole in November and they just turned out beautiful. We had a wonderful lunch together, and my favorite quote from sweet Coley...as the last person sat down at the table for lunch, he says "Now we are a family!" I will never forget that moment! I am so thankful for such an amazing and supportive family.

We had a short nap and then it was off to Amarillo for Christmas with the Keister's! We had a great time catching up and snacking on lots of yummy food! The kids played SO well together, and it was fun to see them dancing and laughing with each other. The kids exchanged books, and opened their matching pajamas together. I just love this tradition for them...Aunt Karen and Gigi get the kids matching pajamas every year and they all take a group picture together. Fun memories for all of us! The kids played outside in the snow, and even got to see a few deer pass through the neighborhood. I doubt the deer will be back to Aunt Karen's after Kaylee was snapping photos right and left, Cole was roaring at her like a lion, and Will was throwing snow balls at her! Poor thing! We ended the evening with lots of Christmas carols and worship songs...singing and dancing...and the hokie pokie with Aunt Karen and Gigi! Thanks Uncle Brad and Uncle Alan!

We arrived back in Lubbock with lots of snow on the ground, so we let the boys loose! They had SO much fun playing in the snow. We attempted a snow man, but the moment we got one built...what do they do? Of course, they tackle it, kick it, stomp it...you know, what boys do right? They threw snow balls at windows, at daddy, at each other, and my car...go figure.

Wishing you and your family a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

As we drove home tonight, it was dark and the boys were looking ou their windows for the moon. This was the conversation with Cayden as we got out of the car...
"Mommy, I wish I could jump way up there on that moon."
"Well, Cayden, how would you get down if you jumped way up there on that moon?"
"I would jump down and I bet Jesus would catch me..." He replied with a big grin on his face...made my heart melt!

Happy 3rd Birthday Cole!

It is SO hard to believe that our baby boy has turned three this month! I can remember a time...when Cole was a newborn...and Cayden only 14 months old at the time...it was a very difficult time for us as we adjusted to life with two small babies...but a very precious time as we welcomed a healthy, baby brother into our home. There were many days that we woke up thinking..."it HAS to get easier than this, it just has to!" And you know what...the Lord is faithful...and truly has guided our every path and led us to where we are today. It has gotten easier along the way...and I can honestly say that I wouldn't have had it any other way. I absolutely LOVE our boys being only 14 months apart. They share such a unique bond with each other that I know will only grow stronger as they get older. Cole has always been the mischevious child...keeping us on our toes, and making sure we are paying attention to him at all times. He is such a compassionate little guy, and cares so much about the happiness of others. There have been numerous times that his big brother has to sit in time out...well, Cole just sits in time out also, just to make sure Cayden isn't alone. And as most of you know...he is always up for some wrestling or rough-housing at the snap of a finger. He gives the best snuggliest hugs in the world, and is almost always the first one up in the morning to say, "The suns up mommy, did you sleep good?" :) Happy Birthday Coley...we love you so very much!

A Trip to the Apple Orchard

Last week, Cayden's class took a field trip out to the Apple Orchard. It was his first time to ever ride in a van, with eight other four year olds, and without a booster seat! Okay, so I was a little nervous about that! But, lucky me I got to ride with them! ha! The perks of teaching at your child's school I guess...:) He was SO excited to go on a field trip! We didn't get to pick any apples from the trees because of the late freeze last year, but the apples we did get were delicious! They also enjoyed a hay ride, learned a little about where honey comes from, and got to "free" the ladybugs! We had alot of fun. Cole was a little disappointed that his class didn't get to go, so I am pretty sure we'll be making another trip to the Apple Orchard soon. Cayden assured him that "when he turns 4 he can do big things like that...:))







Coley is doing awesome in his new class, too! One of his bestest buds is in his class so he is super excited when it's time to go to school! I included a few pics of Cole...just being Cole. He loves his Alli...and I'm sure she loves him just as much, right?

Cayden's 1st Soccer Game!!

Cayden had SO much fun playing in his first soccer game this past Saturday! 8:30am game on a Saturday morning is not exactly my idea of "fun" but he had a blast! He is becoming quite the little soccer player and really does an great job for only being 4 years old! I, along with one of my good friends, have volunteered to coach the soccer team (yes, even though I know nothing about soccer...I am learning). We have a great little team of 4 year olds, and great parents, too! That's always important...if you know what I mean...:) Hope you enjoy the pics...you can see that he is very focused when he's playing. ha! But, after playing two 6 minute quarters, he was begging to sit down and have a rest! :)

Goodbye to the "mimi"...aka the pacifier

Okay, so the "mimi" has been a VERY big part of Cole's entire life... I truly did not know if we would ever get that thing away from him. We tried a few months ago to take it away, but mom AND dad caved...we just weren't ready to make that lunge! BUT...God is good and given us LOTS of patience this time around! We "gave the mimi to the babies at the hospital" last week, and we have been mimi-free since! Cole has been SUCH a big boy about it, and has surprised Dean and I beyond measure with how smooth the transition went! There were only a few nights that were pretty rough...he was just plain MAD that he coudn't find one anywhere!!! I mean, really...there is always one under the bed...or under the couch...but NOPE! Not anymore! He still asks me why he can't have it though...and if I'd take him to the hospital to have his mimi "for just two minutes, mommy? Just two minutes then I can give it back..." =) Precious...but I am SO thankful to finally say that we did it!!!

Happy 4th Birthday Cayden!

Can it really be that our sweet baby boy just turned 4 years old this week??? WOW, I still can't believe it. There is something about turnng 4 that has made me realize he is a little boy now...nothing baby or toddler about him anymore! I have to admit this has been a little difficult for me! He is SO full of energy these days, and keeps Dean and I laughing everyday. He SO proud of his new bike that he got for his birthday, which makes me even more sad to know he is big enough to ride the "big boy" bikes! He is such a good big brother to Cole, and loves being able to help him and comfort Cole when he's sad. Even though there are many days that they fight ALL day long...I do believe that they love each other and enjoy always having a buddy to play with! Cayden, we love you and can't wait to see what the Lord has planned for your life. You bless us everyday with your sweet smile and gentle spirit.

Wordless Wednesdays

Playin' ball

Favorite time of day? When daddy plays ball with us...:) From what we can tell...it looks like Cole definitely has a little football in his future, maybe some baseball...and Cayden is leaning more towards basketball or soccer...but whatever they choose, we will stand behind them 100 percent! As most boys do, they absolutely love playing ball with daddy. This past week, our babysitter had her baby a week early so Daddy got spend lots of extra time with the boys! Being so close to the end of the year, it's almost impossible for me to take off, so he stepped up to the plate and took on the role of stay-at-home-dad...:) He did an awesome job of keeping them entertained for 3 days. I am so lucky to have such an awesome husband and daddy to our sweet boys.