Christmas Lights

Daddy had some special little helpers with the lights this year. Nathan was so excited to help daddy and of course anything Nathan does Nolan has to do! A cold front had just come through so we had to bundle up in lots of layers, hats and gloves. Nathan got outside and went right to work . He was already setting up all the decorations before Daddy even got them to the front yard. Nolan had one present that held on to for a while. He would watch Nathan and see where he put his, walk over and think about it and then walk back off. He wanted to find that perfect spot. Nathan kept showing him how to do it and was being so sweet and even talking in his “ baby Nolan” talk so he could understand him.
It was so much fun watching how excited they were about all of it. Once the decorations were out we headed inside to take nice warm baths. While they were getting warm and clean daddy was busy putting out the lights. Nathan was so excited when he saw how Christmasy his front yard was. I have a feeling in a few years daddy will have these guys trained and can just supervise! :)

Happy Turkey Day!

Oh what a fun Thanksgiving we had. We started out the day watching the Macys parade! I love the parade and am so happy Nathan is somwhat enteratined by it now ! As it was on we played and made some goodies to take to Mimi and Papa's for lunch.
We all got ready and headed out to the house. When we got there Mimi had her whole island filled with food , food and more food. It smelled sooooooo yummy!
The boys had some fun talking and singing animals waiting for them from Aunt Kathy. We all visited a bit and then got serious eating. Mimi had set up a kids table for the boys. We loaded their plates up with all the yummy food and they were in heaven. There was so much food and our plates were overflowing but we somehow managed to eat it all. Not only did we eat that but we all had desert too! Nolan seems to have this whole Thanksgiving thing figured out becuase he was ready for a nap right after lunch. Nathan got to hang out with his favorite guy "Uncle Chad". I call him uncle because it just seems weird to call him cousin Chad.
Nathan also talked Kathy into taking him to the playground to play. While they were there the cold front came through and they barely made it back before they froze. Nathan kept telling Kathy that the cold was getting in his mouth. ha ha ha.
As we were all sitting around later in the day the power went off! Papa scrounged up a few flashlights and we just sat and waited. It kept getting darker and we waited. Right when I thought we needed to bring Mimi and Papa home with us the power came on! Whew. I was very worried about all the leftovers!
By the time we loaded in the car the boys were so tired. We got home and put them in their beds . This was an extra special night not only because of Thanksgiving but Charlie, Nathan's elf of the shelf, was coming for his stay with us that night!!!!
It was such a great day full of food and family. Have I mentioned how much I love the holidays.

Thanksgiving Placemats

Here are the place mats the boys made at school for Thanksgiving.
Nathan's says what he is thankful for. He was a little upset when I read it and he realized Mrs. Cindy had misquoted him. For the record he is thankful for pineapple not just apples and potatoes with cheese in them not mashed potatoes with cheese. In Nathan's world these couldn't be further from each other!

Nolan's is made out of his little arm for the body and his hands for the feathers.

I need to buy a storage unit to save all of the cute things these boys make. Our study is running over with art.

Thanksgiving Feast

Last Thursday the boys school had their Thanksgiving Feast. The school orders pizza for the kids ( because you know thats what the pilgrims ate ) and all the parents are invited to come . I feel so bad because I never knew we could go. I got an email last week reminding us and thought, What? we are allowed to hang out too? Hmmmmm.
Needless to say I quickly told Kyle and made plans to be there. When I got there Kyle was peaking into the bathroom at someone and then I heard the big DADDDYYYYY sqeal from Nolan. It was so cute , he was so surprised to see daddy at school.
We hung out in his classroom since there was no way Kyle could get out after Nolan knew he was there. In a few minutes we headed down to the lunch room. Nolan's decided to wear his wreath that he had made for us. It must have looked like a nice necklace to him. I loved it because it said " I am thankful for my mommy " YAY!
A few minutes after all the kids were coming in we saw Nathan! This guy acted wayyyyyy to cool for my taste. he he he. We were both so excited to see him and said " Hey Nathan! " he gave us a cool smile and kept walking with his class . As he was walking away he looked at his little lady friend Mikayla and shrugged his shoulders like he didn't know who we were!!!!!!! Rude.
I went over and sat with his table where he finally acted like he was mine. Nolan wanted to come and visit Nathan so we had the whole family at Nathans table. It was so fun. Nathan and his friend Lance kept taking pictures of each other and then he whispered to me that he needed to take a picture of Mikayla. How could I say no to that.
When it was time to head back to the classroom Nolan was very sad so I decided just to go ahead and take the boys home. I got Nolan and his stuff together first. He was in a horrible mood, that is until we got to Nathan's class.. Nathan and his friends were waiting so patiently at the table for their smoothies Mrs.Cindy had made. Nolan quickly ran over and sat right next to his big brother. He was so happy and kept laughing like he was in the conversation. Mrs. Cindy made him a smoothie and he was in heaven. Nathan thinks it is so funny when Nolan acts like this. He kept telling everyone " that is my baby Nolan" .
Awwwwwwwww.

Big Boy Bed!

This weekend daddy decided to make Nolan's bed a real big boy bed! Daddy and Papa headed out to get the mattress and Mimi came with us to get the rails.
Daddy and Papa had it up and together by the time we got home. Nolan was very excited and jumped up and down like he just got a new trampoline. He kept clapping and running around. When it was time to tuck in he laughed and laughed . He has done great in it. At night he lays his head down on his big pillow and giggles while we tuck him in . I cant believe there are no more cribs around here. :( My babies are getting so big.

Hill Country

Last weekend we got to go on a road trip and visit our friends. About a month ago Claire's mommy had a great idea for us to rent a house in the country for a long weekend. It was just mommies and kids and it was so much fun. We rode there with Brady and Cash. It was a long car ride but everyone was so good. Once we got to San Antonio we swung by Claire's house. It was so good to see everyone. We miss them so much and it is so exciting to jump out of the car with our friends waiting by the door! We let everyone stretch their legs and run around before heading out to our house for the weekend. When we got there the kids were off. It had a perfect yard for wild children to run free. There was also a tire swing that was a big hit. Everyone brought their bikes and scooters to ride around the walkways.
We got settled in and made dinner. It was so nice to all sit at the huge dinning table and catch up. The kids had a great time and were getting very tired. It was getting close to bedtime and we realized this house was old an creepy when night time came around! UH OH. We thought we could get all the boys to sleep together in the bed and Kelley and I would sleep on the floor. Brave Nolan was already passed out in his bed. The plan with the older boys was not working out. Everyone was so tired but wanted to play. I talked Nathan into sleeping in the room with Nolan and me. He was so tired so I got to sneak out and visit with my friends! I stayed up all night. Every little creek seemed to keep me up . I felt a little crazy until I saw the next morning that all the other mommies felt the same way. I think I have seen way to many episodes of unsolved mysteries.
The kids were up and ready to play . Kelley brought lots of crafts and goodies to keep them busy. We played and played and played.
There was a cow pasture next to us and Nolan loves cows. He kept going out towards the back of the yard and staring at them. He would yell HI COW!!!! wave and blow kisses. He cracks me up. His other love of the trip was Miss Madeleine. Anytime poor Madeleine was trying to scootch around he was right in her face saying " Hi Baby" and trying to kiss her . He would have been completely continent just hanging out with Madeline. Maybe we have another match here!. I think that would be about the coolest thing ever.
Nathan of course found some alone time with Claire. I took the boys up for a nap one day and Nathan snuck down to see Claire. When I came down to see what he was doing I found him and Claire in the kitchen coloring together . Katherine was with them and said they had been having the best time and were being so sweet. Have I mentioned how much we miss these guys? :)
Later that night we were going to make pizzas. We started the oven and it just didn't seem to be getting warm. Well about an hour later we realized there was a strong gas smell and it must have had a leak!!!! We quickly opened the windows and went on a road trip to a Mexican restaurant. The kids were so good and we had a fun dinner out with everyone. When we got back the smell was gone so we figured we were safe. Everyone was tired and went right to bed. The mommies got to sneak down stairs and visit again. The next morning we got up and did lots of crafts with the kiddos. They made Indian headdresses, little people of the world, painted cars and rockets and finished coloring their cardboard playhouse from the night before. We then had to start loading up and heading out. We meet up for one last meal on our way home. The kids got to play and eat in hopes of them napping in the car. Nathan and Nolan never slept the whole way there or back but were so sweet it didn't matter
. Nolan went to school the next day with this funny attitude he has had every since the trip. I really think in his head he thinks he is one of the big boys. He is so tough and gets right in there with them. It was such a fun weekend and it was so nice to be with our friends. I can't wait to do it again.

Outside Centers

Today was outside center day at school. I was signed up to volunteer and the weather was gorgeous. Nolan's age group was first. I was helping the ladies set up when I see him walking around the corner like he was running the show. He definitely has a special walk that lets you know he has a purpose and this was it.
They had leaf colors that we sprayed with water and let the markers bleed, face painting, leaf rubs, sand tubs, bubbles, shaving cream painting and lots of playing.
Nolan seemed to take everything very seriously and concentrated so hard on the leaf rubbing. It is so neat to see him interacting with his friends and teachers . Nolan is VERY different at school. He is such a great listener and a big sweetheart to his teachers. He falls asleep on Mrs. Sandra's lap everyday. :)
After Nolans group left I helped wash all the babies up and switched off for Nathans class. He was already running around and playing by the time I got there. I painted a snake on his face that his friends all copied. Thank goodness no one asked crazy!
He has a new friend in his class whose name is McKayla. I think he might have a little crush on her. I thought I would help him out and painted two things on her face for her! I made sure to let her know I was Nathan's mom. I am sure he will thank me in 10 years! ha ha ha.
It was such a great day and I love seeing these guys with their friends.