Christmas Morning

What a blast; they came excitedly down the stairs, saw the presents, sat down at they rocking chairs and donned their Santa hats, ate cookies and then tore into their Santa presents first (red and white paper!) They were so happy they were hugging each other!

Over Did It

But boy did we have fun doing it on Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and by shopping early we could get them more for less. And we know the kids are really good kids and earned to be treated well!

Cookies and Milk on Christmas Eve

New Lights

We installed new lights on the 23rd in the kitchen eating area, and the entrance area to the downstairs bath/garage. We got an AMAZING deal, and they look great! Slowly but surely we'll get the house exactly as we like it...

Christmas Eve Allegiance

Tonight, after setting out cookies, milk, and carrots for Santa and his reindeer, we put the kids to bed and said prayers. Cooper asked if he could say his own Pledge of Allegiance. It started like this:

I pledge allegiance, to the flag of the united states of Christmas town...

So cute! It went on about having cookies and milk in a coffee cup, being good, and being good, for goodness sakes (he said it, not made up!)

Christmas really isn't just for kids, its for their parents, too.

Christmas Party Time at School

We went to the kids Christmas Parties at school; we "donated" an item to each class for the party, and joined in the feast and fun. Then Cooper came to Ava's room and joined her party. Good times!

Grandpa, Tell Me 'Bout The Good Old Days

Duck, Duck, Goose

For Christmas dinner, we've decided to try having roast duck for the first time. Hope it's not lame.

Just a little holiday spirit and a face full of glove

Madagascar 2

Today we're taking the kids to Madagascar 2. Ava is finally at the age where she sits through a movie in the theater. So much fun!

And, if for some reason they get antsy, the great part is the base theater only costs $2 per adult, and both kids are FREE!! With popcorn and soda, it's UNDER $10!

Christmas Parties

Ahh, that time of year where the Christmas party is near!

So far, we've been to 3 Christmas parties in just over a week; Joey's MEU party, my Mamas and Munchkins party, and my USMC batallion party. The kids were able to talk to Santa each time! It would almost seem Santa isn't leaving the Jacksonville area!

Here's a photo of each at the MMCLJ Christmas party.

Here Comes Santa Claus...

This is the first year Ava wasn't reduced to tears at the sight of Santa. Too much fun! Here they are watching him enter, and then on his lap.

Cookies and Milk

Is there anything better than cookies and milk with your best friend?

Please don't eat us!

Three little turkeys, sitting on the floor...

Woefully Behind

I've been terribly behind on our blog! Over a month since our last real post. While Joey was gone, I got caught up in other things at night, and when he got home we seemed to have so much to do!

BUT...

I'm going to start posting this weekend, try to catch up a little, and keep up from this point!!

Paul Revere and the Raiders, Umm.......

Hey Gang, Settle down now, it's the Ray Conniff Singers

I DO Like Green Eggs and Ham!!

Cooper's been reading Green Eggs and Ham at school, and we've been reading it at home, too. So last night, to make dinner a little more special, we had, you guessed it, Green Eggs and Ham (with toast!)

Sleeping Beauties

Reading in bed together in the dark (with a small light), they end up sharing one or the other's bed, often.

NC State Fair

The kids and I went to the state fair with our friends Stephanie and James this weekend; they had a great time seeing the animals, eating corn dogs, their first cotton candy, the petting zoo, prize agriculture, and many, many more things! It was lots of fun; wish Daddy had been there...

Halloween Photos

One of the Moms in my Mommy Group is a photographer, and did us all a great favor in taking photos of the kids for dirt cheap. Not only are we getting great photos for a nominal price, but she gave us digital copies, too. Here they are!

We went after work on Friday, and they came out so cute!!

You've been BOO'ED!!!

Last night, while we were finishing up bath time, the doorbell rang. With Greta barking, Joey answered the door to a car pulling away, and a bucket full of candy on our front step. YOU HAVE BEEN BOO'ED said the card in the bucket. Pretty cool. There is a sign for you to hang in your window so others can see that you have been Boo'ed, and instructions to Boo two other neighbors, anonymously. We just Boo'ed two neighbors tonight, hope they enjoy it!

Here's the basket we received (it's filled with some really nice and yummy stuff; cherry gummy brains, Lindt Lindor Chocolates, Pumpkin Candle, and a bunch of other nice stuff!)...

If you are interested in starting a BOO in your neighborhood, you can get the templates that are being used here at Organized Christmas.

Halloween Preview

Cooper was invited to a birthday party yesterday; Ava was invited, too, as his sib. Since the birthday girl's birthday is so close to Halloween, it was a birthday/costume combo party. Here is a preview of what Cooper and Ava will be for Halloween this year!

Saturday Morning Dance Party

W

Joey and I took a few hours before picking the kids up yesterday and went to see "W." Wow, what a good film. Of course, it doesn't show everything, and it's a film, not a documentary, but there were a few points where, being married to a service member, I had to really swallow hard.

Worth seeing, to anyone interested!

Shot to the Heart

Getting the kids ready for bed tonight, I commented to Cooper, "Cooper, you are getting so big, what happened to my baby boy?"

Cooper (matter-of-factly): "Because I'm growing up."

Yikes! I don't like how fast he's growing up, but especially that he knows he's getting bigger and becoming a "big boy!"

So Happy Together....

Ba ba ba ba baaaa, ba ba baa ba baaaa

We came in to wake them up this morning and discovered this...

Dora Band-Aid

Cooper head-butted me by accident when we were putting the kids to bed tonight. When I was kissing Ava goodnight:

Mommy: Ava, can you kiss my nose? My nose hurts.
Ava: You nose hurt?
Mommy: Yes, my nose hurts.
Ava: (kiss) You want my Dora Band-Aid?

What a sweet girl.

No Gas

Joey went out to get gas for the tractor/mower Sunday. We have two very small gas stations in our town of Maysville. We knew the south was experiencing gas shortages, but it hadn't made it's way here. Well, Sunday, it did. Both Maysville gas stations were completely out of gas, as well as the third gas station on the way to Pollocksville. The fourth gas station finally had gas.

Sunday Breakfast Conversation

Over breakfast of peaches, apple, cinnamon toast, and milk.

I'm not making this up, folks...

Cooper: (lifting his glass of milk) "Cheers, Ava."
Ava: (lifting back) "Cheers."
Cooper: (takes a big sip) "Ahhh. This is the life."
Ava: (taking her sip) "That's right, Poopoo."

We don't know where they get it, but we'm so thankful they do.