Getting Ready for Christmas

It is only 14 more days until Christmas!! And we are getting ready. As you know it SNOWED in Houston last week, December 4. It looked like it was coming down hard throughout the day, but it really didn't stick. Even though I left work early, by the time I picked up the boys and got home it was all gone. Keaton said he did get to play outside at school when it was snowing hard. I am sure he had a great time. Cort watched it through the window at daycare, but they didn't get to go outside because it was nap time. Seems like they could have rearranged the schedule a little for snow! But Mark took a few pictures of Dixie and Lady in our backyard enjoying it.

We woke up the next morning to very cold temperatures but still braved the trip to the Red Caboose Tree Farm with our small group. We had already decided we would not be cutting down a tree this year, but wanted to join in all the fun. Our neighbor that moved earlier in the year gave us a fake pre-lit tree. We were completely happy when we pulled it out of the box Friday night and put it together that it all worked and was quite beautiful. I actually like a fake tree more than the real trees we have had in the past.....especially since it was freeeeeee!

But on to the tree farm we went. I was hoping to see Santa in his workshop, but again this year he was a no show. I can't say it was the best trip since Keaton was in rare form. He spent most of the morning in time out or holding Mark's hand. Maybe it was the cold weather, but regardless, I was not happy with his behavior or choices. Here are all the kids on the hayride.

Taylor, Ella, Remi, Cameron, Levi, Cort, Spencer, Abi, Brewer's neighbor, Keaton, Austin, and Brewer's neighbor (I don't remember their names)

I had dressed the kids in matching black sweaters hoping to get a picture with Santa and be able to use it as our Christmas card. Since no Santa, I still took pictures of the boys with the trees surrounding them. They were a little excited and it was hard getting them to sit still and I became a little frustrated that they were not cooperating. I never claim to be a photographer, but was hoping for some cute pictures of my beautiful boys. The sun was shining bright, so the light was hard to deal with. Here's how they turned out.

Okay mommy, enough pictures already. So off to the train, a snack, and some Hot Cocoa.

The train takes them for a ride through the trees and back around the pond with ducks and swan. When the train came back into sight of the parents waiting it looked like Keaton's and Cort's cars were empty. Mark and I had heard a noise and even joked that it sounded like a kid fell out of the train. I would have started to panic except I could see the sun shining off of Cort's little head. They both had slid down into the barrel of their car and were hiding from us. Funny kids!

So, I wasn't satisfied with my pictures and was hoping to get a few more good shots. I dressed them up individually, put them on the stairs by the tree and here they are.

It seems easy for Cort to smile for the camera, he is such a ham. Mark helped make Keaton laugh so we could get a more natural smile and I think they turned out great. Now only if I can put them together and decide on a Christmas card....I mean it is already December 10!

This is the first year we have 2 Christmas trees in our house. I decided to make the main downstairs tree MINE this year. I love how it turned out! But I didn't want the kids to be without their tree. I bought an inexpensive tree from Walmart and the kids decorated it all by themselves. It has froot loop garland, which I thought would be a fun activity to distract them while I decorated my tree. Only Mark and I ended up stringing most of the froot loops. It has all of the ornaments they have made over the years and my favorite ones with pictures of them.

Our tree (please ignore the laundry on the couch behind it)
The upstairs tree Here are some close ups.

Can't wait to finish shopping and get the presents under the tree!

Turkey Day-Fire and Lights

We started off the Thanksgiving Holiday by eating lunch with Keaton on his THANKFUL THURSDAY, November 19. We feasted on Turkey, Dressing, Sweet Potatoes, Corn, Rolls, Fruit, and Ice Cream Elementary Cafeteria Style. (That means Mark didn't eat) I brought Keaton some plain macaroni noodles, soy ice cream and a Gatorade since he can't drink their milk or eat their ice cream. I didn't think he would eat the dressing or sweet potatoes, therefore why I brought him the noodles. It was a great time for just Keaton to have mom and dad's full attention. Next year I may skip the cafeteria feast and bring McDonald's for lunch. Keaton would enjoy it more and we could skip the long lines. Mark and friends kicked off the fall season with a Bonfire at the Ranch. Keaton, Cort and buddy Levi spent the morning of November 21 at the ranch helping Mark, John, and Bob set up the burn pile. The young ones went home and the older boys, excuse me, men stayed for skeet shooting and 'fire walking'. The fire burned for 8 hours way into the night. Mark and John camped overnight.

The before picture

Bob as the fire begins

Bob's old couch donated to the fire
Fireman John standing guard

Boys will be Boys

The After Math

Now on to Thanksgiving week. As I mentioned before, I didn't take any pictures. So Thursday and Friday will go unrecorded in pictures. My mom and dad came in Wednesday night to spend Thanksgiving here in Houston. Thursday we joined Mark's parents and grandparents at Jane's house for Thanksgiving lunch. Friday we joined the Hamilton's at the ranch for another Thanksgiving feast after the men worked the cows, as tradition.

My mom and I did try to hit some Black Friday sales, but I am reminded of why I don't shop Black Friday. It's just not worth it to me. I left my house around 6:45 and missed all the good items at WalMart that I wanted. I did easily check out with my 2 items for a total of $11.00. I then ran by Target. Didn't find what I wanted, but even if I did, would not have bought it. The line to check out was the length of the store....not happening!! Mom, the boys and I ran to JC Penny on our way to the ranch and did find some things there. The boys were shopping with me and helped me pick out their shirts and PJ's. I am not sure if they understand mommy is going to wrap them up and put them under the Christmas tree. Maybe they will forget about them by then.

Aunt Kerrie joined us Friday evening since she had to work both Wednesday and Thursday night shifts. Keaton and Cort just love their Aunt Kerrie. Mommy is totally forgotten when she is around. They all bedded down on air mattresses and pallets upstairs and had a slumber party.

Then Saturday morning we enjoyed the traditional Sausage Balls, said good-bye to Gee and Paw Dan, packed up and headed to the creek. This was Kerrie's first trip to Sargent and the boys were thrilled she was joining us.

Keaton loved that he got to ride in the third row of the Tahoe by himself. He was listening to Aunt Kerrie's IPOD and was falling asleep on our 2 hour car ride to the creek. Kerrie snapped this picture at the same time he was scratching or stretching.

There was a lot of boat traffic as expected on any holiday weekend. The boys loved seeing this boat go buy. It was so loud you could hear it coming long before you saw it. Funny thing is, the owner of the boat is the CEO of a company Mark used to work for from 2000-2003.

And the reason for the creek trip at Thanksgiving....The Lighted Boat Parade. Mark, Keaton and Cort helped PaPa but the lights on the Pontoon boat.

Just before dark, the boats started heading out to get in position for the boat parade

Keaton, Cort, Mark, Nana, and PaPa got dressed in the Red Sweatshirts.

Here is my little Reindeer Cort

And Santa's helper Keaton

Off they go to the beginning of the parade line. They left at 5:00 with a picnic packed supper and hot wassail. Kerrie stayed behind with me. I am not participating in boating activities while pregnant for safety reasons. Too many bumpy waves....and no bathroom while on the boat for the expected 3 hours.

Dark fell and the boat parade was about to begin. Although the first boat I saw was one with no lights.....our boat had returned. Even though this year they were equipped with a generator instead of battery power, they lights blew a fuse and went out. They had no way of repairing it and decided to come home to watch the parade from our dock with us. Here is a picture of the yard decorations standing on the dock, looking back at the house.

My reindeer and I watched the parade together

Okay, let's don't forget we are in Sargent with a permanent resident population of 500. So here are some pictures of the 30 boats in the parade.

Keaton and Cort had fun one morning playing 'smoothie bar'. I am not sure where they got that from. It started with cups of soap and water from the bathroom that were topped with foam. Then everything got added to them, flowers, sticks, leaves, maybe even some bugs, who knows. Kerrie captured them in their smoothie bar behind the bush.

Keaton says, hey know pictures allowed!!!

22 week Doctor Appointment

Today I saw Dr. Imtiaz's Nurse Practitioner, Rita. Everything checked out okay. Blood pressure, urine sample, baby's heartbeat, belly measure and total weight gain now 11 lbs. No problems, no complaints.

She did have the last ultrasound report for Dr. Palmer, the high risk doctor. She said the report stated baby's growth as normal, but that I was to limit/avoid starches and sugars. WHAT?!?!? My recollection of what Dr. Palmer said while we were in the office was to avoid sugary drinks like juice. Hmmmm, cut our starches and sugars.....I'm not sure I'm going to be able to do that. I mean, I'm not dieting for once in my life....can't I enjoy the perks of being pregnant?? Don't some women drink, smoke, and do drugs while they are pregnant and I only want to eat a piece of pie if I want to.

So, I will make attempts to limit some starches, which she said includes fruit (I had a banana for breakfast) and watch my sugar intake (I only ate half of the honeybun this morning) and cut out sodas (after I finish my diet caffeine free coke). LOL, that all sounds bad, but that is what I had planned for breakfast after my doctor's appt. The banana to help offset the honeybun and I usually only have one coke in the morning since I already cut out coffee. I don't usually eat honeybuns every morning, I have been eating a lot of cereal with milk, and I don't even like cereal that much pre-pregnancy.

I will try to only drink water. I will miss my ice tea, but since I shouldn't have saccharin, sweet n low, what good is tea?? I drank tea with sweet n low during both of my previous pregnancies not knowing I wasn't supposed to have saccharin. I just recently read that this time around.

I mean I haven't even gained that much weight, and now I have to watch what I eat. Sounds like no fun!!! What is there besides starches and sugars??? I know protein and veggies, what am I on the Atkins diet?? I don't think so.

Okay, so to get to the reason they say this, Dr. Palmer said there was some back up in the baby's kidneys. She also stated this is normal if it is a boy. Rita, this morning, said some women are asked to cut back on starches and sugars if there is too much fluid around the baby. Any way, good thing I go back to see Imtiaz herself in just 2 weeks. Maybe we can get some more answers about how big of a concern it is. Since Christmas is right around the corner, I have to go back before she leaves on vacation. Glad I am not due around Christmas, do any doctor's stay around for the holidays?