Christmas Eve.....

Christmas Eve was so nice. We were all together and that is what matters most. I can’t imagine not being with my family during the holidays. I wouldn’t miss it for anything! Monks and I baked Sunday so we didn’t have to spend the day doing it. We made cupcakes, oatmeal raisin cookies, chocolate chip cookies and sugar cookies. We also made candies similar to Turtles and two barks. A peppermint one and a peanut butter one. Those were just our snacks! Monday we hung out and watched Christmas movies. Aikman is just like his momma. He loves all the movies. He quotes The Grinch, loved Jingle All The Way, asks to watch Home Alone but calls it that lost kid movie and could watch Elf over and over again if you let him. Pete was off so he came over around lunchtime and spent the whole day with us too. Pete ran to HEB for some last minute things we needed and took Monks with him. He said on the way back to the house Aikman asked him something in a super serious manner. He said “Hey Pete, do you think werewolves like Christmas and Halloween?” Lol. Totally random. Aikman was so excited because Pete took a nap with him. Pete was his first guest to sleep on the top bunk! Devin and I started dinner while everyone napped. We had enchiladas, black beans, tamales, queso blanco, homemade salsa, and I made real Mexican rice! It will be trial and error to perfect it, but I will get there. Everyone loved it so I was happy. We also made sopaipilla cheesecake for dessert to go with our Mexican theme. Pippa loved her tamales! This was her first year to enjoy all the yummy food! Her and Aikman could eat their weight in rice, I swear. They love it! Aikman also loved Daddy’s salsa, even though it was a bit spicy for me. He would just get a drink but wouldn’t put it down. We started eating around 6:30 and since Phil had to close, he didn’t get there until 7:15ish. It was like waiting for my mom to get there after closing on Christmas Eve. Sweet. Phil sat down to a plate of food and who had to sit in his lap? His Pippa Lou’s! She cannot stay away from him and will ask to sit with him. She just sits there, leaning into him. She doesn’t bug, she won’t take his food, just sits. She loves her Uncle Phil to death! Even on the couch she has to sit with him. If I tell her no, that he is eating she will put out that lip and those tears fill up her sweet eyes and he gives in. He always wants to hold her too, I just try to put my foot down but they both override me apparently. It is so sweet to see. I think Phil looks a lot like my dad and I know she would have him wrapped around her finger, so to see Phil and her together makes me think of how my dad would be and it makes me smile. Mike and Jenny and Adrian got back in town just as Monks had opened his one gift for the night. We get him a game each year and this year he got Don’t Break the Ice. He loves it! We all took our turns playing him and then it was time to get ready for bed! We normally go look at lights but the kids were tired and I hated to take them out as cold as it was so we just stayed in. Mike and Jenny left about 10:30 to go put Adrian to bed and the boys stayed until after 1. We were all prepping stuff for Christmas Day and just talking and laughing. Pete said he was too tired to walk to the truck so he slept on Monks’ top bunk again. Phil went home to shower and said he would be back bright and early to see what Santa had left……

How sweet is she? 

Devin did this collage. Similar pose, precious face, loving it!  Aikman's pic is from last year too. 

This pic doesn't do it justice but we had so many presents under the tree! Pete showed up with three laundry baskets overflowing like Gigi used to. Who are Pete and Phil to be Gigi? :) 

Almost ready to eat...

Her first ever tamale! 

My plate.....

His game! 

Christmas Break Fun

I took off the whole week of Christmas! I enjoyed my time with my family and wanted to cry last night realizing it was already over. We spent lots of time with the kids and just having fun. It was so cold out (we actually got some snow on Christmas Day) and poor Monks wanted to go to a park so bad to play. We tried to explain to him we couldn't play outdoors in 30 degree weather but he still asked daily. We did make some cool crafts! We mad a snow globe/wand with glitter and beads in it, glow water, Goop (water and cornstarch) and macaroni dyed noodle art. He had fun dyeing the noodles with alcohol (rubbing that is) and setting them out to dry. We all made cute pics. Pippa even got in on the action and glued some down. She wasn't too fond of the Goop but enjoyed playing with cookie cutters, sprinkles and spoons while Daddy and Monks played forever. Devin had so much fun with it and it was cute to see him show Aikman how to do it and be silly. The food coloring stained our hands some so Devin had hot pink hands, Monks had green and I had blue for the day. Oh well. We colored several pictures and drew Christmas trees. I love doing arts and crafts with my kiddos and am so glad they enjoy them too! My monkey is quite the artist!  

This was before we dyed it.

Aikman loves glitter glue so much! 

Pippa being creative....

Glo Water! We didn't have a black light to do it in the bathtub but this was still fun to play with!

Our Christmas Card Pics

Now that everyone has received my Christmas cards, I can post the pics we took that Sunday afternoon. Can I just say my family is sooooo adorable? They should use our family to advertise stuff. Just sayin. 

This was the one we used for the card. I love it! 

This was my second option I almost used but Monks is not looking . Still love it! 

The kid's smiles are great here, but I felt like Devin and I were too far apart .

Preciousness! 

No, you can't have my baby girl.

She was getting up here but she still looks sweet. 

I like this one too but Devin looks like a scared little boy here. Lol. Hey, I look great though.

Library Time With Tia

Jenny asked if she could watch the kids for a little while today. I had to work so Jenny said it would give Devin and I a chance to go to lunch together and then he could go do some shopping or anything he needed. He said he would pass on lunch with me to go work out. Thanks babe. Love you too. Lol. At least Mike worked today so we had lunch together. Devin met her at the library to drop off the kids and she took them to a Christmas thing they were having. She said they listened to a book, sang songs and did a craft. She said the babies had fun and Aikman had the best time! He loves arts and crafts so I am sure he was in heaven. She said all the kids listened to the story and were so good. Thanks again Tia for an awesome time with the kiddos! 

Tia said Monks was a little shy so he sat all the way back. 

His head. 

Pips shaking bells

Making a Christmas tree

Sweet man and bells

The book they read. 

Cutest. Pic. Ever.

Okay, we all know Pips takes some pretty cute pics but this one Tio took Saturday of her takes the cake. Anyone who wants to blow this up for me is more than welcome to. I am in love with it. Look at those feet. I want to kiss them now! That hair! That sweet back! Adorable!  

My Sweet Girl & Boy

My Pippa is one smart little cookie. Last night I asked Pippa to bring me something she had and she walked the other way. I told her to come here or she was getting a spanking. She kept walking off smiling. Devin then stood up and walked to her and she tried to run to me to give it to me but he spanked her. He then told her to go sit in time out. I started to say “babe, she doesn’t know what that is” and after two words I noticed she walked to our time out spot and sat down Indian style with her hands in her lap. She was dragging this little giraffe she has and set it in front of her. I was amazed. I really don’t give her enough credit. She knew exactly what he meant. It was the cutest thing I think she has ever done. Okay, one of the cutest. She was so precious sitting there. She is definitely not a baby anymore. Devin then called her and she went to him and he held her hands and talked to her. She looked right at him the whole time. He said “we need to listen when mommy and daddy tell you to do something or you will go to time out and get a spanking. Do you understand me?” Shit you not, she said “yeah.” He then said “I love you, give me a kiss” and she said what sounded exactly like I love you back and kissed him and then he told her she could play and she went to play. How are kids so smart? Crazy how much they understand even at such a young age. 

In time out. 

Devin brought Apollo in about 8:30 last night and let him lay in the living room. Aikman shared popcorn with him, yes Apollo ate popcorn, and then he laid on him to watch How the Grinch Stole Christmas. Apollo just laid there and it was cute to see Aikman's head and shoulders go up and down as he breathed. They were like that for a good 35 minutes and then Monks had to go to bed. He sure does love his Apollo. 

Funny Stories

On Saturday Pippa pointed to this metal Santa I have and said “dan-ta.” I said yes! That is Santa. I asked her later who that was and she said it again. She knows the word Santa!

It is Aikman’s job to plug in the tree every morning. He finished plugging in the lights and sat in front of the tree and this was our conversation:

Monks: Momma, is it Christmas yet to open these presents?

Me: No sir, not yet. We still have 10 days.

Monks: Oh yay, just 10 days until it’s Christmas??

Me: Yep.

Monks: Oh neat, I did not know that!

I went to spank Pippa’s hand and she moved it before I hit her. She then saw I had swatted at it and turned her hand over and put it out for me to give her a five with a huge smile on her face. I said no ma’am, I am not playing with you, I am trying to spank you. She just smiled and walked off. Creep.

We were all eating dinner at the table and Aikman had a spoon and I had a fork. This was our conversation:

Monks: Can I have yous fork momma?

Me: Okay. How come?

Monks: I just want to use it.

Me: Okay, can I have your spoon please then?

Monks: No, I will use them both.

Me: Then I don’t have anything to eat with.

Monks: please momma?

Me: Okay, here you go (as I give my fork)

Monks: See, it’s not hard to share. Thank you.

Lol. Excuse me. 

Devin's Christmas Party

Last night was Devin’s Christmas party. The big one the Sheriff’s office usually puts on was cancelled so the guys on his shift decided we would have our own! We met at Tamolly’s. There were 16 of us. There were seven kids total and they had so much fun. We all ate and then did a gift exchange. They did one of those Chinese things/White Elephant exchanges. I am not sure the kids all understood it lol Everyone wanted to open a gift I think instead of just being handed one from someone else. Aikman took a set of three Nerf Guns and Pippa took a Jello Jiggler kit with a Santa Pez on the front of the present. Aikman was so excited when he opened his. He had everyone watching him and opened a Nerf football. He yelled with excitement, “oh wow, I love this, a football!” I think he would have been heartbroken if someone wanted it lol Pippa opened hers and got a little stuffed puppy. How appropriate! Her little face lit up when she saw it and immediately hugged it tight and kissed it. Can my daughter be any sweeter? The adults then went and we did the men’s and women’s together. I got a snowman towel holder and Devin got a scratch off. He won $10! His Sergeant then gave all the guys a gift and it was so nice. They were all given a coin with the armor of God on it to carry with them or keep in their patrol cars. It was a very thoughtful gift and his speech he gave was very touching. Made me want to cry. His wife gave us all containers with homemade fudge in three flavors and some Turtle type snacks. Oh man it was awesome. I am going to have to give it away or Monks and I will eat it all. Devin also gave a dozen tamales to each family. Everyone was so excited! We all laughed so hard and enjoyed spending time together. It was a very nice evening. We all said our goodbyes and Merry Christmases and then left.

It was about 7:40 so we took the kids out to the state school again and let them see the lights. We then went to a nice neighborhood to look at some lights but hardly anyone had them up! We laughed so hard because Aikman said from the backseat, “ooh cha people, put up some lights!” Hilarious. We then went home and tried our fudge and then went to bed. We had a busy Sunday but it was great seeing our family in the afternoon and then friends in the evening. We are truly blessed. 

Eating applesauce and macaroni and cheese. 

Kids opening gifts...

Her puppy! 

Monks with his football. 

Fell asleep after the state school. See that white stick in the bend of her arm? That was her lollipop lol

Their gifts. :) 

Devin's coin. I forgot the pic of my snowman!

Weekend Update

Friday I got off and picked up the kids and kissed and hugged them extra tight. After hearing all day about the tragedy in Connecticut I just wanted to hold them. It breaks my heart every time I think about it. Anyway, we went home and Devin was equally thrilled to see them and hold them. Tio and Tia came over with Adrian to watch the kids for a few hours so we could do some shopping. The kids are all finished now! We got home right after Pippa and Adrian had been put to sleep and Monks was eating some sherbet on the couch. Devin had to get ready for work and I put Aikman to bed in our room since Adrian was asleep in Aikman’s in the playpen. Once Aikman was out, I went and got all the presents and we wrapped them. Tio and Tia left about 1 in the morning and I told them to just leave Adrian since he was out.

Saturday morning Monks woke about 7:30 so we got up and played with cars and I fed him pancakes and grapes. The babies woke about 8:30 and they ate and then I got my kids ready while Adrian played. Tio and Tia came over about 9:30 and we went to a couple of stores to get stuff for our crafts we had planned. Pete came over about 11:15 (Phil had to work) and we made Christmas trees instead of gingerbread houses and decorated gingerbread men. I also made some handprint pics with the kids. Monks had so much fun and we ate lunch and then put the kids down for naps. We just watched TV and talked and then around 6:15 I made dinner. Everyone left around 8:15.

Our trees! From left to right: Monks', Pete's, Jenny's , mine and Tio's.  They were so much fun to make! 

Close up of Monks'. I was proud of him! 

Our gingerbread men! Clockwise from the top: Aikman's loaded guy, mine that was supposed to look like Santa but I was informed by everyone more than once that it was no where close, Tia's awesome Captain America, Pete's FWO one, Tio's "lotzo" look alike. Lol. Devin was asleep for all of this so he will have to do his later. 

Our crafts! Aikman made the Santa with his hands and it came out perfect and I love it. The elves were so stinking cute too! I messed up Aikman's because I painted all five fingers green for the hat, but you were only supposed to do the four and not the thumb. His elf is just wearing a slouchy hat ha ha. Pippa's came out great and that one is for Pete because he was so in love with it and thought it was the cutest thing ever. Just FYI, it is SO HARD to paint a 1 year old's hand with more than one color. They love to close their hand. Lol. 

Sunday morning, we ate breakfast and then got ready to go to Target to get one last gift for our Christmas party that evening. We then went home, I wrapped some gifts and we then headed to Ballinger to meet Big Tio and Tia. It only took us about 40 minutes to get there and Pips slept on the way. We got there earlier than I thought we would so we had about 30 minutes to spare. We were meeting at Alejandro’s, a Mexican restaurant there and it was right across the street from a big field with a gazebo and what looked like a courthouse. The kids had fun running around and walking through the leaves. They got there about 1:05 and we were absolutely surprised to see Gramita came as well! We had not seen her since the 4^th of July! It was so nice to see her and get to talk to her. She was so happy to see the kids too and they weren’t shy with her. Aikman kept making her laugh while we ate because he was being silly. He kept making silly faces at her and one time she nearly spit coffee out when he put a tortilla on his head and made a face. She thought he was hilarious. He got in trouble for that though. We talked and laughed and after an hour and a half, we left. We exchanged some artwork and two small gifts for two huge boxes of gifts and 8 dozen tamales. I would say they got screwed there lol. It was nice to see them even if only for a little while. We then left for home and it seemed like only a couple of minutes before we entered Abilene. Time flew by. Monkey slept the whole way but Pippa just talked and talked. We got home and unloaded everything and I tried to put the kids down for a nap before our party at 6. Neither of them slept but they did play quietly in their beds. 

The kids at the gazebo while we waited. So sweet. :) 

Late Pics

These pics were sent to me by Jennifer from work. She took them at our Christmas party up here last week. She said "here's your gorgeous little diva." Lol.