December

We had a fun and festive December this year. We stayed busy but tried to slow down and enjoy the kiddos before we brought baby Brylee home.

The girls had a good 'ole time grooming daddy one night. Can you see the 2 brushes in Averi's hand? Brother even got involved temporarily. The girls love to brush and fix hair. They just don't want you messing with their hair.

We did our annual gingerbread house! However, this year it was not a "traditional" gingerbread house. Averi is not a good shopper, especially in the mornings. So I grabbed the kit one morning in a hurry and didn't realize until I got home that it was a chocolate kit where I had to melt the chocolate, pour it in the mold, then put it together. I was quite frustrated, but it was the easiest one yet.

 
The kiddos loved it! I wouldn't let them touch it until I got a picture. Thirty minutes later I was very thankful for this "wisdom" because one side of the roof was gone. The house survived all of 3 days.
You can see how much Averi cared about what was going on. As long as she is in the vicinity of what you are doing, she could care less if she is involved or not.

We also painted Christmas trees on white ceramic plates. This was the kids' favorite activity. I didn't include any pictures because they are not allowed to play with sharpies with their clothes on. Get my drift?

Our next big event was Evie's school Christmas program. She played Mary and loved every minute of it. Afterwards, Mrs. Steffanie asked me if Evie played with baby dolls very much. When I said no, she replied with, "I didn't think so." She said she had to "coach" Evie on how to rock the baby. Evie didn't stop rocking the baby until she handed the baby over.

John Reagan played Joseph in the church Christmas program. He was less than excited about it. He had to sit on stage for 20-30 minutes. He played with the hay. He played with his fingernails. He did anything and everything he could to preoccupy himself. We could tell he was very bored.

I had to throw in one last picture of Averi. This is how she dressed herself to play outside one night while Daddy, brother, and sister were doing fireworks. How nice!

We had a great Christmas...the best one yet with the kiddos. Then we rushed to get decorations down and get ready to bring Brylee home, who arrived 2 days after Christmas.

I realize I am a little late on this post.  I have been working on it for over 3 weeks now.  I always forget how little time I have to get things done once a newborn gets here.  We are finally starting to get our routine back now that it has been 8 weeks.

Busy Times!

Things went a little crazy on us around here, and I had forgotten to blog.  I am back for now.  Averi went into the hospital the night of December 2nd with croup.  It hit her hard and fast, and she had the whole emergency room staff freaking out.  Thankfully she responded to the medicine quickly.  It wasn't anything 2 days in the hospital didn't cure.  The doctor said it is not common to have a recurrence of croup, but if it does happen it is never as bad as the first time.  Thank God for that!

Now to play catch up since August:

Evie had her first day of Pre-K in the middle of September.  It started 2 weeks later than normal because they just built a new children's wing that is great.  Evie loves every minute of it.  She has the same teacher as John Reagan had.  Poor Mrs. Steffanie has found out real quick that Miss Evie is not like John Reagan.  She has even commented several times on how Evie likes to talk.  Evie is also one of those who hears every word you say; however, it is questionable on whether she will actually do what is you say.  So you can imagine how that goes in the classroom.

 We celebrated Greg's and Averi's birthday in September as well.  Averi turned 2!  I still can't believe Little Miss Petite is 2.  She is a fireball to say the least.  And fearless.  She will attempt anything.  It is only by the grace of God we have not made several trips to the Emergency Room.  That and the fact that we pray over her all the time because she is just like her daddy, who by Averi's age had already experienced multiple broken bones.

We did our annual pumpkin carving in October with Greg's parents, Pawcaw and Nana.  Last year Pawcaw missed out because of work, but he made up for it this year.  John Reagan had Daddy's help with his pumpkin.

Evie had Nana's help.

Averi could have cared less about what was going on.  She spent all her time chasing Max with the dump truck.  Max loved it, of course.  Anytime he can get attention from the kiddos, he is in heaven.

Mommy spent my time taking pictures galore.

The finished products...

We also did a family campfire in October.  This is a favorite activity of the all 3 kids.  Anytime the weather gets slightly cool, they start asking and hagging until we get around to it.

How John Reagan likes to eat his campfire supper!

Averi just used the bread as a plate.  She picked everything out of it.

This is the season of the year we make and keep our family traditions, from pumpkin carving to campfires to gingerbread house making.  That will come next blog if baby doesn't come first.

August

I wish I had lots to say about the month of August, but truth be told, I don't remember much about it.  That is not good. 

The big event for the month was John Reagan starting 1st Grade.

 I look at these pictures and think, "Wow!  He has really grown."  But these pictures don't do justice to him right now.  He has grown so much since.  He looks like a 1st grader now and acts like one.  My buddy is growing up.  Sniff, sniff!  You know with John Reagan, there always has to be a silly picture.  Like his daddy he just can't help himself.

I'm a little worried Evie is the same way!

I thought you would be able to see the girls a little better in this picture.  This is mostly what August consisted of...playing outside as much as possible before school started.

I am having a hard time fathoming that this was 3 months ago.  All three of the kids have grown considerably since then.

John Reagan is doing well in school and loves it.  We have not had any problems with getting him into class this year.  Thank God!  His favorite part of it...he gets 3 recesses.  This is a very big deal to him.  He is so funny!

Evie and Averi have enjoyed their time together...just the 2 of them.  They have played extremely well together and honestly needed this time to bond. 

The biggest deal has been that we have all turned into morning people.  Greg's mom said not too long ago that she never thought she would see the day we were morning people.  It is true!  It is scary!

Evie turns 4!

Our Evie girl turned 4 this July!  It doesn't seem possible that she is already this big.  She was anxiously anticipating this day and wanted everything Hello Kitty!

Like her daddy, she doesn't mind being silly.  She loves to laugh and loves life in general.

She had a blast and got lots of Hello Kitty clothes and toys.  She likes being the center of attention when it is birthday celebration time.  She has grown so quickly!