Picture Day!

On Sunday Josh and I loaded up the kids and drove down to Wilmington to take our annual Christmas pictures. In the past it has been a relatively easy process, with one child who doesn't really have an opinion it is a breeze, this year however, not so much. Elizabeth is a complete two year old, full of tantrums and asserting her opinion and frankly when she gets her mind on something that is the end of it. So Sunday she decided that cooperating was not something she wanted to do, you can only image the rest. All I have to say is the next time I feel the need to get the kids pictures taken I will make sure to look at these and remember that it isn't a good idea!

The only picture we got of Elizabeth
My little man
The only Family picture and yes I'm laughing

TOO CUTE!!!!

Yes Elizabeth is eating cookies but at least
have a Christmas card with both kids!

A Two Year Old Christmas Party!

Today was Elizabeth's school Christmas party, and I think the parents had more fun than the kids! It was great to see all the kids having fun outside (in the 80 degree weather!) and actually seeing them interact with their beloved Ms. Debbie, who in my opinion has to be a saint for putting up with seven 2 year old. She is amazing and we are all so lucky to have her, she has taught the kids there shapes and colors and how to count to ten and their abc's in a fun way that makes each one want to learn. The Christmas party was wonderful with the kids singing Jingle Bells and Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer, then having their lunches and special snacks for the party, Daddy even got to stop by during his lunch break to share in all the fun!

The kids with the special treats
Daddy helping out
Singing Jingle Bells

Lining up to start the party

Ms. Debbie helping out on the see saw

Christmas Cookies

Elizabeth and I started a new family tradition yesterday (new for us), making Christmas cookies together. She had so much fun eating dough and playing with the rolling pin I didn't even care about the enormous mess that she made. Decorating the cookies was just as messy with more icing going into her mouth than the cookie, but the sugar high was well worth the quality time I got to spend with my angel, I can't wait to do it again next year!

Happy Thanksgiving!

We headed south for Thanksgiving this year, it was our first time since July of '06 that we visited South Carolina. It was also our first time traveling together as a family of four, which is quite different than a family of three, as Josh found out! We had such a good time visiting with Josh's family. Elizabeth had a blast, hanging out with her cousins Caroline and Jay, developing her first crush on Uncle Jack (she went right to him which is saying a lot because she is usually very shy around men) and even going to the zoo to see the Christmas lights. Jace was just happy to eat and get some attention! He loved his Thanksgiving dinner, he ate most of Josh's sweet potatoes and Mommy's green beans and even had a little turkey. Josh was in heaven, eating Judy's home cooking and hunting everyday, it really doesn't take a lot with him...he was sooooo happy to be in South Carolina and spending time with his brothers and parents, he hasn't been able to do much of that since he has been deployed so much these past couple of years. We even were able to make a trip to the hospital to see his Nana who had broken her hip a couple of weeks before Thanksgiving and wasn't able to be there to have dinner with us, which thankfully she is doing better now and even coming home from the hospital soon. Hopefully we will be able to get back during the Christmas/New Year to spend some more time with them before Josh has to leave again but if not I think that this trip will leave great memories for everyone!

Lynda and Adam's Wedding

Well after what seemed like years Adam and Lynda got married! It was the most beautiful day to have such an amazing event. Lynda was the prettiest bride I have ever seen and Adam could not stop smiling all day long. It is wonderful to know that my little brother has someone like Lynda, she is not only beautiful on the outside but truly is the most loving and caring person I have ever met. We are so lucky to have her in our family, so for that Adam we thank you! Josh was on one of his work ups for his upcoming deployment but was able to take 24 hours leave so he could be with us, which was awesome. Elizabeth hadn't seen her daddy in two weeks so she was so excited when she got to the hotel and saw him, she didn't want to leave his side all day long. She had so much fun that day, she danced all night long and even made it half way down the aisle! It was great to see all of our family together, since we live so far away from everyone it is truly a blessing to get to see everyone under the same roof. We all had the best day together and hope that this is the first in many happy occasion we share with Lynda and Adam.

Halloween!

Elizabeth, Jace and I got to spend Halloween with my family in Maryland, which we were so thankful for, with Josh away again it was nice to have family helping with the kids. We had big plans of going to Adam and Lynda's house to meet Lynda's 3 year old nephew Ethan and 16 month old neice Nina. Of course Miss E decided that she would make her own plans as always....She was scared of everything for Ethan's sword (he was a pirate) to his spiderman candy bucket, everything made her scream. Needless to say trick or treating was not something that she wanted to do, I guess there is always next year.....She was an awfully cute Minne Mouse and big man Jace was an adorable Mickey!

My Miracle

I know that it is out of the blue but I have to comment on my little miracle....She is now two and a half and completely into the non sharing, throwing tantrums, no no no phase but I have to say I wouldn't have it any other way. It is so hard to believe that two and a half years ago she weighted three pounds and was fighting for her life, we didn't know if she would make it and if she did what obstacles she would face....Now she is the tallest one in her class and is a normal healthly little girl, I just need to remind myself that she really is my angel!

Potty Training and Crawling!

Since Josh is going to be home for a couple of weeks we decided it was about time for Elizabeth to start using the potty, plus having only one kid in diapers would be heaven sent! She has done an amazing job at not having any accidents and letting us no when it is "time". She is such a girl, I really think the thought of being a mess horrifies her and she likes getting all the treats she gets for using the potty. I am definitely not above bribing her out of diapers, she can have anything she wants if that means one less diaper I have to change. We couldn't be more proud of her, she is even going to school in her new little panties and her teacher is amazed at how well she has done, she is the youngest one in her class and only the second one to be in panties. At the same time big man Jace decided it was time to get on all fours and start crawling! He is barely 7 months old and in my eyes still my baby. He had been doing the inch worm for about a month and was pretty good at getting were he wanted to go but being the dare devil he is that was not getting him around quick enough for his taste, now he is like lighting! You turn your back for a second and he is gone getting into everything that he shouldn't. He is very much a boy and loves to destroy anything he comes in contact with, which makes his sister insane who likes everything put away in the right place and things very neat. The fights have gotten a little worse now and Jace can pretty much hold his own which is scary considering he is 21 months younger!