Boys & Guls

Today, we split the "team" in half. The boys (Scott, Will, John Paul and Papa) all made the trek to College Station for a basketball game, Aggies vs. Rice. You start to question if the land down under has officially frozen over when you're more excited about Aggie basketball than football...



They had a super fabulous day. And, the highlight was getting pictures taken with the yell leaders. Duh, of course!! As a former yellboy himself, Dad was pretty proud, too.





The guls (as John Paul says so eloquently) spent the morning at the IMAX watching Santa vs. the Snowman. (I'll post pics when Nana sends them to me!) It's not as sinister as it sounds. It was actually a very cute movie and only 32 minutes! The girls were absolutely mesmorized. In fact, Anna-Laura sat so still on Nana's lap and "oohed and ahhed" the entire time. We had lunch at EZ's and when we got home they crashed for the afternoon. Yes, it was one of those kind of days.

We're off to enjoy what's left of '07. The children are nestled all snug in their rooms while mommy and daddy sit on the couch with nothing to do!!!

I love my husband

Have I mentioned lately just how much I love my husband? He took down all the outside Christmas decorations...with no complaints!! And, if the looks of the neighborhood are any indication, Christmas is officially over. But, we still have our traveling wisemen and they don't arrive in Bethlehem until Epiphany Sunday, January 6. A couple of years ago, we started that tradition and the kids love it. Every night we "move" the wisemen and the kids have to find them. Each night they get closer to Bethlehem, until they arrive, 12 days after Christmas. Ring any bells? (As a sidenote, the "12 Days of Christmas" actually began in England several centuries ago, to help Catholics remember various things about their faith.) Go to: http://www.crossroadsinitiative.com/library_article/352/Key_to_the_Twelve_Days_of_Christmas.html for more information. Bear with me while I figure out the link feature!

So, back to why I love Scott...we're on our way home tonight from a friend's house and the backseat is lively, shall we say? Clare is screaming (code for 'get me out of this carseat, will ya?'), Will is trying to sleep, but John Paul keeps poking him and yelling, YELLING, "Will wake up!!" And, Anna-Laura is singing some song in Swahili crossed with Toddlerese at THE TOP OF HER LUNGS. Scott and I just smiled at each other and didn't say a word. Ah, the look of understanding. He is a great man not because he drove that circus home, but because he bathed and put them all to bed.

December 28: 6 Month Update

Hard to believe our little Clare Bear is already six months. Of the first 12 months, I think 6 months is my favorite age. They're happy, not afraid of stangers, SLEEPING and not yet mobile. We gave her a first taste of rice cereal on the anniversary and she lapped it up. In fact, she tried to feed herself!

As a sidenote, I had to share this story from yesterday. It's one of those, "You know you need more sleep when..." kind of anecdotes.

So, we're at the Container Store making good on our promise to be even more organized in '08. (Yes, that is possible.) And, I say to the sales lady as she's giving me options of times to pick up our order, "So, what time do you wake up?" She laughs (thank goodness) and replies, "Well, I'll be up late tomorrow, but the store opens at 9." Man, I've got to get myself a t-shirt that says...I know not what I say, I have 4 kids.

Aunt Jeana Takes Texas

It's been WAY too long since many of us saw Dad's oldest/wisest sister, Aunt Jeana! For most, our last Jeana sighting was at Granny Mary's 80th. We had a great dinner prepared by Debbie and enjoyed some funny stories. Bill/Dad was in his element. Seriously. I think he smiled the whole night. And, Aunt Jeana looked so good - as evidence by this picture.



As a little girl there are three things I remember about Aunt Jeana - her red boots, her pretty turquoise jewelry and her saying 'Oh, honey'. Funny what we remember from childhood, isn't it?



Glad to have you in Texas for a bit Aunt Jeana...we missed you!!

Christmas - Part II

On Christmas Eve, we made THE cookies for Santa. Baking cookies with the kids is kind of my thing. I love baking and it reminds me of my 4-H days with my mom...

After Mass, we headed home and had a fabulous (if I do say so myself) seafood/shrimp dinner with pasta and garlic bread. This is a new family tradition. All we heard from the kids was nothing but forks hitting the plates. We might try this for breakfast. As a sidenote to Mass, I was completely impressed with the boys. We arrived super early and got great seats. The girls - not so much. We spent most of the hour walking outside. Praise God for good Texas December weather. Fortunately, we were in good company. I've never seen so many exasperated parents in my life. But, we survived and the true Christmas season is now upon us.



Opening presents was so much fun, really. I think Scott and I just smiled at the kids' reactions. Case in point:

JOHN PAUL (ripping into a package): Awesome!

DAD: What is it?

JOHN PAUL: I don't know!

We tried something new this year, thanks to a suggestion of one of Scott's co-workers. Before we opened presents, we prayed over them, thanking the givers, those that made the gifts and the jobs they provided to many. It was a wonderful addition and a good reminder that it ain't about the gifts, folks. Hopefully, that message is taking hold in our kiddos.






After presents, we prepared for the arrival of Santa Claus. Exciting stuff. The cookies had to be arranged just so, as did the milk. And, the reindeer food. The reindeer food must be mixed to its proper consistency of oats and magic dust. I think the kids got it just right.





We celebrated in grand fashion on Christmas morning. Lots of family and laughter and perhaps a sentimental moment or two. On to pictures...

Christmas craziness

First off, welcome to the blog. Not sure if this is a good idea or not, but let's give it a whirl. Aren't you proud? It's not even New Year's Eve and I've already begun my 2008 resolution...to do a better job of keeping the people we love (or at least call us "family") in the loop. Hold on, here we go.

Advent is officially over and Christmas has begun. See pictures if you don't believe me. We had a glorious Advent. Lots of kids' parties. Lots of food. Lots of fun. Lots of tradition. And lots of great memories. For those here to share it, it rocked. If you missed out, you really didn't because you can live vicariously through the blog, right? We love and miss you!

Here's a quick Advent recap.

Dec. 5: Feast of St. Nicholas.
The kids put out their shoes by their bedroom doors, filled them with carrots and lo and behold, Christmas PJs were there the next morning! He's one cool saint, which is why we have a William Nicholas!


Dec. 13: Will's Christmas Concert
The kids put on quite a show, but the 1st graders were the best, of course.


Dec. 18: John Paul's Party
John Paul wasn't much into anything else but the fries...and hamming it up for the camera.


Dec. 18: Will's Gingerbread Party
I wasn't sure what I got myself into when volunteering to help make gingerbread houses for 22 1st graders. But, admittedly, it was hilarious. They took milk cartons and used icing to "glue" on the graham crackers. Then, the onslaught of candy appeared for decoration. I think more got eaten than put on the houses. Oh well, I'm sure the kids were thinking, Score - Candy!!


Dec. 20: Will's Party
Sorry no pictures of this one. I was the party mom. Enough said.

Dec. 24
This Advent was filled with lots of great memories, but mostly because we took some time to actually enjoy the season. We did have some hustle and bustle, but we also had some silent nights (ok, well not really silent because of the 4 kid factor, but you know where I'm taking you on this). We vowed to make this season one that was full of fun, but also full of the reason why we celebrate. Unfortunately, the picture doesn't seem to capture that nostalgia.


We'll have Christmas - part two posted shortly. We're still finding kids under the wrapping paper, gluing Joseph's head back on (nasty fall from the table to the floor by unnamed child) and refereeing who gets to play with what toy.

Merry Christmas!!