Carson's gymnastic show

This fall, Carson chose to take gymnastics. The Saturday before Christmas, they had a little show for the parents. Carson enjoyed his class, but we learned he is not the best kid in the class. I think it did help his strength though. Macie has also taken a mommy and me class that she loved. But, it is a lot of work for mommy. So, we are going back to t-ball and swimming lessons for the new year.

This is all the kids waiting for the show to begin. Carson is the one in the middle with the light blue shirt.
Jeff figured the down time was a good opportunity to work on teaching Macie her shapes.This is when the boys moved close enough to actually get a decent picture.

I am trying to post a video, but blogger does not seem interested in loading it. Hopefully it will work when I try to show you video of Carson's concert at school.

Yes, we are still alive

My busy December led to not posting all of our events. So, I thought I would say Merry Christmas. I will work on updating the events of the last month this week! But, for now this is us on Christmas morning. We hope you had a great Christmas.

Breakfast with Santa

This morning, the kids and I went out in the nasty weather to have breakfast with Santa. Santa makes a special morning visit to the kids school each year. Here is Carson before we left. He looks like such a big boy! I was sad to think this might be his last year to go to breakfast with Santa. And Macie before we left home. We were having a fight over the paci, but the one with it is the cutest!

Carson thought he would help try to get it away from her.

And finally a cute picture of the two of them in front of the tree.

We made it to school without being soaked by the rain. Carter and Addie got there at the same time, so we go to stand in line with them. Carson and Carter got a picture together with Santa. We wanted one with all the kids, but Macie was not so sure.

Macie still was not sure, so Carson started by telling Santa what he wants for Christmas. But, he left his list at home and was having a hard time remembering. Once I reminded him he wanted a guitar, he gave Santa all the details. I think that was all he told Santa he wants.

Macie finally sat on "Ho Ho"'s lap, but she was not so excited about it.

Until I gave her the candy cane from his sack.

Then we all went to eat breakfast. Addie thought a candy cane was better than the donut and bagel.

Macie was just happy to be off of the strange man's lap.

Cole and Connor get there a little later, but I got a couple pictures. I love Cole and Santa talking in this one.

Then we tried to get a shot of all the kids. It is always a challenge to get a picture of 6 kids. Cole was trying to help with Macie. These two are really funny together. The adore each other.

Sadly, this is the best one I could get! Cole, Macie, Carson, Carter, Addison and Connor

Carson and the rest of the kids stayed for school. Macie and I came home to be lazy on this rainy day. We are trying to avoid daddy who seems to have a stomach bug. Maybe I will get some presents wrapped or laundry done.

Macie loves him

Can you tell from this picture what Macie's favorite website is? Maybe a little video will help. (okay video is not working sorry)

Everytime I turn on the computer now Macie says "Byce." She loves to see his smiling face at the top of the page. Then she continues to say "More Byce." It is very cute and funny to think about how life has changed since I was a kid!

Working on Christmas

We have been working on getting all of our decorations up since we got back from Florida. We have about 3/4 of decorations finished. I guess this weekend we will get the Christmas plates out. The house is suppose to be cleaned on Friday so I will spend tomorrow getting the rest put up and picked up in the house!


Last year we became the users of Mom's artificial tree. While we would all rather have a live tree, we have had a few issue in the past. We have had several fall over and break ornaments. One year we got a rotten tree. It smelled really bad. Thankfully we had bought it at Pikes and they gave us a new one of equal cost for no cost. But, we had to put up tree one, take down tree one, put up tree two and then after the holidays take down tree two. Plus, the appeal of the pre-lit tree was pulling at me. So, we now have an artificial tree that takes about 20 minutes to put up, get straight, have the lights shining, and the star on top! Jeff was working on the train that runs under the tree. Macie wanted to ride the "daddy yak."

The first night we just got the tree up and the train running. But, we let the kids put the new ornaments we had gotten them on the tree. Macie's is a Minnie Mouse and Carson's is Rocket from Little Einsteins. He plays the song from the show so he loves it. Macie loved trying to hang ornaments up high. We did not like it so much!

The mess that is currently in our living room. Friday, I will get my wreath for above the fire place. It is real so we will get to enjoy to Christmas smell we love.

That's all for now. When I am finished and clean, I will put more pictures up. I am ending with a picture of Macie from Cassie's brithday party. I just think it is darn cute and shows her little personality.

Animal Kingdom

The day after Thanksgiving, we went with the family to Animal Kingdom. Debbie had passes that expired at the end of the month, so we all go to go for free.

We of course started the day riding the tram from the parking lot. Notice Macie's bow. She kept it in all day long! Before we went in to the park, Carson had to take a potty break. While we were waiting, a bunch of characters came out right beside us. Macie was not overly excited, but I think she would have jumped out of her stroller if it had been Minnie Mouse or "Lella".

Our first ride was the safari. It was awesome. We had a very fast moving line, and we saw a tone of animals. These giraffes were right by our jeep. They crossed the road in front of us and walked in front of our jeep for a few minutes. It was really cool.

This is in Dinoland. This is a ride like Dumbo. The kids liked it a lot.

I had to work really hard to get Macie to nap, but she finally crashed for about 30 or 45 minutes. She had napped in the car on the way to the park, so I guess she was good to go. Carson fell asleep on the way home, but she was awake the entire time.

We stopped and waited for the parade and enjoyed some ice cream.

Carson was taking a turn in the stroller while we waited for the parade. He was suppose to be resting. Macie did not want to share her spot so she joined him.

Carson did not like the parade at all. We were so close that the characters at the front came up and tried to say hello. He freaked out and spent the rest of the time hiding his face. He did peek at Mickey and Minne on their floats. Macie did not like it when the characters came right up to her, but she was excited about the ones on the float. She kept yelling Goofy, Mimmie, Donald.

After the parade, we went to the Finding Nemo show. It was what I waited for all day. Here is grandma with Macie, Cassie and Carson. Jake was off getting a fresh diaper.

We of course love every trip to Disney. Hopefully we will go back for another week long visit before Macie turns 3.

Thanksgiving Fun

We spent Thanksgiving in Orlando with Jeff's side of the family. The kids traveled well, and enjoyed seeing their cousins and the rest of the family. The weather was nice, and we really had a nice time. Here are a few picture from Thanksgiving day.

Playing at the park

Macie, Cassie, and Carson on the tire swing. Jake did not want to join them.

Jeff giving Macie a ride-this was just before she did a nice face plant into the sand.

The kids table-grandma ate with them, but she wasn't there at the time.

Friday we went to Animal Kingdom. Of course anytime you go to Disney it is fun. I will get some pictures of that in the next couple day.

We hope you had a great Thanksgiving.