Holiday Greeting From Iraq

Although Pat was fortunate enough to make it home for Christmas, he still recorded a holiday message while in Iraq before he left. It was supposed to be aired on the local television station but not sure if it made it or ended up on the cutting room floor. It may not have made it because of his little shout out at the end...we do not live in Longhorn country you know! Happy Holidays.

School Program for lil shepherds

The boys had their school Christmas Program at the local library. We were told they were to dress like shepherds and because I do not sew I ordered two costumes. As luck would have it they did not come in for the program. The program started at 5:00, I picked the boys up at 4:00 and headed home to come up with two costumes and be back at the library by 4:45.

So I grabbed two Army brown t-shirts, a pillow case, rope and two of Natalie's headbands and got to work. I would say they were done in less than 15 minutes and turned out pretty good if I say so myself.

The boys were so excited to see Santa. It was healthy Santa who gave all the kids an orange. I didn't think we were ever going to get to leave because Austin kept wanting to talk to him. As we were leaving Austin told me to wait, he had to tell Santa a secret. I asked what he told Santa and he told me "No, it's only for Santa".

We all headed out to the car to leave and Santa was walking with us. I started to get worried knowing he had to go get in a car. Sean and I were putting the boys in the car when Santa hid behind a tree. Austin started looking and said "Mommy, Santa is gone, it's pure magic".

We totally enjoyed the performance. It was all in Spanish so we are not sure we understood everything that was said. The boys still sing their songs around the house.

First big snow and time to play in it....

We got our first big snow which was more than a foot and the boys had been asking for a couple of days to play. I am not sure if they were more excited to play in the snow or wear their new snow boots. All dressed up and ready to go.

Mommy, we are getting hot, can we go outside now?

Oh man, look at all this snow

"I can't believe it" Austin

"Hmmm, I am going to eat some" Colby

"It doesn't taste too good, Mommy" Colby

"I am going to make a snowball" Austin

"Look at my new boots, they have snow on them" Colby

"My gloves are wet" Colby

The boys lasted about 10-15 minutes which is what I expected but they loved it. They came in and got warm in front of the fireplace. They keep asking to go sledding but we are waiting for
Daddy to make those memories with us.

More stockings for Utah

The boys were so excited that we went and bought them stockings and glitter glue. Ok,they were most excited about the glitter glue. It was tough convincing Austin not to just make a big pile of glue on his stocking. He could always tell me what it was as he has a great imagination. Colby had to have a pirate Santa in a ship and a helicopter on his.

Working very hard and not wanting any help or disruptions

Not sure what kind of smile that is for Austin except he was happy

How does it look Mommy?

Two of the best Christmas Stockings I have ever seen. Maybe this will become a family tradition for us. They sure had a great time doing them.

They are hung on our banister with all the other stockings we've collected over the years to include several of mine from my childhood, college and the Army.

It's beginning to look like Christmas in Iraq

The boys were adamant that Daddy needed his own stocking for his room in Iraq. So off to the store we went and what a master piece we created for only $2. The boys had so much fun that they wanted their own stocking to decorate for our house. Hopefullly I can convince them to pick the smaller version for their room.

I love the glitter glue
How does this work? My Daddy is going to like this.

Our final product and ready to mail to Daddy

Oh Wait, someone had to wrap himself in it hoping to go see Daddy.

We hope Daddy loves his stocking and we can't wait for him to be home for R&R.

Merry Christmas

Boys new room

Well I have been trying and trying to figure out a way to get the boys to sleep in their room because they think mine is beautiful. So I decided I needed to make theirs cool.

I had a friend here in Utah do the mural and I love it. I love walking in there and feeling like I am in the jungle and I have to real monkeys to add to it.

Yes, they now have the coolest room in the house but still seem to "need" to sleep in Mommy's bed. The challenges of parenthood.

Funnies by the boys

There are so many funny sayings that the boys have said in the past year and I know one day I will wish I had written them all down. Here are a few:

On a Saturday morning I was happy thinking I might get to sleep in until around 6:00am Austin and Colby come into my room. Austin comes over and taps me on the shoulder and says "Mommy, Mommy, wake up"

Mommy: I am awake Austin

Austin: No wake up with your feet.

What he meant was get out of bed because we want to go downstairs.

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Mommy: Ok boys it's time to go to bed.

Austin: No we don't to go to bed.

Mommy: Yes, because you have school tomorrow.

Austin: We want to sleep in your room.

Mommy: No, you need to sleep in your room.

Colby: No we need to sleep in your room because it is beautiful and ours is not.

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We were eating dinner one night and just talking when out of the blue

Austin: Mommy, why did Frosty come to life?

Mommy: Well because he wanted to play with the kids.

Austin: Why did he want to play with the kids?

Mommy: Because he thought it would be fun.

Austin: Was it?

Mommy: I guess so

Austin: Well you should know, not me.

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Funny words mispronounced:

Christmas song, "Silver and Gold" Colby sings Silver and Blow

Austin says "you nember" for "you remember"

There are so many more and I'll have to make sure to start writing them down as well.

Thanksgiving Fun

Our family fun has been continuing since Halloween. November has been filled with a great Thanksgiving with our good friends the Fontenots and even Austin making his very first pumpkin pie. A sweet moment and within seconds they were wrestling on the floor.
Look Daddy, We have BIG muscles like you because Mommy makes us drink our milk and take our vitamins.

"But we smiled, can we go now?" by Austin

Our new puzzle and no, Ms. Lynda was not allowed to help, only watch.

Building a tower, or a house, or a restaurant or a sleigh...only Austin knew and Mr. Dante was suppose to create it.

No I don't want pumpkin pie... Iwant ice cream.

What a good lunch!

Austin helping make his very first pumpkin pie. He was very good helper. It's all ready to go into the oven.

But I want a piece now! Look at these cool cup cakes we got. I can't wait to eat them.

As Thanksgiving came to a close they were very happy to come home and find our Christmas lights on. They had been up for a couple of weeks and it was killing the boys that I would not turn them on. I told them Thanksgiving night we would turn them on. Now onto preparing for Christmas and a very special visit from Daddy and Santa.