Christmas 2011

We had a perfect Christmas.  We started it with Christmas Eve at the Laurent's house.  The girls loved spending time there and were filled with excited.  After mass we opened presents and started a new tradition Christmas pajamas.  On Christmas morning a dog jumped out of the box.  The girls were so amazed.  Abigail has been reminding everyone of the rules Santa left for the dog and worries when Cooper gets to excited and starts biting.  Sarah kept asking if we were going to keep the dog forever.  The next day Grandma Denton and G-G pa came into town and we celebrated Christmas with them.  It has been a Christmas filled with joy, thanksgiving, and family.  I know this will be a Christmas we will always remember.

   

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Movie Night

We had a family movie night Wednesday, we that it would be better than attempting to go to the movies with Anna.  The girls kept asking if it was dinner yet so we can have a picnic.  Abigail set out the blanket and wouldn't let anyone touch it long before dinner.  We watched the Smurfs and had a picnic.  The girls thought it was so much fun.  Sarah kept saying, "This is sooo much fun isn't it Abigail."  I think we have found a new family tradition.

Cookie Time

Today was the first day of Christmas break.  It was so nice to not go anywhere today and just enjoy time with one another making memories.  We had my sisters Ashley, Lindsey, and Melissa come over as well as Lucas and Samuel.  We all made butter cookies together.  (Butter cookies require four sticks of butter so they are really good.)  The kids had fun making the batter and cutting out shapes, but the best part was decorating the cookies.  Having so many people over really helped speed up the process.

 Abigail, Sarah, and Lucas

 Mommy, Abigail, and Sarah

 Lindsey and Abigail

 Lucas getting ready to ice his cookie.  I think he only iced one over and over again and then we couldn't find his cookie because he had drowned it in icing and sprinkles.

 Abigail, Ashley, Melissa, and Sarah

 Sarah really liked putting sprinkles on her cookie.  Then when choosing one to eat she picks a cookie without sprinkles.

Melissa with Anna

We had a lot of fun today creating memories and I know we will all look forward to cookie day next year.

Abigail Performs in the Children's Choir

Abigail sang in the children's choir at church for the nativity.  They had three practices, which was a highlight to Abigail's week because she had alone time with Mommy or Daddy.  She felt very grown up and was very excited to sing into the microphones.  The choir sounded like heavenly angels and it was fun watching her perform.

While Mommy is Gone

I went out tonight for Lindsey and Melissa's birthday and while I was gone I was sent some picture texts...

Now I see why Josh is the most fun.

Christmas Program

Sarah had her Christmas program at school on Thursday.  She did a great job and I really think this was the first time she sang the song along with everyone else.

 She is singing Gloria right here.

Sorry the picture quality isn't good. I didn't realize that Josh had changed the camera settings.  I went to the class birthday party for Jesus and Sarah was so glad that I was there with her.  

 Sarah was very proud to show her sister off to her friends.  Sarah kept asking me if she could hold Anna. (She never does this at home.)  Anna wanted to get down and explore the classroom.

                                    

This weekend we had breakfast with Santa. The girls were so excited, they have been counting down the days for a week now.

Sarah made some reindeer dust to help Santa find our house. Sarah asked Santa for a kitty and a snow globe.

Abigail wrote a letter telling Santa what she wanted. She asked for a jingle bell, snow globe and a violin. Abigail did not want to eat her pancakes at first, she did all the activities before having breakfast.

Anna enjoyed eating pancakes, and watching all the people.

Here are the girls with Santa. Anna was trying to figure out who this man was.

It has been a while

It has been a while since I blogged. Life has been busy and I have a hard time taking the computer away from Josh, he has had a lot of homework lately. He is at the bedlam game tonight so it is time for me to play catch up. This last month I have seem all of my girls change rapidly. Almost everyday I am near tears seeing them grow so fast. I can only pray that their smiles stay and that Josh and I are providing a happy dwelling place for them.

Abigail is reading to Anna.

Abigail has begun to read so many books and really seems to enjoy reading. She is so good with Anna too, always making her smile and teaching her new things.

Abigail using shaving cream to write words.

Sarah using shaving cream to write letters.

I am told that Sarah is the model student and that she has really been paying attention in school. She is also making many more friends.

Anna has found new freedom in crawling. If it is even possible she has become happier. She is following all the action and she thinks it is very fun to empty all the books out of the book shelf. Anna has begun to wave and clap all within the same week. She loves that her new tricks brings her attention. She will now wave at strangers until they wave back and then she smiles shyly at them.

Sporting Daddy's hat.

Our elf on the shelf has also arrived. The girls named her Bella and she has brought us all new attitudes. When Bella arrived Abigail was so excited. Her eyes were wide and she was jumping up and down. Sarah was a little skeptical at first because she wanted to touch her and play with Bella. Sarah kept saying I wish I could touch her. I really wish I would have video taped the girls when Bella arrived they were so fascinated. Every morning when the girls get up they immediately look for Bella. Abigail has learned to tattle to Bella as well. The other day I heard Abigail say "I'm telling Bella." I then hear Sarah yell "No, don't tell Bella tell Mommy." Today Bella brought some drama to our house. Sarah was climbing a shelf that Bella was on and Bella fell into the trash can. Sarah was shocked and after Josh warn Sarah not to touch her or she will lose her magic Sarah burst into tears and was so scared Bella would lose her magic. I hope Sarah wasn't too traumatized by the incident. I wish that Bella continues to bring magic and good behavior to our house.

Trick or Treat

We had a wonderful Halloween with beautiful weather and great family and friends to share it with. Aunt Ashley came over to do the girls hair and make up. Abigail was so proud that she was wearing make up. She seemed to walk two feet taller with make up and a beautiful dress.

Anna enjoying some time with Aunt Melissa.

Cute Little Ladybug.

Cute Cute Jessie. Sarah was very proud of her braids.

Belle, Ladybug, and Jessie are ready to go trick or treating.

The whole gang ready to invade the neighborhood. This group keeps on growing every year. I remember when it was just Abigail and Landon.

I love candy!

Pumpkin Carving

I know that this post is a little late but better late than never right? We carved our pumpkins the night before Halloween and the entire family participated in the beginning. This is the first year Sarah participated in the pumpkin fun. In the past Sarah never wanted to touch the pumpkins.

Abigail persevered and cleaned the pumpkins out. She was very excited to bake and eat the pumpkin seeds.

Sarah lost interest pretty fast and decided it was too gross to continue to help Abigail. She then entered into her fantasy world.

Spooktacular Program

Sarah had her Halloween program on Thursday. She was excited to get to dress up and show her teachers and her friends her costume.

Sarah did not really participate in the performance until they all yelled BOO!

Sarah kept her eyes on Daddy she was excited he was there.

Some of Sarah's adoring fans. Thank you all for coming to see Sarah she wanted to go home and play with everyone after the program.

Sarah's teacher and her were twinkies.

After the program the kids enjoyed the fall festival. Sarah's favorite part was the face painting. I helped at the festival and Sarah keeps saying "Do you remember how you helped make ghosts at my school mom?"

Pumpkin Patch

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Samuel's First Birthday

We celebrated Samuel's First Birthday last weekend. He is such a fun little boy that adds a lot of joy and love to our family. The party was a lot of fun, my girls always get excited when there are presents to be opened and cake to eat.

Aunt Ashley painted faces.

Aunt Lindsey and Aunt Melissa pose for a picture.

The birthday boy.

I can't figure out how to rotate this picture but here is a picture of the cake Ashley made Samuel. I am so jealous of all her creative gifts.

Two Wheels

Abigail learned to ride her bike in two days within about 20-30 mins combined. She is very proud of herself as are we of her. Everyday she comes home from school and wants to ride her bike. I think she feels independent and confident without her training wheels.

Hold on

This picture melts my heart. Josh found a bike trailer at a garage sale and he took the girls on a ride around the neighborhood. When we put Anna in the trailer she was giddy and wrapped her chubby fingers around her big sister's arm. I hope they can always be there for each other in the future.

Visit From Family and Daddy's Birthday

We had my grandparents, 2 aunts and 1 of my cousins come and visit last weekend. It was a lot of fun with beautiful weather.

Anna and Great Paw Paw Laurent

We also celebrated Josh being home from China and his 3oth birthday. It was so good to have Josh home. Sarah kept asking if he was going to spend the night at her house. Two weeks is way too long without him.

Aunt Emily came into town to join in on all the festivities. The girls were so excited.

This was the best picture we could get of the Great Grandparents with all of the Oklahoma grandchildren.

We had a busy but fun filled weekend.