Bye, Bye Christmas. Hello Toys!

Okay, just ONE more Christmas themed post - I promise!

Abby got a Gift Card from her Uncle Trevor - for Target!!!! So, I took her a few days after Christmas and she picked out a new Snow White Action Figure type doll (shocker) and a Littlest Pet Shop House. She was in heaven...

She got home and immediately went to the table to check out her loot - and add all the LPS Animals that Grammy and Papa got her for Christmas to it. After all, they had to check out the new digs!

Anyway... Andy is in a real "monkey see, monkey do" Big Boy mode right now. What Abby is doing - he must do as well. So, he had to get up at the table to play w/his toys as well. Which is funny because the reason Abby sits up there is so Andy doesn't get her little pieces!

So, enjoy this cute "Sibling" moment - I did.

Christmas with Maddy and Crys

Crys and Maddy came up to visit us this week. The kids got to play, and the mommies got to visit! It was SO nice to see her and Maddy. It had been too long and it always feels so nice, and easy, and comfortable to sit and chat w/my dear old friend. How I miss you most of the time!



So, Abby is officially a head taller than Maddy now. I swear she is only 4 1/2 folks. Really, I promise!





Maddy got Abby a "Fairy Dress up Trunk" and Andy the Toy Story version of the same. He wasn't much impressed with it - today. But, a few months from now I have a feeling he will be happy to know there is something besides tiaras and heals for him to dress up in!

And, on a side note, he looked SO cute in the little hat and vest - too stinking cute! But, I have to say he looks pretty cute in heals and tiaras. But, I do try and limit those pictures. I want him to love me in 10 years.

Abby got Maddy a Cinderella Magnetic Paper Doll set. Both girls seemed happy with their loot...

Abby and Maddy playing w/the Fairy Costumes:

I think this was our official LAST day of Christmas this year - wow. I think we stretched that out over like five days - not bad I say... not bad. :)

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas to All!

Our morning started off with Mommy TRYING to get a good photo of the kids. I won't tell you how long it took, how many people cried, and how many "words" Daddy said. But, we got a few good ones... :)




Then, we all piled in the car and headed down to see the family...

By the time we got there Andy needed a new family to put up with him (he HATES the car now) and Mommy needed a stiff drink. Luckily, both were accommodated!

After a breakfast of Mimosas and Eggs Benedict, we checked out what was under the tree for Andy...

and for Abby...

Papa and Andy playing w/his new train, Grammy and Abby modeling her OSU Pjs that Grammy made, and Grammy showing off the platter that Abby picked out special for her...

Trav and I you ask? Okay, let's face it. No one ever really asks about us anymore. But, I will tell you anyways! I got a new CRICKET - WooHoo!!!! I'm so excited to own one.

Trav got a new Kindle and a headache. A headache you ask? Yes, a headache... :)

It only took him like and hour to put it together... Don't worry though, he had a Mimosa and a few hecklers to keep him in good spirits!

Here is probably my favorite photo from the day. Andy taking his afternoon nap. Complete w/his new Pillow Pet, his new Baby, and Puppy. That is exactly how I found him - so cute!

Hope Christmas was a blessed and happy time for you all!

Love, the Browns!

Merry Christmas Eve!

Christmas Eve in our house is when EVERYTHING happens! Family Time, Santa Comes, Cookies are Made, Snacks are eaten, and Church is had. It is a good, long, relaxing day!

Our little family of four started out the day w/homemade (sort of) Cinnamon Rolls for us and special waffles for Andy. I think they both were a hit. Andy ate 3/4 of a Belgian waffle plus 1 1/2 bananas! Abby ate TWO cinnamon rolls! Apparently, they didn't get enough dinner the night before? Either that or they were gearing up for the fun, fun day.

That a.m. we watched Christmas Cartoons, made rolls and goodies for the next day, and Cookies for Santa. After all, if we made good ones, he would come! And he did!!!





SANTA CAME during quiet/nap time this year. It was SO exciting! First thing Abby asked me when she got up was if he ate his cookies. Yes, yes he did. Never fear. I have never known Santa to turn down a good cookie!

Then, it was off to the Living Room to see what he brought:

Abby was GREAT fun to watch this year. She was thoroughly impressed w/everything she got. She was excited, and thankful, and so cute to watch - the smile on her face was heart melting... It didn't matter if it was underwear or a new castle, she was excited to receive it...

Um, and she dressed herself that day!


Santa was really smart and didn't wrap Andy's toys this year. He was just given his Santa Bag full of goodies and told to go to town. This was a good thing or we would have been there most of the evening, because he mostly wanted to watch Abby and play. But, he eventually got around to checking things out.




My Favorite Moments of watching Andy:

• Opening his baby doll that Abby got him. He was so excited he could barely wait for Trav to get it open and Abby was so proud that he was so excited.
• When he got into his stocking. He was so "kid like" digging into it. It was great!

After all the Santa excitement and some yummy dinner, we got all prettied up and headed off to Church. We got there at about 8:30pm so we could listen to the music (beautiful) and check out the Nativity (so precious). The kids were great during Mass, but I think they always are!

Merry Christmas to All and to All a Good Night!

Merry Christmas Eve Eve!

Christmas Eve Eve started out w/a little climbing on Andy's part. He got stuck in this position and then started to cry. Not feeling too sorry for him (I have been pulling him off of chairs all week), I grabbed the camera and took a picture before saving him. But, never fear, he had his back to me and didn't see me taking the picture first, so no emotional damage done.



Later that afternoon, the Bex Family came over to drop off the kids Christmas Gifts and we had a little impromptu Christmas Party. We had a pupu dinner, the kids played, and we chatted. We all just relaxed for a moment before the REAL craziness of Christmas began!

Here is our attempt at a group shot. Pretty good considering Brynn and Andy are NOT at that age where sitting still is an option!

Abby and Laci opening their gifts to each other. They are such little sweeties...

Andy confused by the paper bag. "What am I supposed to do w/this!?!?! - Help!!!".

I helped him open it and he got a new ducky bath toy - his favorite toy for the bath! Good work Brynn! She even helped him play with it for awhile... She would put the duck at the top of the chair arm and push it down. He would catch it and hand it back - repeat. Great fun!

Merry Christmas Eve Eve to the Bex Family and All!

Merry Christmas Eve Eve Eve!

Here are a few photos from our "Christmas with The Guinns" - a little Christmas Party we do every year. This year, we added the Wallace Family as well because we love them too! And, the Kids, Dads, and Moms all play nice together - it is a great mix of people!

It was a fun evening of yummy food, good drink, and good friends! Unfortunately, Kati wasn't feeling well, so we missed her. But, I told her I would post lots of photos for her to see!

We (well I) told the kids they had to clean up the toy room and pose for a Christmas Picture before they could open their gifts. Trav and Greg thought I was a total Grinch, but I don't think the kids cared - they were just so excited to get to the gifts I think they would have eaten broccoli and taken baths if it would have gotten them the gifts sooner.




Here are a few pictures after all the excitement. Kati (and Rob) got Abby this "southern belle" type hoop skirt - she was so excited!

Rob took over the "reading to Andy" duties, Greg got his first Gag Gift from us, and I got two Knomes (one from Kati and one from Janet earlier in the day). It was a great day!

Oh, and Abby is back to wearing her glasses indoors. She did take like two days off in there somewhere... :)

War and Peace

Abby and Andy are figuring out this sibling thing. They are learning the dance of "I love you until I hate you". One moment they are playing together as cute and can be, the next they are screaming, hitting, biting, etc. It is cute - sometimes. Other times it is SO tiring. The last week or so it has been in "cute" mode. Is it because they know Santa is on the way? Did they get it all figured out and the worst is behind me? No, I'm sure it is Santa.



Andy is starting to understand more and more direction - Abby's dream. And, Andy is figuring out that if he listens to her, and follows her lead, she will play with him - Andy's dream. I can't even think of a good example right now. But, they will disappear up the stairs and be "playing" in her room. Now, I don't know what he can do that she considers playing (I just know it involves a lot of jumping, bouncing, and pillows on the floor), but it makes me happy that they are starting to play together like kids. It keeps them both entertained and me a little saner. Some days.



Here is a picture from last week (Day #1 of needing glasses). Poppy and Andy were playing on the floor together and Abby decided she needed to hug/tackle him. Luckily, he found it funny - so, all was good.








Also this last week or so she has started "reading" to him. For the most part, she just has the books memorized because he requires the same three books to be read about 42 times a day. But, I love that she loves him enough to do this for him. So precious.... And, it buys me 5 minutes of NOT reading this same book - again.

On Wednesday Abby spent about 3 hrs (I'm not kidding) playing w/her new cake toy from the Cea Family. It was their Christmas Gift to her and she LOVES it. It makes a lovely addition to her tea party dishes and apparently, anytime is a good time for cake!

Again, it was so cute to watch them playing tea party. He really had no idea why playing w/empty dishes was fun - "Um, where is the food mommy?" But, he was game!

Now, for a little side story. Andy's cute new trick you ask? Well, he started saying "cheese" for the camera the last couple of weeks. He is actually pretty reliable about it now. But, just this week, when I was taking these pictures he started saying "I See" after I took the photo. He says "cheese" when he sees the camera and then "I see" after I take the picture. Meaning "I want to see the picture". So, I show him the picture and he lets me do it again. Cute. So cute to hear him say "Cheeeeeeese" and then "I see?" Really. Cute. Wait until you hear it.

Zoo Lights

Zoo Lights - Woohoo!

This year was the first year that we went this late in the season. Life just got busy and I didn't get it scheduled. So, I was very thankful and grateful that Cousin Sarah took the bull by the horns and coordinated this one. I pride myself (and love actually) being a planner. But, somewhere... this holiday season got away from me. It was the latest I ever got my Christmas Cards out. It was the latest I ever finished my shopping and wrapping. It was a FAST season this year! So thank you Sarah - because I appreciated you putting this together!

Everyone met right at 5pm and headed to the train. Line. Long line. But, it actually went pretty fast and we got to take some good pictures while waiting - glass 1/2 full people - glass 1/2 full!




No pictures of the Train Ride. 1. I got the middle seat, so not the best angle to take photos, 2. it hasn't changed much since the last time I took pictures, and 3. Trevor was VERY distracting. I was busy pretending I didn't know him...

After the train ride we walked the grounds a little and got come Hot Cocoa.

But! I have to say - I got this picture of the kids by the Gingerbread House. NO ONE had the faith I would get this photo - each and everyone of them gave me THAT look. But, I got it dang it! It might not be perfect, but they are all looking, sitting still, and not crying. I consider it a win!

And then I followed it up w/ANOTHER group shot (above right) on the way out. Yeah, I rock like that... :)

I love this ultra romance picture (above right) of Dave and Sarah in front of NO lights... :)

Top Right is Bella playing w/the otter - too cute!

A stop at the top to take some posed pictures....

Then we headed off for a late dinner and family time - good day. It was ton of fun. Glad everyone made the trek up here to do it!

Contreras Christmas

Have I mentioned we love the Contreras Family?!?!? Amy knows me so well that she invited Abby over for a Gingerbread House Making play date. I say she knows me so well because she knows that this is totally NOT my comfort level or talent, but that I would want to let Abby do it - as long as it wasn't in my house!


Anyways, Amy bought a "Gingerbread Town" kit. Each kid got a different building out of the box and we went to work. She will attest that at first I wasn't sure. But, I got into it once I just breathed deep and realized 1. not my house, 2. Abby was loving it, and 3. I just needed to enjoy it! It turned out to be a great time and I'm so thankful for friends like Amy that help balance me out and ask me to try new things once in awhile. Because although I know it is good for me, it isn't easy! :)

The kids shared GREAT, they had FUN, and they made some BEAUTIFUL creations. What a fun way to start of the Christmas week!!!

I can't believe I got all four of them to smile!




Andy and Andrew you ask? Well, Andy wasn't impressed and he decided he needed to eat lunch during that time. So, no pictures of him.

Little Andrew supervised....

PS Christmas Party

Abby's PS Christmas Party was on Friday. She was SO excited - just like always. After all BOTH Mommy and Daddy were going to be at school - ALL DAY! I always look forward to these days, but they are also VERY tiring. Again. I have NO IDEA how PS teachers do it - I really don't!



For this party, Trav was in charge of helping to make "Baby Jesus" out of scraps of paper and grocery bags. They turned out cute and it was fun to watch them work w/the two dads that were in charge of that station.



So - side note. You might notice as you are looking thru the pictures that Abby is wearing sunglasses in almost all of the photos. This was "Day Two" of "I need glasses so I can see better". The day before she had worn them ALL day - including during a 2 hr play date at Pizza Planet. I'm not sure I have mentioned this before, but Laci Bex got glasses recently and Abby is now OBSESSED with glasses and thinks she needs some too. Soon enough dear Abby, soon enough I'm sure...



Later that evening my Mom baby-sat the kids. She said Abby feel asleep w/her glasses on. I figured if I ignored it and didn't say much about it, she would soon forget. We shall see...











The kids also made some pretty ornaments for the Christmas tree. Abby actually insists that one of them is a door hanger wreath for her bedroom door. I have no idea if that is true or not, but that is what she is using it for! :)



Snack time was an edible Christmas wreath - bagel with green cream cheese decorated w/craisins and marshmallows - yummy!

Me you ask? I was in charge of capturing it all on film for the PS Scrapbooks and slide shows during the year. Now that is something I can handle about PS teaching...

Abby and her gal pals (left to right): Tori, Abby, Emily, and Ava

Gee, I wish Abby posed better for the camera... :)

Camels, Camels Come - PS Christmas Program

Wow! I haven't blogged in over a week! But, hold on tight folks... The pictures have been stacking up! The Christmas Festivities have begun and the camera has been working overtime to capture as much as I can...

The season started off for us w/Abby's PS Christmas Program. Her class sang a song called "Camels, Camels Come". She had been singing it around the house for WEEKS - complete w/arm jestures, motions, etc. I was very happy that she would sing it for me at home because last year they sang SO quietly (or not at all) that I didn't actually get to hear her sing. So, I was soaking it all up at home before hand...

But, this year THEY SANG - and LOUD. What a difference a year makes. The kids were ADORABLE and were SO good this year. Loud and Clear and Cute - what mommy could ask for more? Not me...

After the program we ate dessert, visited w/our classmates and family, and enjoyed some photo taking...

Polar Express!

This year the Bex Family asked us to join them on the Polar Express in Hood River. We were all (especially Abby) excited to join them. This last Sunday we all boarded the train and took off to the North Pole in search of the big man himself.

But first, I have to share this photo that is kinda off topic. This is Andy, Brynn, and Marshall waiting in the train depot while the older two girls were visiting the bathroom. Nothing wonderful about it, but I LOVE how it reads like a comic strip of "who did it".




Anyways, once it got to be 1:30, we boarded the train and got all snuggled in for the long ride! We were going ALL the way to the North Pole you know...

Andy LOVED standing up and looking out the window while we were waiting to leave. He pointed at all the cars passing on the freeway. Check out the bottom left photo - that is the look on his face when the train started to MOVE. Priceless I tell you. Priceless.

First thing they do is come thru w/cookies and hot chocolate while singing the Hot Chocolate song from the movie. Abby really enjoyed singing along to that. Andy was still a little suspect of the moving train and dancing people.

Conductor punching the kids tickets while they read the story over the speakers....

Once we got to the North Pole, the big man himself boarded the train and visited w/each child as they received their bell.

Check out the bottom left photo - yes, he is giving him a high five... Priceless.

The kids were so excited to receive their bells and see if WE could hear them as well. I love the top center picture of Laci jingling her bell for Travis to hear. Love the look on all their faces.

Then, I think all the sugar kicked in. They all went a little "bell-silly". So cute though!

This is probably one of my favorite pictures... What else is a girl supposed to do w/a new bell than to find a way to accessorize w/it?

The boys you ask? Well, they kept busy as well...

Santa In-Santa-ty

The Thursday after Thanksgiving we headed to the Mall. Yes, the mall. I almost refuse to go to the mall around Christmas Time. The one exception you ask? To see Santa, on a weekday. That I will do. But, it has to be RIGHT after Thanksgiving, on a Weekday were there IS school, and I get there early.

This year I wasn't worried about Abby crying at all. And, I wasn't TOO worried about Andy. He is a pretty happy and smiley guy to strangers. But, so was Abby at this age and she cried. In her defense I remember this other kid WIGGED out right before Abby went up there. So, I guess it is no surprise she didn't like him either! Anyways, out of no where I got a crying picture of Abby at this age. So, I wasn't counting my chickens before they hatched!

Wasn't I pleasantly surprised when my two little angels took this photo... :)



Can we say "Christmas Card"? Oh yes...