Kids + Christmas = New Family Traditions

I'm way behind.

Is it already January 23rd? I gave myself a month to process then post about our Christmas holiday and I barely made the deadline! I honestly don't know what happened to the calendar...but this year there was only about 2 days between Halloween and Christmas. Never has that happened to me before.

We actually hit up Santa fairly early this year. I have been wanting to visit The Marchesa Hall in north central Austin for a while now...and Christmas time was a great time to do so. In the Hall there is a great coffee and spirits bar, little area where live music played and lots and lots of local art and crafts for sale. During Christmas...Santa joined us! I have to say, he was not the most "real looking" Santa I have ever seen...but Annalee was convinced and scared to death.

Video of Annalee's visit. It did not take long and Santa almost dropped Caroline. Marchesa Hall Santa Visit 2010: Check! I have posted below...this year's Santa photo and the 2009 Santa photo. Amazing how things change in just one little short year.

Santa 2010

Santa 2009

We took the girls to The Domain to look at the giant tree and take Christmas photos.




One new activity we did this year that must be repeated was our trip to Mozarts for hot chocolate, desserts and a look at the lights over Lake Austin. Delicious treats, Christmas music in the background....Beautiful.
Annalee looking at all the yummies at Mozart's.
I think Caroline got cold.
It was a late night for a week night...but totally worth it!
Annalee started a 2 day mother's day out at Saint Anthony's. They had a Christmas program and she danced to Jingle Bell Rock...well I held her and danced.

They dressed her up like a Christmas tree for the big event. It was fun to see her little daycare and get to know her teachers a little better.
My office had a Christmas party. Outside on Maggie's patio all the kids made Christmas cookies. You would not have believed the fit Annalee threw when we took her away from the table. She was eating mini m&ms by the handful.

How great does this cookie decorating table look?

2 weeks before Christmas we hunted for that perfect symbol of a family Christmas. Our tree. We chose one that was tightly wrapped and decided to take a chance and let it unfold in our living room.

It turned out beautiful! Blake and I stayed up together and decorated. We looked forward to seeing Annalee's face when she saw her tree for the first time the next morning. Unfortunately she woke up with the stomach flu that next morning...so the tree was a little second fiddle.

Complete. Christmas Fur 2010
Blake and I were given antique patriotic ornaments for our wedding. I found the perfect little twig tree for the bathroom and got some old silver tinsel.
My creative sister in law came up with an idea to make my parent's stepping stones to put in their new home in Round Top. Annalee loved the activity...she played with the mosaic glass for hours and still attempts to recreate the feeling of planting her hand in the soggy concrete with her peanut butter sandwhich. Caroline made one too...but I can't remember taking a picture. This is why birth order causes such psychological problems in children.

I just thought this was too cute not to include. Annalee really turned a corner with Caroline over Christmas. She wants to hold her nonstop.
This year we decided to have the Christmas meal on Christmas Eve and relax and enjoy the leftovers on Christmas day. This was my very first Christmas meal to make all on my own...well with Annalee's help of course. I made a sweet potato and cheese dish, stuffing, turkey, cookies, red velvet cake and a few other things I can't remember. It really was all a blur. Next year I promised myself I would do LOTS more prep work before the big day of cooking. We'll see if that happens.
My sweet potato dish.
Dad came over to taste the bird and give Blake some turkey carving tips. He gave us both a thumbs up!

Blake washed every dish! I was soooo tired from the cooking. It was nice having a clean kitchen for Christmas morning...and just popping those left overs in the microwave!

We took a family walk on Christmas Eve. It was so cold. We bundled up and spent an hour or so at the park.

You know who lucked out this year: Santa. Sydney gave us some amazing Christmas Cookies and we left a couple out for Santa.

Blake helped Santa put together Annalee and Caroline's kitchen. He was thankful he got a new drill for Christmas.

The next morning, before going downstairs to open presents we decided to read a book about the original Christmas story. We found this precious book called Room for a Little One about how all of the animals got to the stable that original Christmas Eve.

After reading the book we all went downstairs to see what Santa had left.

I don't think Annalee really understood the present thing...but she loved seeing what was under all the pretty paper and bows.

First Christmas. Gotta love it. You really only need to give babies paper for Christmas. They are happy as larks with a little paper.

Santa left us pretty mistletoe under our chandelier.

Betsy gave Annalee a tutu...

Sydney gave her a duck to go on the faucet in the bath tub. This might have been her favorite gift of the day.

Annalee got lots of new things to take care of her baby dolls.

We went to Mass Christmas morning. It was beautiful. Annalee loved the manger scene and announced to the crowd that baby Jesus had poopy pants. I made a mental not to myself. It might be best to start potty training after the holidays with future children.

Christmas night we went to Shelby, Texas with our good friends the Orr's to an old fashioned Christmas Polka. Kids showed up in PJ's and Lone Star was sold by the bucket. It was a sight to be seen. Great way to end the day.

December 26th we got together with all the Sawyer's in Round Rock. It was soooo cold...but we took a quick walk to a great part and played with all the cousins.
Blake is trying out our new video camera that Santa brought us.
Kinsley (almost 4), Annalee (1.5), Keira (1.5)
Annalee loved the rock climbing wall.
Caroline watched from above with Blake.
Her little nose turned bright read...time to head back inside!
Christmas gift with the Sawyers.

My favorite picture of Blake and Peggy.

NEW YEARS 2011

We took a family walk on New Years Day. Annalee had just swiped Caroline's baby doll...that would be the reason for the frown....and the smile!
I really think Annalee's favorite holiday activity was looking at all the Christmas cards. She looked at the photos for hours. I kept them out well after New Years because she loved them so much.

Another memory from 2010...Annalee's love for the Nativity Scene. She first fell in love with my mother's because it is unbreakable and she would set it up all sorts of ways. Unfortunately ours is glass...so she had to be really careful. In the photo above she is saying goodbye before we packed it up and the entire holy family will rest until next year! Happy New Year!

Growing Pains

I cried on New Years Day. 2010 was an amazing year for our family...but I did not cry because the year rolled by.

Blake, Annalee, Caroline and I were walking back from a neighbors house when Annalee said as clear as day "Cookie Monster". My eyes filled with tears. Things just changed at that very moment.

Annalee has been trying to say Cookie Monster for months now. She has been saying it in a very cute, incorrect way. I think when toddlers say some words wrong, it is actually cuter than the correct way. This was the case with Annalee's blue, stuffed friend.

Though the baby talk is cute, Blake and I are not among those parents who say the words incorrectly back to our kids. We still talk correctly to them and in front of them. I am a believer in modeling, and do not believe baby talk is quite as cute coming out of the mom and dad's mouth...just my little ole opinion...please take no offense if you are reading this and speak to your child in their language. Different strokes...

As soon as she said it Blake stopped and glared at me and said, "She said it right!! Mocky Monster is gone! Jewels, I'm sad." Unfortunately I was in no emotional state to comfort him.

It is hard to say and even harder to believe, but my oldest isn't a baby any more. She is trying so hard to walk and talk and be just like us...and she is starting to catch on.

2011, I guess I am ready for you. Annalee...keep learning, keep growing, keep getting it right...despite the pains we feel while watching you grow up so fast...you are still our joy.

Moments like the death of mocky monster remind me to love her...right where she is. All day. Every day.

Me and Annalee. March 11, 2009. The very first time.

Dinner with an Aggie Athlete!

I have not mentioned it in my blog, but I went back to work 2 days a week starting in October. The insane catch: I am working 2 days a week in College Station, Texas. My mom is keeping the girls and I am doing some case management and counseling. It feels great to be working with clients again, and I really love the people that I work with. The downside, is of course the drive and being away from Annalee and Caroline two days a week. The upside, is getting to see my parents so often and getting to piggy back on some of their A&M activities.

A couple of weeks ago, Blake and I happened to be in town when my parent's hosted a dinner for the A&M quarterback. He was so nice and gracious. He participated in the dinner in support of an Aggie fundraiser and was joined by another couple from the class of 1972. It was a really fun dinner to eves drop on and the food was also delicious!

One of the neat things about visiting my parents is that they live on the Texas A&M campus. I remember walking by the white house as a student and always wondering what it was like on the inside. It is really special to see all of my parent's things set up inside the historic home.
Annalee LOVES a party. That is one of the reasons she loves to visit Mittie and Pop. Their house is NEVER quiet. Student are constantly coming in and out for meetings and gatherings. She loves all the action!!

Mom made a yummy dinner that night. She worked really hard on it.. I was glad to be assigned to the clean up crew!
During the dinner, Blake and I took Annalee and Caroline up to take a bubble bath and hang out in Mittie and Pop's room. They were really good, and for the most part, were quiet.

Jerrod was kind enough to sign a football for a mother's club auction.
Jerrod is a great guy. I was really glad to have had the special opportunity to meet him. A&M should be very proud of this athlete...I believe he will go forward and make an amazing impact on the world.

My Caroline

Caroline is changing faster than Annalee ever did...she is speeding through all the stages...what is going on!!?? I can't believe she is almost 5 months old...I swear weeks and months have gotten shorter since she was born. Time is going by so fast, it scares me.

I really am trying to slowly sip in all the precious moments of motherhood. It is a constant struggle to try and keep my mind in the present. So...a post dedicated to you Caroline. Thank you for your sweet coos, giant smiles, precious giggles and warm snuggles. If time could freeze, I would choose right now!

First bow head...
Holding Mimi's finger...
First Aggie game with Mom...
First Aggie game with Dad....
You snoozed all day in your pack in play located in the kitchen. You were a sleeper those first three months. Now...not so much. You woke up and decided the world was to fun to nap!
First baths...

Nothing like your first smile. After you figured it out...you practically haven't stopped!
Blake always dreamed of a baby who would nap with him on his chest. Annalee wanted nothing to do with it. Caroline's first present to her Daddy...she made his dream come true!

Annalee is going to be such a little teacher! So far...my favorite words in my life have been Annalee saying "Hi, my La Line!!!

Thank you God...Caroline has been such a joy to love.
Sweet thing.

December Date Night!

This month Blake and I started out at 219 West on 4th Street. By far...the best happy hour deals I have ever experienced in Austin. It is really hard to find happy hour prices on a Saturday night...much less with the quality of 219 West. We each had a martini and got sliders, nachos, mac and cheese, and beers and got out of there for under 30 bucks...with tip. The food was delicious. My personal favorite was our Talapia Nachos and Blake is still raving about the sliders. YUM.

Not only was the happy hour spectacular...but the menu was also really fun. It is divided by drink type and lists tapas and main course to go perfectly with what you are drinking. A little confusing at first...but once we got the hang of it, it was super fun to navigate. Perfect place for a date!

We ended the night with the Sorrel's fun Christmas party and a movie back at the house, Dancer, Texas Population 81...great B movie flick. Blake is planning January's night out...I can't wait!

Caroline's Baptism

The weekend of Thanksgiving we decided to baptize Caroline. My parent's were Annalee's Godparents so we decided to keep the sweet tradition for Caroline. If you think she looks like an angel sleeping in my mom's arms during Mass...you are right. She was a complete angel through the whole thing. It was a really special morning. She was anointed with oil that smelled beautiful. The aroma amazingly stayed in her hair for a few days. I kissed her lots the next few days soaking in the sweet smell and precious memory of accepting God's call to love and care for Caroline, and the promise we made to teach her about His sacrificial love and Grace.

Caroline wore the same gown that Annalee and I wore for our baptisms. Caroline is what we call "a spitter". She has a way of getting rid of anything that does not sit well with her tummy. Such an art. I am especially aware of this art when either one of us is in something pretty. That is why she is practically wrapped from head to toe in burp cloths in a lot of photos. Needless to say...the baptismal garment needs to be cleaned before the next user!
This is the baptismal font. So sweet and simple.
Caroline right before her baptism. She is not nervous one bit.


The Deacon had us loosen her gown so that he could anoint her with the oil on her head and chest.

Here is the big moment. Annalee was amazed and asked for water on her head too.





The Deacon did a special blessing for the Father's.


We love you Caroline. At the end of the weekend I realized how fitting it was to baptize my daughter over Thanksgiving weekend. I am so grateful for the gift of my children. I have never learned so much about life, love, joy and sacrifice. I was humbled at Annalee's and again at Caroline's baptisms. Humbled and honored to have been given these two children of God to hug, kiss, play with, and love. I will always remember this day, as a day that I made a promise to God and to my sweet daughter. May the Holy Spirit guide us as we work to fulfill this eternal promise.