Tube Time

Following in her brother's footsteps, Ashlyn went in for tubes on January 25th. Surgery went great (her tubes are blue) and hopefully ONE set like Caiden is all it will take! She has a pretty rough time coming off of the anesthesia, but once in the car eating some yogurt melts, things calmed down a little bit in her world! We spent the day relaxing and snuggling and she was back to normal the next day (but came down with a nasty cough!)

Caiden's Bowling Party!

We finally decided it was time for Caiden to have an outside of the home birthday party and I focused on inviting just his friends instead of my friends too! Mainly, I was ready to not cook and clean for a birthday party! Of course family came and silly Aunt TT and Uncle Sean thought it was necessary to fly in for the big event! Caiden had a great time and all the kids surprised me with their stamina...I had no idea 4-6 year olds would want to bowl for an entire hour!

New Years Eve

Just a few pics of the night to bring in the New Year! We continued our annual tradition slumber party with the Stewards...smaller crowd this year and a perfect way to close 2011 with some of our closest friends. Caiden and Austin kept on playing hard-core (as if they hadn't spent the last 48 hours together already!) Ashlyn fell asleep, and we played Redneck Life-hysterical! Lots of laughs, more food, and great company!

Playroom Make-Over

Although the Santa delivered art table allowed Caiden to have his own space to "work," little sister is tall enough to reach the markers and papers and continued to bother Caiden! Two options...move the art table to Caiden's bedroom or build another level in the playroom! We don't do anything the easy way around here so we went with option two!

The Kindergarten classrooms in our school have these lofts (that I think are mostly used for reading) and I had explained it to Jon several weeks back. Once we seriously considered building one while Sean was in town, I took the boys up to the school and they literally ran with the plans. Several hours later we had a frame!

Let the Building Begin!

The Finished Product!

They each have their own space to play and Caiden is in Heaven with his own area where Sister can't bother him! I have to admit, it is pretty neat! For $150 bucks, it was well worth the added square feet of storage we acquired!

The Crafty Side of Me!

Pinterest has become one of my new best friends and I found so many fun things to make! I took up lots of projects over the Christmas Break and had so much fun! We even had a craft day...thanks Jamey and Towery for playing along and keeping me inspired!

A Magazine Christmas Tree!

T-Shirt Scarf!

Felt Wreath!

Hair/Scarf Clips-to Sell for the 3Day Koman Fundraising!

Elfie

Each year after Thanksgiving, Caiden and Ashlyn's elf (named Elfie) comes to visit and "check-in" on the kids. He flies back with his magical powers every night to report to Santa and returns in the morning where we find him in a different spot around the house. This year, Elfie got a little more creative with his locations and overnight mischievous activities! Caidenabsolutely LOVES looking for Elfie each morning and saying goodbye to Elfie this year was difficult. But, maybe if we're lucky, Elfie will visit during the year!

Caiden was SO excited about Elfie showing up upon our return from Leander...of course his first task was to make a picture!

CHRISTMAS!

We were sad this year because we had to miss our Christmas celebration with Jon's family. Connor had crup and we felt it was better to keep our kids away from him. So, Jon went down to visit for a few days while the kids and I stayed home. I HATED missing Connor and Ashlyn's first Christmas together but sometimes life just doesn't work out the way you want it to. Jon was able to make it to the family Christmas party Sat. morning before driving back for the Christmas Eve Service...

Caiden our Shephard in the Christmas Eve Service!

Getting Ready! Reindeer Food, Cookies & Milk, and The Night Before Christmas!

Presents and Santa's Drop-off!

And then there was the 5 hour celebration!

It all started with Caiden being barricaded in his room by Elfie (see Elfie post!) Bebe and Poppy made it over just in time for Caiden to break out and see what Santa brought him. He LOVED his art table and everything else that had to do with opening presents that morning! Ashlyn was clueless but had fun with everyone over at the house and even managed to get in her morning nap while the presents were being passed out (yes, it took that long!) The 24 hours PJ wardrobe, constant snacking, spoiling from TT & Seand, and noise of giggling kiddos made it a day of pure happiness!