Two Little Helpers

He did a great job putting three jingle bells on each bracelet and even did a little singing too.
He is a great little wrapper who loves to use lots of tape.
He was stacking the cookies.

Good practice for the big job of cookie making.

Good job painting Coop!

This morning after preschool the boys and I stayed home and did some work and Christmas preparations around the house. I am definitely feeling tired these days and needed some rest time during the day. Baylor worked on his wrapping and finished all of his items. He even wrapped up some surprises from around the house. I think Sarah has quite a stash from Baylor. We also worked on jingle bell bracelets for our Santa party on Saturday. Both boys did a great a job putting the bells on the pipe cleaners. Cooper kept saying, "me do good Mommy". He was proud of himself. We also made slice and bake cookies as a start to our Christmas cookies. Baylor wanted to make sugar cookies but I told him we needed to wait until it was a little closer to Christmas so they would still be good for Santa and for Uncle Joe. They also did some watercolor painting and made some beautiful pictures. Baylor also helped me with the laundry which I really appreciated. He is getting anxious about the baby coming. Last night he wanted to know why Mommy spiders die when they have a baby and people do not die when they have a new baby. He is getting worried about me leaving to have the baby. The past few nights he has had a hard time at bedtime and is worried I will not be at home when he wakes up. Today he was afraid I would leave him at school and would not be there to pick him up. I am praying for him that he would not be anxious and that he would feel safe and know everything is under control. He has been wanting to pray to have God help him. He really is such a sweet little boy and I love him so!

Jolly Days

Happy to see Santa again.
So lovable!

Having fun.

Cheese!

The ice is really slippery!

Skating in socks.

Brothers cooking together.

I love that smile!

Doing a little ice fishing.

He loved the reindeer barn.

So happy we are able to do these fun things together.

Baylor was so fast.

This slide is so much fun!

This morning we all went to church for a great service. It was on giving thanks and there was a time of testimony from members in the congregation. I cried during most of the service, it was so sweet. We really do have so much to be thankful for and I am truly thankful for our church, church family, and the promises of salvation and everlasting life. After church we headed to Jolly Days at the Children's Museum. I wanted to go with Tom since the slide is not on my list for things I can do at the current moment. It was a great day to go and was not crowded at all. The boys loved going on the slide with their Daddy and were able to go a few times. The museum has expanded the Christmas exhibit and added some new things. The reindeer barn and skating rink are really cute. The boys loved the baking area and made some great cookies. We saw Santa again and were able to talk to him. Before leaving we went on the carousel for a long ride. It was a great day and lots of fun!

Third Lesson

Mr. Cowboy.
Getting on Louise.

How fun.

Joe Rice was in town from London for Thanksgiving and came over for a visit before leaving for the airport. Tom was glad to be able to spend some time with him and talk in person.

This afternoon Baylor had his third "horse backing riding lesson". He loves going and talks about the horses all the time. Daddy says he is really doing a great job and is a natural on the horse. Let's just say he does not get this trait for his mom. I would be a chicken. He looks like such a big boy on the horse and is so brave. He really likes the horse Louise and brought her some apples for a treat today.

Breakfast with Santa

They loved Santa Mouse. I am not sure how Coop is scared of Mrs. Claus and loves the big mouse.
Giving Mrs. Claus her ornament. She said she would put it on her tree.

Eating together once again.

He loves his Mimi!!!!!

I am so thankful for these guys.

Thanks Mimi and Pop for a great day.

Baylor would love to add this nutcracker to his collection.

Checking out the windows.

He kept saying, "get the doggie out".

Kind of a tight fit.

Giving Santa his present.

HO HO HO

What a fun uncle.

Playing peek a boo!

This morning we went to the Indiana State Museum for Breakfast with Santa. This is one of our holiday traditions and we were so excited that Pop, Joe, and Daddy were able to go this year. It was so nice to be able to go with Joe before he left to go back to Maryland. We all enjoyed a delicious breakfast and Mrs. Claus came around to our table. Both boys had brought presents for Santa and Baylor brought one for Mrs. Claus too. She was so excited when she opened it and even gave Baylor a kiss. Cooper was actually scared of Mrs. Claus! After breakfast we went to visit Santa in his house. Baylor was excited to see his nutcracker collections and told Santa he had one too. When we saw Santa he had special present for the boys. Cooper received a Super Sleuth ornament and Baylor received the Tom and Jerry ornament. Baylor has wanted this ornament and was afraid if he got it for Christmas he would not have his tree up long enough to enjoy it. That is one smart Santa! Both boys were so excited though and gave Santa his presents too. They really love visiting him. When we left Santa Baylor said this must mean I am on the nice list for sure since Santa gave me this special present. He brought tears to my eyes, he was so excited. The boys rode the train three times. Joe and Daddy rode with them and we watched from the side. I usually ride but think Parker and I would have a hard time getting out at this point. Baylor begged Mimi to ride too and she did on the last time in the caboose with her pal. She is such a great Mimi! Before leaving Baylor and Mimi hit the gift shop where he found a little music box and a present for Sarah. He is really into buying presents right now and getting them all wrapped. When we got home we wrapped lots of his presents and he worked so hard. We had a great day and enjoyed spending time with family!!!

We Love Our Joe Joe

He always wants to sit by Joe and ends up practically on his lap.
Coop loves his Poppy.

Enjoying his yummy dinner.

Too funny.

Can you tell this little guy thinks the world of his Uncle?

Last night I went to the Disney store with Mimi, Pop, and Joe at midnight. It was crazy but fun to be a part of the madness. It was nice to spend extra time with Joe. This morning Joe and Mom went out early and I stayed home with the boys. When Daddy got home from work Mimi and I went to Circle Centre to go to a few store. Tonight we all went to dinner at Buca with Mimi, Pop, and Uncle Joe. We had a great dinner and enjoyed our time together. Cooper loved his spaghetti and had two plates. Baylor ate salad, spaghetti, fettuccine, and pizza. He must have been hungry! We have loved being able to spend time with Uncle Joe and are so thankful for him.

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving!

We had a great Thanksgiving celebration with my family. In the morning we watched the Thanksgiving Day parade and enjoyed spending time together. Cooper loved the big balloons and kept saying "buy that". He is so funny. We went to Aunt Von's house for lunch and Uncle Jeff prepared a huge spread of delicious foods. Everything was so yummy. Both boys loved the homemade chicken and noodles and ate tons. It was so nice to have all of our family there and be able to spend time together. After lunch we went to Mimi's house for dessert and games. We had so many dessert choices that everyone could have had their own pie. Everything tasted great and it was so hard to not sample them all. The day was cold and rainy so our outdoor games were cancelled, but we still played a paper tearing game and Thanksgiving Jingo. There were great prizes to be won and Baylor came away with several more nutcrackers. It really is getting out of control. He was so worried someone else might want to pick them as a prize. Cooper was the only other person interested in the nutcrackers. Once again on Thanksgiving I am so thankful for so many things in my life. My family is so precious to me and I feel so blessed to have them all in my life.

Psalm 100 - A Psalm of Thanksgiving

Make a joyful shout to the Lord, all your lands. Serve the Lord with Gladness; come before his presence with singing. Know that the Lord, He is God; it is He who made us not we ourselves; we are his people and the sheep of his pasture. Enter into his gates with Thanksgiving, and into His Courts with Praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting, and His truth endures to all generations.

Home for the Holidays!!!

Mimi made this sign for Joe. Home for the Holidays!!!! Hurray!
He loves Uncle Joe.

He's home.

While we were waiting for Joe, the boys checked out the Santa village. It is so hard to just look!

He was so happy.

Mimi has been so excited for him to get home.

My little brother.

They both love to eat at Chili's.

What a cute little pilgrim.

The boys were so excited this morning because they knew today was the day Uncle Joe was coming home!!! Cooper and I took Baylor to preschool and then ran errands. When we picked Baylor up he told us all about his Thanksgiving feast and that he helped make the corn muffins. He said the turkey at school was yummy. He tried on his Pilgrim outfit for us and showed us his special handprint placemat, he was so proud. We hurried to Mimi's house to wait for Pop to bring Joe home from the airport. When we heard the car in the driveway both boys started running and dancing. They were so excited. I don't think Baylor quit talking the entire time and wanted to hold Joe's hand. Joe picked his favorite spot for lunch, Chili's. It was so nice to talk with Joe and spend time with him, we all miss him so much. We went to Keystone and did some shopping and stopped at Taylor's bakery to get some things for Thanksgiving. Baylor is so excited for tomorrow. We are looking forward to a great day with our family. We are so thankful for them!