Story Time with Daddy

I just love capturing moments with Jay and the kids. There isn't much that I find sweeter and more wonderful than seeing my husband and kids spending and enjoying time together. Noah is really taking to his Daddy these days and I love it.

Our Little Rock Star

She doesn't really play but she loves to pretend. We aren't sure if she would really be able to play but when she strums along with the songs she is always on beat and right on with when it should be done. I don't know if she could hit the buttons at the same time but we will let her try it out one day. She has fun just pretending though and we love that!

New Years

Ringing in the New Year this time around was one of the best ever. My brother and his family came over and we all had a blast. We had a cousin of mine and her boys here too and all the kids had such a great fun time playing together all night. There were 6 little kids ranging in age from 3 to 7 or 8 I think and I don't think any major trauma ever occurred. They were all happy and had such a blast playing. Then, of course, with the kids all occupied the adults had a fabulous time as well. We just hung out and ate and topped the night of with karaoke and then toasting with some bubbly cider when the clock stuck 12. Dinner was so yummy as always. We have made it tradition just recently to have cheese and chocolate fondue on New Years Eve. We dip all sorts of deliciousness in it and pig out. Karaoke was one of the funnest/funniest things ever. There were some seriously funny moments and Zoey couldn't get over how funny she thought it was that Uncle Donnie sang the Shania Twain song "Man, I Feel Like a Woman". It really was a laugh. We just had a fantastic time and I don't think there could have been a better way to lead up to and start 2010. I look forward to so many exciting and new adventures this year. We have a baby on the way in April and Zoey starts school this year. Those are 2 pretty exciting things and I am sure there are many other things headed our way too. We look forward to it all, the good and the bad. Bring it on 2010!

Present Time

After all the fun Santa stuff we all got to opening the rest of the gifts. We always sit and watch the kids open first and then let them get to playing while we open ours. Everyone got some neat stuff and I think it turned out to be a really great Christmas. Once again as I sat down here to blog I realized that I really lack pictures from this holiday season. I don't know what the deal is with that but I really didn't take many at all. I did snap a few though so I guess that's good. I am just a bit shocked with myself and the lack of photos to share. I guess sometimes it is a toss up to me whether or not I want to spend the whole time taking pictures or if I want to just sit and enjoy all the goings on of the moment. I suppose I chose the latter this year. It was a good Christmas though and I really did enjoy the happiness the season brought. Zoey and Noah were elated with everything they got and did and all the time they spent with family, especially cousins. Christmas really is the most wonderful time of the year and I am grateful to live near family and get to spend it with them.

Look at all those presents. Lucky kids!

Zoey's very own apron to wear when she helps cook and bake. Thanks Grandma Kinney!

While everyone else was opening presents Noah was busy at work using his new tools on his new bike. Too cute.

How big Noah looks on his bike. He loves his bike.

Zoey has wanted a bike for a long time now. She was super excited to get hers and she is a pro at riding.

I am so glad they are so good and have no issues wearing their helmets EVERY time they ride. They have never worn them before but they are great about it and actually look forward to getting their helmets on to ride their bikes. I love my kids!

The Excitement Santa Brought

Christmas morning was more fun this year than I think it has been so far. The kids are bigger and totally get the concept of it all more this year. I just love waking up and feeling the excitement and anticipation that fills the air. We just couldn't wait to see what Santa had brought. We usually do breakfast first but the big Santa gift was a bit difficult to not notice. The kids were so lucky this year. Santa must have thought they behaved pretty darn good in 2009 because he brought them each their very own brand new bike. Zoey got a very girlie Hello Kitty bike and Noah got an all boy Jeep bike that is black, white, and bright orange. I have never seen them so excited. They hopped on them right away and just because it was Christmas they even got to ride them thru the house. I am so glad Santa could bring them something so fun for them. Mommy and Daddy were excited too because they got Guitar Hero for the Xbox 360 from Santa. We must have been good too. After riding thru the house a bit we sat down and had our traditional sweet roll and quiche breakfast and then quickly got to the stockings and all the goodies in store there. Santa was good to everyone this year and we are glad for the happiness felt by all.

Even Cosmo sat and enjoyed his goodies from Santa while we all opened our stockings.

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve was great as always. My brother and his family came over and spent the evening with us. We did our traditional homemade Mexican food dinner. Nothing like our homemade taquitos, queso, salsa, and flat green enchiladas. So tasty! We just spent the evening hanging out and eating and then we went to the Disney Lane neighborhood. It became a Christmas Eve tradition for us several years ago and we haven't missed one yet. We have noticed the number of cars going thru that night increasing but it isn't anything too bad. When we got back from that we came back to the house to exchange gifts with my brother and his family. The kids had a great time and everyone made out with some cool stuff. They left and then Zoey and Noah got to open their 1 gift from us that they get to open on Christmas Eve. They were very excited, as always, for their new jammies and they put them on right away. The rest of the night was spent hanging out having fun with Aunt Jenn (who spent the night) and anxiously awaiting sleepy time and the arrival of the big guy himself. I am lame and didn't take any pictures. I got a couple shots of the kids in their jammies and that was it. Oh well. So things go with me these days. It was a great night though and it is always so great to spend the time with family and just enjoy the excitement that comes with the season. I love having kids because it just makes me all that more joyous and excited for Christmas. It was a great night!

Sunday Before Christmas

What is with the cheesy smiles?! Oh well, they are still cute!

Our handsome little man.

Pretty little Zoey.

As years go by it seems harder to get a family picture where all of us look good. We did our best.

This is word to those out there anxiously awaiting the blog posts which are past due. I will get there eventually. I would say soon, but I don't want to make a liar of myself. I am tired and lazy and unmotivated to spend time these days blogging. I know it is such a connection to our lives for some of you and I do promise to get some posting done. I know you miss me and are tired of looking and seeing that same darned pre Christmas post. I will be along sometime with more exciting things and I promise it will be before this baby gets here in April.