Christmas Cheer

A few pictures to make you smile....

Stories

Parker really keeps things interesting here.  He loves to eat clementines, but they get a little drippy.  He told me today that his chin was all sticky because his "orange had glue in it."  

He considers all of Spencer's neighborhood friends to be his own friends, so he often goes outside to join in their football game or whatever else they're doing.  Today one of the boys came looking for Spencer, but I told him Spencer was working on a homework project.  After I closed the door, Parker said, "What they need is ME!!"  

He was pretending to take my picture, so I gave him my best smile and asked how it turned out.  He wrinkled up his nose and said, "Let's try again."

Spencer has been fortunate enough to attend a few sporting events in the last couple of months.  He went to the LSU football game (as his birthday gift) in October.  He also went to a BYU football game and most recently a Utah Jazz basketball game.  Andy was offered two tickets to the Jazz and was worried about only being able to take one son.  I didn't think Carson would care about it much, and sure enough, when Andy asked how interested he was in going to a basketball game, he said he didn't care about it.  So Andy started giving Spencer the details, including that the seats were on the second row, and suddenly Carson was quite interested!  The two boys went downstairs and discussed the matter privately, and when they emerged, Spencer announced that Carson would be going.  I was so proud that Spencer would be that generous when it probably meant more to him than to 

Carson.  So then Andy reminded Carson that the game wouldn't start until 7:00 and he would definitely miss his bedtime.  Carson immediately threw his hands up and said, "Oh!  Never mind then!  I'm not going!"  Heaven forbid stay up late on a Saturday night!  So in the end, Spencer was rewarded for his kindness.  However, it was not without obstacles.  The whole week before all this, our family was experiencing a bout of stomach flu.  Andy and I had it at the same time, which was quite a challenge.  When both parents are out of commission, not a lot gets accomplished in a household.  Well, his two little brothers had already taken their turns vomiting, and Spencer got sick the day before the game.  He was really afraid he wouldn't be able to go, but he was miraculously cured just in time.  (It truly was a miracle; we were all praying for his quick recovery so he could go to this game!). He had a marvelous time and yes, Carson got to bed promptly.  

The next day was Sunday and Spencer asked if I thought he was still contagious.  I said no, and he grinned and went right over to pick up his baby sister.  He is smitten!  His nickname for her is "Buggles."  I don't know how he came up with that, but it is cute and it suits her.

The sleeping princess.  She doesn't like being in her little suit because she can't move very much, but 

I guess a certain amount of bawling wears a person out and then she sleeps!

I don't often post pictures of Andy, but this one is just too good to pass up!  Bedhead!

Sleepers

I love watching my children sleep, and not just because they're being quiet!  As cute as they are while awake, they're adorable in slumber too. Take note of Parker's arms above his head.

Although the picture is sideways, do you notice a similarity?  I'm told it's a sign of contentment when they sleep with their arms up like this.

Poor Parker was so tired, and then he started watching a nature show with Carson.  He just couldn't stay awake for the mountain goats anymore!

Yesterday I took the two youngest to Kohl's with me.  Parker needed some new shoes.  We found some super cool ones with Cars on them and they light up too!   Anyway, I looked around the store for a while and I noticed Parker getting pretty droopy.  When he lay down on the floor, I asked if he was tired and told him we were almost done.  Within two minutes, he asked, "Mommy, do they have anyplace to sweep (sleep) in here?"  We headed straight for the checkout line!

Happy Baby

Emily is one cheerful little person.  She is a good baby, and smiles at everyone she meets.  Her whole face lights up when she smiles, and it melts people's hearts.  

Look at that cute little face in the towel!

Wearing her kitty outfit.  Even the socks came with little cat faces on them!

Dressed up for church again.

She doesn't want to be rocked to sleep, which is really convenient, but a little sad sometimes.  She wants her binky and this little pink teddy blanket, which she always puts over her face.  I often go in and move it away, but within minutes, it's right back on her head.  

Impromptu Piano Lesson

Like all little brothers, Parker wants nothing more than to be a big kid.  So when it was piano lesson time last Monday, Parker announced that he would have his lesson after his brothers'.  We have a sweet and very accommodating piano teacher.  He picked a random book and she turned it into a mini lesson for him.  He was delighted!

Halloween

We have quite an eclectic group this year.   First, our sweet little angel baby.

Carson, as usual, surprised me with his costume preference.  I was scrolling through costume ideas on the Internet one day and jokingly asked if he would like to be a banana.  He said, "Sure!"  I thought he was kidding.  It didn't cost much, so here you have it.  The evil jester is his friend.

Spencer has reached the age of no more candy collecting, so he and his friend just dressed up and went out to enjoy the atmosphere.  

Parker refused to be a prisoner or a monkey to coordinate with his brothers, so I conceded and he went as a football player.  He loves to go outside and play football with "his" friends, who are actually Spencer's neighborhood buddies.  They're all very kind to Parker, though, and make him feel like one of the big kids.

It pays to be small and cute!  Parker came home with several regular-size candy bars!

Emotional Progression of Emily

I wanted a picture of my cute little princess in her pretty dress.  She wasn't in the mood for a photo shoot, but I kept taking pictures, trying to get a happier look.  What I acheived is a gradual progression from sad to happy.