We have the sickies.. and other fun stuff too

Friday was the kids school Christmas program. They put on a super cute program and lunch for the kids. Claire's was first- she was adorable singing jingle bells. She didn't want to sit on Santa's lap, but did give him a high -five to make up for it... then....
Then it was Corbin's classes turn to see Santa. He waited in line super patiently and was so excited to see him. Claire was in my arms while we were watching Corbin and she decided to throw a HUGE fit. Hitting, screaming,,, AWFUL! As soon as Chris got there I handed her over and said take her outside. It was embarrassing that my kid was the one pitching a fit while a million parents and grandparents were there to watch their kid.
Next was Corbin's play where he was SANTA! It was ADORABLE!!!
That night we took cousin pictures, and then had Natalie's annual Christmas ornament cousins party. It was super fun as always. Here is Shelby!
I almost forgot.. to add to the fun that day Claire accidentally slammed Caroline's pointer finger in the door. I was in Caroline's room getting her clothes when I heard a SCREAM! Her finger swelled really big and turned purple. I called Chris at work, and told him I thought it was broken. Luckily the swelling went down by the next day, and it wasn't broken. Alwaya fun around here.
Here are the adorable Christmas ornaments in the making...
Caroline and Shelby's first Christmas ornaments. They both have their first birthdays in the next 2 weeks.
Playing with the cousins...
Then the sickness began. Caroline started throwing up in the middle of the night after we got home from Natalie's. She did this all night and managed to throw up in three beds. Awesome. Then yesterday everyone seemed fine. Today I woke up super sick. I RARELY get sick. The kids are sick a lot, Chris occasionally, but me never. I had to call Chris home from work, because I couldn't manage these three feeling so bad. I stayed in bed until 3:45. Thank God he came home to help me because right around the time I managed to pull myself out of bed Claire began the throw ups. Poor baby is just laying on the couch watching Mickey Mouse with her throw up bucket. So all the girls in the house have now had it, let's hope the boys steer clear. Only time will tell, but I am hopeful! I don't need any more sickies.

*** Princess Claire Loves coffee, we don't offer it to her but she manages to drink it. Chris got her a vanilla steamer at Starbucks, and she thought she was awesome with her own drink. It is just milk and vanilla... She has been known to drink straight out of our cups, it is the craziest thing that a 2 year old likes the taste of coffee. We haven't quite figured her out :)

Christmas Break and the Dentist

After tomorrow I will get to be home with the kids for a little over two weeks. I can't wait! We have some fun things planned, but more than anything we are just going to hang out and do whatever our little minds think of... Caroline is maybe, just maybe about to sprout her first tooth...Still not walking, but is getting a little temper. Holy cow! Chris and I just laugh during her little fits. She projects her voice, arches her back and grunts. Pretty funny!
Corbin went to the dentist for the first time today! He did very well, I was very pleased! She said his little teeth looked great. He asked for a copy of his X-Rays, so he could take them to show and tell. He has them, and is so proud of them. Corbin is Santa in his school Christmas play tomorrow, I cannot wait! He has been practicing... He also got his mid- year review at school. He is doing well in everything!
Little Princess Claire. She is loving school, and is excited to sing Jingle Bells in her school play. She has been looking ridiculously adorable in her Christmas gear this week. She did very well on her school review as well. Her teachers just love her, she is a pretty easy kiddo to love. She is the sweetest, yet feistiest two year old I know. Some might call her moods bratty at times, I like to think of her as very strong willed. (Maybe she gets it from her Mom?!?!?!)
Santa??
The kids get little sayings that they like to say over and over... This week it is " You are not my best friend, and you are not invited to my birthday party!) I cannot tell you how many times Chris and I have heard this in the last few days. They also say it to each other which always results in someone crying. I wonder how they plan on getting to their parties if we aren't invited, and paying for it at that! The best part is that their parties are not even planned yet since they are months away. Gotta love what kids say!

Happy 80th Birthday Poof!!!!!!!

Happy 80th Birthday Poof! We hope you have a wonderful day, you deserve it! We had a great time at your birthday party!!!
We love you!!
Chris, Sara, Corbin, Claire and Caroline

We Love Santa!!!

We had a great little visit with Santa tonight! It didn't look like it was going to be a successful Santa trip due to the following... 1. Claire was mad because she didn't have an outfit like Caroline's (it was Claire's a few years ago). 2. Claire would only wear her Ariel Mermaid flip flops... a battle that wasn't worth the fight 3. When we got there Claire was hiding behind Chris. Chris said she could hold his phone in the picture if she would sit by him, not sure why but it worked. So as you can see... The phone is in her hands :). Luckily it all worked out.I think it is a pretty adorable picture. I thought for sure that I would have at least 2 crying kiddos in this years picture.. They surprised us!
Chris and I have a few little traditions with the kids that we have done each Christmas, and this year we have made a few new ones. We always go see Santa, and we always have the kids paint an ornament at this pottery place. In years past we put them on the tree, but someone dropped one this year while putting up the tree (WASN'T ME, and WAS Not a kiddo:)).. so, we decided to just put them in a bowl on the table. They are really special to me, and I just want to make sure they are safe! Luckily the broken one was able to kind of be put back together!
This year we bought the kiddos Chocolate count down calendars. They think this is AWESOME! Every night Corbin reminds us that we need to do his calendar. Just another fun thing to do with them!
Last night we wrote letters to Santa. We broke out the glitter and fun stickers. The letters they wrote are pretty cute. I wrote exactly what they said. Claire wanted a baby with purple eyes. Corbin wanted to make sure I didn't add to his letter the face that earlier in the night he bit Claire on the finger...
Here was our attempt at getting a picture of the kids tonight before Santa!

Caroline took her first step!!!

This little bundle of adorableness took her very first step today! PRECIOUS! Chris and I both saw it, which was fun. We had a very wonderful Thanksgiving! We got to see both sides of the family, which made it extra special. We have a lot to be thankful for around here. To name a few things we are thankful for our beautiful children and their health! We are thankful for our health and our jobs. We are thankful for our families and how much they love us and the kids, our friends, and last but not least our happiness.
My mom and Claire, Ithink they look so much alike.
Corby, his new Aunt Brittany and Maw Maw
I.Love.Him!
Talk about cute. I have a friend who just started up a business and she made these dresses and monogrammed Corbin's shirts. If you are looking for anything like this let me know and I will get you in touch with her.. She also makes all the girl's bows.
Thanksgiving was also Uncle Dennis' birthday! Happy B-day!
Today the kids helped Chris put up the Christmas lights. Helping meant it took twice as long, but I am sure he enjoyed it :).
She is a handful, but the cutest handful.
They brought their Halloween candy out with them to help daddy put up lights. I took it back in after they ate a TON of it.

Caroline scored a sucker too!
I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving! Tonight Chris and I have our ten year high school reunion. Wow. We are old. It will be fun since we went to high school together!
** also a shout out to Shutterfly! I did a little blog post about them, submitted it to them and they hooked me up with 50 free Christmas cards. We ordered them today and saved over 100 dollars! WOO HOO! they are pretty cute. We are using a family photo that Missy took of us that is ADORABLE!

Catch up since from Halloween forward...

Shutterfly Christmas Cards

I have found some very cute Christmas Cards for 2010!
http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/christmas-photo-cards, I especially like the ones where you can share more than one photo of your family. I think my favorite is the Merry Modern Collage of the top ten of 2010. They are all really cute! I just can't decide if I want to do full color or black and white.
We use Shutterfly to make holiday books every year. Chris has made one each year for each of the kids filled with the most adorable pictures and captions, they are truly priceless. The kids are now at an age where they often say, "I want to see the book from when I was a baby." This year I plan on sending out a family Christmas card! My friend Missy took some really cute family pictures of us, and I am excited for everyone to see them. I love getting Christmas cards in the mail. So, check out shutterfly and all they have to offer for holiday cards and gifts!