2012 in Review

 Peyton at 3 months

 Valentine's Day

 First time in the bumbo

 Taylor's 3rd Birthday

 

 Mother's Day

 Mason with Great Grandma O

 Taylor and Great Grandma O

 Peyton got her ears pierced at 7 months

 Silly cousins at the splash pad

 Taylor and Aunt Taylor

 Dress like a cow

 Funniest picture of Taylor ever!

 Peyton & Gram

 Mason turns 5

 Taylor's big girl bed

 Best Friends

 Pirates

 Mason's first football game

 Mason's first day of Kindergarten

 With my cousin Taylor at the first Baylor football game of the season

 Mason & Taylor at Floyd Casey Stadium

 With Uncle David

 Go Baylor Bears!

 Mason gets the Golden Ball

 Peyton & Granddad's Birthday

 Peyton turns 1

 Halloween

 First camping trip

Happy New Year!

Christmas

Remember how in my last post, I mentioned how our family was finally on the mend? Well, on the Eve of Christmas Eve, I took a turn for the worst. It hit me all at once and I was in bed pretty quickly. Apparently, you can get the flu more than once, actually you can get it four different times in one year. I am the unlucky person to have gotten it over Thanksgiving and also Christmas, except this time it was much, much worse.

Adam had to wrap all of the presents, make sure the kids had a fantastic Christmas, take him to every one's houses, and take care of me at the same time. Unfortunately, by Thursday evening he came down with the flu as well, but thankfully didn't get as bad as I did. By Saturday, I finally left my bed and was able to hold my babies again.

Peyton had the hardest time with all of it. I would hear her upset in the other room just crying for mama to hold her. Broke my heart! Mason is my cuddler, so he also had a hard time seeing me so sick. I don't think any one has seen me that sick before since I was a little girl.

While I missed out this year, I am incredibly blessed and grateful for so many reasons this Christmas. It's really easy when you feel lousy to get caught up in pain and discomfort, but if you rest there, it leads to being miserable. That is not my personality. So every night, I laid in bed counting my blessings and reminding myself of joy. God is my strength and my refuge and 2012 has been a year that He has reminded me of that most.

The days before Christmas

Our family is finally on the mend. We have tried to fit in as much family fun time in each weekend. Each weekend leading up to Christmas, our family has visited different neighborhoods to look at Christmas lights. We dress the kids in their PJ's and drink hot chocolate. I adore this tradition! This neighborhood was spectacular!

Each house on this street was time to music and provided an amazing light show for everyone to see.

Another favorite!



On the drive home, I noticed it was very quiet. I turned around to find all three kids asleep.



We had dinner with some friends and then the kids enjoyed decorating Christmas Cookies and of course eating the cookies.

Messy fingers all around.



Masterpieces.



Mason wanted to give his teacher hot cocoa for Christmas and decided we should decorate a mug to go along with the gift. His handwriting has really improved since school started, but it's hard to tell when you are writing on a mug.

This is his teacher Mrs. Ryser and that is supposed to be a heart next to her. This is how he wanted to tell her that he loves her as a teacher.

He then signed his name. 

Our Christmas Tree. I did the ribbon, but the kids decorated the rest. I didn't even move any ornaments.

We have a wonderful Sunday School class at our church and we all gathered together for a Christmas Party. We have been blessed by our sweet friends!

We celebrated Christmas a little early with Adam's family, since his brother and sister would be spending Christmas with their in-laws this year. Adam's grandparents came out and we finally got a decent picture of all the grand kids with their great grandparents.

My kids love to read, so Aunt Emily took advantage of some cuddle time to read with Taylor.



I found Mason & Taylor snuggled up on the couch as they waited for Daddy to get home from work.

Kid love.



Can you feel the love?



Mason & Taylor



This just makes me smile!



How many kids can I fit on my lap?



Silly faces.



Mommy with her little guy.



Peyton loves looking at herself in my camera.



These PJ's came with a tutu, every little girls dream.



A mouth full of teeth.

Sisters.



He dresses up nicely.

Notice Mason & Adam pose the same way.



Merry Christmas!

A case of the sickies

It seems like the last three weeks, our family has been plagued with illness. Thanksgiving day I came down with the flu and spent the rest of the week in my bedroom. The timing was awful, but really when is there a good time to get the flu. Adam was a huge help and I'm glad he was off to be able to help with the kids. No one else got the flu, however the kids have been passing around respiratory infections and nasty coughs for the last couple of weeks. Despite the circumstances, we have enjoyed the family time of cuddles, movie watching and staying home.

 

Peyton loves shoes and couldn't wait to try on her boots.



Sibling love.

 



My three little musketeers.



Taylor's kissy face.

 



Peyton kept taking Taylor's headband off and putting it on her head as we walked through Target.

 



Mason showing off his muscles.

 



Mason's friend from school had his birthday party at Chuck E Cheese. It was Mason's first time to go and he loved it. I on the other hand am reminded why I am not a fan.

 



My darling friend Jeanna is expecting a little boy in February and she had her first Baby Shower last weekend. Can't wait to meet Baby D!