Santa is on the way!

Well we went to see Santa today...this is the first year Jackson actually went near Santa and he even gave him a hug. While we were waiting in line he told me he loved Santa...it was pretty cute! The main thing jackson wants this year is a new pair of shoes! Don't ask! :)

Here is last years picture for a comparison of Lauren from a year ago...I just can't believe how big my little girl is!!! next year we will have 3 kids seeing Santa..yikes! :)

Happy Birthday Houston and Katy!!!

Tonight we celebrated Houston and Katy's birthdays!!! Houston turned 5 on December 2nd and Katy turned 4 on December 13th. Last night I thought we would just drive through McDonalds and get them each a hamburger and stick a candle in it...nope, that would not work for Jackson! He said they had to have a birthday cake and that they would love it!!! i think they did love it, but I also know they would have loved a hamburger! :) 

This party also reminds us that we have lived in our current home a year! The last party we threw in the other house was Houston's Party with the Orcutt family...our first party in the new house was Katy's with the Matchell family. Hard to believe we have been in the house a year...and what a good year it was! This next year will also be super exciting! :) 

So now you all know that we love to celebrate everyone's birthdays!!!

WARNING:There are a TON of pics of our exciting night! 

Lauren's first time to cook!

My big boy helper...yes, we did wear our pj's all day...it was cold! 

Don't they look delish??? Jackson actually assigned a cupcake to everyone...Isaiah, Mr. Matt, Mrs. Amanda, Mrs. Christine, Mr. Brian, Anna, Jakin, Connor, Suzanny, Mrs. Brenda, Mr. Tim, Mr. Roger, Mrs. Judy, Mrs. Jennifer (his teacher), Daddy, Mommy, Lauren, Houston, Katy....and told me which sprinkle was everyone's favorite :) it really was adorable!!! 

The Birthday Pup, Houston! 

The Birthday Pup, Katy! 

Lauren had SOOOO much fun!

Singing Happy Birthday to Katy...Lauren was trying to say some of the words!

the dogs aren't good at blowing out candles...good thing we have helpers!!

There is Katy's cupcake!

Lauren couldn't believe it was GONE in one bite...Katy doesn't chew anything! 

Houston on the other hand takes his time and really enjoys every bite!

My cute little girl!!! She finally got her cake :) 

Jackson had a blast at the party....he loves parties! 

Lauren really wanted Katy to wear the hat, Katy was so good about just staying there :) 

it has been a while!

well there aren't tons of pictures from the last week or so...but here are some pics of our house all decorated for the season. jackson was sick last week and this week was my turn...hopefully we will get back into the swing of things this upcoming week! :) hope everyone is having a wonderful holiday season! 

Dave did such a wonderful job on the lights!!! he worked pretty hard on it and Jackson told him when he finished hanging them up it looked like we had a 'Christmas House'!

The playroom! Jackson, Suzanny and Lauren did this tree....Jackson wouldn't let Dave or I decorate the tree...only Suzanny! 

Jackson, Katy and Dave's stockings

Lauren, Houston, Allison and Suzanny's stockings

our Texas star stocking holders!

last trimester!

Well we are officially in the last trimester! Yesterday marked the 3 months till my due date! Gosh is goes by fast....but not as fast as the kids growing up! :) I still don't plan on finding out what the baby is, but parts of me is really wanting to know for xmas...i am trying to stay stong. 

In other news, Suzannah is coming home today and we are so thrilled to see her! The kids shirts are all ready and we are going to meet her at the airport tonight!!!! hard to believe we haven't seen her since the end of August. I know she will be busy at UofA, but at least we can meet up for dinner. Italy is WAY TOO FAR! I know she had a great time and I am so glad she did this.  She is also going to get to be here for the baby being born...she plans on cutting the cord (eww!). Pictures of her arrival will come later!!!! 

thanksgiving surprise!

we had a great Thanksgiving and then the Higgins family showed up the day after!!! It was a big surprise since they booked it 6 days in advance! Here are some pics from our great 4 days together! Their son Freddy is Jackson's best friend and they had so much fun!

We started with coloring!

Next we went to the Gentry Safari!

Building gingerbread house!!! they really liked this...and eating all the candy!

so proud!

I think it turned out really well :) 

watching the snow flurries....they were soooo excited about them! this pic was before church...it was fun driving in the flurries with the boys and Lauren! She had never really seen snow and kept pointing out different windows saying 'look'!

playing games with Uncle Jack!

and don't forget the hot chocolate!!!

our group photo....next year we will have two more kids in this christmas photo!

our cute kids!!!

they loved having the timer go off...and watching the red light!

teaching Freddy the 'Bellomy camping'! i think he knew we were missing the tent and hot dogs!

lauren's first snow!! she couldn't stop telling Freddy 'SNOW!'

she had so much fun :)

her favorite part was eating it!

yes, that is a snowman...and it's not as big as it looks :)

Jackson was soooo proud! i think it was 8 or 10 inches tall!

freddy and his family were supposed to be flying out while we made the snowman...but they ended up staying for an extra night (due to weather). We had steak and bought bath crayons for the kids for one last fun activity. 

we also squeezed in a homemade apple pie!  this piece came out perfect!!

Did I mention Stacy is pregnant too??? She is due May 3rd and I am due March 4th! our boys are only 5 weeks apart, it is so fun to be pregnant together again. Neither one of us are finding out what it is this time...i can't wait to see what we have :) I kind of hope at least one of us has a girl or Lauren is going to have 4 boys taking care of her and will never go on a date! 

(Dave will like that!! )

Well now that I have written this post I see why I was so tired yesterday! we were busy and did a lot...but it was worth every minute, it was so wonderful to see our Aggie friends and we were so blessed by their visit! can't wait till the next gathering (with all 9 of us I bet)!!!