A wonderful Christmas

We had a wonderful Christmas this year. Marshall's mom and dad were able to join us for the first time and I think they really enjoyed watching the chaos we call Emma and Tyler.

Tyler's big Santa gift was a Leapster. He is enjoying his first real experience with a video game and I have already had to limit the amount of time he spends on it or he would play it all day.

Emma's big gift was a doll house. Both she and Tyler have already spent hours playing with it.

They were also spoiled beyond belief by grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. You can click here so see a few more pictures from our wonderful Christmas.

Merry Christmas!!!!!!

We wish each and every one of you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.!!!!!!!

Love,

Sarah, Marshall, Tyler & Emma

Backyard visitor

Tyler took his first bike ride today since having the casts removed. He is still using training wheels (or should I say training wheel since only one is ever on the ground), but hopefully by spring he will be riding without them.

Our house backs up to a wash and on the other side is a neighbor's backyard. As Marshall and Tyler were just approaching the side of the house toward the wash they noticed a bobcat in the wash. We all stood still for a moment but the bobcat, which was soon joined by another just laid down and was chilling out in the wash. We watched them for awhile and then went on with the walk. As we were headed back to the house we notice one of the bobcats was resting comfortably on the neighbor's wall.

I was afraid to get too close but Marshall was braver and got these great pictures!

The casts are off!!!

Tyler got his casts off today. He really did remarkably well with this whole ordeal. He did not let the casts slow him down during the past month, but he was very ready for them to be off. He surprised me by being totally fine with the saw and really only giggled at the tickling he felt. His legs looked really good---besides being a little thinner and dry they were fine. He does have a pretty good blister on the top of one foot because there was a rock in his cast that was rubbing on the skin.

Here is a short video of the nurse cutting off the cast and a few pictures of the appointment.

The saw was pretty loud but he was not scared by it at all.

Almost done.

Finally off!!!!!!

They stunk--- so even though the nurse said we could keep them as a souvenir we decided to toss them!

He is walking a bit stiffly but give him a day or two and I bet he is back to his old self---except hopefully walking flat=).

Don't you just love when you catch your child being sweet? Here are a few pictures of Tyler doing just that.

He is the best at helping Emma put her shoes on in the morning.

These are with our friend's little girl, Hadley. Tyler was sitting there watching TV and Hadley sat down next to him. I love that he put his arm around her and snuggled!

Parent Day at 'nastics

Today was observation day at Emma's gymnastics (or as she calls it 'nastics) class. She was just so stinking cute!!!! She loves going so much and has become quite an expert at what they call "stink bug rolls". Here are a few pictures and videos from her morning.

These are from the end of class when she got to take us out on the floor and show off her favorite things.

Visiting Santa

I found the best deal ever this year! A local photography studio had a Santa photo shoot for $35. That meant we got to go see Santa, get a bunch of pictures taken, keep the CD of the pictures, have hot chocolate and cookies, and NOT have to stand in line at the mall!!! Talk about the best $35 spent this season.

Tyler did awesome this year. As you can see from his cheesy grin he was happy to sit on the big guy's lap. Emma---not so much. She was thrilled when we first got there but as soon as it was time for her to sit on his lap she wanted nothing to do with him. She wouldn't even smile when I held her. Oh....well maybe next I will get a picture with BOTH of them happy.

Here we go...finally happy because we are leaving!

Baking Cookies

Never is my lack of artistic ability more noticeable then during the holidays. Take for instance baking. Sadly, I don't even own a rolling pin, so I have to use a heavy glass to even out the dough----I know how pathetic am I?

It doesn't matter to Tyler and Emma though. As you can see, they still had a great time decorating and eating the cookies we made this morning.

Baby It's Cold Outside!

We are experiencing winter--you know highs only in the 60's. It does get cold at night though so the kids have broken out the winter pj's!

Yard Sale Profit Purchase!

Before the money could even be counted I was off to spend what we made at our yard sale! Here is the new mirror and table that I bought for the entry of the house. As you can see, Marshall's damn Cigar Store Indian is still with us----I am pretty sure that is an argument I will never win.

When did this happen?

I was looking at Tyler today and just about started to cry.

When did he get so big? He has just about lost all the baby in him. Tonight as I was helping him get ready for bed I noticed how much taller and thinned out he has become.

I need to slow down and enjoy every second with this crazy boy because time is passing way too quickly!

Getting ready for Christmas

We have been busy little elves trying to get the house decorated for Christmas. We plan on having an Open House/Christmas party next weekend so we are doing our best to get everything decorated and ready. The kids decorated the little front porch tree by themselves and helped me with the big one. I let them put their ornaments on which means I have a big cluster on Disney Princesses on one side and a big cluster of Cars cars on the other. They are allowed to mess with their ornaments as long as they leave mine alone which has actually worked quite well.

It is a monumental year this year!!! Marshall Brown aka Scrooge finally caved and hung lights up on the outside of the house. They are not too extravagant but they are there and I LOVE THEM! This is just a first baby step-- give me a few years and we will be like Griswald's on Christmas Vacation.

We did not take family pictures this year. I have a million excuses like...we just ran out of time, poor Tyler has goofy looking casts on, I got a good camera last year so that I could take them and not pay any one else and I have been a slacker at becoming an amateur photographer...I could go on and on. Here is one of about 50 million that I tried taking....Marsh was REAL happy with me by this time=)

I did get a great picture of Marshall and Emma though.

This one is from Thanksgiving---gotta love the red, white, and blue Tyler is sporting.

It is going to be a busy season, but it really is my favorite time of the year! I will do my best to keep you updated a bit better than I have been.