Christmas 2012

As always, our Christmas was wonderful. A weekend full of family at Bryan's parent's farm.
Kids running wild and laughing all the way. ho ho!
Christmas is soooo much more fun when 1.) you don't work retail (this is our first official year where neither one of us is working retail) and 2.) you have KIDS!
Just saying.

Here are our pictures of our family celebrations....

Bryan wrestling some kiddos

Me and my boy

My little Christmas Moose

 

Mimi and little man

How funny is this? Mady is OBSESSED with her big cousin. She loooooovvveesss him!
Every pictures she'd gladly wrap her arms around one of her cousins and give huge smiles and sometimes kisses :)

They look so much alike they could all be siblings :)

5 years old is a GREAT age for an older sibling to have more siblings. Layton is awesome with Collin. Holds him well and really seems to like this "big kid" job.

He's so patient with her

The 3 Amigos!!!

Such a beautiful tree

Mady was THRILLED to open presents

The Richeys

Bryan's parents and our kids

All the kids and grandparents

Take one, take two...

My two little loves.

Merry Christmas, from our Family to yours!

Waiting for Santa...

She's a goof, watch these faces...

The Mr. and Mrs.

These next few pictures are actual Christmas morning at our home...

Her favorite present, from GiGi

Her second favorite present, Jake and the Neverland Pirates stuff

At Grandma's place (my parents) Christmas Day...

My mom and Collin

Last but not least....my favorite GIFT this year...

What a sweet mercy he is to us this year. So thankful for both of my kids. Such delights they are. 

Spending Christmas with them and Bryan was wonderful. Teaching them about Jesus and the true meaning of Christmas was special. 

We want them to know the greatest gift anyone could ever have is the gift of salvation offered through the redeeming blood of our sinless savor, Jesus Christ. 

Our sins tell a different story of us. We deserve death. Eternal separation from God, forever. Day and night torment in unstoppable anguish. This is a reality for all who do not know the loving kindness of Christ. He has offered himself up, bearing our punishment for our sins on the cross so that we can know God. 

The true gift is waiting at a place with streets paved in gold, but what a joy it is to walk the dirty, sinful, painful streets of this world knowing the loving kindness of our Lord. He is near to the broken hearted and binds our wounds in His body. We are so thankful for Him. This Christmas and all year long.

Collin 2 months

Well, its true what they say...
You definitely take less pictures with your second child. Sorry buddy!
I guess its because your busy with the first child.
Collin doesn't seem to mind to much. He's a pretty laid back guy.

Well, laid back most of the time! Hah. I don't know what's wrong with me, but I love the pictures when babies cry or pout. I'm sick.
So here is one.

Collin does a half smile that I love...
here it is....

Here's the official 2 Month picture with the "watch me grow bear". I think next time I take these I will do it with just a onsie on. Much cuter to see some chub...
Speaking of chub. Our little Collin weighed 12 lbs 8 oz at his 2 month visit. He was 70th%tile in weight. I'm not too sure about his height. Whoops, sorry buddy.

How sweet is he!! I could just eat him up.

Dear Collin,

Lately you've been sleeping in your swing, which you love. Only during the day. At night you are still in the bassinet pack and play right by my bed. You are giving me one 4 hour stretch at night. Usually you go to bed around 9/10 ish and wake to eat around 2 am. Then again at 5 am. Then we are up with Sissy at 7 am. Its getting better because you are eating faster. Usually you will only eat on one side, like a little snack. Sheesh...I wish you'd have a meal at 2 and skip the snack at 5 and sleep until 7am. How about it Bub? Maybe soon. :)

I really don't mind. You are a great nurser and you love it.
You love it so much you won't even take a paci. I have tried every brand, but to no avail you are not a paci guy.

This month you got to go to a Tacky Christmas sweater party, this is what you wore.
Not tacky at all. You looked pretty darn cute in it.

 

Everyone says how much you and Mady look alike. I must say....I really see it in this picture.
I love my babies.

Did I mention I love your chubby cheeks?
I can't get enough kisses on them throughout the day!!!

We are so blessed to have you. You are truly a gift from the Lord.
I was super excited when I came across this verse to put up in your room. You are an answered prayer, my love.

You started to socially smile this month!
Love it.
Its so fun.
I look into your eyes and talk to you and you literally light up.
Your entire facial expression and countenance changes.
I love that you love me :)

It is hard to get pictures of those smiles though...
but I am very good at getting pictures of your naked rolls. I could eat you up!!!

Please don't hate me for posting these one day :)

Lately you've been sucking on your hands to sooth yourself.
Its quite cute.

We had an unseasonably warm November day a few days back and I was able to get you into the Ergo carrier (your first experience in it) and you slept the entire time we were at the park. You did great.

Did I mention how handsome you are?
Well, you are.

You also are a joy. So laid back. You only fuss when you are hungry or its the 7pm "witching hour" as they call it. You aren't your happiest during that time, but thats ok.
You've begun to put yourself on a little schedule of sleeping about 4 naps a day. Which is nice. I am able to spend a little time with your sissy during those times...but I always look forward to our special time while sissy sleeps and we can "talk".

You have started to "talk". Little baby coo's here and there. I told you to speak up so you can keep up with your loud sister. :)

You are a precious gift and I love you.
Happy 2 months Collin Edward.

Love,
Mom

Christmas Festivities and Fun

These long, cold winter days make us gals a little stir crazy.
So we've come up with some fun activities (thank you Pinterest) to help pass the time and make some memories!

We made hand print ornaments here...

She's painted them, but I still haven't had a chance to get Mod Podge yet to seal them.
I will post pictures of our finished products soon :).

As a kid we made Christmas cookies every year. Gave them to everyone. I loved it.
So, last year I started the tradition with Mady.
This year, because we have Collin, I knew it was going to be tricky finding lots of time to make lots of cookies. Thankfully, I have a great friend who invited us over for a Christmas making/ decorating play date for the kids.
Perfect. 2 birds, 1 stone!

Mady LOVED it!
She was decorating with one hand and eating with another!

We had the big kids decorating and the little kids playing.
So fun.

So much Christmastime fun!