2010 Rewind

Holy Cow!  Where did 2010 go?  I know each year does not pass more quickly than the previous year, but I really think it might have happened this year.  Having four kids might have something to do with time passing quickly in our lives!

Us in February!

What did we do in 2010?

Emma finished 1st grade in June and began 2nd grade in August.  She lost lots of teeth and spent the summer toothless.  She stuck with gymnastics even when it was tough and it paid off!  She is going to begin the girls Hot Shots class in January.  She started taking tennis lessons in September and enjoyed them. She also turned 7...really??!!!

Jonah began Pre-K in August...his last year at the ELCP.  He turned five in September which seems unreal.  He began attending the boys Hot Shots gymnastics class in August.  Despite telling me, "Mommy it is really hard", he also told me "I really like it!"  Jonah also lost his first tooth in December!

Samuel turned two in February!  He is talking, talking, and talking.  He began attending the Two Year Old class at the ELCP in August.  It has been a rough go, but he is doing well and having fun after getting over his goodbye sadness.  Samuel tried gymnastics and did well.  However, he did not want to take the class without Daddy so no gymnastics for right now.  Samuel has been sleeping in a big boy bed since June and is mostly potty trained.  He will do almost anything to keep up with Emma and Jonah!

Elena turned 1 in December...seriously it went too fast!  She is saying da for Daddy, a word for more, and sometimes Ma Ma.  She is walking behind push toys and along furniture.  She has six teeth and sleeps through the night.  Elena loves to eat and eat anything!  She is so happy...smiling almost all day long.

We saw my sister Kristen get married to Joe in August.  We had a great summer visiting family.  Of course our trip to EC was awesome.  We loved Mammy and Pappy's new house in NC.  We went camping with our good friends in June, which the kids thoroughly enjoyed.  We also took two small trips to Austin with Meemaw and to Galveston with Mammy.

Us in June!

The kids and Drew watched me run a lot...so wonderful of them.  My first 5K after having Elena was in March and I ran a 29:15.  The last 5K I ran this year (Oct) I ran in 23:21!  I realized my goal of a sub 2 hour half in December.

Drew went skiing with his family in February and loved it!  He bought a road bike and has enjoyed his time riding.

Us in August!

Other things keeping us busy were church activities especially VBS in July!  It was tons of fun.  We spent a lot of time with our great friends.  We are very thankful for our "Texas Family!"

We had a great 2010!  We were blessed beyond measure by our Awesome God!  We can't wait to see what fun 2011 holds for us!!

Christmas Eve 2010

Guess What???

Life is Good!

Aren't they cute in their shirts!

Relaxation

We have been lazy, lazy, lazy all week and it has been wonderful!

Not quite as lazy as Yuengling, but pretty close!

The newness of the Christmas toys still exist for Emma, Jonah, and Samuel.  They have been playing nicely with girl and boy toys alike.  They have watched two new movies...Mater's Tall Tales and Beethoven's Big Break.  Both movies were big hits.  Pictionary is Emma's favorite new game.  She loves to draw so Santa did a great job picking out this game for her.  Jonah is a good guesser!

I have tried to run, but being semi sick has not helped.  The time off will be good, I guess.  I have not read any of my new books yet.  I am putting that off until after football.  Drew and I have enjoyed watched the bowl games each night....love this time of year!

Drew did get to ride with his new gear.  He was so happy to have warm feet....booties for bikers!

Off to watch some more football....

Christmas

We had a wonderful Christmas...just the six of us!  Emma, Jonah, and Samuel woke up late for them (7:30) and were troopers waiting for Elena to wake-up.  Finally, about 8:20 we opened our stocking gifts and the gifts from Santa.  That was followed by opening items from under the family room tree.

Opening Stockings

Stockings!

Opening gifts from Santa

Elena trying to get her gifts out of her stocking

Drew and I made a great breakfast...eggs, bacon, baked fruit, and scones.  We sang happy birthday to Jesus and read our last Jesse Tree devotional.  Elena went down for her nap after breakfast since breakfast was more like 10:30.  Emma, Jonah, and Samuel enjoyed playing with the toys they opened in the morning.  While Elena napped we opened the gifts under the tree in the living room.

Breakfast picture

Another breakfast picture

Jonah at breakfast

Daddy and his kiddos

Of course, we can't get everyone smiling for my picture...oh well!

The afternoon was filled with playing and playing and playing.  Everyone liked their gifts.  Everything was very simple.  A few running items and books for me.  Some biking items and tools for Drew.  A few clothing items, books, and games for the kids.  It was so much fun for me and Drew to watch Emma, Jonah, and Samuel enjoy playing with each others gifts.  Elena was a little overwhelmed by it all, but she did like her new dolls.

I love how cute they are!

Waiting patiently while I take a picture

Daddy getting his wrench from Samuel...Samuel's choice!

So cute opening their gifts

She liked her new train and all the songs!

Jonah checking out his new maze book.

Elena desperately wanting her new baby out of the box.

Jonah had asked for a watch for months and was so happy when he opened it.

Samuel loved his new tools...real tools!

Where are the rest of the presents?  She loves to sit in rocking chairs.

Emma gave her Daddy tennis balls since they love to play together.

Our day ended with a yummy dinner...still in our pajamas!  We lit the Christ candle on our Advent wreath after reading the Christmas Story from Luke. After dinner, the kiddos were quite tired and they went to bed early.  Drew and I were able to enjoy a quiet evening!  That is a gift in itself.

Getting ready for dinner

Already eating dinner

Our Advent wreath with a little stuffing on the side!

 It was truly a JOYous CHRISTmas!

Merry Christmas

Christmas Hats

Christmas Hats take two

Christmas Eve

Little Miss Santa Claus

 Love to all our family and friends.  We miss you!  Merry Christmas!!!!

Merry Christmas from our House!

I love the season of Advent.  I love decorating, looking at lights, seeing Christmas trees, and of course all my snowmen.  I probably decorate too much, but I love it and so does my family.

Our Stockings

The kids "Pop" stockings

One of our Advent trees

Santas

Our Jesse Tree

Cute and cuddly snowmen

More Snowmen

And even more snowmen!

Our County Christmas Tree in the family room

Our Burgundy and Gold Tree in the dining room

Our Gold Tree in the living room

The Santa Tree did not make the cut this year because we did not have the time to get a real tree...next year!  Instead I hung my snowmen ornaments on garland...sorry no picture, but it looks really cute!

Our Nativity

Christmas Card Extravaganza...I love how great it looks

And one of my favorite decorations at our house because it means lots of love.....

The UPS and USPS delivery spot!

Merry Christmas!!!!!!!!

All I want for Christmas is....

Jonah lost his first tooth on Monday.  Do you think I could get that boy to smile a toothless grin...NO!!  I settled for this photo!

Boo boos!

Samuel had a big, gross boo boo happen on Friday.  Drew's occurred on Saturday. 

On Friday Samuel was pushing his dump truck in the driveway when he tripped (I guess as I was not there) and he cut his finger. 

Samuel's finger

 Drew was riding his bike on Saturday when he fell.  Instead of putting his hands out and risk being hit by a car, he landed on his leg.  I think Drew was more concerned about his scratched bike seat than his leg.  This was his first bike accident and I pray, his last!

Drew's leg with Samuel's bandaged finger on it.

Several days later Drew is feeling better and went for a ride this morning.  Samuel's finger is healing, but it is really gross.  Poor little guy just walks around shaking his hand.