We Wish You A Merry Christmas!

Look at our babies, ready for church!

Tate and Lily looked so awesome for church!

Walking in a Winter Wonderland

Today, it snowed in Guymon. I took a few pics of the kiddos playing out in the snow. Tate's buddy Wylie was there to join in the fun. Hope you all enjoy the pics!

 The kids taking a look at the snow, they kept on saying, "It's Christmas!" They are so smart!

 Tate doing a breating treatment with style. He has gotten use to doing them on his own.

Tate eating snow, don't know if that's a good thing or a bad thing!

He was having a ball!

And We're Back!

James and I had a wonderful time in Amarillo! Big time thanks to mom and dad for keeping, entertaining, feeding, loving and kissing our children all day today. It was so nice to be able to get in and out of my car without having to buckle, lift and wrangle two very squirmy kids! It was amazing how quick James and I could get in and out of our vehicle. It was so sweet to actually get to look around at things, take our time and sit to down to eat a full and complete meal. We ate some sushi (Yippie for me) and we knocked out some Christmas shopping. We even checked out some Christmas lights for the house. We didn't buy any though because James is destined to buy exactly what he wants, we went to BOTH Home Depots...so we probably won't have lights on the house this year. I think it's his way of "getting out of hanging light's". Oh well, it was a lovely day. The only down fall was that it was Sunday and a lot of places were closed. And also, sadly, we missed the children's program up at the church. I know, I know, shouldn't be that big of deal to me, but it is. Kiley helped co-direct and I always really enjoy the show. I heard wonderful things about it. I'm totally looking forward to seeing my little ones up there-putting on a Christmas program. We have a busy week ahead of us but we are getting excited about Christmas and James having a little time off. Oh my, how I love Christmas break!

Hello there

Well I've been busy, I think I mention that in every post (not there are alot of posts). We are doing great. I'm excited that I've got the Christmas card done and printed, now all I've got to do is get them mailed out to friends and family. This year's card is special to me, I guess it's because it took me forever to get it complete-plus we did a photo shoot at Thanksgiving to make sure we got that perfect pic. I love it. Also, we are getting ready to finalize our Christmas shopping. My parents have agreed to watch our kids all day tomorrow so James and I can go to Amarillo to shop!!! How wonderful is that? I think it's flipping great! I'm looking forward to spending that day with James, buying some sweet toys for the kids, and getting to eat some SUSHI! I think James is tired of only getting to eat sushi because every time we go, that's what I beg to eat. We don't have sushi in Guymon and I wish so bad that we did. It's probably a good thing, seeing as though it's very pricey, and I love that it's a special treat! James has been working extra extra hard to earn some Christmas spending money. Having ONE income can get very hard for four people to live off of. I know some may think that a 2 and 1 year old wouldn't be that expensive-but I promise you-they are. I appreciate all that James has been doing. I know he would much rather be home or hunting or spot lighting than working up at an office, but I believe he wants our children to have a wonderful Christmas, even if they don't know what's going on or if they will never remember. It's sweet of him and I'm very thankful. I'm looking forward to this evening because (if the weather allows...it's freezing here) we are going to go downtown for Guymon's Christmas Parade and then possibly a quick visit with Santa! It will be interesting to see how Tate and Lily do with that, a big, scary stranger, all dressed up in the red...laughing for no reason. I plan to take lots of pics and I will try very hard to post those as soon as I can get around to it. Other than Christmas parties, yummy treats and poopy diapers-life is grand and I hope all is well in the blogger world!



P.S. I'm gonna post some more random pics, I think it brightens up the blog. ENJOY!

 James and I at Grandma's house for Thanksgiving. He's pretty cheesy!

 Mac and Lily enjoying some pumpkin pie!

 I think that they had 2 pieces.

 Yummy!

 Compliments of "Tate Photography"....Thanks

 Me right before Karen's Birthday dinner.

 I love Tater's smile!

 James and Lily eating chicken and watching Nascar.

 Just like daddy

 Being Sweet...for the moment

Our last tomatoes, they did really well this year

Sunday, Sunday, Sunday

We had a pretty good day today, not much to it, which is fine by me. James and I debated on whether or not to go to Amarillo and finish Christmas shopping or to go to church and do our normal Sunday activities. Normal was the winner. We went to church, ate lunch, had some down time this afternoon, I went to crazy, busy Wal-Mart and then we ended with-making personal pizzas at my mom's house. It was nice and fun to see all what my mom has out for her Christmas decorations. She also gave me a cookbook that was my Grandmother's, filled with her favorite and meaningful recipes. I'm very excited to sit and look through it, although, I don't know when I will find the time. This week is going to be terrible busy and James has to go in to work at 7 am!!! (Yuck!). Oh well, such is life. Wish me luck and hope that James and I make it to Amarillo this coming Sunday so we can finalize that shopping list.

A few pics for our Christmas Card!

                                   I love this one but Tater is very upset.

                           This one is different but I think kinda cool

                    Notice Cowboy Woody made the pic

I thought some of you all would enjoy a few pics that we will pick from for our 2010 Christmas card. Julie took these pics for us and I was very thankful. They turned out pretty cute. I think our card will be nice this year, but besides that-I'm glad I've got some cute photos to keep for myself. So...enjoy!!

Did I really go through the month of November and didn't BLOG??

Yes, I sure did. Sorry to all those readers out there that are just dying to know every detail of my life and my precious little ones. But, I've been lazy and....well, that's about it, I'm just lazy. We are good, healthy-which I'm thankful for. Tis the season to be sick, have coughs and runny noses. We are doing just fine (now that I've officially typed those words, both of my kids will be getting terribly sick by 2 am!) Oh well, we also had a very nice Thanksgiving in November at my Grandmother's home. It was pretty neat because all four of my dad's brothers were able to be there. That has not happened very many times, I think maybe 4 times in my whole life. I took pumpkin bread, brownies, and the twice baked potatoes as requested by my grandfather. The house was full and there was some yummy food. Tate and Lily, surprisingly did very well. I think traveling is kind of hard on kids, but for some strange, unique reason-they did great! Lily loves pumpkin pie, especially since she got to share two pieces with Mac. I have pics. Tate is doing awesome with going potty too. I know that's a detail that everyone is dying to know, but I'm actually very proud of him. I really didn't know how to start or teach the idea of using the restroom. I tried all kinds of things; candy, stickers, cars, and even promised him a really puppy if he did it on his own. None of those things worked with him. He wasn't interested in all those fancy promises, he just wanted to go in his diaper. So I told him, "No more diapers, we can't wear them anymore!" And...I guess...that's what did it. A little tough love. Don't get me wrong, I'm not a potty training expert, I really just think he knew that I was serious and that his poor little momma just can't have two kids in diapers anymore. So, GO TATE-I'm so completely proud of you and keep up the good work! We've also got our Christmas decorations up. It's funny that I think the things that we bought when James and I first got married are old and out of date, but they are getting there. We've been together for almost ten years!!! So I'm really hankering for some new, shiny pretty things for my home. Then there are the things that I love and cherish that I think are beautiful and I hope will always be put out for others to admire and enjoy. Like the wonderful Nativity Scene that was Grandmother Powell's. I truly treasure that keepsake. Also, my Nutcrackers and Sugar Plum Fairies, I don't have too many of them. I DO have the one that my mother gave me when I was in 4th grade, it is on my tree as we speak...or blog, to be exact. I love it! We are buying gifts for the kids this year and it has already been so fun to get things. Tater is really picking up on it too. He points to Christmas trees, Santa, and reindeer and says, "Christmas!" I think it's so cute. Lily is walking, talking and doing so well. She is my beautiful darling. I'm really trying to live in every moment because she is growing way too fast, I mean it, like lightening speed. It breaks my heart because there is big chance that she may be our last. And that's OK, it's what we feel is best, but the idea that that sweet baby stage is coming to an end, and that crazy, always getting into everything, toddler stage is just a minutes aways (Tear**) OK, I'm off to wrangle kids, trim the tree and dream up something amazing to feed my awesome family tonight!

I need to get better about blogging

Like always, I've been super busy or consumed with something-that by the time I can sit down and blog, I'm honestly ready to just go to bed or watch some mind-numbing t.v. However, I want to get better about keeping this up to date. I have been working on Tater's costume for Halloween. I'm very excited about this year, but I guess I'm excited every year, I love Halloween. Tate is going to be "Woody" from "Toy Story". He loves Woody and I decided to make the costume, I could  have bought it at Walmart but it was super cheesy and I wanted to add my personal touches. Kelsey and Jane have both helped me put together the costume, and Mom gave me the some fabric too. It's going to be cute. Hopefully I will post pictures before next Halloween. Lily is going to be a ladybug, I wanted to make her costume too but my sister-in-law, Megan, had the cutest ladybug costume, so that's what Lily is going to wear. We have a weekend full of plans for the kids and I really think Tate is starting to get to that age where dressing up and trick or treating will be fun. Lets pray I blog you all very soon about it.

Took a long break

So sorry, I've taken way too long to get back and update the blog. We have been so busy. I went to my cousin's wedding last week and it was beautiful. She is my age, so we were really close growing up together and she asked me to sing in her wedding. I was very happy to do it, but I was also very nervous. Everything went fine, and her wedding and reception was unbelievable!!! It was very beautiful and she looked amazing. It took alot out of me, but I was super happy to be there and be apart of it. Sadly, the kids were able to attend, James stayed back with them, in Guymon, because they were both were running slight fevers. I didn't think that they should try to fight the fevers while being out of town and trying to attend a wedding. I was sad that they weren't there because I really wanted to show them off. Oh well, maybe next time.
We also have gotten the house all ready for the fall season, it's pretty cute. I love fall, it's a special time of the year because it's the time James and I celebrate our birthdays also, I think everything smells and looks beautiful. So we have pumpkins and hay bails out front and fall leaves up on the fire place. Tate loves pumpkins and points at them every time we drive by them. Also, Jana-James' sister just delivered a sweet, beautiful baby girl-Ellie Jane Shriener. They were very excited and everything went fine during the c-section but poor Ellie has had some trouble with acid reflux so they actually had to take her back to the hospital for one night and one day. She got to come home yesterday. She is doing better and they hope that she starts to gain some weight. Anyways, there is more to share but I'm tired and ready to go to bed. Hope all is well out there in the virtual world.

Long Day

So today was a rather long day. I wanted to take both kids to Mother's Day Out but Tate didn't seem himself. He was coughing, sneezing, had a running nose and a slight fever. I'm sure it would have been fine but I could tell he was suffering. So, since he didn't have to go I decided not to take Lily either. Because of that, we spent the entire day together, while I tried very hard to get things done. For example, I think I did every stitch of laundry today. It was a huge chore and I'm still trying to finish at 8 o'clock tonight. Also, Lily is having trouble figuring out what time of the day she wants to take a nap and today was an early nap, and that means she wakes up early and then gets cranky early!! Anyways, tomorrow is Friday and I'm excited because James only has to work a half day because of teacher inservice. But I know my luck, something will come up and he will be stuck going out to the ranch or someone will call with a computer that will require PC Wrangler's imediate attention. I hope all you readers are doing well, I'm calling it a night!

Hi Again

Hi again, I'be been trying to keep up and post something everyday. I really do enjoy putting down the days events, even if no one is reading the posts. I'm sure I will like looking back in a few weeks and see how everything was going for us. Today was kind of a busy day. It surprises me how busy we can get even without our kids really being involved in anything. Tate went to Mother's Day Out, which he really fought to go. He was totally loving it at first, but now, we have tears and kicks and screams, as I drag him to the front door. I'm not sure if it's because thats what 2 year olds do or if he just hates it and it's not the right place for him to be. I DO think he is just that kind of kid and even if Mother Goose had a M.D.O.-Tater Tot would still kick and scream on the way there. He bet he is still doing this in grade school. I just pray that it's what he needs to be doing at this point in his life and that it's beneficial to him and not harmful. The gals that run it always give me a "He does a good job, he is a good boy" report but I hope that the report is for real and not just a line that they give to all the nosey moms. Also, Lily woke up a little warm this morning. Our thermametor had a low battery so I had no idea if she even really had a fever, but I was pretty darn sure she did. It was strange, though, Lily is my hardy girl. She hardly ever gets sick and when she does, it doesn't last too long and it's never that hard on her. So I let her stay in her pjamas and gave her some tylenol. It seemed to do the trick but I could tell that she wasn't a 100%. I had to work today too, which not a big deal since it only happens once a week and I work only for 3 hours at time. So I decided to go ahead and go in and have our babysitter come over. She is AWESOME and super sweet. I warned her that Lily wasn't her normal self and really just wanted to snuggle all day. The sitter was completely OK with that and I think deep down she really loved sitting and snuggling with my Lulu. I worked, which was nice, and my boss lady gave me the responsibility of putting out these cute, polka dotted tubs. So I filled them with treats, colorful tissue paper and finished it with bows that wrapped around the tubs. I had fun doing it but for some reason, it really wore me out (alot of things do that to me). I came home and Lily's fever had gone up and she really was down and out. So, James was ordered to go out and get some Motrin since that's the magic drug for little ones. Once he got home, I really needed to go to Walmart-don't be jealous. Tate insisted on going with me and I ended up spending WAY too much, who doesn't do that???? Tater was so tired he almost fell asleep on the way home, it was pretty cute. James ordered a pizza, nice thinking man! I gave the kids a bath after our evening walk around the block. And now, they are finally in their cozy beds, snoozing away the big day they had. Now, on to the next one!

Sigh....I'm pooped.

We all had a pretty good day today, but for some reason I was completely worn out after lunch. I really REALLY wanted to take a nap this afternoon but I can only do that if both kiddos rest and Tate wasn't going down...so no nap for me. Oh well. I also decided to go back and give zumba another valid effort. I use to go, all the time, but I got really burnt out and over did it, so I took a break, a really long break-about 4 months to be exact. So I went tonight and it felt good. I really do enjoy working out, it feels good to me to sweat and work off some steam. So I bought some more sessions and hope it will make me feel obligated to go and burn some lbs!! I came home to an empty house because James had taken the kids to go and see their grandparents and the two bulls that they had purchased today in Kansas for the beef company. So that was a nice little break to sit and watch a little 'Intervention' and eat a bowl of cereal. It was a decent day, however, I'm whipped~so night night to all.

What a nice day

We had a nice day today. We woke up planning on going to Amarillo for the day but decided it would be too much work with both kids, plus James and I were tired and wanted a day to rest and hang out at the house. So I made a yummy breakfast, home grown tomatoes and bacon sandwiches, sausage and waffles for the kiddos. James bathed the kids (which is rare) only because I agreed to lotion, brush hair and dress them. We headed to church and had a nice lunch with the in-laws. Came back home, James had a PC Wrangler job and I rested while Lily took a nap. Tater refused to rest, so he watched a movie. I woke up and got the whole family a beverage, Sonic happy hour special~3 Dr. Peppers. Then Lily got up. James was still busy working on the laptop so I packed up the kiddos and went to Sunset park. The kids had a ball. The train was running and there was loads of people there. Tate and I fed the ducks and Lily ate the food we were feeding to the ducks. It was cute. We swinged, played and really had a nice day. Then came home and warmed up some leftovers. Tate and Lily weren't quite ready to call it a day, so we took a quick walk around the block in the wagon. The weather was just perfect for that kind of thing. There are so many times when I just want a break, some time to myself~I think mommas need some time, but I really did enjoy the day with my babies. They were so happy to just play and I could tell that they really enjoyed being and playing with me. What a blessing!

Here We Are!!

Hello all, this is my first time to blog and I'm excited to get it started. I hope to keep it up and keep everyone informed of everything that is going on in our famly's lives. Hope you ENJOY!!!!