Christmas...we really did celebrate it at our house!

Well I am finally getting around to posting Christmas.  It was a fun Dec.  A little more challenging to do all that I had planned with a newborn in tow, but I think we still made some fun memories.  Here are just a few of the things we did.

Decorating the tree.  Each year I envision this lovely family night decorating the tree.  And I am pretty sure 9 of the 10 years we have been married I have ended up doing it alone.  Well not this year.  I put on the Carpenter's Christmas CD and we attempted to decorate together.  I think it was pretty close to a success:)! 

 Carter attempting to put on the star as a final touch. It was a no go....

 So Camden tried....a no go again.  No worries, mom saved the day!

 The annual trip to the mall to see Santa.  Surprisingly there were no tears this year.  Even Dawson was a trooper.

 Christmas eve.  All of the Parson grand kids minus Max(maybe he is to old:) Camden, Carter, Dawson, Gabrielle, Myah, Clara and Grady.

 My dads favorite thing to do!

 Surprise!!!  Pajama's!

Can you believe these two are only one year apart(just two weeks shy)?!? Lesli makes them tall and we make them short!

 I just loved this picture of Dawson.  For some reason my family always thinks my babies are overdressed and they always end up naked!

 Christmas morning.  It couldn't have come soon enough for this kiddo!

 Carter the builder.  I think "Bob" would have suited him better as a name!

 Even Darin had a smile.  Santa brought him some new suits.  The first in 10 whole years!

 Our little monkey!

 Christmas just wouldn't be the same without a little dish of "girl"!

 and a girl she is!

The rest of the day was spent with the Chase family.  Surprisingly I didn't even pull out the camera.  I guess we were having to much fun!

six

He's had us all smiling for six whole years now!

Happy Birthday Carter!

Fun Carter facts:

I wish I had his stats....first b-day with no well child visit.  But he's little....quite little.  He can thank his dad for that:)  His smile still gets me.  He loves to build things.  His favorite show is Wild Kratts.  His favorite food: Quesadilla's and apples (he eats at least two apples every day).  The phrase most often used for Carter "Don't cry before you try". He is a good little reader. His best friends: Lewis, Gabe, Kyler and Clayton. He is as slow as a turtle, especially in the morning.  His feathers don't get ruffled easy but when they do,  watch out!  He love Lego's, the wii, playing the computer and watching PBS, but most of all he LOVES playing outside.  He will be out there for hours.  He loves to snuggle, listen to stories and fight with his brother (I hope that is there way of showing love).  He learns like a sponge and loves to teach us everything he knows.  He isn't in any hurry to grow up and I am just so thankful each day for this little man!  Happy Birthday Carter!

Desperate

Last night the boys all went to the basketball game and I had convinced Myah to stay home with me and Dawson.  I told her what a fun girls night we would have watching Tinkerbell and making cookies for the boys.  She was pretty excited, especially for the cookie making.  I always envision my fun nights I have planned going smooth sailing.  Well there ended up being a few bumps in our night.  First the pizza man didn't ever come.  After an hour and a half wait, Darin called wondering were in the world our dinner was.  They had some how lost our order.  They said they could have it to us in 30 min. The Aggie game started in 20.  Darin told the boys to get in the car and they could get pizza at the game. Myah really wanted pizza too.  I tried pulling out everything in the fridge I thought she would like, but it just wasn't fair.  She wanted pizza.  So I bundled the kids up and we drove to Little Caesar's. Thank heavens for the drive through.  By the time we got home it was 7:30.  We hurry and ate...actually I did.  I think Myah ate about a half of a piece...her diet is very finicky these days.  By the time I cleaned her up and bathed her it was already 8:00.  She hadn't had a nap and she was really tired.  Dawson was reaching the end of his rope as well.  He was tired and still needed a breathing treatment before bed (darn bronchialitis).  I told Myah we would have to make cookies in the morning. MELT DOWN.  By this point I was tired too. My arms hurt from carrying Dawson around all night and emotionally I was feeling a little spent from dealing with a sick baby for the past 4 days.  I sighed and pulled out the mixer.  I thought it would be quicker to just make the cookie dough than fight her about it.  I went to get out the ingredients.  No eggs.  I was sort of relieved.  I didn't really want to make cookies anyway.  I calmly explained to Myah that daddy would have to pick up some eggs on his way home and we could make cookies as soon as we got home from church.  MELT DOWN.  At this point I wanted to just melt down too! Myah was crying, Dawson was crying and I was doing my best not to cry too.  Then all of a sudden, mommy brain kicked in.  Quickly I grabbed a frozen pancake, a tub of honey and a bag  of  conversation hearts and told her to decorate to her little hearts content.  She was THRILLED.  She could hardly wait to show her daddy.  Then we all went to sleep :).  The end.

Life

 I still haven't posted Christmas....

I have just learned how to use a nebulizer (spelling?)....RSV stinks...

My house needs cleaning...again...

My kiddos are about ready to burst.  They are really counting on Phil's prediction that spring will be here soon...

But I did squeeze in my first shot at taking newborn photo's.  Someday I will really learn how to use my camera so don't compare me to those who do.  However, I think they turned out pretty cute for my first time.  It helps to have such a cute baby.  We love our new nephew.  Here are a few of my favorites.