December 31

Hard to believe 2008 is almost behind us! Yesterday Daddy worked and we stayed at home and played games (Kat actually played Hi-Ho Cherri-O and Memory), did laundry, and generally just hung out. Julia (and Mommy) started working on a Pre-School workbook today that she seemed to enjoy. Kat took a 3 hour and 45 minute nap. Usually we don't let her sleep for more than 3 hours, but considering the hectic week/loss of naps, we let her sleep. She was happy all evening, so it seemed to do her some good. Julia, on the other hand, laid in bed for an hour at nap time and then got up to play. It seems that naps are becoming a thing of the past for her.

Kat playing with nesting dolls

December 30

Yesterday Daddy went back to work (he had been off since Tuesday), so life returned back to the usual - except Mommy had about a week's worth of chores to catch up on, in addition to putting away all the Christmas decorations. The girls were very helpful (really) taking down the tree. Kat was especially cranky in the morning, so they both took early naps. After naps we ran a couple of errands, including getting the van washed.

In the car wash. They don't look too sure about it. Kat said her "doggy like car wash".

Last night Daddy stayed home with the girls and Mommy went out with Peggy for dinner and the movie "Marley & Me".

December 29

Happy Birthday Nonna!

Yesterday we went to church and then McDonald's for lunch. Mamaw, Bapaw, and Ma-Maw & Pa-Paw C came over after nap time to visit for awhile. Last night while Daddy and the girls stayed home and watched Kung-Fu Panda (see the video of Julia Kung-Fu fighting), Mommy went to the grocery store alone (!!!).

Playing Polly Pockets

Ma-Maw & Pa-Paw testing out the Tempurpedic bed...

Kat feeding her Baby Belle

Daddy & Kat working on their Circus act (courtesy of Pa-Paw C)

December 28

Yesterday we went to the Creation Museum with friends. It's a really nice museum. Click Here to check out the website. We would recommend not taking little kids to it. The girls behaved pretty well while we were there, but if you plan to really learn and read about the exhibits, it's better without kids. We had a fun day with our friends!

Here we are in the Garden of Eden

The kids (and Daddies) had a good time bouncing on the bridge.

Joseph, Mary, & Baby Jesus

Julia petting a Zorse (Zebra-Horse) and a Zonkey (Zebra-Donkey) at the petting zoo

Kat trying to feed Gomer the Camel

Julia, Clayton, Camryn, Kat, & Christian

December 27

Yesterday we stayed home and the kids played with their new toys. Our friend John (Daddy's college roommate) stopped by for a visit. It was nice to see him. Last night we learned that we had 60 degree weather and we were cooped up inside all day rather than playing outside enjoying it... oh well.

Watching 3-D Shrek - Thanks Uncle Stump!

Playing Hungry Hungry Hippos with John

December 26

Mamaw Pat had told us that some of her favorite Christmas memories are from standing outside the boys' bedrooms after they'd been laid down Christmas Eve and listening to them talk to each other about Christmas/Santa. We decided to do this too (not really expecting much since the girls are young). Julia chatted on and on to Kat about needing to stay in bed so they wouldn't get into trouble, needing to go to sleep so Santa would come to our house, etc. She said this several times before ending with, "I love you so much. Good night." * sigh* That was Mommy's Christmas present! Of course, Julia was out of bed 30 minutes after we laid her down "to see if Santa had come down the chimney yet".

Ready for the Christmas Eve service at church

Mamaw reading "'Twas the Night Before Christmas"

Bapaw reading the story of Jesus' birth

Cookies and milk (and a picture Julia wanted to give Santa) for Santa, carrots for the reindeer

We expected the girls to wake us up bright and early Christmas morning as they are usually up between 6:30 and 7. Mommy and Daddy actually laid in bed awake waiting for the girls to wake us up! Finally, at 7:40 Julia came into our room. We had to wake Kat up, for maybe the first time ever!

Opening stockings

Julia modeling her hat and scarf from GG Pop

Kat threw a fit because she didn't want to open presents - she wanted to eat the candy from her stocking instead!

We finally got her calmed down enough to open presents

Daddy you need to share Kat's toy with her!

After lunch we headed to Mamaw and Bapaw's house for more presents and dinner...

After dinner, we played poker. Julia was "helping" Mommy (and practicing her Poker face).

December 25

Merry Christmas 2008! Love, Clay, Amy, Julia, & Kat

December 24

Merry Christmas Eve!

Update: These are pictures from our Christmas Eve cookie party...

Daddy, Uncle Bob & Ma-Maw C helping the girls make cookies

Aunt Jessica & Julia

Uncle Bob & Kat

Pa-Paw C and Julia

Mamaw & Julia

Mamaw G & Julia decorating the cookies

Aunt Jessica helping Kat decorate the cookies - Kat ate a bite out of most of the ones she decorated!

The old folks table

These were decorated by Bob & Jessica
- Uncle Bob even put the girls' names on stockings!

Soon we'll be heading to the Christmas Eve candlelit service at church!!!

Original Post:
Yesterday morning Daddy, Mommy, & Kat went to Cracker Barrel for breakfast (Julia spent the night with Mamaw and Bapaw). We had a lot of fun having Kat as an only child - we hadn't done that since she was a baby! She loved all the attention, but was glad for Julia to come home. After naps we went bowling with Mamaw, Bapaw, and Ma-maw & Pa-paw C.

"Playing" checkers at Cracker Barrel

It took awhile for their balls to get down the lane...

Snuggles

December 23

Happy Birthday Aunt Janet!

Yesterday Alayna came over to play with Julia until nap time. The girls had a good time together. While they were playing and Mommy was cleaning, Kat found something to keep herself occupied... (see photo #2). We went over to Mamaw & Bapaw's for dinner. Mamaw and Papaw C arrived in town yesterday afternoon, so we visited with them.

Julia and her buddy, Alayna

Not-so-Funny Kat Story: Kat got into the toilet (with pee in it) and put a bunch of toilet paper in it and then pulled it out all over the bathroom... her doggy (lovey) got soaked, so he had to have a bath, which made her scream for about 2 hours until he was dry (it ran into nap time, which wasn't pretty!).

Kat's really into dancing lately...


Love this laugh... Julia and Papaw C playing



These pictures are from Thursday night. We went to the other end of town for dinner at Daddy's favorite restaurant, On the Border. While there, we ran into Jill, Brody, Mollie, and their family. The kids had fun running back and forth between tables to say hello. After dinner we went to the Build-A-Bear store. The girls received gift cards for being flower girls in Natalie & Travis's wedding, so we decided to use them. Kat thought it was alright (she's probably a little young), but Julia really got into it! She can't wait to go back and get her bear another outfit (good birthday gift ideas if anyone's wondering what to get her - or any 4 year-old for that matter).

Kat pushing the pedal to stuff her doggy (she named it Puppy)

Giving Puppy the "Hug Test"

Giving their new friends a bath - Kat liked this part alot

Build-A-Daddy Cowboy?

Julia named her bear Cinderella

Here they are doing the "Heart Ceremony". If anyone ever wonders what to get a Pre-schooler, this is a great idea... it was alot of fun!