{ It's About Love }

Saturday, February 5, 2011

Reminder Reminder Reminder

I just wanted to remind anyone who missed it, I have stopped blogging on this blog in order to print it. We would love you to replace us on your blog rolls and in your favorites with http://www.michaelandlilafamily.blogspot.com/ . If you have a private blog you want us to follow please delete our current email you have and send an invite to lila5thof11@yahoo.com. We would love to follow anyone that invites us. In return you can follow us too. :) he he he. I'm so funny.

Friday, December 31, 2010

Our New Family Blog

As of January 1, 2011, if you are interested in following our life's happenings, you can find us here: http://www.michaelandlilafamily.blogspot.com/ or here. I will no longer be posting to this blog from then on so add the new one to your blog list. ;) xo Lila

Thursday, December 30, 2010

Neeeew Nephew!

Meet grandchild number 21 on my side of the family who was born today, December 30, 2010.

REESE Emmett Sullivan

550am (NO DRUGS! Wowsa)

8 pounds 1 ounce, 21 inches

born in California to my sister Jenalyn, her husband Darren and big cheeked brother Liam.

Congratulations for making it without any drugs!! Now get some rest woman!!!

-- Sent from my Palm Pixi

My munchkin's growing up.

Today I had to take Evan to the Dr for his mysterious 'rash' on his legs (likely an allergic reaction that the Dr. is not worried about and either am I). Once satisfied that we should try some benedryl on the lass, we were off to run some errands... only... my sweet hubby has driven my car to no gas (so unlike him to leave me in such a state. I forgive you honey. wink). No problem, 1st drop off is on my way to Walmart and now I need to buy benedryl (first time in my life btw. fun fact). I left Walmart for 3 more stops of homemade banana bread & peppermint meregue drop offs. I had to go ahead and give Cora a bottle in the car earlier (i like to avoid that practice but whatcha gunna do?) and now, she was NOT happy Cora Grace we all know and love. She was yelling and crying as it was WAY past nap time (in fact, she skipped 1st nap all together in the end. oops). She was yelling out as she does when pushed to such a limit and Evan yelled at her, "Cora... whisper!". LOL!!! ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha. When he is yelling and carrying on, I usually tell him to be quiet, use your inside voice or 'whisper', which ever one gets his attention and works (sometimes an interesting combination of the 3, ha ha ha). So you see, he is learning something, even if it's not applied to himself. By the way, Cora did get quiet but only because her brother was talking and in that case, she stands at full attention because she loves him so. Awwwwweeee. bfn. x

Monday, December 27, 2010

Our Christmas Weekend

Christmas Eve morning moments. Someone is excited to read!

On our way to Christmas Eve festivities in Nashville with Michael's family, this is what I found. Evan sucking his finger (meaning he's exhausted) while letting Cora hold his other finger. I don't know if you can see her face reflected in the baby mirror but she has the biggest love face and smile for Evan. Very cute!

After a delicious meal, it was gift time at Mike's brother's house.

These are Evan's antlers from Grandma Jennie but he wouldn't wear them. He was too interested in something up his nose I guess. lol.

Evan getting "Rocket" pajamas. Grandma didn't even know it's his new obsession word. When we sing him his good night song and include people he knows or things around his room (ie: "Good night window/light switch/ blanket/ toys" etc) he wants us to sing "Good night ROCKET" over and over and over. We don't know what it's about but it cracks us up. The picture of Grandma is of her finally receiving much hinted about photos of her grandchildren! Now if we could only get the parents of those children to cooperate and all take a photo together... we'll see.

Poor cousin Lauren was sick and laying down a lot so not too many pictures of her but Brooke had a great time with Evan and he really appreciated the attention and energy Brooke had to chase him around and humor him. :) We appreciate that too! ha ha ha.

I had no idea that he knew how to hold a guitar but he was obsessed with the Wii guitar.

Twin pajamas! Sweet brother to his "baby sister" (which he calls her on occasion).

I wanted a picture of their size difference. It really cracks me up.

Back to our house and getting ready for Santa to come.

Even the pets were 'nice' this year and got some treats. :)

Christmas morning faces.

This is why Christmas morning is going to start getting fun. Look at that face over a bunch of plastic zoo animals. Priceless!

Thank you Grandma Karla/Putsie and Grandpa Allen for recording your voices in our book from cousin Luke. Both kids L-O-V-E it!

Daddy and Cora Grace were total buddy's while we opened gifts. I was able to capture this cute one.

Mike got some special wax lips from Santa in his stocking. We all wanted to try them out. ha ha ha ha.

Evan got 3 remote vehicles for Christmas! This truck was from Santa and he got 2 trains from Michael's family. He could use a few more in his mind. We have played with them all day. Each works differently and he is getting to know them quickly. Here he is trying to run over his sister with his truck. lol.

These pictures are pretty lame of the snow a few hours later (because of my rebellion against flash) but I hope you get the idea that Evan was having fun and that we had a decent snow storm here. Oh, and he's letting me put his old caps on again. Whoo hoo!

House cleaned up and relaxing in his new chair from Santa, Evan played with Cora's new chew toy and just looked too cute not to take a picture. :) P.S. Thank you Meghan for your sweet idea on how to hang Greeting cards from a ribbon with clothes pins. It looked awesome and gave me sanity. :)

I have wanted a little 'boom box' to play music for the kids since Cora was born and my awesome sister in law Kelli had one and would play music for the kids. I think music (the right kind) is very beneficial to small children. I love the Mozart and Beethoven Cd's for them but also the nursery rhymes etc that get them to interact. Well, recently Michael got this one but I really didn't have Cd's until Christmas. Here you see Evan obviously riveted to the "Silly Songs"CD Mike put in my stocking but do you see that sweet baby in the background also paying attention to it? :) First thing Sunday morning, Evan went right to the CD player, carried to a comfortable spot, sat down and tried to turn it on. Dang he's getting so big and smart!

Being silly this morning while he ate his pancakes and sausage (well, our dog Smokey actually got fed his sausage. Evan is so 'sharing' sometimes. lol).

Swoon!

Playing in the snow on Sunday. He fell down and didn't want to get up. He said, very pitifully, "Help... me". It was so sad, he was just tired and worn out poor little guy. I'm glad he let me help him. Being a 2 year old, that's not always the case. :)

I just want to close this post with how grateful we are to have our children. They are the greatest gift anyone could give and we really do believe that God sent them to our home. We will always strive to do our best for them including resolving to always be good to each other as husband and wife. It has been hard since Cora came, for us to connect as we used to but we are working hard to be more patient with each other with our added responsibilities and make time for just us. We know that will make us better parents to these beautiful children. I am grateful for this season that we have to remember the sacrifices our Savior was born to make for us and for us to think of what good we are doing in the world in return. I hope to work harder on how I am not only to my family but to who ever I meet. It's always feels great to plan this in my mind, now I need to make time to do it. I hope you all will have confidence in the goals you will be making for the new year, that you can accomplish them and that they will bring you joy and fulfillment. God Bless.