The Gingerbread House.

Hayden loved putting together the Gingerbread House so much last year that we decided we would make it a tradition. This tradition for now is reserved to time when Little E is sleeping because we all know that the construction of edible objects, messy icing, etc. would not lead to a structurally sound house if there was a little "E Monster" involved. We love you so much little man but maybe next year for you....

The basic frame is up! We are waiting for the icing to dry
a bit so we can get down to the real decorating.
Hayden is proud of the construction job so far...

Hayden decorates the tree and snowman while we wait for the icing on the house to set.

Aunt La La did the icing work on the roof and Hayden
carefully followed with the decor - great job, buddy!

Sosbee Snow Village

This year we had the privilege of having the treasured Sosbee family Snow Village
featured in our home this year.
These are a few of the pieces...

The boys of course LOVED the Snow Village McDonald's.


Steve re routed the wiring in our china cabinet and
made the perfect "home" for it this year. He did
a fantastic job piecing it all together.
Thank you so much for doing this, Steve. I loved it!!
You have such a wonderful enthusiasm for Christmas
and what happy memories you have already made for the boys with everything.

"Happy Birthday, Jesus!" Parties at School!

Steve and I went Thursday to join the boys at their "Happy Birthday, Jesus!" parties at the preschool.

Hayden enjoying his cupcake.

Mommy and her "mini-me" except with a lot less wrinkles in her mini-me version...

Hayden enjoys a games of pin the star on the star - so cute!

Evan was so happy to see his Daddy during the school day.



Evan and his sweet teacher, Ms. Kristen,
doing a fun reindeer craft.

Notice Little E's poor mangled reindeer at the bottom
of the picture. Evan got a bit too excited with it before
it could dry. He is now looking to perhaps steal another craft bag....

Christmas Pictures

A morning of trying to get shots of the boys for the annual Christmas card a few weeks ago....

Little E was determined to not look at the camera
but of course adorable none the less!!

"vintage" Evan




Hayden was very cooperative but
Mommy realized I likely would not
get a good shot of the two of them together smiling at me...but it was fun!

Hayden was finally getting bored ..

Evan is flat out just going to run from me at this point

Mommy was so happy both my boys kept their adorable little hats on without complaint.

and the finished product.....

front

back

Sweetest Little Thought...

Oh, sweet Hayden - the things you think of to ask me these days. I have to write these down to never forget.
I was standing in the kitchen yesterday doing dishes while the boys ate lunch and from no where Hayden asks, "Mom, did you name Evan because it rhymes with Heaven?" I realize that in all reality Hayden is really getting the whole concept of rhyming but to me it was the sweetest sentiment. It felt like no coincidence to me though because in fact Evan means "Gift from God."
As a friend of mine, Shannon, wrote on her blog a couple of months ago, "There are no coincidences, just God." - I love it!
Another thing he ask me in the car the other day really struck me. "Mom, if we start as babies who took care of the very very first babies?" I was able to tell him about how God made Adam and Eve first but I was so awed by such a little mind to think of such. Hayden, you are such a compassionate little soul!

Half Marathon!!!

So yes I look really scary here but this was one happy girl to finish a half marathon at 2 hr 32 minutes. (This included a 5 minute wait during the race for a port o potty which I am bummed about having to stop for but my bladder was not going to stand for it any longer!) That was a good lesson learned for pre-race water consumption for my next half marathon.

Anyhow, the weather was perfect and the path was beautiful. The energy was fantastic and the support of people all along the Dallas streets was so encouraging. It really was a lot of fun. I am eager to do it again next year!!

It was awesome to see all my boys waiting for me at the finish line. Daddy braved taking them by himself on the train with a double stroller and all down in that crazy crowd to watch me finish. It was by far the best site I had seen all day! We went for a late breakfast afterwards and I gladly finished without guilt a delicious stack of pumpkin pancakes - YUM!!

As part of my goal, I was fundraising for my friend Kristin's Angel Twins, Cathryn and Corynne. You can still contribute to my campaign and your donation is tax deductible at Colleen's Run for the Angel Twins.

This was for you, sweet angels!

Birthday Boys...

So I catch myself "backblogged" again. November was a big month for my two sweet birthday boys.

Little "E" turned 2 on November 14th. Daddy took a little break from work to meet us at The Cupcakery for some delicious cupcakes and present opening.

His preschool teachers made him the darling crown the day before.
I thought it would be appropriate for our little celebration, too.
He was "King" for the day.

This was the first birthday Evan could really appreciate opening gifts. He is all about trains
right now so he was fascinated with his Thomas the Train wrapping paper.

Of course we got him a little train track! He loved checking it out.

Evan we can't believe how the time has gone already. You are talking more and more each day. I love to hear your cheerful "Hi, Momma!" in the morning and your "I love you, Momma!" at night just melt my heart away. You always keep me on my toes, my little "E Monster." The big hugs that you give us around the neck as you smash your sweet little face into ours are priceless.

their birthday card I made with Sock Monkeys
www.celestialcreationsbycolleen.com

I decided on Sock Monkeys as the theme (perfect for my little "monkeys" as I often call them). I cheated and just found an illustration online. I downloaded, printed, and cut around it. I then just frosted over the paper and put in on the cake. It was removed of course before cutting and made the cake decorating process SOOO much easier!

Evan and then Hayden going down the bounce house slides.

The boys celebrated with some friends together.

Hayden on a car at Chuck E Cheese's the night of his birthday on November 25th.
Hayden you are the sweetest little boy- what a blessing we have in you! You
have been so excited to tell everyone that you are 5 years old and that
you go to kindergarten in just 9 months. I am so proud
that you look out for your little brother and show your love for him and those
around you.
You are learning to read and show us more and more each day
what a big boy you have become.
You will be a wonderful man someday!

Hayden enjoys his super cool Chuck E Cheese light up cup.

Hayden is so into Lego's right now. We are amazed at
how well he is able to look at the instruction booklet
and put the detailed pieces together.

Hayden was the first birthday in his class this year. He got to sit in the middle of the circle
while his classmates got to sing to him and help make his day super special.

We all joined Hayden in his preschool birthday celebration and
we brought cupcakes to share with his friends.