Christmas Eve 2011

While last year was spent at home since Mommy had a big bun in the oven, this year we embraced the "hustle and bustle" of the holiday season and headed to Mamaw and Papaw's and Grandma and Grandpa "Bugles" on Christmas Eve. Santa even dropped by for a visit before he stopped by our house later that night.

Lights Under Louisville

Last year, Mamaw, Mommy and the girls hit Lights Under Louisville and had NO problems getting in. As a matter of fact, we drove right on up! This year was a different story. We waited literally 2.5 hrs to see the lights. It made the lights a little less appealing if you know what I mean. Once we realized how MANY lines there were to get in, it was too late-- we were trapped! This past Thursday (December 22nd,) we had dinner with Annie and Ryan and the girls were surprised with chairs to do their American Girl dolls' hair in and Mason enjoyed a blue elephant that shoots balls into the air. Following supper and gifts, Mamaw came up and we headed to the lines of Lights Under Louisville. Despite the wait...We had fun!

Letters to Santa

Today the girls and I went to see Alvin and the Chipmunks (Ship Wrecked.) Very cute by the way. But first, we wrote letters to Santa and will be delivering them to the big red mailbox inside of Macy's this evening. Here are snapshots of their letters:

Haircuts & Earrings

Yesterday, we hit the salon and the mall for haircuts and earrings. The night before, Jordyn said she really wanted to try piercing her ears again... so we said, okay.

Raelee cut about 4 inches off her hair (it looks awesome) and Jordyn cut just a little, but left her ears with sparkling, white studs. "My ears aren't naked anymore Mommy," she said.

Christmas with Grammy & Poppy

Sunday we celebrated Christmas with Grammy and Poppy. The kids had a BIG Christmas and so did we. Everyone had a great time! Here are some pictures that captured some of the moments.

Making Cookies

Saturday night the girls and I made Christmas cookies. We had so much fun! Daddy and Mason enjoyed eating them... and we did too!

Kennedy & Mason

Today I watched baby Kennedy with little big man. We had fun. Kennedy was amazed by Mason and he was amazed by her. While I had Kennedy propped up in the boppy pillow, Mason would crawl to his toy basket and bring her a toy (he'd lay it by her.) Too cute!

The babies were soooo good!

Feliz Navidad!

Wednesday was Jordyn's Kindergarten Christmas program. Because the school is made up of students from many cultures, the kids sang songs like "Kwanza is Here" and "Feliz Navidad." However, as you can see, "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" was also introduced. So cute! It cracks me up how serious Jordyn is.

What a Weekend

This past Thursday, Jordyn and Daddy headed to the UofL game for the night while Raelee and Mason stayed home with Mommy. At Santa's Workshop store at her school, Raelee bought a paint set and couldn't wait to get started. She worked on her princess page for well over an hour solid. She was so proud of how well she did-- I was too! It looked awesome!

Over the weekend, we hosted the annual EX Christmas party Friday night, Mommy had a cookie exchange at her friend Tina's on Saturday morning (while Mamaw and Papaw graciously agreed to watch the bambinos- the picture of Mason in the Santa hat was our attempt to put cream on his face and make him look like the real deal-- at least he has the "bowl full of jelly" part down pat) and Saturday night Aunt Alecea and Uncle Josh watched the kiddos again as we headed to our Sunday school Christmas party at the Maynard's beautiful home. Sunday, after church, Morgan came over to join the girls for an afternoon of fun before heading to Highview's Family Christmas for the evening. The music was spectacular!

This weekend will be busy, of course, but not quite as crazy as the last. Mommy and Daddy will be celebrating their 10-year anniversary on Thursday, December 15th-- so hard to believe!

Pizza Please

So it seems as if all we do is take pictures of Mason eating something lately. Well, it's true. We're fascinated by this kid's appetite. Not to mention, these will be fantastic pictures to share with his girlfriends when he probably weighs 145 lbs and is 5'11 tall. Marty's hoping for a football player-- I told him not to hold his breath, or pray this boy can run.

Here's another picture that suits him perfectly-- why would I play with the blocks, when I can take a ride in the thing they come in.

Busy Weekend

This weekend was busy as usual at the Hawkins' house. Friday night the girls had a Christmas party with church, so Daddy, Mason and Mommy headed to Chuey's for supper while the girls enjoyed the evening. Saturday morning was breakfast with Santa at the girls' school. They again asked for a Nintendo DS and a bike. Saturday afternoon we headed to Skate O Rama for Braedon's 6th birthday! Mommy and Daddy put on skates for the first time in 20 or so years. Thankfully, there were no injuries. Saturday night the kiddos headed to Annie and Ryan's for a fun night where they built a really cool fort while Mommy and Daddy went to a 40th birthday party for Mr. Matt. Needless to say-- Sunday has been pretty low-key. This weekend, it starts all over again! We'll need to fasten our seat belts until the new year.

Can I Get a Rib?

All I want for Christmas is M-E-A-T. Mason enjoys his first rib...

All I Want for Christmas

This past Thursday was Mommy's last day of classes for her first semester back to school. She's relieved it's over!

Saturday, we went to the mall to do a little Christmas shopping and sat on Santa's lap. Raelee pulled on his beard several times (poor Santa) and asked if he "was the real one." As the kids were walking away and after the picture was taken, Santa said, "And, girls... please stop fighting in the car." They looked at me with BIG eyes and said... "How did he know that?" They figured then he was the real Santa. Raelee and Jordyn asked for Nintendo ds's and a new bike. We will have to see what Christmas morning brings.

Happy Halloween!

It was a Happy Halloween as our little butterflies and caterpillar made their way through Cooper Farm. The girls lasted for about an hour, but still racked up on some awesome candy! Lille Man also made out pretty well. He just sat back in his stroller and enjoyed the ride. Poppy and Grammy came up to visit with a little surprise of their own- Poppy had shaved his beard completely oFf! No worries, though, it will be back. Baby Kennedy and Jackson also came by as a bumblebee and pumpkin- too cute!

Too Cute!

Wednesday night, Uncle Josh took Jordyn to supper and the UofL basketball game. She had a great time. I think her favorite part was getting ice cream at the game! Mason and Raelee stayed home with Mommy. As you can see here, Mason fell asleep on BIG sister's lap. He's nearly as big as she is!

BFF's

Today, we picked up Raelee's BFF, Estrella around 11 a.m. and didn't drop her off until around 4:30. They had a great time! She's so polite, and they all three got along great. Yes, little sis cannot stay too far away from her big. Here they all were at the neighbordhood park.

Fairdale Fall Festival

Last Friday night was Fairdale Elementary's Fall Festival. The girls had a blast, walking trick or treat street, playing games and going through the scary haunted house. Here is a picture of Raelee & Jordyn dressed as butterflies, with their friends Estrella and Alexis. While we were at Fall Festival, Marty and Mason headed to Lexington to meet Baby Stella for the first time. Saturday, Mason and I headed to Glendale Days with Mamaw and Aunt Annie and had an awesome time! The weather was perfect! The girls stayed home and played with neighbordhood friends and hung out with Daddy for the day.
Also, this past weekend Mason officially started crawling. For the past several weeks, we began to wonder if he was truly going to crawl- or just skip the phase and head straight for walking. It's so cute... but, he's into EVERYTHING!

This week, he started saying "Mama." So sweet! He usually says it while he's eating, or if he's crawling and wanting something. I love it no matter what!

Getting into Trouble

Our little man has discovered the entertainment center and mostly... the DVD's. I know, it's only the beginning. This past weekend, the kids and I headed to Etown to spend time with Lisa and her three kiddos. We went to Chick Fil-A and a nearby pumpkin patch. The girls became real attached to her oldest, Trish (who is 9.) We hope to get together again soon! Tomorrow night, Daddy and Mason plan to head to Lexington to meet cousin Stella for the first time. The girls have their annual fall festival at school, so we will be going there. Busy weekend ahead as always!

Philly "Wit" Fun

Marty and I spent Friday, Saturday, and Sunday night in Philly as a combo Birthday/Anniversary celebration. That's right- no kids, just us!

Mamaw and Papaw graciously sacrificed their Friday and Saturday nights to watch the kiddos, and Grammy and Poppy took a sleepless Sunday night, as well. We had a GREAT time! The first night, we stayed with Cousin Cathy and John and were introduced to their wine room. Saturday, we roamed the city and ate at a great little Italian place called La Cucina Forte. Sunday, we took in some tailgating and headed to the Philly/49er's game. It didn't end well for the Eagles, but we did (nonetheless) get to experience "true" Philelphia football fans. This was also the same day as Game 2 for the Phillies. We began to taste what it was like- just the two of us again. But, we did miss our three babies. It's still good coming home.

Here, you see some pictures of Marty and I at the game, of Constitution Hall, and of a really great mural we saw in the city.

Big Man Weighs In

So, Daddy took Mason to the doctor on Wed at which point he received two shots AND had is finger pricked; he didn't cry at all. Unbelievable!
At 9 months he weights 22 lbs (75th percentile,) is 28 3/4 inches long (88th percentile,) and his noggin is 47 inches (90th percentile-- he must have a BIG brain!)
He's a joy! We feel so blessed to have him and the girls in our lives.

Tomorrow, Mommy and Daddy head to Philly for a three-night adults-only weekend! We are so excited! No worries-- Mommy does not plan to come back with a "little souvenir." :-)

Happy 5th Birthday Jordyn!

Well, Baby Girl has officially turned 5! Interesting... this past Friday, September 23rd, the day began as very rainy; just exactly like the day Jordyn was born five years ago. The rain came so hard, cell phone signals were down and I64 East was flooded as Marty drove me to Norton Suburban that afternoon. Time has flown.

Friday we celebrated with the Hawkins side and Saturday we celebrated with the Crum/Kidd side. She had a great birthday!