Christmas Break

Merry Christmas 2007

I know that I have been slacking on the blog but its difficult for me to get motivated when there is so much yummy food. My favorite sugar cookies are here and I am expanding to accommodate them.. HA HA So here are some pictures of the kids. I will update more later.
We have had a mini crisis that has had me concerned and has consumed my time and thoughts. Sam Houston (our dog) was sick at the kennel. I am so blessed to have Jennifer as my friend. She is always to my rescue - one day I will have to pay her back but she never seems to need me... Anyways Sam is hopefully on the mend but I have spend the last couple days on the phone with the kennel, Jennifer and the Vet. I don't think I will board him anymore, we miss him so much.
It actually has been really pleasant here, the weather is mild and we took the kids for a walk yesterday. During the walk Ella said something funny.
Ella wanted to get in the stroller and I said Honey no I am sorry there are only two seats and you are big enough to walk. She said I wish there was only 2 of us. To which I was planning a response on the virtues of 2 brothers but she spoke up first and said "We'll I guess you get what you get" 2 brothers is what I got. Well we thought it was pretty funny. So we told her that God wanted her to have 2 brothers and how lucky she was. She seemed good with that explanation and the rest of the day she coddled them and told them how much she loved them.

Ella was excited to go ice skating on the pond. Well the pond is a little frozen water in my parents backyard. She had fun and picked it up pretty quick.

Christmas with Grandma and Grandpa Hoy and Great Grandma Tracy. I explained to Ella that she was a great grandma because she was so good at being my grandma we thought she was GREAT for Ella.

Video of Ella's christmas play

Technical difficulties so sorry for the delay...

18 Month Check

Today the boys had their 18 month check up. Here is picture of them waiting for the Dr. Ella brought them toys and dress up to help pass the time.



Here are their stats:
Christopher 21.5 lbs (5th percentile)
30 inches (3rd percentile)


Jack 21.7 lbs (3rd percentile)
32 inches (50th percentile)

ELLA'S SCHOOL PLAY

What an exciting day for me and Ella. She had her first ever performance and was fantastic. She was so thrilled to do this play not for reasons you may think but because she knew that when she did the play that she didn't have to go back to school. It was the last day for Christmas break. She is pretty confused though, she told her teacher that she was never coming back she was done school forever, and her brothers may come one day but not her. I on the other was the proud mom who beamed with enthusiasm as Ella walked in the room. I was so nervous for her and thoroughly annoyed with the little girl beside who was blocking Ella's angelic face. Ella was so fun to watch because she is such a rules girl that she did exactly what she was supposed to do. She watched the director and did the motions. The kids sang the song Happy Birthday Jesus and she didn't sing. I asked her why not? She said only the 4 years sing that song. I said but you know the words, I know Mommy but I'm not 4. When I went to the school this morning Lisa saved me a seat in the front row and I initially thought she may see me sitting so close and decide to not participate but she seemed so pleased with herself and her production.

This was funny an angel riding a sheep and Mommy holding a baby!!!! Pretty sure if that baby was real, Ella (the angel) would be saying Fear Not Lynnette, I bring lots of prescription medicine!!!

I have to say Thank you to Alexia and Katrina again for being our family today. Its Texas and everyone has big families and they all show up at these events and I was feeling kind of sad for me and her. John was away and we have no other family that would come see her in all her glory. So thank you Alexia and Katrina, Ella was so excited to see you there and have you eat lunch with her at her school party. You're terrific friends and I am so glad you take such an interest in my kids.

Happy Birthday Christopher and Jack

Christopher and Jack are 18 months today. I love birthdays and I love milestones. 18 months, I can hardly believe that tomorrow they are closer to 2 then 1. My babies are growing up.

I remember the day they told us we were having twins. We went for the ultrasound and they showed us the one baby and I asked is there two and they weren't very conclusive. Finally they said well there are two sacs but the one sac is so blurry there is not really any chance it will continue. I said so we are having twins??? The nurse and Dr. said well technically but I wouldn't tell anyone since it probably won't end that way. Only one sac is viable. I called everyone I know and told them WE ARE HAVING TWINS!!! Here is a photo of what twins look like at 5 weeks. Little bitty sacs.

Jack we weren't expecting you but thanks for hanging on. You are the most amazing blessing and I am forever grateful that you were such a terrific baby.

We celebrated Christmas with Dylan today. The kids had so much fun with their new toys and then we went to Burger King. Dylan got Ella a new Pet Shop which she shared nicely with Jack since he loves Pet Shop. We got Dylan a noisy garbage truck which Christopher thought should be his. I think boys are born loving cars and trucks if not then my boys got the HOY DNA and Grandpa Paul should be proud.

People think suburbia is boring but I beg to differ...

While eating our chicken nuggets... Dylan says Firetruck, Jack says "fi tuc" Jennifer and I say OK and pass it off since there is a fire station down the road. A minute later Dylan says Fire. Well we look up and there is a huge amount of smoke... A car was turning left and another car hit it and caught on fire. The kids were enamoured by all the commotion.

Here are some pics from this weekend raking leaves with Daddy. He raked and they scattered them. Lots of fun for the kids, lots of work for Dad.

Tomorrow is Ella's play at school and she didn't seem all that excited until Alexia and Katrina asked if they could come be our family representative. Now she is thrilled. I have heard a dozen times tonight, MOMMY, Alexia and Katrina are coming to see me sing. So thank you Alexia, you're the best. You made her day brighter.

The Brautigams

Ella and I started our day out taking Sam Houston to the vet for his annual check up and shots. Ella was so fascinated that dogs get needles and don't cry. She kept reassuring him that he would be fine and that she loved him very much. Here is a photo of her and her dog.

After that we got donuts and headed home to wait for Tyler to come over...

The Brautigam's which are practically family came over today to do Christmas for Tyler and Ella. Tyler, Ryan and Erin are going to Minnesota tomorrow so today was the last day we would see them before the holidays. Tyler walked in the door and said Ella I have a present for you. They were both so excited to open their gifts. They were hugging everyone and playing. We got Tyler a basketball game which at first frustrated Ella and then she got the hang of it, which frustrated Tyler that she was doing so well. They got Ella a game, right up her alley and some horses which Jack, Christopher and Ella thought were awesome. These kids lucked out.

Merry Christmas Brautigams, Happy New Year!

The kids had so much fun playing together today. They thought it was fantastic getting rides from Daddy even better when they paired up.

We went to Lowes to get some things and while we were there Ella thought she might like to get a rug for her room. So we were looking at all the rugs and nothing really would do, not much pink at Lowes. We start walking down the aisle and Ella stops dead and her tracks and says OH MOM, ITS PERFECT. I say whats perfect and she walks over to the AstroTurf and says this rug sparkles. Well John and I were laughing. Here is a picture John took with his phone.

AMEN

At dinner when Ella was praying and at the end she said Amen. Out of the blue Jack says AMEN. So here is a video of him saying a few words. This is such a fun age when they are getting verbal. Today we just hung around and it was great. We went to the Y and for walks. I raked leaves and the kids jumped in them and thought that was so fantastic.

I have added another video of Jack and Christopher playing... They were dancing. Of course by the time I got the camera they didn't really want to perform. So just imagine them laughing and spinning around for 1/2 hour prior to this. Jack has decided he needs a break!

Daddy's Home

SURPRISE!!! Ella asked me yesterday when is Daddy coming home? She asked if he would be home when she woke up and I said no he wouldn't be back yet. However leave it to Johnny to get home... It was a fantastic surprise for all of us. It gets better. He said he could stay late this morning and take Ella to school. She was pretty excited. Now if we can only work some magic and he could come to her Christmas play. Seriously I think Dallas can wait, you only hear a 3 year old sing GO TELL IT ON THE MOUNTAIN once...

I said Ella I will take your picture with Daddy and Jack waddled over as fast as he could and sat down, no way he was missing a photo op. I attempted to put Christopher in it too, but as you all know Christopher. No sir, he was not going to co operate. Maybe he will grow into cooperation...

A side note, if you could pray for my friend Coreen. She is in surgery now in London. She is a couple weeks pregnant and having lots of complications. If you think of her that would be awesome, since we are pretty concerned for her and the baby.

A bunch of animals...

I went to get Christopher out of his crib today and when I went in his room there he was proud as a peacock without his shorts or diaper on. It seems he feels more comfortable in his birthday suit. I searched the surrounding area for fluid but to my relief found none. Ella came in and found this amusing and the next thing I know she has stripped down to and is running around the game room with her underwear on her head. I didn't take a picture obviously, but I am sure you can imagine the scene. They seemed to think it was the best thing ever. A bunch of animals!

Sarah was here today and she wanted something and I asked her to wait just a minute. A few seconds later Sarah asked again to which Ella promptly replied. Sarah you need some patience!

Here is Ella giving the boys a ride on the swing. They are in heaven. She gets it going so fast that I have to hold it down so it doesn't flip over. They love the thrilling ride she gives them. Before she gets it going though Jack always makes sure his seat belt is on. He's so wise.

OLD BLOG

FIRST OF ALL IT'S 83 degrees. As Shannon says "Santa, don't forget your shorts" Nothing like winter in Texas. Poor John is in Edmonton where is -12... Santa actually might not make it there since he's frozen to his sleigh.

So John and I remembered that we (mostly he) had started a blog years ago when Ella was born and blogging the new thing to do. We obviously didn't keep up with it, but here is a link to it if your interested. It was interesting for me to read and revisit some of the events of those days. Hurricane Dennis totally messed up our drive to Florida and John mentioned the bombings in London. It was crazy to think that she was it, no Jack and Christopher yet - life has changed for us.

http://jmullins001.blogspot.com/

The blog is unlocked, I don't know back then if you could restrict it. I go back and forth on restricting this one and as of now I still think I am going to, so if you know someone who I have left out and would like to see whats new in our life just send me an email. - L

Cookie Day

Erin had us and a bunch of our friends to her house for a Christmas cookie decorating party. She is always so brave to open her house to all the chaos, I guess we all do it except the difference she actually plans it in advance. This would give her time to think and realize that she's crazy, but nope she's our hospitable friend...

I ate more than I decorated. Ella had so much fun she decorated her heart out. I couldn't believe how long she stayed interested. The sprinkles were a big hit and then Erin brought out squeezable icing in a tube and she thought she was in heaven.

For some reason the pictures are pretty blurry but you'll get an idea of what we did today.

Ella and Tyler love to dress up. Here is Ella and her prince oh wait nope looks like she has more than one prince. Christopher wants the princesses attention as well.

No party would be complete without the dance party. Here the kids go...

Better Together

Our photographing friend Shannon took our pictures this weekend, here is a peek... Enjoy!

PLAYDOUGH!

Sundays are so enjoyable for me. Its the best day of the week. It is always an emotional day for me since we go to church and that always make me contemplate life, love, purpose and what am I doing with those things. Today we dropped off the gifts for the angel tree and seeing all the FedEx trucks lined up ready to take presents to 4000 under resourced kids was amazing.
Erin and Tyler joined us which had Ella in great spirits. We went to lunch with them at Lupe's where Chad and Ryan met us. Jack got knocked out by waiter who felt so bad, wasn't really his fault though. Jack was right under his feet. Jack has a lovely goose egg!

So since I have been contemplating today - it is Sunday and I don't have an about me on my blog, since its not really about me anyways. Its about Ella, Jack and Christopher who are absolutely fantastic and light up my life. However, I have come up with an about me... Here goes.

I am a woman, I prefer girl actually but seriously who am I kidding, all the young Texan boys call me MAM so I am a woman. I am a woman in love. I am in love with God. He is so good to me, I am in awe of his love and desire for me. I am in love with my husband John, who I enjoy getting older and hopefully wiser with... I am in love with my kids who fascinate me everyday. I am in love with my family who love me and listen to me. I am in love with my friends who laugh with me, actually at me... Being in love is good!

Tonight the kids and I played play dough, a pretty normal occurrence at our house. It was really fun having the boys get into since they have never had the interest.
Jack loved to squish it up in his hands and Christopher enjoyed hitting all the tools on the table and then of course throwing them on the floor. Ella thought having all of us do this together was fantastic. She is a great big sister!

Friday Fun Day

Friday is my favorite weekday as is most peoples. I love Fridays. I always try to make sure the kids get out or we have a play date so they get something to look forward to. It's also a great way to ring in the weekend. More family fun days!

Ella and Jack mauling Sam as usual. I bet someone is wondering, why is Jack always only in a diaper? Well I change him SO often. He's got a great digestive tract. Also, he squirms so much to get his clothes back on that he often wins the battle. It's Texas after all. 83 degrees in December, who needs pants?

So today we had a play date. Tyler came by at 8am so Erin could take Chad to the Dr's. Something about a sore back... I just think he was looking for an excuse to get out of the marathon. Just kidding of course. He has a protruding disc. Doesn't sound fun.
Anyways, I got sidetracked.
Tyler walks in the door making himself completely comfortable (as I would hope) and him and Ella hold hands and start walking up the stairs. As they are making their way to the top I hear Ella say "Tyler you know I have a really itchy bum." It was funny. Tyler says "Oh no what you do Ella? She says "I'm using Christopher's diaper cream. It helps." They are such an old married couple sometimes.
A couple hours later Linda, Katalina and Konrad arrive, followed by Shelley, Luke and Logan. They eat some lunch. I say some because they are 3 and under so its still a bit of an ordeal...
Then it was outside for some time on the swings, in the fort and in the bounce house. I took out the Ipod and we had a dance party. Loads of fun. Then I hear my name in the distance and I look over and its my neighbor Jennifer. I say come on over and join the fun. She brings Nicholas over and one more kid to play with. It was a successful day. After they left it was nap time. After nap time we had snacks and attempted to clean up and Ella got some into it her room is spic and span.

John came home early(5pm.) Not early in my opinion but he thinks its early so I will cut him some slack and say early. The kids took a walk or as Jack says holding one shoe in the air GO WAAAA... He asks 10 times a day Go walk Go walk... He got his way. Here's some pictures.


Tomorrow we get the kids pictures done with Shannon. I will post some when I get them.
Happy Weekend!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GRANDPA PAULIE WOG...

Dad,

I hope you have a great birthday and I am so sorry we are not there to celebrate with you, although seriously who could keep up with you and all the parties....

I love you very much you are a great dad and are lots of fun. Quite the jokester... You keep me laughing and your also a terrific listener. Who knew we would chat so much on the phone. You have shown John a whole new world. AUTOMOTIVE, he keeps our cars in tip top shape - all thanks to you, Pappa-san! Lets not forget what a great deal we get on cars thanks to you again. So we thank you, our children thank you and more importantly our bank account thanks you...

Ella, Jack and Christopher think you are so grand. Which is why its appropriate that your name is GRANDpa.

It is actually very challenging to get 5 kids to look at the camera and smile all at the same time. This is the best I could get. We went to the park for lunch and playtime with Tyler and Ryan. We had fun. The babies made us a little nervous. Ryan wanted to rock climb, Christopher took a big tumble and Jack was practicing the balance beam. Erin and I were on full alert... Its crazy time at this age. We were remembering to when Tyler and Ella were this age and thought it was so fun to run away from us, towards the road of course. Although it was one on one parenting then, now its zone defense.

So cute! Today they were playing and Tyler kept calling to Ella, Come here Princess. I thought it was adorable. I found out they were pretending to be in the movie Shrek. Ella was pretending exceptionally well considering she has never seen the movie and has no clue who Shrek is...

In about one second Christopher decided this was not fun.

I finally figured out how to get Jacks hair to stay a little spikey... Candy Cane. Works like a charm.

Where's my candy cane??? I know I just had it.

I have no idea how you get a candy cane stuck to your back but at least it cuts down on his sugar intake for the day.