It was a fun day and I think Austin had a good time. He is such a sweet boy! Austin can be a little stinker sometimes, but we love him so much. Austin loves trains right now and plays everyday with his Geo-Trax and Thomas the train toys. He is going to be a Sunbeam in primary this coming year and he will be the youngest Sunbeam. Hopefully he adjusts well. He has really loved nursery. We love you Austin! Happy Birthday

My kids are so lucky to have my brother Brian for an uncle. He is so great! My kids have really missed him this week. After Brian left last week we were driving in the car and Austin said, "hey where did Uncle Brian go?"

Our Christmas didn't go exactly as planned this year. My parents had planned on flying in from Dallas on Christmas Eve night. Well, it snowed in Dallas on Christmas eve and their plane was delayed. I felt so bad that they had to spend Christmas Eve in the airport. I guess you can't control the weather. My parents didn't make it in till 1:30 pm on Christmas day. We also were very lucky to have my brother Brian come up from Utah on Christmas day. We did have a great Christmas. We were able to talk to Travis in Mexico city, which was great. Then we had a yummy dinner.

The weary travelers. My parents were so exhausted after their long night.

We had a great time together on Christmas morning opening presents with the kiddos. Jake and Austin were so excited this year. Aaron's parent's came over early to see what Santa brought the kids. Then they joined us for cinnamon rolls.

Almost all of the pictures of Austin on Christmas morning are of the top of his head. I just couldn't get this kids to look up. I guess he was really enjoying all his toys! This was a Christmas of trains for Austin and he loved it.

All Jake said he wanted for Christmas was a Thomas the Train video, "Hero of the Rails". He was so excited to finally have it.

Emma got a cabbage patch doll from Santa and I just loved the expression on her face. She loves dolls!

Jake and Austin were so excited about Christmas this year. Here we are on Christmas Eve putting cookies out for Santa.

I just finished painting an old china cabinet and hutch. I love it!

Before

I still haven't put anything in the cabinet. I am thinking of putting some Christmas decorations on it, but haven't decided what to do yet.

We tried to get the kids pictures taken together and didn't have any success. I was so disappointed, but oh well. I am hoping to try taking some on my own outside. We will see how that goes.

My little monkey!

Jake was really excited to ride the bus to school, but after riding for the first time the second week of school, he decided he wanted me to take him instead. I was really nervous about Jake riding the bus to school with all the older kids. So Aaron took him to the bus stop and I followed the bus in my car. I didn't want him to see me, but I guess I wasn't sneaky enough. We were stopped at a stop light and all of the sudden I see Jake's little head pop off through the back window of the bus and give me a thumbs up. I thought everything was going great, but I guess he was not happy when he discovered I wasn't there when he got off the bus at school. The next day when it was time to go to the bus stop he didn't want to go. Jake drew a picture of him on the bus with a big sad face. He sad he "lost me". Of course I couldn't make him take the bus after that and it is really not that big of a deal to just take him every morning. The nice thing is that he does take the bus to come home at noon. Overall Jake is adjusting well to kindergarten. I am so proud of my little guy!

Jake posing for the camera. I don't know where he learned to put his hands on his hips like that, funny boy!Walking into class Jake's backpack looks huge on him. It is hard to believe that my little boy is old enough to go to school.