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!