Cookies with Santa

This year, we took Ryan with us to Cookies with Santa. Jackson has come a long way since screaming so loud every time he even saw Santa in the mall, employees would come out of their stores to see what was going on. Every time he sees Santa now, he waves, gets really excited and yells, "Hi Santa!"

Preston has no issues with Santa...yet. Maybe he feels safe because he is with his brother?

Scott and I have been telling the boys that we are going to call Santa and report any bad behavior, and that he may not bring them anything this year. On Sunday, Jackson told Scott, "You bad, Dad. I call Santa and tell him you don't get Cwissmuss!" (Sadly, he no longer refers to the holiday as "Missmuss.")
Also, I did not get Christmas cards out this year. We have just been much too busy. I was just relieved that I actually made it to the post office today to get our out-of-town presents out in time! I haven't even finished shopping either. Eek!

Jackson & Ryan. She has no issues with Santa either.



She just jumped right up in his lap and told him directly, "I want a Rapunzel bike for Christmas."



Jackson & Preston

Merry Christmas!

Happy Halloween from Woody & Buzz!

The boys really enjoyed Halloween this year. Since Scott is away, Jasmine (Jackson's girlfriend Ryan), her parents Susan & Scott, Sharon & her daughter Karissa, Jen and her parents Libby & Steve all came over to go trick or treating with us.

Preston especially enjoyed walking up to people's doors and getting candy in his pail. At one house, a woman was passing out candy in a pumpkin pail similar to his. Preston put his pail down and tried to trade it for her full one!

The boys got a lot of candy this year. Thank goodness its almost all gone!



I thought this costume was hilarious!





Jackson carried his pail like a purse.





Not really sure what to make of Jackson's face!

 

Preston took a nap during part of trick or treating. 



He napped for quite awhile! Steve held him for a long time before passing him to Libby!
He loves his God-Grandparents.

A top shot of our little Woody...

Littlest trick or treator!

Jackson's loot.

Susan's Scott scaring us!

October

Three days before Scott left, we took the boys and Jackson's girlfriend Ryan, to the pumpkin patch in Moriarty.  

Ryan did as she was told...



Preston didn't get to ride the cow train last year so he was extra-excited...So excited that he would NOT sit down, so he did not get to ride this year either.



I LOVE this picture!



Preston would not cooperate for pictures.

 

Again, Preston was just not having it with the pictures. Ryan is being such a good girl and smiling so pretty though!

 

The rule is: You can have whatever you can carry. Ryan did NOT want to carry her pumpkin, but she pushed through!



Jackson really liked this big pumpkin that he picked out (and carried) all by himself!



Preston followed the rules as well. He picked his pumpkin and carried it like his brother.



Taking a break from carrying pumpkins.

 

Preston LOVED the roasted corn.

  

That baby will eat anything.



Did I mention that he really liked the corn?




All of our pumpkins. And that is WITHOUT Ryan's! Rules are rules, right?

The Friday before, we celebrated my birthday with friends at the club since Scott left on the 26th. I turned 29 on the 27th! Eek! Here's to having the best year yet of my 20s. Since I'm sticking here, I'm thinking that won't be too hard to accomplish.

Susan - Ryan's mom - made this cake. I absolutely LOVED it!

It was yummy, too! I will be enlisting her for  help for the boys' future birthday cakes. Between Janet, my mom, me and her, I think we will be cake crazy!

Earlier in the month, we headed to Wichita Falls to have a Mills family dinner. I think everyone was there! The boys had a great time playing with their cousins and I had a great time playing with mine! And my sisters, of course!

My little big sis, April and my (18 year-old!!!) niece Tanna!



Cousins Chelsee & Amy!

Any time we visit Texas, it makes me really homesick. I miss my family and my friends!

Jackson's Baby Brudder

Jackson has called Preston "Peston" and "Baby" since we brought him home from the hospital. Now he calls him "Brudder" and "My Baby." In fact, the last time we saw Meemo, she told Jackson that I am her baby. Jackson looked at her and said, "I go get my baby," and brought Preston to her!


One of my favorites from Labor Day Weekend. He is such a goofball!

Preston wants to do everything his big "Brudder" can do. He no longer wants to sit in a high chair to eat. He prefers the table. Jackson loves to play with our cell phones and now Preston does as well. He walks around the house with one of them to his ear and jabbers.


Olivia took this one today while they were at the park.

Preston has started to grab me by the hand to take me places he wants me to accompany him, and he's even started to push on me to move in the direction he wants me to go. My mom promised me my second child wouldn't be anything like my first (stubborn and strong willed). But it appears he is EXACTLY THE SAME!


Olivia is much better at taking pictures than me.


He is however, still a very sweet boy. Yesterday he wanted me to hold him and he put his head on my shoulder. I was patting his back and he started patting mine. He constantly makes my heart melt. And, he and Jackson are best friends! We couldn't be more blessed.

10 Year Reunion

We spent the first week of August in Austin for my 10 year High School Reunion. It was fun to all be together again. Well, since Beth's wedding in May, but at least Scott was with me this time! Now we are excited for Louisa's wedding next summer so we can do it all over again!

I was surprised how few people came considering how big our class was.A lot of people that still live in town didn't even come!

BTLRJ!

Cheerleaders!

Preston really loves Kathleen...

Middle School Buds!

Jess, Reg, Lou, Tiff, Bertha and Kat

Lou, Reg and Me

The Riverwalk & SeaWorld

We went to Austin early for my High School Reunion this year to spend some time with Meemo and Nonny.

After Meemo left, Scott, Nonny and I took the boys to San Antonio to stay on the River Walk and go to SeaWorld. On Wednesday, we took our time getting there and stopped at the outlet mall in San Marcos and made it to our hotel by 6 or 7pm. We got checked in and ventured out and took a boat ride. Even though the lines were long , it was hot and there were lots of mosquitos, we really had a good time. After the boat ride, we had a late dinner outdoors. Preston was cranky and did not want to do anything except throw chips and tortillas on the ground and lick a plate of cheese. He literally picked up a plate that had the remnants of queso and started licking it. Taking it from him was unnacceptable and caused screaming and throwing so we let him have it, just this once.

On Thursday, we took the boys to SeaWorld. Preston was still cranky (probably due to the FIVE teeth he has coming in!!!) and hot but Jackson had a great time. He really liked the shows, the rides and especially the water park. When we got back to our hotel that night he drew me a picture of a whale, a bird and a fish. He also thanked me for taking him. Where did this sweet little boy come from all of a sudden!?!

Ice Cream Face

After Shamu

The clown from Azul...Really good show! Similar to "O" in concept.

More characters from Azul

He did not want me to take his picture here. Like the Beevo arm floaties?

On Friday, we took our time checking out and stopped at the outlet mall again. It is really way too big to shop in one day. Sadly, I didn't find anything too wonderful. I was really disappointed. We got back just in time to get ready for the Meet & Greet event for my 10 year High School Reunion! I will follow up with those pictures later...