'Twas the Week Before Christmas...

Wow! This has been a SUPER busy weekend/week. With the holidays approaching, and then Emerson soon after, our to-do lists are long, so we have been working hard to mark things off as quickly as possible! Thankfully we are getting a lot done, and I am feeling better about all the fun things coming up. Along with many to-do's we have kept busy with other things as well...

On Sunday, Ella wore one of her Christmas dresses to that Ms. Ashley made her to church, and she thought she was hot stuff. Lately she has been asking me to take her picture by saying, "Wanna say cheese!", and Sunday she was ready to pose by the Christmas tree with her big smile. She then wanted to sit on the fireplace by the snowman and poinsettia while holding a football. Silly girl!

Later that night we had 3 birthdays to celebrate. Luckily they were close to each other and we didn't have to run all over town! First stop was Isaac's house for his fun 1st birthday celebration. Next stop was at my mom's to celebrate my sister, Cari, and our good friend Joey. Happy Birthday to all of you!

Ella, Daddy, and Isaac


Ella enjoyed sitting on the deck rocking at Isaac's house...

The birthday girl! (and Clayton)


Ella and Nanny

We started this week off at Tiffany and Reagan's house for a Christmas Pajama Party. It was so much fun seeing how much our littles have changed since last year's party. We had yummy food, hot chocolate, wasil, and even got to make an ornament with their little hand print on it. Well, some of us did, but Miss Ella was not letting me paint her hand, so we didn't make one. I'll try again soon. :) Thanks girls for such a fun play date!!!




Ella ended up with a cute Santa Claus book from the book exchange...

On Tuesday I had a dr. appt. and everything looks great! Nothing new or exciting to report. I have been experiencing a lot of Braxton Hicks contractions though which is strange, but I'm sure they mean nothing at this point. At least I hope they don't! Anytime after Christmas I am fine with. Ha! :) We still have several things to cross off our list before we would like to meet Miss Emmy!!!!

Today we had our MOPS Christmas party and white elephant gift exchange. It was HILARIOUS! I actually ended up with a candle, so nothing too bad, but others got some pretty bad things. I feel so blessed to have such a fun group of Christian moms in my life. We have a blast every time we get together! I also spent the last few weeks making gifts for our Sunday School Nursery workers and MOPS nursery workers. I found this really cute blog that showed how to make homemade coasters and loved the idea!

Click here to see her directions and make some for yourself...they are super easy.

Looking forward to our couples/baby party this Friday and then finishing shopping over the weekend. Next week brings a whole new batch of fun things...I love the holidays!!!

Arbor House and Playdate

This morning Ella and I {along with our MOPS group} went to the Arbor House to visit and play Thanksgiving games with the elderly. If you have never heard of the Arbor House, it is an assisted living facility here in town, and it is absolutely beautiful! It was so rewarding to know that we could lift the spirits of those who live there by bringing our sweet babies and kids to visit. Ella is too young to have participated in the games, but she was still able to smile and wave at those who came. She was very interested in pointing out letters on the walls and looking at the flowers out the window too. :) We had such a good time!





After heading home and eating lunch it was time for our next event of the day. A friend of mine from high school hosted a playdate at her house. The mommies had fun chatting while watching the babies play. We also made cute little Christmas frames for the holidays. Thanks for such a fun time Julie and Chloe!



We then came home, took naps, and daddy came home from work early to take Ella to the park before he headed to the Mavericks game tonight. He also surprised me with my all-time favorite drink from Starbucks...a peppermint mocha! This was my first of many of the season, I'm sure. That truly made my day. :)

Ella's bedding finally came in today, so while they were at the park I went shopping {on my own...woohoo!} to get a few of the necessities to help get her room finished. There are still many things to be done, but at least we are making progress.

Pump It Up Jr. Playdate!

Since summer is coming to an end, and many of my dear friends are heading back to teach school, we decided to get our babies together for one last summer playdate. The weather has been SO HOT lately, so we thought it would be fun to to take the babies to Pump It Up Jr. What better place to take little ones than an indoor bounce place! They had a blast!

Checking out the "bouncy things" when we first got there...

Precious Camdyn!

Once they felt more comfortable, it was off to the big slide! This was hilarious to watch. At first we would take them up and slide down with them, but soon the babes were ready to do it themselves. SO FUNNY!

Check out Cam's face in this one! Love it!!!

Big Barrett and Ella Grace decided to try it feet first instead... :)
Sweet Macey and Momma Melissa...I love this one too!

There were also cars and little tricycles for the kids to play with, and ours took full advantage. Camdyn and Ella both really liked the red car. They even rode in it together. :)

Baby Kate had fun watching the "big" kids be silly. One of these days you will be able to run around and play too!

Thanks for such a fun day sweet friends! We look forward to our next playdate!!!

Hello Playdate and Bye Bye Paci

Today we headed out to McKinney for a playdate with friends we haven't seen since Christmas! Lisa was so sweet to have us all out at her house for swimming, lunch, and playing. It was so fun to see how much all the girls have changed and watch their little individual personalities...hilarious! The mommies also had a great time catching up and sharing stories. Thanks Lisa for hosting such a wonderful get together!

After getting advice from the mommies today on how to get rid of the beloved paci, I decided that tonight was the time to start the process. I tried it earlier this summer, but didn't follow through because of our long trip to Gulf Shores, {It was a lifesaver on that trip!} but knew that I wanted it gone before baby #2 arrives. Zach was ready to help and fully backed me up with this decision. IT. WAS. HARD!!! Poor baby cried until she had no tears left. We put her down at about 7:15, and after both of us going in there to rock her she finally gave up and fell asleep at 8:30. Even though it was so sad to see my baby so worked up and devastated by not having her paci, it was worth it. One night down. Bless her little heart.

Watermelon Playdate!

Taren and Cam invited us to the cutest little summer get together at their house. The watermelon theme was adorable and as always, Taren was a great hostess! After eating a yummy lunch and snacking on Melissa's fruit kabobs it was time for a little water fun in the backyard.

We love our sweet friends and can't wait until the next party. Thanks Taren and Camdyn for such a fun time!

Christmas Fun With Friends

Today Ella and I hosted a Christmas play date at our house with a few friends that I taught with in Wylie. (and Melissa!) We were all pregnant together during the last school year and have enjoyed watching our babies grow and become sweet friends. Ella was so excited that all the babies were there that she could not keep her hands off of them! She literally climbed on each one of them and screamed and patted their heads with excitement. The poor things just let her do it without crying...but I don't think they had much choice. :) We had so much fun just relaxing and enjoying each other's company while watching the babies play. They are all at a fun age where they can play independently for the most part too. I think we have started a Christmas tradition...can't wait until next year!

Ella, Macey, Barrett, and Camdyn


I love this picture...too funny!


Ella loving on Cam


Barrett and Macey hanging out...




Thank you Taren and Camdyn for our book!