Christmas Week!!!!!!

Oh my Goodness!!!! It's the start of CHRISTMAS WEEK!!!!!!!!!
(Insert CHEESY GRIN and giddy excitement.)

Last week we took the kids for the first Santa visit (yes - Lincoln has not gone the past 2 years). We went right before his duty was up (close to 8:00pm) because, well, that's how we roll during b-ball season.

We thought we'd be the only ones there...no lines.

We were wrong.

But in a humorous way...

Jason's assistant coach and his family were there, too!!! So we ended up joining in the festivities together and had such a fun night spending impromptu time with them.

This is Lincoln interrupting our friend's time with Santa.

**Take notice of Lincoln's hand on Santa's knee to get his attention**

But then Lincoln got his turn! They both didn't mind Santa at all...I don't know if I should be worried by this or not. :)

We jump-started the night last night with Christmas movies and popcorn! All day yesterday Lincoln kept requesting "Rudolph" and "Frosty the snowman" so we did a LOT of singing! It's so cute hearing him start to sing.

Jason and I think Lincoln would prefer Frosty bring him gifts instead of Santa.

Happy Christmas week to you!!!!

Some Favorites

Just thought I'd list some things I'm loving these days...

This one's obvious: Lincoln's ability to contribute to the family's financial stability with his personal banking skills. No brainer.

Next we have this lovely NEW item from the makers of everyone's favorite Butt Paste - it's a butt protetant to PREVENT the nasty little rashes before they happen! What a grand idea! I picked me up some of this stuff, and so far, it's been great! It's best uses come when the little one has lots of poopies (from being sick, teething, or starting new foods). I recommend it. :)

Then there's dum-dums. They had to make the list because, let's face it - they've been a life saver at times when Lincoln gets bored (per say, at the DMV) or at basketball games that can be long. The great thing about these in particular is they are small enough to finished, and are in light colors so they don't make such a mess. And the great thing about all suckers is they are LONG LASTING. Love them.

Now this is a "mommy item". When it come to powder, I'm a Mac gal. When it comes to eye shadow, I'm all about Smashbox (though they discontinued my favorite). Lip gloss? Bare Minerals, Smashbox, Lancome...some of the front-runners (not so picky on this one). But when it comes to blush? NARS ALL THE WAY. Tried it about 6 years ago and have never bought another brand since.

*****the picture got deleted and I don't feel like uploading it again. Sorry.***********

Then there's Northface. Oh I LOVE Northface. This little number was bought by Jason back before we had kids and spent a lot of money on each other at Christmas. This year, our Christmas present to each other is a date night on Monday (which I'm super excited about). But you can bet I'll probably be wearing his present from years past because I wear it ALL THE TIME. It's super warm and I don't need a jacket. Plus, it has tons of pockets that zip which means I can basically secure all things baby and money when I'm out. Perfect.

And Christmas...how fun is this season??! What's super exciting is seeing Lincoln talking about"Santa, Frosty-the-snow-man, Baby Jesus, and Rudolph!" throughout the day as he sees images pertaining to such. And of course this super cool santa at pinnacle that looks SO real is awesome!

Another favorite in kid land is movie time. With the weather cold outside, the family has started having movie time at night every now and then where we watch Christmas movies. Lincoln LOVES it. He gets popcorn (which is on his top 10 list) but it's not pictured here cause he had already eaten it. :) The movie also must be viewed with his pillow pet, a blanket, and his hands crossed behind his head - always.

And of course the season means daddy is starting to be home more!!! Noah's loving it.
Okay - another mommy favorite. This Ole Henriksen moisturizer. Oh My. It's heavenly. I usually don't sped much on facial stuff, but I've notice the mad dash of sudden wrinkles to my face and thought I should take better care of the good ole skin. This stuff is miracles in a jar and is highly recommended by yours truly. The whole line is amazing but I don't have the budget for that. If you do - you can't go wrong.

Ha. And my energy source. I'm not a coffee drinker, but man I LOVE these.

Frozen vegetables. Yup. They made the list. I haven't found a kind my kids (either of them) don't love. They're great cause it's super fast and I can make them as mushy as needed for Noah, then eat them over the next few days.

And the sit and stand....it is not mine but my dear neighbor Amanda let me borrow it for this season in life. I love it. It saves so much time because Lincoln can come and go on it as he pleases and doesn't need to be strapped/un-strapped a thousand times. It really is a great invention if you have 2 kids close in age.

And Christmas lights! I've never appreciated them like I have this year because Lincoln LOVES them! We've strolled through neighborhood many nights on our way home the past few weeks just because it's so fun to see his eyes of wonder. He still can't say his "L's" so this is what we hear CONSTANTLY: "Mama!! Daddy!!! BIGHTS!!!!!!!!!"

**this is not our house, BTW** :)
And of course, my birthday/Christmas present.
Feel free to add to the list!!!!!

"Harry & Cookies!!!"

Today... I met some new friends on my Halleck Coach street, and engaged in my first ever cookie-exchange party: I felt super domestic, let me tell ya.
I brought the ever-so creative chocolate-chip cookies (I know).
And between those, the Cowboy cookies, the PB balls, the chocolate-chip mint, puppy chow, chocolate-covered pretzels, etc. (yes, there was MORE)...I feel slightly like a butterball turkey ready to be rolled onto the treadmill. :)
Thank goodness I like to run.
And that I love meeting new friends because - let's face it - calories don't count when you're with friends, right?
(Right!!!! you all yell in unison).

Thankful to live on the same street as all you super fun gals and look forward to more parties!

I didn't get any pictures because I knew Ashley & Amanda would have that part covered (and one less thing for me to carry!). So I'll be stealing photos of our festive morning to share later. :)

But I did start playing with my camera more this afternoon while Lincoln was asleep. I was trying the self-timer option...trying to get Noah in, focus right, all that fun stuff.
As you can see, I didn't quite succeed at either.
This one actually focused right...but too bad it's a ridiculous picture of me
Oh - and as for the title? That's what Lincoln kept exclaiming all morning when he woke up. :)

Profile Change

I feel like i just updated my profile...seriously, it had to be 10-15 minutes ago, but as I happened to just glance over it and read it, I realized everything (except Jesus - thank you for NEVER changing!) is different!
Let's see...I'm now 29...oh great joy;
My boy is now 2-years-old;
We only have 2 dogs (remember for a second, shed a tear, then move on telling self he's happier than before!);
And my tiny little infant is about to have his FIRST birthday.
**sigh**

Where Did He Learn That??

When he is playing with something, he randomly sometimes will furrow his brow into an insanely ugly look and go "MI------NE!!!!"
Jason and I never retract and object to our chest, furrow our brows (into an unbelievable shape, mind you) and yell this statement in an ugly, low tone...?

Where did he learn that???


Or how about when he wants to "dance! dance!" he can magically fetch the remote and actually turn it to a music station???!

Where did he learn that???

Then - on the same TV lines - Jason and I will be flipping through our DVR to see what we haven't watched yet, only to find "The Wonder Pets", "Olivia", and "Caillou" all recorded on a season pass?? And the VERY WEIRD thing is that 2/3 are on different channels, but ALL are cartoons???

Where did he learn that????

Oh our deep thinker, crazy extrovert, and little sponge... we may never know.

Editting Boredom

I know the editting is pretty over-the-top, but I've been bored (jason's gone) and this is crazy how you can totally change a picture!
So here's to reality (super embarrassing cause this picture was taken on 2 hours sleep the night Amy went into labor):

And here's to editting and boredom:
(I always wanted blue eyes - hehe).

Sorry about the first picture...I know it's a little frightening.

Tucker Alan Hill

Sweet baby Tucker was born yesterday a little after 11:00am.
So thankful for God's little blessing and super excited to see all the plans God has in store for this little guy.
My sister did not have an easy road yesterday but did AMAZING. She is one to be admired. :)

Before Jason and I went to bed Tuesday, we randomly talked about a "plan" in case Amy went into labor that night - good timing! We went to bed around 1:30-2:00am, then the phone rings at 3:30am!
I think I was already putting my shoes on before I said "hello" I jumped up so fast, knowing what was on the other end of the line! Nathan called twice and said she's moving extremely fast so I joined in the urgency and raced out of the house, making it to the hospital in record timing.
*Jason would later tell me of how I flew out of the house and he thought "I don't even think she stopped to brush her teeth! I didn't.

I called the parentals on the way and they were taking turns showering and doing their hair! But I knew Savannah would be there to greet me in a similar manner I would be presenting - I was right. :)

So it was just us, her bother and his girlfriend for some time...waiting...at 4:00am...and we all were laughing about how ridiculous it as that everyone else was showering and getting ready when they might miss it! We concluded that them showering and all would be the joke of the day probably.

Turns out, Tucker slowed WAY DOWN when the epidural took effect and - well, the joke was on us. Yes. Everyone was dressed, rested, ready for the day, and then there was me and Sav - 7 hours later. Ha.

But it was well worth it and super exciting to be on the "waiting" end of it all!!! I'm loving the Auntie role already!!!!!