Normally we really are not up to much; however, December was abnormal because we were up to our eyeballs in "much"! I will admit that it was self induced but needless to say, January is a welcome respite.
Where did I leave off, Thatch's holiday program?
Shortly after that I decided that we needed to redo the bathrooms for our impending visitors. No, not Santa and the reindeer, Grandma Jonesie and Papa, AND Mee Maw and Grammy! Yes, it's true, we have visitors in the winter! My photos of the thermostat haven't scared you all to pieces yet. The only thing that made the impromptu remodel a bit of a pain is that Jonathan happened to have a major surgery three days prior. He had a pair of hernias that really put a kink in my plans that I made after his diagnosis. Selfish hernias. Actually, what really happened is that I took the opportunity of Jonathan being unable to do work to pay someone to actually complete it! I am a vicious, vicious woman. The final result is delightful, up to date and makes me like living in my house again :)
Anyhoo, Jonathan percoceted his way through the remodel and I have my refreshed abodes. Loves them.
New and Improved! Yay :)
Hall Bathroom-this really doesn't do it justice.
So after all the craziness, I decided we needed a movie night. Organized movie nights soothe all chaos...said no one...ever. Especially not my movie nights. The big show? Charlie Brown Christmas. Classic.
Thatch received arm warmers from his Kindergarten Aide, Miss Karen. He rocked them for 3 straight days -it was like Flash Dance all up in here.
After the feature we built a Snoppy house and decked the halls. So much fun!
This was such a bad idea. There was tinsel everywhere!
I just thought this was funny, so I had to add it.
That would be both of the boys testing the structual integrity of the box.
Boys -1 Box-0
The house, all finished and with it's occupant. They both ended up in the box by the end of the night. Adorable.
Honestly, why do I even try to take these. I really need to read that new dummies book.
After that my Dad and Jonesie showed up for the big show....CHRISTMAS! Woohoo! Christmas Eve night we went to church and then came home to make cookies and get ready for the big guy.
Oh My God. Love this little baby!
Writing out note and putting out cookies, milk and carrots for Santa.
Thatch rocking the antlers and Harper eating her shiny red shoe in the background. She's definitely a shoe lady.
Papa getting some love from his babies.
Writing a note to Santa
Papa and the girl who replaced me...
Coops and the Papas.
Later that night they were allowed to say goodbye to Buddy. Touching him wouldn't hurt him for a few, special minutes and that's where I captured this gem.
Thatch saying his farewells but Coop wasn't ready to let go...
These stinking pictures aren't showing up in order. I'm doing something wrong here but I'm over it. This is the after-Christmas party. Obviously. Darn it.
Santa brought Coopie a new blinging trike!
And Thatcher got Bucky, the pirate ship that doesn't shut up sings!
Papa couldn't hang so Coop rubbed his head while downing some eggnog.
No joke, this is my favorite picture of Christmas Day. I love that little Cooper.
And they started hitting the wall around noonish.
Thatch engrossed in something, Tahoe eating something and Coop probably body slamming his Papa.
Soon after Papa and Grandma Jonesie departed from their "vacation" clearly more exhausted than when they arrived. Yars and I hung out, played with the boys and did nothing. We thoroughly enjoyed his sick time...but as you know, I get restless.
So the last day of his time off I made us all go enjoy the warm weather and head to the ice park! I suppose it wasn't that warm if there was still an ice park but it's all relative people.
Here they are being spun in a snow bowl by me. Taking a picture while spinning this took epicly mad skills. I will pause here for your applause.
Bundled up baby!
Me chasing Coopie through a maze. He thought it was hilarious. It was my worst flipping nightmare come true.
This was the most stable way to pull him. His way was closer to surfing.
This Hernia was seriously starting to annoy me, I had to pull and carry everyone. I mean, look at how much fun we're having!!
At least he was able to take pictures, I haven't been in one in months!
And Harper fell asleep, it's the carrier I tell ya.
Me calling Grammy so she could see us live on the webcam :)
Family Photo-everyone is technically in it.
The ice throne. <Insert Game of Thrones joke here>
My rosy cheeked menfolk.
Riding the "train" (it was really a tractor pulling some cars, remember we were in North Pole so it had to be a little redneckish). Jonathan was clearly uncomfortable with the shocks in our car ;)
Me and the little ones :)
This is for Jonesie and Papa ;) We're just one big oil family!
And then we found a literal ice train. Nirvana was achieved.
Oh crud, out of order again. This is for Jonathan's locker...so he knows why he's at Flint Hills that day making bacon!
And a smaller ice slide. Fun :)
Harps is like, where are we? What happened?
Here's some video of the ice slides...a mother's worst nightmare but fun for the crazies!
So after that we have New Year's Eve, which really isn't that fun when you have little babies. Let's be honest, you know it's true. This year we went swimming at the pool and it was surprisingly enjoyable, even with Cooper having a swimming panic attack and clinging to my neck like I was a floating door and he was Rose from Titanic. They turned the lights down, had music playing, balloons in the water and the waterslides were running. Seriously, lots of fun! Oh, did I mention the free pizza? Solid NYE for sure. We were home by 9, everyone was out by 9:30 and I think even Yars and I hit the hay early-ish. Of course, Jonathan couldn't swim because of the surgery glue and Harps didn't because of me only having two hands but wishing for all three children to see 2013 so they hung out and took a couple of pics. Nothing spectacular...
She's like "Oh.My.God. I love these!!!"
Sponge Bob Grumpy Pants. AT least he didn't have to wear a swim suit, unlike some other poor soul.
And so we wrapped up 2012 and forged onto a 2013 where we have spent most of our time like this...
Sometimes when he gets tired, he decides that he's going to sleep right where he lays down. This is a poor presumption because it never happens. P.S. Look at that beautiful hall trim :)
Harpie, her Cabbage Patch Doll, whom she loves, and her doggy.
New matching jammies from MeeMaw! Loves them :)
Bear Faces.
GQ. Stinking adorable.
And for the BIGGEST news of 2013!!! Thatcher lost his 1st tooth! It wasn't so much lost, as I pulled it out. Gag. It was that or let it get stuck and him choke on it in his sleep (remember, I always assess the worst case senario). He told me the tooth fairy brings dollars because they are lighter than golden coins. Sounded legit but I guess she was out of ones because there was a glittery $5 under his pillow when he woke up at 5AM and came running into my room. Sigh. I was excited for him until I looked at the clock and then I sent him right back to bed!
Putting his tooth in an envelope so it didn't get lost.
Oh my, this is adorable!
:)
And to end on a cute note...
Have I mentioned how much I adore this little face?
Sorry this was such an novel but I had to catch you up! 2013 is shaping up to be a little less chaotic for now but who knows what's in store! Harpie's 1st Birthday is imminent MeeMaw and Grammy arrive in 40+ hours and then there's Thatch's 1/2 Birthday and Cooper's 3rd Birthday so I have some material to work with to keep you all entertained over the next few weeks :)
