Christmas 2009

We drove to Atlanta this year to spend Christmas with Chip's family, especially Granny (Rainey and Aden's great-grandmother) who is 97 years old.  She looks great!  While there, we went to Granny's Christmas party at Joy's, to the Atlanta Aquarium, climbed Stone Mountain, and found some time in between to relax.  We had a great time, but next year, no travelling!  All of our pictures can be viewed at:

http://picasaweb.google.com/raineyandaden/December2009#

Granny and Aden

Rainey is sitting in his great-grandfather's high chair,

who he is named after (the chair has to be at least 90 yrs old)

Granny's party at Joy's house

Matching pj's :)

Stone Mountain

Bumpo time

Aden seems to be enjoying it

He's a climber

Kisses for little brother

Seahorse Christmas party

This afternoon, parents were invited to the "Seahorse's" circle time and secret book exchange. It was so special to see Rainey with his classmates and watch how they interact with each other. There are eight kids and they get along so well.

We, aka parents, watched circle time where the teacher reads a bible passage. Before the reading, she walks around to each child and they "tap" the bible saying a cute little phrase - "B-I-B-L-E, the bible....". After circle time, we watched them sit at the table and eat a snack. Mind you, they were probably a little confused because they only get a snack in the morning and this was early afternoon but they didn't seem to mind.

We left with lots of goodies: Christmas tree ornament, a couple of books, mini-marshmallows, and Rainey's hand print in a magnet frame "From Rainey to Mommy and Daddy" (the best gift).

How many graham crackers can he eat at one time???

Snack time

Look who's waiting for his snack :)

Close enough?

Just when I thought he couldn't get any closer to the TV....

Just relaxing Mom!

Merry Christmas

"The Christmas Gift"

Rainey had his first Christmas program at preschool Tuesday night called "The Christmas Gift". His class, the Seahorses, rang bells as Jingle Bells played in the background. They have been practicing for weeks and all of them did such a great job. Rainey really, really liked it. He did not want to get off stage.

When I picked him up from school on Wednesday, the music teacher told me they practiced with another instrument (I forgot the name) and Rainey was the only one in the class that could play it. He definitely didn't get his musical abilities from my side of the family. You know, his father did play in a band once.

These aren't the best pictures but it will give you an idea of the show. We also videotaped the performance so I'll try to post the clip later. Rainey is the second boy from the left. His teacher, Ms. Nita, is standing behind him.

Rainey is right below the basket...holding his bells.

Yes, that's my son facing backwards looking at the blue screen :)

On his way to the stage...Rainey is on the right.

Aden

Here are a few pictures I found on my computer of Aden over the past week.

Aahh, full tummy!

Practicing sitting up and loving it - look at that smile :)

Hey, what's on TV??

Snow in Katy

Can you believe it snowed in Katy, TX?? Here's proof. We spent a few minutes outside playing in it while Aden napped.

Slide

Yesterday, Rainey had his "dress rehearsal" for his Christmas program next Tuesday. Parents weren't even allowed to watch. I can't wait! It is going to be so cute!!!

Later that afternoon I took the boys to the mall play area. In the video, you can see Rainey going down the slide over and over again. I took video for a minute but this lasted much longer. It was nice because there were only two other kids in the play area and he got to really enjoy himself!

This is Aden in his stroller for the first time, without his car seat. I think he liked it :) He didn't even wake up when I moved him to the van.

Aden's 4 month (actually 3 1/2 month) check-up

Aden passed his 4 month exam with flying colors . He is in the 75th percentile for height and weight. He did great with his shots. He only had to have two this time and he cried for maybe 5 seconds then starting smiling and cooing. He is my rock star!! Next appointment in February.

November pictures

http://picasaweb.google.com/raineyandaden/November2009?feat=directlink

Happy Baby

Christmas Tree Lighting and Snow

Sunday evening our church had it's annual Christmas tree lighting, along with free hot chocolate, hay rides with Santa, Christmas carols and "snow". Yes, that is correct. They brought in 50,000 pounds of snow for the kids to play in. What a way to get into the Christmas spirit!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

Happy Thanksgiving to all of our family and friends!!

We are at Oma and Opa's for Thanksgiving and we are having so much fun. Rainey has experienced so many "firsts" (hot tub, riding lawnmower, wagon, picking oranges, etc). Here are a few pictures of the past few days.

Rainey's first hot tub experience; he kept saying "bubbles...bubbles", and no he does not have a swimsuit on :)

Opa took him for a ride on the riding lawnmower
and here he is ready to go again!

Loved the bread sticks and noodles at Olive Garden

Picked oranges from Oma's tree

Aden all bundled up in the cold weather

Wagon ride in the backyard

My Ring

Sunday, Chip let me escape from the boys and go to the Nutcracker Market with a friend. There were hundreds of booths and lots of shopping. I have almost finished Christmas shopping. I did find the one thing I have been looking for....a personalized ring (aka right-hand ring, Mother's ring, labor gift). It is a three ring band intertwined with Chip, Rainey and Aden stamped on each ring, separately. I love it!

I really liked their birthstone rings (stamped with each child's name) and the "All Because Two People Fell In Love" charm bracelet. Hint, hint Santa!

Pioneer Day

Saturday was Pioneer Day at a local state park. We got to see blacksmiths, leather working, quilting, soap making, and much more. Rainey enjoyed pulling the armadillo toy and corn toss (throwing corn through rings hung on trees).

Blocks

Why do we build blocks? So Rainey can knock them down. This is his new favorite game. Build them up, knock them down, repeat! Here he is playing with his baby brother.

Happy 3 Month Birthday Aden!!

Aden is officially 3 months old today. Happy Birthday sweet boy! Mommy loves you soooooooooooo much!!!!