more Christmas pictures

I thought I had a lot more pictures but this was all I could find.  

The kids were so excited when they got a roller coaster and a dyson vacuum from Lolo and Lola!  

I still can't believe we have a roller coaster in our living room :)  (soon to be basement!)

The kids had so much fun playing with their cousins in Metamora on Christmas day!  I wish I had gotten more pictures!

Merry Christmas....

We had an early Christmas at our house this year! The kids woke up and we pretended it was Christmas morning. They had no idea and it worked out well because Grandma and Papa were here to help celebrate!

................. more to come!  Lolo, Lola and Auntie Kristine came over and brought lots presents and along with Grandma and Papa!  Plus, another Christmas in Metamora!  The kids were definitely spoiled this year!

staying in....

We haven't gone out too much this past week due to the cold weather and Andrew finally recovering from a probable virus with fevers and a weird rash.  He is back to himself now..... and back to getting in lots of trouble!  His new favorite thing now it to pull the ornaments off the Christmas tree!  He has already broken one so our tree is pretty bare.  We're definitely keeping the decorating simple this year.  Well, inside the house anyway.  Albert did put lights outside and it looks awesome.  I'm glad he did because all of our neighbors have lights outside too.  I love driving home from work and seeing all the lights!  We have ours on a remote and Alexis can't wait until it gets dark everyday so she can turn them on.  It's usually a fight who gets to push the button.  

He's back to his old self again and obviously up to no good! :)

Dancing around the tree in her princess dress-- I love that she's finally smiling for pictures!

my other little princess :)

(and just to clarify, HE wanted to wear this!!)

racing in circles around the house

Having a blast pulling the ornaments off!

Finally sitting still for a snack... besides nap time, it's the only quiet time in the house!

Ho Ho Ho!

Last week we went to visit Santa!!  

Alexis was so excited to wear her Santa shirt from Grandma and Papa.  I talked to her about sitting on Santa's lap and telling him her name and what she wants for Christmas.  

She rehearsed it a couple of times and had it down.  She was going to ask for a castle.  Ever since she saw a commercial on TV for a Disney princess castle, she has said she wanted one.  She also saw one at the store and everyday since, she tells me she wants a castle!  

One more picture in front of the tree before we went!  Andrew's not in it because he wouldn't stand still long enough!

So we got there and stood in line for about 20 minutes.  Alexis kept peeking around the people in front of us trying to get a peek of Santa.  Andrew was clueless.  I was surprised when Alexis crawled right up on his lap.... but then she froze.  She wouldn't even look at him!!  She just sat there and wouldn't say anything so I had to finally tell him what she wants.

She knows that Santa is watching her and will only bring her presents if she is a good girl, listens and is nice to her brother.  When she does something she thinks I will be mad at, she looks at me and says, "I'm not listening? Santa won't bring a castle?"  Haha... I don't know what I'm going to do when Christmas is over!! 

karaoke fun

    My kids love to sing!  They love music, singing and dancing!  It's really cute when I catch Alexis singing on the potty!!  The day before Thanksgiving we went to Lolo and Lola's house in Indiana and the kids (including Albert) had so much fun singing karaoke!!  

It took her a little bit to warm up.... but once she did, she didn't want to stop!

3 Muskateers

Andrew was really getting into it!

*****Take a listen :)

15 month stats

Andrew cried hysterically for 90% of his doctor's appointment yesterday.  It started as soon as we walked in the room.  I saw him look around and he knew what was coming.  Poor little guy got 4 shots... 2 in each leg!  I helped hold him down and it was definitely a fight.  Alexis went first for her flu shot and didn't even flinch.  We had talked about it for a couple of days before and read her Corduroy book where he gets a shot so he doesn't get sick.  She went actually wanting a shot!  Brave girl!  I'm not sure if that's ever going to happen again.  Andrew's right on track with his milestones and even a little bit ahead.  Here are his measurements:

Height:  32.25 inches  ~  75th %

Weight:  26 lbs, 4 oz  ~  75th %

Head:  18.74 inches  ~  50th %  

He's still in size 4 diapers and for clothes wears 18 months, 24 months and 2T depending on what it is.  

Before his 18 month appointment, my goal is to get rid of the pacifier!  Even though he only uses it when he's sleeping, he's becoming pretty attached!  I think this is around the time we took it away for Alexis and it was way easier than I thought!  Hopefully it will be just as easy!

15 months

Andrew is 15 months old today!!  He is growing faster than ever and sometimes it feels like I have twins because he can do almost everything Alexis can!  Except talk, but he is starting.  He can say dada, mama, up, Lola and hot.  He still loves to eat but is starting to get picky and not finish his plate.  He used to eat whatever we gave him and eat the whole thing!  He can point to his eyes, ears and nose when asked.  He is very happy and is always laughing!!  Just recently he hasn't been wanting to take his afternoon nap so I think we will be transitioning to 1 nap a day soon.     

Some of the things he loves are:  running and climbing, playing with cars, being held, giving hugs & slobbery kisses, touching bugs, playing in the toilet, splashing in the bathtub, climbing in the dryer and copying everything his big sister does.

I was going to list what he doesn't like but all I can think of is lying still for diaper changes.  For the most part he is a very easy going little boy.  But, every once in a while, he knows how to throw a tantrum!! 

He has his 15 month doctor appointment in a couple of days.... I'm anxious to hear his stats :)  

He is catching up to Alexis fast!!!