Christmas 07

It was a good one this year! It FELT like Christmas. Maybe it was the snow...all the family around...the kids actually understanding it all??? Although, I foresee problems distinguishing between Santa and Jesus' birthday!!! I was surprised at how quickly Porter and Piper caught on to it all...naming each person in the nativity and how they relate to one another. Smarties. Piper was a trooper this year and sat on Santa's lap without hesitation, telling him what she wanted (a kitchen which of course, she got!). Porter was the scaredy cat saying "NO NO" when we got him close to Santa...but he made sure to yell out his requests to Santa as we left (TOOLS!!!!). We got plenty of snow all thru December, just missing fresh falling powder on Christmas Day. It was still covering the ground, so I considered it a white Christmas anyway! Kristine, my mom, and Patrick were all here and Aunt Jerri, cousins Matt and Joe and new cousin Nicole were here right before. We had a wonderful candle light service at church on Christmas Eve and we decided to take the kids in with us rather than their classroom since it was a special occasion. To all of our surprise, they were so well-behaved...I couldn't have hoped for better. They loved the music and lighting the candles, too! I think Porter may like the candle part a little TOO much! Christmas morning was magical...except we all had to wake the kids up rather than them waking us up!! But, after the day is done, I always feel a little sad...I should have savored it more, given more, focused on the REAL reason for the season more. I guess that's why it's not about ONE day...but everyday...how because Jesus came as God in the flesh on that holy night, I can say Merry Christmas all year round!

Snow and Sickness...

Well, today started out wonderful! We walked out of the gym into huge snowflakes falling and covering everything! We carefully drove home in a sea of white and hurried in to get on our snow gear that we bought months ago for this very day...snow coats, boots, gloves, etc. We played outside and took pictures of our first, official Kansas snow (Tyler and I actually had our first in April when we were here to buy our house!). Back inside (because Porter said his hands were too cold...Piper would have stayed out all day), Porter started saying his tummy hurt. I didn't really think too much of it, especially after he pooped later:) However, 30 minutes into their nap, I heard him and went to go check and he had obviously leaned over, out of his bed and thrown up all on Piper's bed and all over her head (she's on the bottom trundle). The sad, but funny part was she was STILL asleep! I took his clothes and sheets off and Piper finally woke up, and after the initial shock and short freak-out session, she was very good about it as was Porter. I cleaned everything up, bathed them and just as I was dressing them...the puke fest started. For the past 8 hours, I've been cleaning up throw up and/or holding a head over a bucket about every 30 minutes from not one, but BOTH of my children. They have been lethargic, but so sweet. We called the nurse and she said it's a bad bug going around that will just run it's course. We finally got Porter to hold some liquids and Piper's on her way. Maybe we can enjoy the snow more tomorrow:) Let's HOPE!

Happy Halloween

We had a great one!!! It was literally picture perfect. The week started with our friends, Sara, Asher, and Brody. It was amazing weather everyday and we did lots of fun stuff out in it, went to Wonderscope (the children's museum), the farm, and Legends to see T-Rex cafe. They flew back home Halloween morning...

We have been pumping P&P up for Halloween...trying on their costumes, telling them what to say at the door, etc. So, they were super excited. Piper, being her shy self, had us worried even though she acted excited around us...strangers frighten her greatly! Last year as soon as they opened the door, she screamed and threw her bucket down. Anyway, we got all ready and headed out...right before it was too dark, very chilly outside...a perfect Fall night on Halloween like we've never experienced in the 31 Halloweens we've celebrated before. Our street is supposedly a popular one and now we know why. Almost everyone is on their porch, passing our huge candy bars, playdough, bags of chips and crackers...making smoke with dry ice, and playing fun music. It was so wonderful. We wheeled the kids around in the wagon and they got out and walked to the doors of several houses on our street. Porter said his version of "Trick or Treat" and "thank you", but Piper stood frozen with her bucket in hand. She would take candy, but did not speak or make eye contact. At least we've got some improvement this year! Their favorite part, however, was back at home, sitting on our porch passing out candy to all the costumed kids. They LOVED it!!! After lots of fun and sugar, they passed out in their beds and slept an hour later than usual this morning! Nice!!!!

For more pics, here's a link http://www.kodakgallery.com/Slideshow.jsp?UAUTOLOGIN_ID=27674666306&mode=fromsite&collid=27674666306.233035192306.1193966982303&conn_speed=1

It's FALL!!

Well, ever since we moved here, we've been waiting for this thing they call FALL (or Autumn to some?!!?). Anyway, we are now experiencing it. It truly is wonderful! It is THE time celebrated most here in the midwest. There is a festival, pumpkin patch, or outdoor activity every week and/or weekend and everyone is outside, leaves are changing... In Texas, we know this is what SHOULD happen and we fool ourselves by buying warmer clothes when it really only "cools down" to 80. I will always be a Texas girl, but nothing beats this time here right now! So, we've been filling our time with all the fun things to do. Starbucks is getting lots of our business lately, too! The kids even like the "hot" chocolate from there...even though Porter spills half of it on his shirt. We are wearing jeans and sweaters and jackets and smelling crisp air...when it's not raining like it has been today. So, here are a few of our pictures of the past month, plus some of when Papa and Gigi came to visit. We had lots of fun with them...

Back Home...

Well, we took our first trip back to Texas (Dallas where the fam is) last week. The kids aced the flight--woohoo! We stayed busy every day visiting friends, family, and eating and shopping at all the places we don't have here. We made sure to fit in some yummy tex-mex, too! We saw all our buddies, new baby Maddox, and preggo Raelyn who is super cute! We stayed at Nana's house...each morning when she would leave for work, Piper would grab onto her leg and say "MY Nana!" and make Nana cry. They have a special bond:) Gigi babysat a few times and the twins kept her busy, I'm sure! One night, I got to go downtown with Tyler and his team from work and eat at Stephen Pyle's restaurant...AMAZING! Fun night out with the grown ups! However, there seems to never be enough time to do and see all, though. We'll be back at Thanksgiving and try again then:) Here's a few pics from our week...

All wearing Nana's glasses

Clay and baby Maddox...very natural, huh?

Raelyn and Tarrah talking very seriously:)

Porter and Myla

Aly and Isaac...

Well, it's a sad day in the Price house. Our best friends from Portland, Allison and her little boy, Isaac, just flew back home. They were here with us for a full week and time flew by! We had full days with the kids...children's museum, farmstead, play centers, the gym, church, eating lunch outside and playing on the swing set, yummy dinners out at night, and Allison and I even managed to get plenty of shopping in and some running outside in the COOL weather we had last week!! We laughed plenty, too - that was the MOST fun!! We think Piper and Isaac have a special bond. He talked to her in a very sweet voice and they sat by each other in the car...Piper often putting "Terri" (her most favorite stuffed puppy) on Isaac's head. Porter loved Isaac's car collection and having new people to play with and show off for. We will miss them lots and can't wait to go see them after Aly has her baby in the Spring.

We had to visit Chick Fil A several times as they don't have it in Portland. Here we ate the ice cream outside on the sidewalk because it was FREEZING inside!

School Time

When we were house hunting in April, we came across a Parents Day Out program at a local church. It so happened that our realtor's grandson was also in pre school there, so she took us by, we toured it, and got on the list for our kids to start a one day a week program in the Fall. Well, the time is here! We've been talking it up for months and especially most recently as Porter has decided to have some serious separation anxiety issues that makes us leave the gym and even church because of his screaming (he's never done this before now!). So, this morning was anxious for mommy! We prayed many times and reminded him over and over..."No crying at school, right?" So, we get there with backpacks on and lunch boxes in hand...all very excited!!! Porter runs down the hallway with Piper smelling the roses, trailing behind. Once in their room (we went last week to preview the room and meet the teachers), they both run in to play. So, I tell the teacher I'm making a break for it as Porter seems happy. Well, not so fast. The crying comes!!! Miss Amy (how convenient), their teacher, distracts Porter quickly (Piper was playing in the "kitchen" and never looked back) and I step out. I have to turn in some paperwork and after that, I go back to check and hear no crying and ask other moms to check on Porter. They said he had his blankie and paci, but was not crying anymore. Phew! I called midday to check and the director said they were playing happily on the playground...no more crying. At pick-up time, I peek in the room first and see them both sitting with new friends playing at a table...no paci or blankie with Porter. As I walk in they are happy to see me and I them! Miss Amy said Porter napped, but Piper didn't, they both were awesome, and they fought over pretzels at lunch (this is funny because I did not pack pretzels...some poor child must have been missing theirs). So, we went to Starbucks for treats - mommy needed one, too - after a day of fun and relief (I went to the gym and the mall while they were in school)!!! We are praying the rest of the the week and school next week goes as smoothly! Thank you, Lord, for your provision today!