Christmas Part 2 ("Cousin Christmas")

The Sunday before Christmas was our Christmas with my Grandparents, Aunt & Uncle, cousins and all the kids. We, of course, had a great time at Mom's. The kids were already getting crazy excited about PRESENTS!!!!!!
I was actually a little ahead of schedule for once so I tried to get some cute shots of the kids before we left.

Is this not the cutest hat / coat combo ever?! (Thanks GanGan!)

My Mimi and cousin, Joel

My brothers, Rhett & Todd

I cannot tell you how much these girls love each other!

Mary Evelyn

Ethan & Jackson

Iz and her new baby

There's nothing like a little bit of chaos ;)

Christmas Part 1

We celebrated Christmas with my Dad, future Step-mom JoAnne, Rhett, Nicole, & Ella last Sunday. We had our little celebration at our house but Rhett was nice enough to cook (I DO NOT cook for anyone other than my kids considering my specialties are Kraft mac & cheese and scrambled eggs). Thanks Dad & JoAnne for a great time and for all our wonderful gifts!!

Dad & Isabel

Dad & JoAnne

My little maestro

Nicole helping Iz with her new guitar

Jackson got a new tractor (& new trains, of course)

Ella loved her dog that swims in the tub!

Ella is wearing the goggles from her new toy

Jackson's turn with the goggles

A new version of "baby in bucket"

She loved the scarf

A girl and her guitar

We celebrted Christmas last week-end with my Dad and my soon-to-be step-mom, JoAnne (pictures to come). Rhett, Nicole & Ella came over as well. Isabel got a guitar and she has cracked me up! She is never as funny when I have the camera on her but I've been trying to get some cute footage all week. My first choice video keeps crapping out during the upload but this one worked so here goes:

For Becky & Lauren

A couple of weeks ago (yes, I'm behind) my Mom's cousin Becky & her daughter Lauren drove up from South Florida to see some family. Growing up Becky was always one of my favorite people in the world so I really love that she and Lauren got to spend a little time with my kids.
This was also the first time the kids had seen Mom's tree and the train she bought to run around the tree to entertain the kids (mostly Jackson, of course). Jackson loved the train so much she sent it home with us. That was, unfortunately the death sentence for the poor train. Once he got it home I don't think it lasted 30 more minutes. When he went to sleep I had to remove all evidence of its existence in our home. He looked for it the next morning but it was thankfully forgotten (it was NOT meant for a 2 1/2 year old boy!!)
Here are some of the pictures from the afternoon-

Lauren & Isabel

She loved the singing snowman

My favorite picture

Papa trying to fix the train...again

GanGan trying to fix the train.....again

He is creating his own tunnel for the train :)

Love you Becky & Lauren!!!!!!

A must see

My friend Hanna just sent this to me and it's so funny I wanted to share.
(You will laugh out loud!)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MgDkBbNpDWs