Christmas 2010

Since I had a ridiculous number of pictures from all our Christmases, I took the time to make a smilebox creation of all our festivities. This was hands down, THE best Christmas ever! The wildest, and most hectic, but the best!!! Hope you enjoy the highlights here.

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Winter getaway

Every year since we have been married, Tony and I have always taken a post-tax season mini-vacation to unwind from the long work hours crammed in just a few short months. This tradition carried over when we had kids, and now we take a little mini family vacay. Well, this year we decided to start a new tradition (so long as we can afford it each year) of going on a pre-tax season trip. What a great idea it was! We loaded the car and headed to Wilderness at the Smokies (an indoor waterpark) where we met my brother and his family and my parents. I only took a few pictures, but we went non-stop from sun-up to sun-down! We came back tired, but had so much fun.

Raegan and Drew were intrigued by the wave pool, but much to scared to actually go in it. Even when there were no waves. Callie was a trooper on the trip. She caught a nap whenever she could, and still managed to be her sweet little self.

This was their favorite... a wet, but safe slide that they went down no less than 100 times. I LOVE this picture of Drew.

Raegan did get brave enough to go down head first.

Callie had her first experience at swimming.

She didn't seem to mind, but wasn't very impressed.

This girl stayed in the water until her lips were purple.

We left tired and wet, but it was worth it!

Finally decorated

We have had our Christmas tree up for almost a week now. It took us 2 days before we actually put on the lights, and 6 days to do the ornaments, but it's finally decorated! No ribbons, no breakable ball ornaments, and no rhyme or reason to where the ornaments are placed this year. And I have to say it's my favorite tree ever! The kids did most of the work, and even told me where to put the heavy or special ornaments up high.

Drew concentrated so hard when he put them on. And funny enough, the back side of our tree is almost as ornate as the front. Drew spent most of his time decorating back there.

We had Christmas music blasting and there were lots and lots of giggles.

I even managed to get a real smile out of my little Drew. Who knew all I had to say was "Don't smile" That had them both grinning from ear to ear.

The finished product!

And this was Callie the whole time we decorated. I have a feeling she won't be this cooperative next year :)

Our first big snow

We are up to 13 inches and it's still snowing! This is one fun way to start the snowy weather season. We just wish it was warmer than 14 degrees outside!

These pictures were taken yesterday when there wasn't quite as much snow (a mere 10 inches) and it wasn't so dangerously cold. Thankfully Daddy was brave enough to take the kids sledding down our front yard.

Snow ball fight!

I couldn't tell from inside, but I think Drew won.

I love how much taller Tucker is than Drew.

This is just to give you an idea of how much snow we had yesterday. Imagine 3 more inches and more snow still coming down!

Callie and I played it safe and stayed indoors. She did enjoy watching them from the front door.

Raegan watched to make sure our little neighbor friend, Isabella, wasn't out.

Drew couldn't climb the fence with all his garb on, but he kept peeking through the cracks.

new toys

I feel like all I have put up lately are pictures of Callie. Drew is in an anti-picture taking phase though, and Raegan's day still revolves around Callie. I guess the "new" hasn't worn off yet. Anyway, here are just a few pictures of the kids. Drew doing a little light reading in the Bumbo chair. I think it's kinda sad that his legs were too fat to fit in this chair as a baby, but he fits just fine now.

We brought out the old entertainment mat and of course the big kids like it just as much, if not a little more than Callie.

I love this picture of her watching the lights on the little star. I remember all my kids

watching that star with wide eyed wonder.Callie was up to 10 lbs 9 oz at 8 weeks. She is getting quite a belly and lots of rolls. So cute on a baby.

She looks like a little baby doll. Now I see why Raegan thinks that's just what she is.

Thanksgiving Day

Since I'm not allowed to show you our whole family picture yet (since my mother is using it for her Christmas cards) I thought I would just show you the one of Nana and Grandad and their cute crew on Thanksgiving. What a crew! Raegan holding Eva

Uncle Scott snuggling with Callie Sweet Eva and her infamous cheeks.

Drew and Ben spent most of their time running up and down my grandmothers ramp.

I loved this picture of the boys... neither looking at the camera and both with fake smiles.

We found Drew relaxing on the swing after about 100 laps on the ramp. He was so tired and apparently needed a little break.

The kids slept like logs last night and are now rested and ready for our next Thanksgiving on Saturday. We can't wait!

Look alikes....

Here is Callie at 6 weeks Here is Tony at just a few weeks.

Does anybody else see the resemblance??

What has Callie been up to?

At 5 weeks, Callie started smiling.And she spends lots of quiet time in her jacuzzi... aka my bathroom sink. Why did I even have a baby bath tub with Raegan and Drew?

She finally got to meet our dear "Aunt Mo" or Mom Owens.

She gets lots of love daily from her brother and sister.

And even likes to cuddle up on our bed for some family snuggle time.

Recent pics

I feel like if I don't take pictures of Callie every day, I will miss something. I forgot how quickly newborns change. She has lost most of her hair in the front, but she is still dark brown... no red in sight. Here is the best picture we could get of me and all three children. We took this for Tony to have on his desk, and it definitely shows some personalities.

And who doesn't love a sleeping baby picture. She doesn't normally sleep out of a swaddle, but she had fallen asleep on me and this is what happened when I laid her down. Isn't she just too cute.

Callie is growing...

She is filling out and loves to watch her older siblings play. And thankfully, they are almost always willing to entertain her. She is 1 month old already. WOW! Go Hokies!

She is just so cute.

Now that is what I called getting comfy!

Raegan took this picture early one morning. I just loved Drew in this one.

Again, goofy little Drew being the silly big brother. I love Callie's face in this one. She seems to be calling out for help :)