Hampton night 2013

We decided to use our hotel points for a free night downtown at the Hampton again this year.

Isabella fell asleep on the way down there.  So she was not at her best when we had to wake her up. But she perked up pretty fast. She, of course, was excited about playing with the phones in the room and checking everything out.

We got settled in our room and then got changed to go swimming.

Benjamin loved splashing in the water, and Isabella went right down the slide over and over when she had been apprehensive at first last year.
We picked up sandwiches on the way down so we could have a picnic in our room and not have to leave.

Izzy making her selfie-duckface- thanks to Bailey McBride's video. :)  

Our wild bunch!

We had breakfast in the morning- which Isabella loves a hotel breakfast too- an opportunity to have  sugary cereals we don't have and all kinds of other treats. Then we went swimming some more before getting ready for the day and checking out.

I told a friend the next day- Next time I voluntarily spend the night in a hotel with my two kids that wake up a lot at night- remind me not to! The night was pretty terrible. Isabella woke up several times. Benjamin was congested and awake a lot. And being that I had to go into work after we checked out- I couldn't rest later in the day. But Isabella had a great time, and it will be a tradition that we enjoy more, hopefully, as the kids get older. (And hopefully sleep better?!?!?!) I just made it a two cup of coffee day and got through it. :)

32

Another birthday year has come and I had a fun day to celebrate!  I had planned on getting up to go run early, but the night was a bit crazy so I just stayed in bed.

Michael and Isabella mixed up some pancakes. 

32! Whoo hoo! 

I went shopping with my mom for a little bit, and then my sister came from work to meet us for lunch at 501. I rested some in the afternoon and read a magazine I'd been wanting to read. 

For dinner our families came over for build your own pizzas and cake.

Saying goodbye to 31 and making a wish for 32!

It was a great day. I really appreciated all that Michael did to let me have some relaxing time and get our house and food ready to have family over. Taking care of little ones day and night, it was really nice to have someone go out of their way to take care of me for a day!  I'm looking forward to my 32nd year, what it will bring, and all the ways I'm hoping to grow.

8 months

Happy 8 Months of Benjamin!

What a sweet, happy baby you are- except when you are tired, hungry, or teething! In your 8th month you had your first Thanksgiving and first Christmas! You were a good sport through all of our holiday celebrating! You are putting everything you can reach to your mouth and chomping on it. You are a rolling machine and I find you in different places if I leave you on the floor and leave the room. I know you will sleep all night some day, but right now most nights you are not interested in doing that. Some day...right?! :) You can be really quiet sometimes and other times you babble and jabber away. I love your smiles and sweet happy spirit!!

Family pictures 2013

We had a short mini session of pictures taken this fall at Michael's work by Laura Vanderzee.

Then the rest of these were taken by my brother. He has been so gracious to take pictures for us for the last four years!! I've been so grateful for them!

 There are SO many outakes I could post!!! Isabella was not very cooperative and Benjamin wanted to put anything he could reach in his mouth. :) I was impressed Luke was able to get all of the ones that he did!

Her baby curls still at the very bottom.

Christmas Eve & Day

We spent Christmas eve morning with our immediate Mitchell family. 

Benny in a pile of present bags and presents.

Watching Cappy put her new bus together.
We had our favorite donuts for breakfast and had some time to just hang out.
 Then we went to Mema's house for lunch to spend Christmas eve with the rest of the Mitchell family. Mema ending up having to go to the ER during the gathering and was admitted to the hospital.  We were all really worried about her.

We came home and spent the evening at home. It was nice to be home and quiet. I had several things I needed to wrap up (literally and otherwise). And Michael had a dollhouse to put together.

Christmas morning Isabella came to our room, climbed into bed with us, and asked if we could get up and watch some TV. She totally didn't remember it was Christmas morning! Once I told her she was excited. "Oh mommy! Let's go see if Santa brought me a cherry pony and a dollhouse!" she said. We went to her room to put the last ornament on her countdown tree and headed to the living room.

"A dollhouse!!!"

Checking it all out!
Then she said- but Santa didn't bring Benny a dollhouse!!!!?!

We went ahead and ate breakfast while Benjamin stayed asleep. Paula joined us, and we missed Alan as he was not able to come since he was taking care of Papa. The kids ornaments at breakfast this year were: Cinderella for Isabella and a baby's first Christmas ornament for Benjamin. Cinderella was one of the first full movies we watched towards the beginning of this year and she's liked Cinderella ever since.

Benjamin joined us and got to check out his gifts. Of course with sister's help- since "he's too little". 

We had some time to play and then it was time to get ready to go to my parent's house.

Papa and the grandkids. Expanded by two more since last Christmas.

Benny laughing at cousin Isaac. 

We ate lunch, had presents, played, and then drove through the Midwest City Christmas lights on our way home later that evening. 

Benjamin's first Christmas

Parts of this holiday felt like a whirlwind with preparations and getting things done with two little ones. But we were blessed with lots of family time and people to celebrate with. Merry Christmas 2013!

Ice storm December 2013

 Icicles under the trampoline