More Snapshots

Stacking blocks

Snapshots

Our sweet, lovable Addie Sue has learned the word "no" and she's not liking it. She has turned into a walking pro/climber, which means she is constantly on the go and into everything. Top picture - her expression while having a great day at daycare. Next picture - her reaction after being told "no".

When Addison sees us making a bottle for her she runs from the kitchen and belly flops onto her couch in the living room.

Addison's new favorite party trick.... blowing spit bubbles.

Happy Birthday, Blake!

Blake turned 33 on January 10. Over the weekend I made backstrap and taters, and on his birthday we celebrated with a fruit-topped cheesecake. The kids loved helping Blake open his presents - a Columbia jacket, a Dallas Cowboys flag, a Demo Day t-shirt inspired by his favorite Fixer Upper handyman and of course, CANDY! Later that week, Blake and I had a date night and the kids had their first ever "real" babysitter (other than family). Ms. Rachel is a teacher at their daycare and has been offering to babysit for months. They love her just as much as she loves them, so it was a great night out for us and the kiddos!

Butler Family Christmas

We wrapped up the holiday season with Christmas #3 with the Butler family in Rockwall the weekend after Christmas. While we were excited to spend the weekend with the family, we were a little nervous about the trip. The week leading up to our visit, Blake's parents started talking about kittens they had taken in and were planning to give to the grandbabies, Harper and Addison. Pets are never a good surprise gift, especially for 18 and 12-month old kids. I have to admit, I was worried. Very worried. Blake and I do not like cats.... at all. And I didn't want to add taking care of a kitten to all the things we already have going on with two toddlers. Nope, not happening. I was most worried about Greyson getting upset and his little heart breaking when we told him we could't take it home. For some reason, he loves cats, especially the one that strolls around our neighborhood. I could see the tears coming when we would have to tell him it was going to stay at Nana and Papa's house! So while we were opening presents with the family and Papa set a meowing cardboard box in front of me and Bonnie, I froze. I thought that maybe if I wasn't the one to open it we wouldn't have to take it home. ;) Luckily, Bonnie had learned about the "joke" the previous night and opened the box. Inside were two furry meowing kittens... TOY kittens! Yes, Nana and Papa bought battery-operated Furr Real toy kittens. I have never been so relieved! Just wait Nana and Papa, we're coming for you!! After the threat of taking home a live kitten was gone, we had a wonderful weekend with the family and rang in 2017 rather uneventfully. :)

Butler Christmas at Nana & Papa's house

Twinning cousins

The kitty. 

Guitar lessons (and some dancing) with Uncle Blake.

Cheerios for the munchkins.

Snapshots

Addison's favorite daycare teacher, Ms. Mikaela, made her first piggy tails! Her hair is barely long enough and you have to look reeaally close, but they are there and oh-so-cute!

Greyson told me, "Momma, now my table won't be cold anymore!" I'm glad to see he is sharing his new blanket. :)

Lutz Family Christmas

After we opened presents and had breakfast at home, we loaded up the truck and headed out to the ranch to Aunt Amy and Uncle Barrett's house for Christmas #2. The whole gang was there to exchange gifts, eat cookies and hang out at the ranch (and eat some more!). We love spending time at the ranch and had so much fun getting to see everyone at once. Greyson loved hanging out with Aunt Amy and Uncle Barrett. Knowing they would have a few toddlers in the house, Amy recorded some cartoons and movies for the kiddos. Greyson got to feed the cows and go for a quick ride with Uncle Barrett on the skid steer. They sure know how to impress a three year old! 

When you give your niece 8,000 tiny rubberbands to make bracelets, you better give her a case to organize them too!

Phillips family photo :)

Cuddles and cartoons with Aunt Amy.

'Twas the Night Before Christmas

The Christmas festivities have begun! We thought the Christmas Eve service at our church would be a great way to begin the Christmas celebration, and figured the 3:00 pm service would be the least crowded and best option for our schedule. It may have been the least crowded of the three services, but it was still a packed house. We arrived early and still couldn't find enough seats together in the overflow seating, so we crowded around the TV in the foyer of the children's building (with the other latecomers/families with toddlers) to watch the sermon. The kids were too squirmy to sit though the whole service, so we snuck out right after the camel and cow entered the full-size manger in the sanctuary. We'll definitely have to be ready super early to check it out next year. 

After church, we went home and baked some cookies for Santa and put on our Christmas PJs. The next morning, Greyson woke to find that Santa had visited during the night and left presents under the tree and ate the cookies. We all opened presents together and ate breakfast before heading out to the ranch to celebrate Christmas with the Lutz side of the family.

Watching Elf.

Baking cookies for Santa

My little helper

Manger, check. Milk, check. Cookies, check. We are all ready for Santa!

Christmas morning!

The best picture I got of the kids in front of the tree.

Addison received a new warm hat and blanket.

Greyson was sooo excited about his flashlight. He must be related to Grandpa!

Finally getting to open the BIG ONE!

Greyson was excited about their new play kitchen. He said, "It's a home center!" (He plays at the "home center" at daycare.)

Santa must know we have little Cowboys fans!