National Christmas Tree

Tonight we went down to the White House to see the National Christmas Tree it was perfect weather today so we didn't freeze like last year! There are little trains running all around the tree, so you can imagine how much the kids loved it! They also have smaller trees all around the big tree that represent each state, so we found the Missouri and Texas trees. The kids thought that was ok...but we couldn't get them away from the trains long enough to care!
Well it is kinda sad that this is our last Christmas season here in DC but...really we're not that sad...we are ready to move! (1 month and counting...... Merry Christmas!

Christmas again?

By the time Christmas is over Abby and Reese will have had 4 times to open presents! They are so happy about that but I don't think they have a clue that Christmas is actually a certain day...they think everyday is Christmas! Well Saturday Greg's brother's family came over and we all exchanged gifts....the kids were asking everyday when they got to open the gifts....Reese got told so many times "Not yet" that when he sees a present he says, "Not yet Mommy" it's hilarious! I think everyone loved their gifts and Abby is already asking when we open next...UGH! :)

" Yes, Jesus Loves Me"

Reese has been performing lately and here he is singing "Jesus Loves Me" it's so sweet...Abby makes a guest appearance but decides singing is out of the question:) I know I am a bit video happy tonight but I just love it!

Abby playing her piano...

Abby has not stopped playing this piano and I just had to get her singing...at first she isn't singing real words but later she starts into "O Christmas Tree"...enjoy!

Puppet Show

Last night Reese got these finger puppets for Christmas and this is so funny...he knows we are watching so he put on a show! He's a nut!

Our Family Christmas

Well tonight we opened our Christmas gifts early because we head to KC on Wednesday and we wanted the kids to have a chance to play with their toys. They were both so excited all day so we decided to open gifts before dinner right when Daddy got home because they just couldn't wait! They got lots of fun stuff...Abby got a princess piano and she loves it and hasn't stopped playing yet! She also got a ton of books and fun toys. Reese got a football and loves to run and tackle you when you are holding the ball....it's great. He also got some finger puppets and he is way into puppet shows right now so he is in heaven! I just love watching them open gifts they are so thankful even for a box....it's so sweet!
Tomorrow we open gifts with Greg's brother's family so you can imagine how hard it was for the kids to go to sleep knowing that in the morning they get to do it all over!

Good Times!

After we opened gifts we ate shrimp boil which the kids love because we throw the food on the table and eat with no plates....they laugh the whole meal:)
Then I really wanted them to watch Charlie Brown Christmas which I watched as a kid and really love...they as you can see thought it was great...whatever happened to good cartoons?...i tell you what they sure don't have any cartoons these days that talk about Jesus Christ....man that's a shame! Whenever you ask Abby and Reese what Christmas is all about they say Jesus and sometimes they start singing Happy Birthday to Jesus....I think that's pretty good for a 2 and 4 year old to know the real reason of Christmas!

Sleepover!

Well last night we got our camera back and just in time for Charlie (cousin) to sleepover. They have had so much fun and they asked to go to bed early which was very abnormal!! They both got their teeth brushed and Abby helped him:) then she wanted to show him the Cars website which he was very excited about then they ran into her room and are still awake and it's 10pm here...I am not sure how long they will stay up talking but I guess it doesn't hurt just this once! Maybe we'll be sleeping in tomorrow?....sounds good to me!

Super Cute!

Abby is so into dressing up lately and here she put on her cousins halloween outfit...as you can see she looks just like Elastigirl...well kinda!
I have been able to borrow Anglea's camera a few times to put a few pictures up...but we are still out of business but we found out our camera was fixed for free:) oh yeah and only about 6 days before our year warranty ran out...sweet! I must say we were thrilled it broke just at the perrrrfect time! Anyways it is on it's way back to us as you read this and hopefully we will have a camera for our family Christmas this weekend...let's hope...I know even you all are going through withdraws right? Just humor me...

Christmas Cookies!

Just the other day we went over to Charlie and Landry's house to play and decorate cookies! As you can see everyone is very into... well eating the icing:) I am not sure if anyone but Abby ate the actual cookie but they all sure got great sugar highs! I love this face Reese is making whenever you ask him to show you what he is doing he makes this face...not sure why but I sure am glad I got it on camera!

Still no Camera!

We found out yesturday that our camera made it to the fix-it-up shop so maybe we will be back in business in a week or so...let's hope....the kids are growing everyday and I hate for you all to miss it!
Well I have a great story for you. Last night Abby told me she wanted to have 12 kids when she gets old like me...I told her I would be a very happy grandmother:) but she went on to tell me some names she picked for them... moonface, pencil sharpener, booklet, 7th grade, and big lie....I guess she was kinda on a school kick when she thought of these names! I just had to record this for future reference...when she really does have kids I need to give her some of these great suggestions huh?
Reese tonight had a break through...he got out of the bath and wanted to go "potty-potty" (aka going potty on the potty) now we are NOT starting potty training just yet especially because the move and all but he still likes to try so I let him give it a go....and He DID IT!!....for the first time he went pee-pee...oh man he was so proud he ran around the house looking for Daddy and Abby to brag! I just love having kids and getting to see first hand them do all these firsts!

We Love Make-up!

Abby was really wanting to put on make-up last night so before bed we got all dolled up! We took turns puting on eyeshadow and lip gloss and oh man did we look good:) As you can see Abby looks beautiful...it's so fun to do this make-up stuff with her...yet again another reason I love having a girl! (I have come to the conculsion that everyone needs a girl...or else borrow one for awhile:)

Decorating the Tree!

Well we are back....at least for a day or so...my sister-in-law let us use their camera to take some pictures of some of our stuff we want to sell before we move back to Texas so I thought I might take a few of the tree we decorated too:)
The kids were so excited when we got back in town Wednesday to decorate we got everything out and they did a great job...and it's Saturday and no one has pulled the tree over! It was funny trying to get them to stand for these pictures too...sadly we had to bribe Reese:)

Home Again!

We got home late this afternoon and the flight was wonderful! It only took 2 1/2 hours instead of 7....I think God let that happen so every other flight for the rest of my life will seem wonderful next to our horror flight last week:) I actually got to read a magazine...our kids rock!!!
We got back tonight and decorated the house for Christmas...we needed to get everything up because we only have 3 weeks till we leave for my parents house in KC. We are going to have a crazy month but we are so excited to go spend some time with all my family!
I have some bad news and I hate to put a damper on the Christmas season and all....because I know your lives revolve around my blog posting:) but this week in Texas our digital camera broke and we have no idea what happened....but on a good note we just found out it is still on warranty...Yeah! We have 14 days till our 1 year warranty runs out...how great...can you believe that? Anways I tell you all this to say this is going to cramp my blogger style:) I will not be able to post any new pictures until we get this camera figured out....so sad! But and there is a BUT when we get to KC on Dec. 20th expect the pictures to start back...(thanks to my parents digital camera...thanks guys:) Well I will try to blog as often as I can even without pictures but really the pictures are my good material...no one wants to read just me talking:) Please don't forget to check back...I would hate to lose my wonderful readers:) Love you all-Becky

Precious Prayer!

This morning we sit down to eat breakfast and Abby says, "I will pray today mommy." And she said the most simple but sweetest of prayers...it went like this...."Dear Jesus, in everything I do today I want to give praise to you. Amen." How precious... if only we all realized how simple it is...He just wants our praise in all we do....I hope you all have a day full of praise!

"Let Her Out!"

Poppa made a contraption for the kids so they can pretend they are bull riding...they love it. They jump on and they have to say "let her out" then they hang on for dear life! They tend to fall off pretty quickly but I think Abby made it 8 seconds the other day...Reese thinks it is more fun to dive head first onto the ground but I think he will get a hang of it someday! As you can see I didn't do too good and Greg said I broke the bucket:(
I think this is a "kids only" contraption so I guess I will have to give up on bull riding for now and I'm ok with that!

Tea Party!

Yesturday Maw Maw had a tea party with the kids and of course they had to dress-up. As you can see Abby got way into it and put on everything Maw Maw had and she was so adorable. Reese was also wanting to dress-up he ended up in my high heels, glasses and a purse and to daddy's delight we didn't get that on camera...he only kept it on for about 2 seconds. (so we don't need to worry about him dressing up like a girl...well at least for too long:) This is one of many reasons I love having a girl...dressing up is the best! (I would wear a cinderella dress everyday if it was acceptable:)

We have an Announcement!

Today was the day...we got a contract on a house! The only catch is it's in Texas. We found out a few weeks back that Greg can work from home for Townhall and we can move back to North Richland Hills, TX. We are very excited to get back to a more normal way of life, if you know what I mean...DC is not the most ideal place for us personally to raise our family. So this past week we have been looking at a lot of houses and we found the perfect one! We signed the contract today and I guess you can say we are about 80% there if everything else goes smoothly! We are planning the move at the end of January and can't wait for another cross-country move! (just kidding) In the picture you can see how cute it is:) We will need to do some yard work but that's ok we have missed it with almost 3 years of apartment life! The house is only 6 years new and the inside is so beautiful exactly what we need and want in a house...you could say it was put on the market just for us...God's great that way isn't He?

Merry Christmas!

NO that is not a typo...we had Christmas today! We are only in town for Thanksgiving because this year we go to my parents for Christmas so today for us was Christmas with Maw Maw and Poppa..Yeah! We had a great two days...green bean casserole AND gifts..:)
We really want Abby and Reese to understand that it is not just about gifts but about Jesus so they got to hear a story about what it's all about and put the nativity up!
Then we open gifts and we all got great stuff! In the pictures you can see Abby got her first bike...she loves it but is already asking to take those training wheels off!
Reese got a Hungry Hungry Hippo game...his favorite animal is a hippo so this game is perfect for him! Abby also got this great dance pad thing...you know those dance games they have in arcades and Chucke E. Cheese...well I wish I could say she is so excited to play with it but sadly I haven't given her a chance....I absoluetly love it...I sense an addiction coming on!:)
Well all and all we had a happy holiday! And I hope the same for you! Ho Ho Ho Merry Christmas! Don't you just love this time of year? I do!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Well I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving...I know we did! We went to Grandma Reese's house and had a feast! You know how family holidays go...we went over early morning and hungout, watched the parade, ate lots of food, played outside, and of course took naps and the guys watched football..(or so they say I think they napped off and on the whole stinking time!!)...so anyway it's pretty much what everyone does across America but oh I sure am thankful:)

"Eating Bones"

Abby gets up from nap today and says, "Mommy, we are going to eat some bones." (aka ribs) Abby and Reese sure can put down those ribs...and that makes Daddy proud! I know for certain they got this from Daddy because I tend to steer clear of "bones"!

Dinner at Grandma Reese's

Last night we had dinner at Grandma's (Greg's Mom's Mom) house...she cooked us a great meal and then she "hog-tied" our kids! Well this may seem weird to all of you non-Texans but I guess this is a "normal" thing these crazy Texas people do:)
Although the kids thought it was super funny and Reese kept coming back for more....so all of you parents out there try this one at home it's a hit!

Drive-in Movie!

We had so much fun last night...we went to a drive-in movie...Abby really wanted to go and sit in the back of Poppa's truck so even though it was a bit cold we bundled up and it was great! I haven't been to a drive-in since college and forgot how great they are! I have to be honest though I have never had a better date (well except Greg or course:) Reese snuggled on my lap the whole time and Abby cuddled up next to me...I was toasty for sure...and I was afraid to move because I didn't want the kids to stop giving me loving:) If you haven't been to a drive-in for awhile we highly recommend it!

Backyard Fun!

We got here Wednesday afternoon and I think the kids have played in the backyard about 85% of the time! There is tons to do and Abby and Reese just love to get dirty! I love for them to get to play outside we don't get the perks of a backyard or house in DC so I know the kids are thrilled! The picture with Abby she has used chalk to make a farm and then got all the trackers and animals...pretty creative that girl! Also the kids love climbing the waterfall that Maw Maw and Poppa built....it's like climbing a mountain for them...Mommy gets a bit nervous sometimes though...both kids have fallen in a few times! :)

Baby Loving!

We get here and Reese was so scared of Baby (Maw Maw and Poppa's dog) we were not sure how long it would take him to get used to her again....but it sure didn't take long and they were best buddies! Reese now wants to feed her all the time (whatever he doesn't want to eat of course:) and he walks around the house looking for her...I think it's safe to say he is back to his old ways...loving his Baby!

Texas Bound!

well sorry it has been so long I have been going through withdraws not blogging for so long:) well not really but I would have blogged but we were busy sitting on a plane all day yesterday!
Ok so this is the best worst story on an airplane ever:)...all I can say is that we deserve a reward after what we went through....
So we get to the airport about 9:15am or so for our 10am flight...oh and by the way Greg had to stay and work a few more days so I was ALONE with the kids (remember this as you read:) anyways about 9:30 they tell us we will not be taking off till 12:15pm because of windy weather in Dallas and we wouldn't be loading until around 11:30 or so...well you can imagine what I was thinking....WHAT IN THE WORLD AM I GONNA DO WITH A 2 AND 4 YEAR OLD FOR 2 HOURS? Well I must say I was ready to cry...Greg couldn't come get us because of work and if we left I was afraid that we would miss the plane if did end up leaving early...so we set up camp in a nearby corner and I pulled out all the tricks...play dough, coloring, I even got them ice cream at 9:45 am oh yes we broke all the rules...they were on a sugar high before 10am:)
well 11:30 rolled around rather slowly I might add and we were loading the plane very happy to get going....we started down the runway and I kid you not they stopped and turned around...they came over the speaker and said we would be parking until we are cleared for take-off...I was thinking oh maybe 10 minutes or so....oh NO NO NO it was almost 2 hours...I am not kidding...don't laugh it was terrible! I must say I was about to flip out and throw a tantrum....surprising the kids were fine...they were actually wonderful all these days that I wondered if our discipline was sticking...well they did awesome...I seriously couldn't believe that they were better than the grown men around us....they were pouting and Abby and Reese were laughing and playing..nuts I tell ya! Well we finally took off around 1:20pm or so and then we had a 3 hour and 20 minute flight....Ughhhhh! I can't believe we made it without being committed upon arrival! I am very thankful to be off that plane!

We will be here in Texas for two weeks for a long Thanksgiving visit so we will have some great pictures...I am unable to get my computer working though so on Saturday Greg gets in town and he will get us up and going to see some great pictures! Stay tuned!

"Wicked"

I got back late last night from Chicago and we had a blast! The musical "Wicked" was awesome...I think it was flawless and have never seen a better show! We (my mom, sister and I) had so much fun just doing whatever we wanted all weekend! We shopped one day, went to the Shedd Aquarium another and sat at a few Starbucks along the way:) I loved hanging out with them both because we don't get to see each other enough but not to worry we are already planning our next girls weekend!

Also the kids and Daddy survived without me...can you believe it?...just kidding Greg did great and they had a ton of fun! The went Saturday to the Manassas Battlefield and to Cracker Barrel:) It rained off and on all weekend but Greg was creative and they also ate out a few times! It is so great to have such a wonderful husband that understands I need some time to myself and doesn't make me feel bad for needing it! I am so blessed and also so glad to be home..I missed all of them!

Going to Chicago...

Well I leave tomorrow night for a girls weekend with my Mom and sister...we are going to go see the Broadway show "Wicked" in Chicago...I am so excited to get away for a bit but for not too long:) I would love to say that Greg will be posting this weekend in my absence but well I know he won't and he will probably forget the camera wherever they do go! So this weekend will have to be a low posting time but for certain I will be reporting on all the fun I had in Chicago...have a good weekend and check back in sometime early next week!

Go MU!

PaPa brought Reese a hat from where my dad went to college...University of Missouri! They look so cute...I think Reese would love Mizzou don't you think?

Happy Birthday Abby!

Today is Abby's 4th Birthday! We woke her up to singing and cupcakes....she was excited to have her "favorite day" Birthday and picked some great things to do!

A Few of Abby's Favorite Things!

Oddly enough Abby picked the exact same things to do as Reese did on his Birthday but they had fun anyways. Granny and PaPa are here too so they got to join in the fun....Abby was very excited to hear that they were going to play with her all day! They painted a picture for Granny and PaPa and played play dough for quite awhile. I love how the simple things are the best things of all!