Merry Christmas!

This Christmas was a lot more exciting for Jarred (and for us to watch) than last Christmas. He actually enjoyed tearing open the gifts though he has been a bit overwhelmed. I think he is finally just starting to sit and enjoy some of the new toys he got over the last couple of days. This year was a first in that we stayed home as a family of 3 on Christmas eve so we could wake up in our own house Christmas morning. It was so nice! We put out the reindeer food on the back porch that Jarred made at school so Santa would be sure to find us.

We put out cookies and milk for Santa. Well, most of it was for Santa...Jarred just had to make sure they tasted ok :) Jarred snuggled in for a good night's sleep to the glow of his Christmas tree. Christmas morning we got up and opened presents here.

He loved his basketball hoop the most. He carried that "bakaball" everywhere with him!
"Move over kitty, I'm comin in!" Then we went to my parents house for the day to spend the day enjoying family.

The day after Christmas Dan's parents came to our house to celebrate. That night the 6 grown-up kids went out to dinner as our gift to each other and Dan's parents spent the evening watching Jarred and Ethan. It was a very busy, but happy, Christmas!

Work Holiday Party

We had our work holiday party the week before Christmas. The food was pretty good this year. The highlight was the petite fours...they were yummy! It's always fun to see who will get out there and dance :) Here are some pics of my friends and others I work with.

Rama and I

Rama, Steve and Dani

Nancy on the dancefloorDani, Kim, Eileen, Lauren and Jen

Most of the Department

Rama and Jen were some of the only ones in our department brave enough to dance. So I figured since they were brave enough to dance, I had to upload it for all to see :)

God is Good

I just wanted to give a quick update on the friend I wrote about here and her baby M. Baby M had her MRI yesterday and everything looks fine. There are no signs of a brain tumor at all...everything looks great! Praise God! Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers during this very stressful time. God is good!

Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow

It started off as a pretty dreary day, but it turned into snow late this afternoon. Even though it wasn't much snow, we took Jarred out to play in the snow for the first time. He got all bundled up and definitely couldn't hold anything in his mittens, but he had a blast. Here are some pics from playing in the snow and of Jarred enjoying his cupcake afterwards. Enjoy!

Prayers Needed...

I have seen the power of prayer through a lot of people's blogs lately. In particular, if you remember the MckMama and baby Stellan story. So, it's time to pray very hard again. One of my very close friends at work has an adorable 8-month old little girl (we'll call her "M"). "M" was at a GI doc appointment yesterday when the doc noticed some "signs" that didn't sit right with her. So, after my friend and "M" left the office, the GI doc consulted with another doc about the "signs" she saw. My friend's pediatrician called her this morning asking her to make an appointment for "M" to have an MRI because the consulting neurologist thinks she may have a brain tumor. So, please lift up "M" and her family in prayer. They couldn't get an MRI appointment until next Thursday which of course feels like an eternity. In the meantime, please hold this family in your hearts and in prayer.

Christmas Tree Hunt and Decorating

Wow, my computer has been so slow these past few days! Oh well. This past Saturday we went to cut our Christmas tree down at the tree farm we have been going to the last couple of years. Last year Jarred was too little to know what was going on and it was so cold he didn't really have much fun. This year I still don't think he had any idea what was happening, but at least he had fun while we were there.

Here's a pic from last year:

Here's a pic from this year: I think he looks much happier this year :)
The tree farm we go to has a nice play area for the kids with a wooden train to climb through, a pirate ship to climb up and go down a big slide, and a tee pee. It also has a little petting zoo type thing with geese, a llama, goats, miniature horses and a donkey. Jarred had the most fun looking at the geese (which he kept calling ducks). Grammy and Grandad (Dan's parents) came with us this year and we even got them to get a real Christmas tree...woohoo! Here are lots of pics from the tree hunt.

We decided to put the tree up and get the lights and balls on while Jarred took a nap in hopes that he would think they couldn't be taken off. So far it has worked and he has left the ornaments on the tree alone. We put a train around the base of the tree this year for the first time. Jarred's Grandad got it for him for Christmas last year. Jarred thinks it is the coolest thing and loves watching it! Thanks, Grandad! Here are some pics from the tree decorating and Jarred enjoying his choo choo train.

Happy Thanksgiving!

I apologize that it's been a little while since I have posted. We had a very busy Thanksgiving weekend with a lot of pictures. So many pictures that I will probably end up posting in multiple posts! Jarred spoiled mommy and daddy this past long weekend by sleeping in each morning until 8:30 am! I can't tell you the last time I slept that late! We spent Thanksgiving day with Dan's family. There were a lot of people in the house so it was crazy but fun. Here are some pics from Thanksgiving Day.

Cousin Ethan trying on Jarred's Indian feathers

Jarred and Ethan playing nicely

The mommies and babies

Dessert is served

The day after Thanksgiving we met my parents for dinner to celebrate my sister's birthday. Here are Taylor, Hannah and Jarred dancing at Smokey Bones.

Happy Birthday Tayl!

Aunt Taylor taking care of Jarred in the pool

Happy Birthday to you,

Happy Birthday to you,

Happy Birthday dear Taylor,

Happy Birthday to you!

My sister, Taylor, turns the big 12 today. We're sorry we couldn't be there this weekend to celebrate with you. Though, I'm sure you didn't want to get sick as a present from us :) We hope you have a great day and will see you soon to give you your gift. We're very proud of the young lady you have become and we love you very much! Jarred says, "Happy Birthday, Aunt Tay!"



Happy Birthday sis! Love you!

Happy Birthday Dan!

Today is Dan's birthday and he got the lucky job of staying home with a sick Jarred. Jarred got sent home from daycare yesterday with a fever so he wasn't allowed to go in today. Good excuse for daddy right? :) I just wanted to take the opportunity to say Happy Birthday, Dan! You are a wonderful husband and great father. I couldn't ask for anything more. I love our life we have created together and can't wait to see where the road leads us in the future. Thank you for everything you are and everything you do. Happy Birthday! I love you with all my heart!

The Best in Baby Scrapbooking...

One of the blogs I read for creative inspiration is by Jessica Turner. She is a very talented scrapbooker, and blogger for that matter. Part of her inspiration right now is her new munchkin baby boy. So, the second week in December she is dedicating her blog to scrapping all things baby related. If you want some inspiration and cool scrapping ideas, check her blog out here or by clicking on the button on my right toolbar.

Wii Silly Fun

Last night at Dan's birthday celebration everyone had to try out the Wii Fit. The Housten family has a little work to do at hula hooping :)

Aunt Kathy

Aunt Sloane

Uncle James

Dan (The Champion Hula Hooper)

Jarred :)

Daddy's 30th Bday Party

Dan's 30th birthday is coming up in a few days so we had the Housten clan and Grant and Kim up for a little celebration. Dan got a new camera from his parents which was much needed since a certain someone (definitely not me :)) fell in the ocean with ours when we were in the OBX this summer. It is a very nice camera and I can really tell a difference in picture quality. Anyway, here are some pics from the gathering all post cake and gifts unfortunately. Oh, and I got some wonderful videos of people while playing the wii tonight. I will post those tomorrow as soon as I figure out how :)

Grant and Kim

Ethan and Jarred Loving Aunt Sloane

My Little Troublemaker