Halloween in December

This was the costume Todd and I purchased in Chicago for the boys this past October. We had Buzz costumes, so we thought we would grab one of these in case someone wanted to step out as Sheriff Woody. If you look back at the Halloween pics, we were football players. Hmmm...

Yee-Haw

I was cleaning out my laundry room closet and this was hanging in there. Of course, both boys were in the closet with me "helping". They have seen this costume hanging on their backpack hook for months and no comment was ever made. Owen explained "WOODY" and we had to put it on immediately!

He was so proud of himself. After he was dressed, he went and retrieved the Buzz costume for Brody. He chased Brody around yelling "No-WEN! BUZZ!" He clearly had visions of Brody putting on Buzz and them acting out the entire movie. As you can guess, Brody ran.

Upon returning to the closet, Owen found his "cowboy hat". This is Todd's pool hat. A purchase while playing golf on a trip to Mexico. Owen felt it completed his look!

What a character!

He changed back and forth between Woody and Buzz costumes all morning. Once we were set in the outfit, he would start stripping and insisting on the other outfit. Woody ultimately won out because there were no Buzz boots.

I love how different the boys are! This is the perfect example of their personalities. Owen loved the dressing up and performing, while Brody loved the few minutes of peace and quiet he was able to enjoy by himself.

School Program

The boys had their Mother's Day Out Christmas Program. I was so excited to see them perform their songs and jingle their bells. I had the video camera, my super long lens, everything to record this precious performance...

Sweet boys

Christin had to sneak up to the front to take this for risk the boys would want to escape with me and not perform

Hey...Owen, you probably shouldn't touch your brother

Here we go!!
Keep in mind, they were on the front row. They managed to pull it together for most of the songs once they duked it out a little bit. But sadly, Brody dropped his jingle bell stick and never quite recovered from this apparent tragedy. He finished the program in his teacher's lap. Oh, the pressure to perform!

Owen at his class party

Owen and Brody with their gal Georgia

It's nice to end the day on a high note

Rollin'

Guess who rolled over yesterday?

Keeping Warm

We decided to take a little walk after dinner to look at the neighbors Christmas lights. Got the boys all bundled up and loaded in the wagon. Well, what to do with Henley?

We found a way to keep her warm too!

Love her sparkly slipper sticking out the bottom of my coat!

It's Santa Time

Today was the day! Time to see Santa Claus! Henley was very well rested (she slept from 10 to 7:30, Merry Christmas Mommy) and in a great mood for her first Santa sighting

LOVE this smile. Brody does not usually even look at the camera so this is a rare thing!

Owen was not as please with the paparazzi this morning

Grammie joined us for a yummy brunch with Santa.

Brody mostly brunched on cookies

Notice Santa in the background. We were probably 20 feet away. I've been talking this up and the boys seemed excited, so I told the Yeagers we would go first and show Hannah how fun it was. Failed! That's Brody clinging to me

Getting closer. I'm slowing backing toward Santa. Owen is coming along with only minimal fear.

I hand off Henley. Notice Brody is now crawling up inside my dress. Lovely! Keep in mind there is a ballroom full of people witnessing this.

Owen "liked" Santa. He did really good. This is the first year Owen has been the one not upset.

Brody decided Santa wasn't so bad when he started handing out candy and crayons. (the pictures are out of order. I tortured them with a mandantory family photo, then Owen and Henley took their turn, then Owen went solo) Santa was so nice to get down on the floor and try to convince Brody he was a good guy.

I was determined to have a picture of all three kiddos. I didn't really want to be in it, but you got to do what you got to do.

Henley enjoyed her first time in Santa's lap

We left with balloons and were totally satisfied...

and completely worn out!

Gingerbread Decorating

We headed up to GT today to decorate a gingerbread house. We were moving a little slow this morning thanks to a Christmas party the night before so we missed the breakfast, but we made it in time to catch some Christmas carols, and decorate. Dad and the crew. Brody has to push Henley. He has become such a big helper since Thanksgiving. He must know the big guy in red is watching. I keep asking him if he's running for office. Of course, he answers, No!

Dad got it started with the icing. The club was very smart, the houses were hot glued together with all the icing bags clipped open and ready, they covered the floor in plastic drop cloths and had warm towels for each house. (Yes, of course, Woody and Buzz attended this event with Owen)

Owen is feeling his creative juices flowin'

Brody sampled all the candy and whatever didn't taste good, he stuck on the house

Our family pic (Henley's in her stroller behind us). Not a good angle.

Again, oh-so-helpful Brody. He insisted on helping Todd from the table ALL the way to the car.

Henley will be much more involved next year. She just sat there and looked cute this time.

Our Masterpiece! We are of the if it sticks, it looks good decorating style!

Henley's 4 Month Well Check

We are four months old!!! And very healthy to boot!

Here's Henley's stats from her four month well check. She did great at the doctor. I was very proud of her. She lifted her head when he laid her on her tummy (as opposed to screaming like she does a lot of the time at home). She didn't cry as he poked and prodded, and she flashed that heart-breaker smile at Dr. Nabulsi. I think he was rather impressed with my sweet girl.

Weight 15 lbs 5 oz (90%)
Height 2' 1.7" (95%)
Head 16.5"

This is our Swanky Santa Girl. She is too much fun to dress up, especially in her many Christmas outfits. Henley is very tolerant of her many outfit changes as long as you are fast with the change. She loves to have her diaper changed. She just giggles whenever she is naked! He brothers love to comment on her attire. I had a cute hat with a HUGE flower on it. Both boys started laughing when they say her. I'm sure they will always have an opinion about her clothes.

Henley is still on a breast milk only diet. She eats about every four hours during the day. If she's taking from a bottle, it's about 6oz at a time. At night, I nurse her around 9 or 10, and she usually makes it to 4 or 5. Dr. Nabulsi told me I need to start soothing her and not feeding in the middle of the night so she learns to drop that feeding. To date, she has only slept a FULL night once. Our last night in Austin for Thanksgiving she made it from 10 to 8. Must have been all that turkey. I don't mind the 4am feeding because she eats for 10 minutes and then goes right back to sleep until 9 or 10. We'll see how well I do at skipping a feeding. I followed his advise with the boys but they were six months old, there was two of them, and I was too lazy to go downstairs and fix two bottles. It was easier to just let them cry or soothe them for a couple of nights. With our cold night FINALLY approaching, I might get better at not getting out of my warm bed to go feed her. (She's in her room now. Big Girl!)

Precious Reindeer! Or as Owen calls these "Moose Ears". I kept correcting him, but clearly I am wrong!

Henley is wearing mostly six month clothing. If her pajamas have feet, it's nine months for us! It is so strange opting for larger sizes. At this point with the boys, they were swallowed by three month clothes. Full term babies are a different story. I cannot believe how fast she is growing up. Her hair (hard to see the pics) is getting so blond. She loves to drool and suck on her fist. Her favorite spot is in her swing or under her baby gym looking at all the toys hanging down. She loves to grab them and try to shove them in her mouth. Second only to her fist, is her lovies. Nana made her some minky lovie squares. If she has one in her hand she is happy.

Thanksgiving 2010

Thanksgiving started early at the Rogers' house. My mom flew in on Monday morning to drive to Austin with me and the kiddos. It was fun to road trip with my mom. Plus, I got to drive this time. Todd always drives and now I know why...it's much more peaceful to drive and let my passenger cater to my very needy children. tee-hee! Mom and I arrived in Austin late afternoon and unpacked, my dad drove in from Dallas, we played, and put the kiddos to bed, and they we crashed in preparation for a busy week. Tuesday I headed to the store to find the perfect ingredients for our feast (we mastered the menu on our drive down). That night we headed over the my brother's house to celebrate my nephew's birthday. Poor guy has a birthday very close to Christmas and it's hard to get back down there with everyone a couple of weeks after Thanksgiving. This year he got a bonus McD birthday party, kind of a practice party.

Nana and Papa D with all their grand kids

Aunt Kathy put on these wings in an attempt to get all the kiddos to look at the camera. Then she let Brody test them out. To say he was mesmerized is an under statement. Here, Aunt Kathy is trying to show Brody how to run and make the wings "SWOOSH"

Birthday boy with Mom, Dad, and his little bro

We cooked most of the dishes on Tuesday. On Wednesday we cooked a casual dinner for when Todd, Doss and Anette arrive. Brody was quite the little helper in the kitchen.

Henley enjoyed a mini-spa in the kitchen sink

Nan and her latest Great Granddaughter

Todd enjoyed Owen's apron since he wouldn't wear it. Todd's gravy was the hit of Thanksgiving!

Couple of Turkeys!

My little ButterBall!

Amazing Turkey! We stuffed her with onions. Smothered her with butter, and coated her in Todd's special seasoning mix. WOW! YUM! There were eight adults and we pretty much wiped out that bird by the time we made sandwiches for the drive home on Saturday. SO GOOD!

Jacob and I pulled on the wish bone. Guess who got the bigger piece?

Not me!

Too Cute! The three little boys were laying in bed watching Scooby Doo, so we told Jacob to go casually climb in. We dropped Henley in his lap and started snapping away with the camera. These little guys take off when they see a camera.

All the boys went outside to play football. Yes, that's Todd sitting on his nephew.

Owen let Nan dress him Friday morning. Made her day. I loved getting to spend time with Todd's grandmother. It was so special to see her with our kiddos. They are so lucky to have Great Grandparents in their lives.

The weather was beautiful and we enjoyed our week in Austin. Thanksgiving 2010 was a totally success. We are now ready for Christmas!