when the boys were away

Pat and Ty went to Disneyland last weekend.  I was sad that I wasn't there experiencing the fun with them but it was better that I stayed home with Tatum.  I have pictures that Pat took using his mom's camera but I haven't been able to get them off the camera.  Tatum and I had a good time while they were away.  We spent time with my friend Nicole and her two kids Grace and Emitt, we went to my niece's basketball game and stayed the night at my parent's house.  The only reason why Tatum actually fell asleep there was because she got to sleep with her cousin Kenna.  I watched Emitt on Saturday morning so Nicole could take Grace to basketball, Tatum had fun making pancakes, coloring and playing with him!  I think she liked the fact that she was a bit older than him and could boss him around a bit.  In the pictures with Emitt, Tatum insisted on wearing a summer dress that was too small over her clothes, not cute but oh well!  

keeping busy inside

 I would love to be one of those moms who bundles their kids up in the rain and wind when it's 40 degrees and plays outside even though the kids would get soaked and have red hands but I am not.  Don't get me wrong, I do take them outside in the winter,  I just hate the wind and it always seems really windy at our house.  Luckily Tatum doesn't like getting cold either, ha!  I went to my friend Nicole's house last week and she had Do-A-Dots, aka a fancy name for daubers/dobbers!  Tatum loved playing with them so I went to Michael's and bought some...they love them.  We made patterns, caterpillars, letters, flowers, fish, etc.  It kept them busy for at least 90 minutes.  I love activities that last more than 10 minutes and are easy to clean up! 

Ty was concentrating so hard!

Look at that pencil grip...ok, that was kind of corny but I am a kindergarten teacher, I notice those things. 

What I forgot to take a picture of was Tatum having ink dots all over her arms and face...I guess I shouldn't clean her room while she is dobbing!  She was very proud of her "stamps."

I love when the kids play independently.  They played pirate and finding treasure for 70 minutes.  They had their "journals" (cheap spiral notebooks) and they were drawing treasure maps.  Some days they fight every minute and days like today I just cherish and love that they are only 18 months apart and act more like twins than just siblings. 

Baking with Great Grandma

 Every year (except for one year) since my sister and I were 8, and two cousins Laura and Lisa have made Danish pastries with my grandma for Christmas brunch.  This year, I had to miss out because Ty and I had the stomach flu but we made it up a couple of weeks ago.  Oh my goodness, they are so good...butter, butter and more butter with lots of frosting makes for some delicous treats!  I love the fact that my kids and my nieces and nephew are carrying on the tradition with their great grandma.  I am bummed that I didn't get any pictures of the kids with their Great Grandma (GiGi) and I didn't take any pictures of the final product.  The pastries end up looking like poinsettias with lots of frosting and sprinkles.  When they are warm, they just melt in your mouth. 

stream of consciousness

I haven't taken a picture since Christmas.  I feel really fat with this pregnancy...I am only 22 weeks along and feel cooked.  My belly button sticks out alot.  I love only teaching three days a week.  So glad that the last college football bowl game is on tonight.  I think Tatum is done taking naps but I still make her stay in her crib for 2 hours until she yells for me. I am dreading the snow that is being predicted to head our way, I am a baby when it comes to driving in the snow.  Love that my kids go to bed at 7pm every night and sleep 12-13 hours every night.  My goal for 2011 is to save at least 50% on our grocery bill.  I know some people are crazy with the coupons and get things for free or very little, I am just happy using a store coupon with a manufacturer's coupon for an item.  I am trying to stock up on non-perishables when they are on sale so when I am not working after I have this baby we don't have to buy those items.  I am DREADING Pat starting baseball season in 6 weeks because Pat does most the cooking, changes most diapers, and cleans when he is home.  Now that my coaching season is over, it has been so nice to sit down and eat dinner as a family every night.  Last but not least, I am so glad that my shows are back on and not re-runs. 

Christmas morning & Christmas 5 & 6



The kids putting out the milk and cookies for Santa.

  I forgot to take pictures of Christmas morning when we had the three sets of grandparents up for breakfast and when we went to Pat's Aunt Mary's on Christmas Day.  But here are a few pictures of Christmas morning, at Pat's dad's house and then we hosted the Swapp side of the family on the 26th. 

Showing off the new slippers that Santa brought them.

 Opening presents at Papa Swapp's house. 

 Peggy getting Tatum ready to wear her princess dress that she got her. 

Tatum loves to dress up like a princess so she loved the princess treasure chest full of dress-up clothes that Peggy got her. 

Tatum and Scarlett playing together.  It is amazing how much bigger Tatum is than Scarlett even though she is only two weeks older. 

Ty and Addison played for hours together on the 26th, it was fun to see them play so well together. 

Christmas was fun but after four days of celebrating I was exhausted.  Then on Monday night Ty and I both ended up getting the stomach flu but I was just glad that we didn't get sick during Christmas. 

Christmas Eve 2010

For my mom's side of the family we go to my Aunt Vivi and Uncle Mike's house.  I look forward to this night for months, we have the BEST appetizers (and to see family of course!).  I think we had at least 15 different appetizers, plus dinner and dessert.  I have such a good time spending time with my extended family.  This year we had quite the surprise, Santa came!  Ty and Tatum were wide-eyed and grinning from ear to ear, it was so cute.  Santa brought all the kids presents and even got something for my grandparents. 

Ty's cousin Austin let him play with his DSI, he loved it!

This is what Ty would look like if he had a DSI...I am glad that we held off on the video gaming systems for one more year!



Look at Tatum's face, she couldn't believe Santa came!





I don't think my sister and I have had a picture taken with our parents in years...that is about as good of a picture my dad takes, so I was happy!

first of many Christmas celebrations for 2010

We had six different Christmas celebrations with family this year.  It was a lot of fun, but I am sure worn out, I think I gained 10 pounds but who cares, I am pregnant!  These pictures are from my mom's house on the 23rd.  We had a wonderful prime rib dinner with my parents, my sister's family and my grandparents.    

 

Tatum with her big cousin Kenna.  They are inseperable!

The Cousins!  They all just love each other so much, I wish they would move closer...hint, hint Kayla!

Don't let her fool you, this is the only bite she took!

Ty sitting at the table and didn't eat a thing.  He told me he doesn't eat this kind of food...a good meal that doesn't consist of a hot dog, pb & J or macaroni!

Did you notice who got a haircut?  I brought Tatum to the Barber last week and she cut off about 4 inches, her hair looks so much better!

My wonderful Grandma and Kendyl. 

My brother-in-law showing off his cool light that Santa brought him in his stocking. 

Ty was excited that he got a new Iron Man toy from his Auntie.