Happy Valentine's Day!

I have 3 of the best valentines. I will talk about each one separately now:

Ryan (my number one valentine) - You have been out of town for almost a week and came home late last night and I could NOT have missed you more! Just having you in the house and around is nice. You are one of the most genuine people I know, you are a good person, and I just love you to bits! You treat me well, know me well, and go along with my nuttiness and I appreciate you for that. Not only all of the above, but you have blessed me with my babies...THAT in itself is the greatest gift of all. I love you so much!

Hagen (not that he is the favorite kid...I don't have favorites...but he was born first) - You are my sweet boy. You are very emotional and loving but are trying to "man up" lately and have a crazy spark in you that is sometimes hard to put out! You love to cuddle with me before bed and watch Dr. Phil (if appropriate), you like to sleep in my bed in your sleeping bag when Daddy is out of town (only one night), you are very good with your baby, and I just love you to bits too!!

Hazel (the baby) - girl, I don't think I will ever have to worry about you sticking up for yourself. You are one strong little girl. You have really enjoyed working with using a fork lately and it is darling!! Your hair is getting long and I'm just dying to trim it, but it just got to the point of going into 2 ponies so I am waiting. This morning when your Daddy woke you up your face just LIT.UP. You snuggled with your paci on Daddy's shoulder for awhile and when I tried to take you to get you dressed for school you threw a fit...I felt loved.

Recent things have gone on in the family...not my immediate family, but very close family. It has me realizing how precious a good strong marriage is. To be honest, the hardest part of my marriage was when we could not get pregnant. We were both down in the dumps because there was nothing wrong with either of us. But we remained strong and a force together.

I feel very fortunate that we have not ever had a rocky patch in our marriage and we are coming up on 10 years. I often hear the first couple of years are hard work, but it wasn't for me. We did date for 5 years before we got married and never lived together so I wonder if that had anything to do with it?!?

Anyways, I am very happy...I want to get this family member of mine that is going through a VERY tough time where I am. It will take time, there are alot of factors, but this person above anyone else deserves nothing but the best because they are simply one of the best people I have ever known.

Happy V-Day!
Carrie

Christmas Day/Night

Christmas morning is always nice because we don't have to leave to go to Papa/Pia's or Nana's until later in the afternoon. So we spend the morning in our PJ's and play, put the kids down for naps, shower and get ready and then go! I couldn't imagine having to hurry and open gifts, hurry and get ready and then hurry and leave. With my older brother (that has disowned us) we would have to be at his house at 9:00am, we would open gifts, eat, and then kinda be kicked out at 12:30 so the kids could nap. It was almost like it was an obligation for them to have us over. Now take into account that their kids were the only babies and we ADORED them and I always felt kinda cheated out of watching them enjoy and play...it was just so...routine? Not relaxing AT.ALL. Here are the babies all dressed to go to Nana's for Christmas. Hazel's dress is darling and Hagen looks as handsome as ever.

Here is Nana and her Grandbabies. So sweet that Hagen is the token boy...the girls both love the kids so much and are like little mothers to them. I can hardly get Hagen to smile normal anymore...I get the fake smile or strained look.

Here is Ryan with his sister Kristen. She is the most perfect person I have known. Honestly, she would do anything for anyone, is a FABULOUS teacher, hard worker, goes to church religiously and participates. One thing that she needs to do is learn to say NO. She takes on so much and spreads herself out so thin. I love this girl...I'm so happy to have her in my life. Ryan thinks she is pretty special too. They live in Frisco, but we don't see them that often! Her kids are older and have tons of activities and she is busy with her commitments and then there is us with two littles and working.

Family picture on Christmas...see what I mean about Hagen's smiling? I think he is over the camera! I still can't believe we have 2 kids...looking at family photos is just so special. LOVE my hubby and babies!

So we get to Nana's around 2:30, open gifts, eat, clean up and then we go to Ryan's Aunt and Uncle's house...just 4 houses away. It was the first time that Ryan's cousin Shannon had met Hazel. I think she liked her. Here is Aunt Karen and Shannon checking out Hazel's shoes. I had gotten her some Stuart Weitzman black patton shoes with a big black flower and a rhinestone for Christmas Day...she would not keep them on! I was heartbroken...they were DARLING. So she had on Zebra Stride Rite shoes in her Christmas dress. :( Shannon is really into fashion so the clothes that she picks out for the kids are always SO cute! She lives in Austin with her husband Phil.

We had some drinks and desert and watched a video of Pappy's 90th birthday party. It was a great time! We had to leave around 8:00 because Hazel was done. We had a great time and both kids were really good so it was fine.

What a wonderful holiday season! To be honest, I'm ready to take all the decorations down. I just feel like everything is so dusty with it up! I may talk Ryan into starting that tomorrow. He likes waiting until after the 1st, but I'm ready now.

Tata,

Carrie

Christmas Eve

This year is the year that my brother Adam (the nice one) goes to NC to visit his wife's family, so we spend Christmas Eve with my parents! I remember 2 years ago it snowed and was the prettiest eve EVER! It almost snowed this year, but not quite. Both kids had strep so it was good to have a laid back day. Mom made her famous Cheese Soup, we baked potatoes in the crock pot, and Ryan smoked a brisket! Yes, we will probably be burned out on smoked stuff soon enough, but not yet.

They got over around 2:00 and we immediately started opening gifts. Hazel still hasn't figured out how to open things but luckily Hagen was there to open them for her! He would be so cute and say, "Hazel, look! Aww how sweet Hazel...it's a baby!" and stuff like that. I think he was actually more excited for her to get her gifts than he was for his own!! Mom and Dad got him the V-tech tablet and he loves it. I'm hoping it will keep him off our iPad. Most of their things they get the kids is for us to put out from Santa...HUGE help!! They truly don't care if it is known to be from them...

After we ate, the kids got in their Christmas PJ's, Hagen put out the cookies (SO STALE) he made last week, put out the reindeer food, and then they cozied up to Papa on the couch and read "Twas the Night Before Christmas"...Hazel even sat still!

Mom got this book and dog thing that is SO cute. Her and Hagen were reading it together. At certain words/phrases in the book the dog barks, growls, squeeks, whatever. It is so cute!!

Hazel went to bed at 6:45 and Hagen said he was ready for bed too! So around 7:00 all the toys from the attic were being put out. It was nice having Mom and Dad there to see what all the got for the kids! I do the shopping and so most of the stuff they don't see. Dad was on teepee duty, Mom was on stocking duty, I was on arrangement duty, and Ryan was putting together random toys. We were done in NO time! We didn't have any really hard to put together things this year!

Dad told me one year after we went to bed he had to put together a swing set. The box said "3 easy steps!" Well, step one was to bolt the 1,000's of bolts together...he said it was a nightmare.

Thanks Mom and Dad for once again a wonderful Christmas. We loved having you over and look forward to our "Eve" day in 2 more years!!

Love,

Carrie

Cookie Decorating and exchanging gifts with cousins

Noah and Emily will be visiting family in NC this year so we met before they left and decorated cookies for Santa and exchanged gifts! The gap between the girls is slowly filling up! They get so excited to see each other. Hazels ponies are getting longer and Em's curls are coming in fast!! Hagen and Hazel gave Em and Noah personalized books with their faces in them. Hazel got a cute pink outfit with poodles on it and Hagen got a t-shirt with Spider man AND Captain America! It was a huge hit! I also gave Adam and Rebecca salt dough ornaments...I couldn't resist. My brother has started...wait for it...collecting coins! Ha! He loves it and is finding some really old coins. So I found an ornament that was for a coin collector. I got Rebecca one that is a girl with a camera since she has started a photography business. So happy for her because she is so good...and loves it!

Ryan smoked a briscuit and a chicken so we had that for dinner. The kids are growing up so fast! Here they are having a private meal at their very own kid table. Emily is even using a fork now!

I can't wait to eavesdrop on the conversations here in a few years...

Here they are decorating cookies...Hagen made Hazel some smaller ones and she just ate them but we pretended she was decorating too. Noah and Em don't know but Santa is coming that night! About a week early, but they had to before they left on their flight.

So, we decorated cookies just in the nick of time. Tell you what, the volume in the house with all 4 of them now vocal is out of control. Mostly tile over there so it just ECHOS and is LOUD! It's funny because Hagen and Noah run around, Emily is following, and bringing up the rear is Hazel trying to keep up. So glad they are going to grow up together.

Tata,

Carrie

Thanksgiving 2011!

What? I know...I am a terrible blogger!!
This year we spent Thanksgiving at my brother Adam's house. We fried 2 turkeys and everyone brought over a side and an appetiser or desert. I can honestly say that it was the most stress free Thanksgiving to date!! The kids eat first and then go watch a movie and then the adults eat. Hazel took a rest while we ate so it was relaxing.

Of course, wherever the festivities are there is a path of destruction that is made. The boys and Emily really got into all the toys and they were strung out all over the house!!! We had to make sure that the toys were kicked the the edges to make sure we didn't step on them and break our necks!!

Hazel sported 2 pony's for the first time. Not sure if I like it. Kinda looks like Shrek to me...not her, the hair. In the picture above she is VERY sleepy. I had just woken her up from her winter nap and we were about to head home.

The boys are at such a fun age! They love playing together and are SO.LOUD. BUT that is what cousins do. I wish they remain the best of friends forever. They truly love each other, but also get on each other's nerves!

I am so thankful...just with everything. I have a wonderful hubby, beautiful and healthy kids, a fabulous job and work schedule, a comfy house, and the best family and friends I could wish for. I just feel so blessed and thankful for everything that my life has turned out to be. Except my little boobs and saggy rear...but I will take that.

Tata,

Carrie

Halloween!

Fun Halloween this year! I think next year will be even better because Hazel will be 2 and can go out trick or treating with the cousins! Here is a picture of Hazel and her BFF Sophie. They don't smile...very serious...but they liked the parade and got lots of smiles and Aww's...
Hagen got to hold Annalisa's hand...she was Hello Kitty! he was SO excited as you can see. Loved having his family "fan club" front and center to greet him!

Miss Piggy didn't even mind her hat...I was shocked! She looked ADORABLE!! I loved her little costume...

Hagen looks so grown up below!! So heroic and handsome. He was SUPER stoked about trick or treating. Ryan took him to Noah's house to go with him and Emily. They have way more fun together. I stayed home to pass out candy and put Hazel to bed. Sista isn't feeling good. Hopefully those Antibiotics work on those ears! I fear they aren't!

This is probably the last kissy pic of the boys. Adam and Ryan had a fit when Rebecca asked them to kiss! It's time to grow up and man up and no more kissing. :(

We didn't have that many trick or treaters this year! We live on a culdsac and the houses at the beginning of it had their lights out. We all had our lights on and lots of candy, but alot of families didn't want to walk down the street to our's. boo!

So Hagen had to take his costume to school and not wear it until before the parade (which was at 4:00). Well, when he took it off last night he wasn't wearing any under ware! I guess he striped COMPLETELY when he changed! Took Captain Inappropriate to a whole new level!!

Tata,

Carrie

Easter weekend!

Ryan was in a golf tournament so Hagen and I took the day on Saturday as a "let's go out with Papa and Pia day!" We went to Patrizio's and ate a very good lunch on the patio and then went shopping for big pants for Mama and then some decorations for my big room. So fun!!

Sunday was Easter. Hagen has been sweating it but went to bed knowing that he called the EB and told him not to come by so that was taken care of. He went to bed as usual and Ryan and I started hiding eggs and putting together his basket. It is so fun to live the holidays through your children's eyes...it takes you back to thinking how excited we were those nights!

We decided that we wouldn't put any eggs on the stairs or upstairs. When Hagen woke up we said the EB came BUT we left him a note saying that he can hide eggs downstairs but not to go upstairs...he bought it and had a blast finding eggs in the house!

At 10:30 Papa and Pia came over and we hid 1,000,000 eggs in the backyard for the big hunt. The rest of the crew (18 total) were there by 11:00. Hagen really got his feelings hurt. It was time for the big hunt, but the rule is you have to stay on the porch until everyone is outside. Noah is young and started to go out early so Hagen was following and someone told him it wasn't time yet. He got his feelings hurt because Noah got to go and he couldn't. It took him awhile to get over it and hunt for real. You can tell a difference between your kids crying on if it is being bratty or for real, you hurt my feelings...he was for real hurt. The thing is I didn't know why he was upset...it was only hours later when he was going big potty that we discussed his crying fit. He was whispering to me in the bathroom that he was sad....I asked him why and he whispered that Noah got eggs and Courtney told him no. I told him that if he is ever sad or gets his feelings hurt to talk to me or Daddy and that Courtney was following the rules and Noah was little and didn't know better. Poor baby...that must have felt so unfair.

So we had a great time and everyone was finally gone at 4:00...it was 5 hours of craziness and no naps. It was too late for a nap so we put Nemo on in our room and said he needed to rest and if he came out or was playing he would need to go lay down in his room. He didn't and stayed in our bed the whole time...eyes wide open...he doesn't fall asleep watching a show.

Candy is EVERYWHERE...EB, egg hunt, Aunt Karen's basket, Nana's basket...it is everywhere.

I will say that the day started off kinda sad. I was taking my wintery wreath down from the front door that I noticed yesterday had not been changed (it's not evergreen looking...just tons of red berries). I took it down and then kinda shook it to get any dirt/dust/leaves that had gotten on it during the winter off...then plop...a baby bird and part of a nest fell out on my porch! I put the wreath down, shut the door, and ran in to tell Ryan what happened!! He put on rubber gloves and put the birds (there were 2) back in the nest that was still firmly attached to the wreath and the nest stuffing and hung it back up. So we may have a winter wreath up for a few more weeks. They have some feathers and Ryan thinks it may be only a few more weeks and they will be off on their own. Poor babies...

I have no groceries in the house...I made ALL leftovers get out...I was completely disgusted in the ham I got for today and it was enough to feed an army of 100. It was smoked and not honey baked...and it was just nasty! I didn't even taste it...I ate everything else though!

Happy Easter all,

Carrie

Christmas Day 2009

Hagen was PUMPED when he woke up at 8:45 and we told him that Santa came! He is in L.O.V.E with his guitar. Mind you not one person in our family plays the guitar so it is very out of tune. Mr. Dave is a guy that comes to Hagen's school every other Friday or so and he brings puppets and sings and dances and plays the guitar. Ever since the first time Mr. Dave came he has wanted a guitar. It is precious to see him with it laying on his lap singing big green tractor and "playing" his guitar.

He got loaded with gifts this year...ridiculous if I do say so myself. MP3 player, camera, guitar, scooter, laptop for kids, leapfrog game, leapfrog thingie that has a fat pen that reads books to him, a blow up dolphin that is like a punching bag, fire trucks and station, doctor kit, remote control car, Home Depot tool kit for kids, Ice Age movie and Polar Express movie, lunch box, books, nativity for his tree, and MUCH MORE. Let's just say that our families are very generous.

Now the part that I am dreading...I HAVE NO ROOM. We turned under the stairs into a toy area. I took out the coat hanging bar and we put container store shelves in there and it is where all his toys go. It is getting quite full...but it is so fun! Spoiled? Yes, a little, but I am OK with that. He does share so that is good...well, on most days!

Today we are cleaning up around the house, organizing, just chilling. LOVE having Christmas on Friday so that we have the whole weekend to play and straighten up.

We spent Christmas morning as a family and ate pigs in a blanket (Hagen just ate the pig part) and then headed over to Nana's house at 3:00...so fun!

Merry Christmas all!
Carrie

Thanksgiving 2009

Get a drink and get comfortable!

We never travel for holidays...we have been blessed to have all of our holidays here in Dallas! This year was special. Grandpa is not doing so well so the family wanted to be together so we were off to spend Thanksgiving at The Lake of the Ozarks! Even though Grandpa was in the hospital in Florida, he let us stay at his lake house to visit with family. My Aunt Linda and Uncle Ricky own a lake house right across the cove from Grandpa's.

It was bitter sweet...being at Grandpa's house with him not there...it was strange the first time I was there after Grandma passed...it was weird as well. So many memories...

We left bright and early on Wednesday morning for the 8 hour drive. The last time Hagen was in a car for this long was when he was 2 months old and we were going to introduce him to the family...Grandpa was there.

We stopped at Sonic for my tea and to get burritos. Hagen started whining before we were even out of McKinney. BUT, he made a turn and was great in the car all day. We stopped 4 times, he wore a diaper in case of an emergency, and he pee'd every stop and no accidents! He watched movies, read books, looked at a million cows, and was just great!

When we arrived we went to Tommy's bar...a local joint where my Uncle Rick bar tends. We ate dinner and I got my drink on! Hagen did too drinking Shirley Temples that my uncle was making him at the bar. We played the juke box, ate, drank, and just had a great time!

Thursday was Thanksgiving. We were up bright and early, showered and went to my Aunt and Uncle's house. There were 22 of us! It was AWESOME! Everyone had a seat, there was tons of food, and lots of love.

My cousin Shelley has a little boy that is 6...Eli...he is tough. I was in fear of Hagen seriously getting hurt! Eli was not trying to hurt him (I don't think) but I was terrified of broken bones and black eyes. So, Ryan and I were not able to socialize and mingle like wed for. Ryan and I ventured out to the dock so that Hagen could sit in my uncles fishing boat. he loved it, but it was FREEZING so we could not stay out there for long.

Friday...what a beautiful day! We got up and had a huge breakfast and then all went to the dock for some fishing! My Dad and Ryan took Hagen to the bait store and bought worms and a bobber for Hagen's Car's fishing pole! He caught a fish immediately (thank the lord) and was so excited! After a nap, it was off to the bar again. We go there for dinner so that no one has to cook...plus it is just easier to talk!

We woke up bright and early on Saturday for the drive home. Hagen literally watched movies the whole way home. we stopped 2 times and were beyond ready to get home. On one of our stops we told Hagen he could pick out a snack. He picked the biggest bag of Cheese Puffs I have ever seen! We tried to trade it for a smaller bag, but we were caught and we decided this is a situation where we were not going to argue...pick your battles came to mind.

All in all it was a wonderful trip...as always, we felt like we were not able to talk to everyone as much as we wanted to. I will say this...I feel so bad for people that have to travel for the holidays! It just wasn't the same...just didn't feel right. I am glad we went and I know it meant alot to my Mom to hang out with her siblings when Grandpa isn't doing too well...for that I am so glad we went.

XO,
Carrie