Here's to the New Year!!

As I look back at 2011 it makes me smile. It was tough, but not unexpected. Ryan traveled a lot, I started back at work with a newborn and a 4 year old, and work was crazy busy…which in the recruiting field is great! Hazel went from waking up many times during the night to sleeping A LOT and Hagen has grown up a lot too…his writing has improved, he is learning to add and spell and can even read some words. It’s so exciting to see what all he learns in Pre-K.

One thing that I say every year is I want to make better decisions on things I eat, get more active, play more with the kids, and get out more!

I still need to continue to make better decisions about what I eat on a MORE regular basis. We typically eat together as a family for dinner, but sometimes Ryan and I will have something that the kids probably won’t eat/like so I resort to giving them frozen food (chicken nuggets, fish sticks, meatballs, and (gasp) kid cuisine meals). Those nights I do not feel so proud of myself to be honest. Hazel was such a good eater in the beginning but has now gotten to where she gets her plate…looks around to see what everyone else has, looks back at hers and if it is different she will beg and whine for your food…you give her some and she takes it out of her mouth and puts it in her chair. She gets in trouble for dropping food over the edge of her highchair, so now she just puts it in the chair where she is sitting…next to her leg. Hagen is getting slower and slower about eating. He just likes to talk and talks instead of eating so we now resort to setting the timer for 10 minutes after everyone but him are done. He gets a piece of candy if he is done and drinks all his milk. Hazel has caught onto this and is now standing by the fridge looking up to the top with her hands in the air…she knows what’s up there.

Getting active. I have worked out more this year than I have in years, but it is not consistent. I’m not looking to drop a lot of weight. I just want to tone things up (you know, get things on my body where they are SUPPOSED to be?) and try to ward off diabetes and lower the cholesterol. I’m not one to run around in the yard or play chase in the house. Ryan does that a lot and I go do things that need to get done. I feel bad writing that…I wish I was that active fun Mom…I mean, I am fun but just not in a “Let’s go kick the soccer ball around” kind of way. I can’t wait till both kids can ride their bikes and we can go on bike rides. THAT to me sounds like so much fun!! I remember doing that when I was a kid…the ole family bike rides…so fun!

As far as getting out more, I tried to. I started a dinner thing with some mom’s from the daycare and it just failed. Most of the ones I handpicked to be in “da club” have traveling hubby's so it wound up being me and one or maybe two ladies. I gave that up. Ryan and I just are home bodies! We would much rather hang around the house and do things here than go out somewhere and do things. Our date nights on the patio have been SUCH a huge jump in our marriage. We talk for hours about anything and everything, it’s free, and it is so much fun! We try to get as much chores done on Saturday so that we can relax and have fun that night knowing we were productive. Hagen likes to hang with us for a bit before bed and I think he enjoys it too…cuddling up with us and watching football.

This new year’s we actually had a “Party”! OK, so not much of a party but…

Tommy and Jacki came over with Tori (6) and Kati (4) around 5:00. We had a nice dinner (smoked chicken, kale salad, and rice pilaf) and then played outside since it was 70 degrees! It was SO fun! Hazel went to bed around 7:00 and Hagen and the other girls were up till 10:30 which is SO late for Hagen! They played hide and seek, all the toys, bounce house, ride on toys, poppers, etc. One of the main reasons it was so nice is that we didn’t have to hover over Hagen and the girls. They have grown up so much that we can leave them unsupervised to play in the other room, etc. It was fun to talk with Jacki for hours about everything and Ryan and Tommy got to catch up as well. Friends are so important. Life is busy, but I need to make a commitment to hang with my friends more.

Sweet story: The other morning I got the kids set up for breakfast while I took a shower and got ready for work. While I was in the shower Hagen came in and said, “Mom…uh…Hazel sneezed and it’s…pretty gross mom. It’s hanging down to her shirt.” He wasn’t acting crazy; more concerned…maybe a bit grossed out. I told him I would be right there when I got dried off. I was getting out of the shower and he came in and said, “Mom, I cleaned her up…it’s OK”

I walked into the kitchen and there they were eating their granola bars smiling. I saw a tissue that was pretty nasty and he really did clean her up good! I was SHOCKED! I told him how proud I was of him for taking care of his sister without anyone telling him to do it. I asked him if he felt proud of himself and you could tell he was…had that sideways smile with a gleam in his eye. My big boy.

Hagen has had moments where he wants to be by himself…get away from Hazel for a little time. So his Tee Pee is his area. He can go in there with his iPad and close it up and we will let him have his time. It is a great little get away for him!!

Hazel went to school today sporting two FULL pony tails! I usually just put her top hair in and leave the mullet down, but this morning I pulled the back hair up too. SO cute…she is getting so big. She really isn’t talking but I’m not worried…more worried about when she starts and doesn’t stop! Ha!

Cheers to the New Year…no resolutions, but want to make good decisions and be happy!

Tata,
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 morning!

Santa came! It was so easy this year as there were not really too many things to put together. I did shopping throughout the past 3-4 months so it wasn't a big rush either which is killer! Hagen's loot:
Tee Pee
Digger thing for yard
Lincoln Logs
Darth Vader clock
Bat Mobile
Bow and Arrow - Nerf
Shotgun - Nerf
learning tablet
remote control moon
coloring books and dry erase crayon activity book
Rocket
Bouncy ball thing
He loved it all! We were so excited to see him so excited. When we woke him up he said, "Is it time? I think I heard some banging last night...maybe it was Santa?"

When he first came downstairs he quickly looked at his stuff and then ran over to Hazel's stash and was pointing out her goodies to her. She stood there clueless and drooly with a heavy diaper.

Hazel got:

crawl through tube

TONS of hand me down books I saved of Hagen's

Refrigerator farm thing

Purse and some jewelry

Brickle blocks

Giraffe rocker

Aqua doodle

Puzzles

Dino bounce ball thing

Henrietta the Hen

Push toy that isn't too noisy!!

Baby iPhone...

I have been looking and looking for brickle blocks FOREVER! I couldn't find them until Mom called one day and found some and ordered them...and they came in their own little box!

I think one of Hagen's favorite things to open is his stocking. I remember liking it too because it usually had some candy in it!!

It was SO fun this year because Hagen got it...he understood and was so excited. Kirby the Elf is back at the North Pole and oh how I wish he would stay year round. Hagen's listening has been less than stellar and Hazel has been a handful too. BUT I wouldn't trade them in for anything. I am so thankful for Hagen and Hazel and love them to pieces! Can't wait until next Christmas and see if Hazel gets it!

Tata,

Carrie

P.S. The guns and bow and arrow are only for when Hazel is not around (sleeping or out with me). There is a target on the back door that is where he can shoot it. It is alot more powerful than we thought it would be! Ryan put Rudolph on the door last night to aim for...nice...

Hagen's gifts for Ryan and I

So this year we told Hagen he needed to shop for Ryan and I for Christmas presents. Ryan took him shopping for me and I got:
1. a pine cone ball - it is about the size of a basketball and it all pine cones

2. a girl nutcracker that is dressed up as a Hawaiian girl...pink grass skirt, pink coconut bra, and lei...her cleavage is where the nuts are cracked...hmm...

3. Hello Kitty capri fleece PJ bottoms

4. an Oscar the grouch t-shirt that is WAY small...I'll exchange it for a larger one

5. a snow globe

6. a potted bulb

7. Chap stick necklace

Ryan kept the receipt and we were just going to take things back and get credit, but I am going to keep everything and exchange the shirt for a larger size. That nutcracker girl will be in the family for years to come. Now I need to figure out where I can hang a large ball of pine cones? Crafty ladies? Any ideas?

I took Hagen to Home Depot for Ryan's. He got:
1. A hammer with a cutting thing on one end

2. a large pair of utility scissors

3. a pair of gloves

4. some hose clamps?!?

5. a box with different size screw driver head things

He was so excited about shopping for us! When we first went into home depot he was looking at the circular saws...out of the price range which was $50. He did have a large ceiling fan duster that I was able to put back after he forgot about it.

I love this new tradition! It is so fun to see what he comes up with!

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

Polar Express

We did Polar Express this year again! It is a train in Grapevine that takes you on seriously like a 20 minute ride. It is short but perfect! The kids all had matching PJ's on...Hazel and Emily in red and the boys in green. It was POURING outside so Rain boots for the boys! Here is Hazel and Papa!!
Sweet Hazel was getting so sleepy. I had to take Sophie with us (who is usually in her bed ONLY) because the ride was late and WAY past her bedtime. It was a good thing I did!!

The kids watching a show before boarding the train! Hazel got a second wind and was walking around and dancing quite a bit!!!

Here are the kids about to board the train...aren't they cute?? I still can't believe we have kids the same gender and so close in age...what are the odds????

Uncle Adam is one of Hazel's favorite. She just stares at him and you can tell she just loves him!! So glad to have such great aunts and uncles in the kids lives...

Papa and Pia came along this year. I think they were impressed! We met at Cantina Larado before hand to eat and then headed to Grapevine. I think this will be a tradition for years to come! I hope so at least.

Carrie