Decorating the Tree

The kids were so excited when Goose pulled out the Christmas tree(back in December). They couldn't wait to help me decorate it. I was pretty excited myself. I have so many memories from decoratimg the tree with my Mom. As I started pulling out our ornaments I started tensing and getting nervous. What if they dropped one of my precious ornaments? It would be gone FOREVER! I quickly began wondering how my mom could stand to let us help her in the decorating process. I have decided she possessed the patience of champions...seriously...it's a wonder she didn't kill all of us. We were NOT perfect kids, contrary to what you most likely thought. 

I think I came up with a feasible plan...the kids put on their hand crafted ornaments and Momma handled the fragile ones. Yay...everyone was happy!

Miles wanted to get the ornaments as high as he could...he must have thought the tree would look funny with only the bottom half decorated.

Side note...ignore my messy couch...apparently my car got cleaned out, but the stuff hadn't been put away yet

Tenley put a lot of thought into where her ornaments should go. She wanted them all where she could see them

This is where Goose started pretending he had camera skills...he fancies himself a photographer whereas...if I get a picture at all I think I'm doing great.

I like this shot...don't know why I just do. Maybe he should take up photography.

Too many "extra" feet in the picture, but I like this one to.

They are holding their 2010 ornament...Miles got a "cowboy up" ornament with a cowboy hat  and a saddle hanging from the bottom of the "cowboy up" sign. Tenley got one that was decorated like a cookie...she said she liked all the colors.

Priceless!

I'm working on several blog posts, selecting the pictures, editing, wording, things like that...so until then here is an updated picture of the kids...ENJOY!

This is probably the picture I should have sent out with our Christmas letter. It is probably the closest depiction of all three of our kids.

Sydney...taking off her shoes and playing...classic!

Miles...climbing on the door...typical!

 Tenley...smiling ready to take the picture...about right!

Parade of Lights

Every year Snyder does a Christmas Parade of Lights. To be honest in the past it's been hit or miss. So this year I sort of had to talk myself into going. Goose was working and it was just going me be me and the kids. 

Well, the kids are only young once, so I loaded up the kids, stroller, gloves, jackets, hats, a blanket and away we went!

Lights...

I've never seen an electric truck look so pretty!

Cheer Stars of America or Cheer Star Academy...not really sure which it is...or if it's either...

More Lights...

Is that a school bus hiding under all those lights?

and more Lights...

After all the lights, we made our way to the gazebo and waited in line (for 45 mins) to see Santa...I'm not sure it was worth it, but the kids had fun...and I guess that's really all that matters.

Dang Santa...Syd was looking at the camera until he showed her that candy cane.

This year was a good one.

Thanksgiving Highlights

We eat Thanksgiving lunch at Goose's Grandma & Granddad's. Shockingly enough, the only good picture I got was of the food(and this wasn't even all of it!) We had a really good turn out...lots of family and friends.

 On Friday, we made our way to Midland to see Debra's(Goose's Mom) side of the family. We hung out there until Sunday afternoon.

 Wade was so sweet to share his crib...Syd needed a little nap...she made Woody take a nap with her.

 Miles loved playing on Kate's "inside" horsey. He informed me that Kate has a "inside" and "outside" horsey.

 Chris hard at work...we didn't let him stray too far from the kitchen.

 Turns out...Miles knows how to ride a bike...we added BIKE to his Santa wish list.

A little gingerbread house fun. The kids and their helpers had fun building these non-eatable gingerbread houses.

 Tenley had a blast...she was very particular about where the pieces should go.

 A little Uncle Goose and Wade time!

 "I sing because I'm happy"...a little star in the making!

 Cara and little(big boy) Mac

OK...I feel like I should explain this picture. The girls were playing with Kate's jewelry and they looked so cute I wanted to take their picture. Tenley was smiling and holding up her hand showing me her ring. Kate was smiling. So I told Kate to show me her ring...well she did! Next time I'll say hold up your hand.  

 The look just wasn't complete without the tiara

 Sydney & Wade.

 The kids lined themselves up...they were waiting for Uncle Chris to start Toy Story 3.

 Papa & Syd(I can't be sure, but I think she had a rough nap!)

 Wader the Mader(Luke's name for him)

 Miles LOVES his Daddy! I think to him there is no better place to be than his Daddy's lap.

My pretty little girl!

Rachel was so sweet with Syd...Syd enjoyed every minute Rachel played with her.

Tenley crawled up in her Papa's lap and they just loved on each other...very sweet...A great last day!

There you have it...Thanksgiving 2010...it was wonderful!

Thank you Chris & Alanna for opening up your home to all of us...

Little Pilgrims

These cute little pilgrims had a Thanksgiving feast with their Indian friends during Awanas on Wednesday night.



"Real" Diapers...

I am really careful when I use the word NEVER...it is a very STRONG word. I especially don't like to use it when talking about things I will NEVER do. Most of the time I get proved wrong. Well it has happened...Syd is wearing "real" diapers. 

Ok, first let me say, they aren't as bad as I thought they would be. Also, she looks adorable in them! 

So here's the story...

About 3 weeks ago we started Syd on some antibiotics, they were supposed to keep her from getting an ear infection. Poor baby, her first day on the antibiotics she got diarrhea, and a gnarly diaper rash. Honestly I can't even explain how horrible this rash was. It was painful for me to even look at it. She would start crying as soon as I walked towards the changing table. I stuck with the antibiotics for a week(hoping that she would get used to them), but when the rash wasn't getting any better and diarrhea wasn't going away, I stopped the antibiotics. I took her to Dr. Cooper, he prescribed a cream and said she needed to be in "real" diapers until the rash goes away. Thankfully Syd stays with my Aunt Darlene, who having used real diapers on her son agreed to use them with Syd. 

Now we are kind of at a face off...no more diarrhea, but the rash remains. It gets better and then worse...no rhyme or reason. We have stopped using wipes(they just rub her raw) all together. We are getting it figured out, she doesn't scream bloody murder when we change her now, so we are making progress just slowly.

I guess until we get it all figured out we will have to keep sweet girl in "real diapers looking all cute and innocent... 

Side note...She has stood for a few seconds without holding on to anything! Maybe we can have her walking and potty trained before she's a year old...just kidding...I want her to stay a baby as long as possible!!

2010 Crazy Hair Day

Kids Under Construction (KUC), Tenley and Miles' School, does a really good job of having "fun" days for the kids. They have Color Days, Hat Day, Bring your Favorite Bear, and so on...

Well today was Crazy Hair Day!!!

I was so excited...I was going to braid, and twist, and rat, and use ribbon, and colored pipe cleaners...WELL...I should have known better. Tenley had her own ideas...she wanted a flower. As soon as she told me I immediately screamed(in my head of course) "A FLOWER...HOW THE HECK AM I SUPPOSED TO MAKE A FLOWER WITH YOUR HAIR?!?!?! I mean I'm only a Mom...not a miracle worker"

Well...this was the best I could come up with... 

She was pleased...so really that is all that matters.

Miles was slightly easier...he was game for whatever. First I started with spiky hair, and although he never wears his hair like that, it didn't really look crazy. So we tried a Mohawk...same thing...not CRAZY.

BUT...2 Mohawks...now that's C-RAZ-Y!!!

Next time I'll buy some goopy hair gel stuff and spray it a funny color, but for today, this will work

The kids were so sweet they didn't want Syd to feel left out so, we gave her crazy hair too...

1 ponytail or 3, she doesn't care, she was just happy to have it up and out of her face.

That's our crazy hair in a nutshell!

No, I didn't wear crazy hair to work...I kept things simple.

If you have any crazy hair suggestion, feel free to share them with me, I'll try them next time.