Stansell Family Christmas...

This year was a crazy Christmas for several reasons but the kids didn't seem to mind. You know with kids it's all about the gifts and getting to open them. Although I think we need a new system...the little kids don't get the concept. I say from now on, kids 2 and under just get to tear into their gifts, then we can cycle through the older grand kids, and then the adults...

Ok, so apparently I have my kids mixed up. Tenley seems to really enjoy getting clothes, and Syd is the one that isn't impressed with getting clothes...dually noted, I'll remember next year.

I think she liked tearing off the Christmas paper more than she actually liked getting gifts. She's young...she'll learn.

Miles was pretty impressed with his Woody and Buzz pjs. He even wore his Woody ones that night.

See...she's a pro at taking the wrapping off, she double fists it!!

Eagerly waiting for Momma to get the toy together...

Syd's taking Cookie Monster for a ride in her new stroller...

She said, "I have been wanting one of these ALL year"...she is a mess. But she does appreciate her gifts!!

MOTORCYCLES!!!!

Trying on her little Cow hat...too cute!

Miles with his big gift.
The next morning...Me: Miles what was your favorite toy. Miles: I don't want to say. Me: Why, are you afraid you are going to hurt some one's feelings? Miles: I'll whisper it in your ear. Me: Ok. Miles:(whispering) My truck, trailer, horses, and motorcycle.
So stinkin sweet...I think he thought it was wrong to like one toy more than the others. I assure you, he plays with ALL his toys. There is just something about trucks and trailers and catch his attention.

The kids, well...they have so many new toys now it's ridiculous, but we wouldn't have it any other way. I'm so glad everything worked out and our Stansell clan was all able to be together, it just wouldn't be the same any other way.

A Surprise Visit From Santa...

Even though this is Santa's busiest time of year, he managed to stop by Grandnanna and Grampa's to visit with the grand kids. 

The best part was when Luke opened the door, saw Santa, squealed and ran off. I think deep down he thought Santa was coming to talk to him about the way he has been acting this year(according to Alanna I should have gotten him two lumps of coal :-)) 

Tenley was the first in line. She had been asking me when she was going to get to see Santa, so she could tell him what she wanted...She wasn't going to miss out on this opportunity.

What a big girl...no tears!

Once she got warmed up, there was no stopping her. She had a list a mile long, I don't think anyone understood her, but me. That didn't stop her, she just kept right on telling him what she wanted.

Poor Miles...so shy. He just couldn't take all the attention. So he covered up his eyes and told Santa what he wanted. He was talking so quite that Goose had to lean down and ask him again. I will say this, he didn't scream, so technically he still holds the record with my kids of not screaming with Santa.

Not exactly the picture I wanted, but I guess it's better than nothing!

He preferred to watch Santa from a distance...

So sweet...I turned and saw Tenley telling Santa a secret. There is no telling what she said...I'm going with the sometimes it's better not to know!!!

The big man and his #1 elf...

Yeah so I'm terrible and getting the group shots...

You thought I was kidding, but Luke really didn't want anything to do with him, he wouldn't even join the group shots. Ian was there too, but none of mine with him in them were usable(sorry Cara, I hope you got better ones)

He wouldn't be Santa if he came without bearing gifts...He had one for each kid of course...

I couldn't believe Syd actually put her hat on...

I guess she wanted candy...

I think the kids were pretty impressed that Santa took time to come see them. I have to say it was pretty cool. Plus speaking as a Mom, I didn't have to wait in a long line with 3 restless kids waiting for a so/so picture. I think we should make this a yearly event...hint hint Grandnanna :-) 

Merry Christmas!!!

From our family to yours!!!

4 weeks to go...

(Tenley took this pic for me. I tried to take off my glasses and she said, you can leave them off if you want, but the ones with your glasses are more awesome...how do you argue with that, so I left them on)

This pregnancy has really flown by. It is about the time in my pregnancies that "I'm done"!! Done with being pregnant, Done with waking up to potty a couple of times a night, Done with all this stinkin' heart burn...just plain done! I'm not quite there this time. It could be because I already have three "little crazies" running around destroying my house faster than I can clean it, or just because I actually enjoy being pregnant. Either way, I'll take the contentment I feel right now.

Don't get me wrong, I'm super excited to meet this little one. Although I feel like it's a girl, it may be a boy. I can't wait to just sit, stare, cuddle, and love on him/her. The kids are ready too. They have been touching my belly more and asking all sorts of questions. Here are a few, "Why does the baby move like that?", "How does it get out of your tummy?", "When can we go get the baby?", and "Can we name him Miles?". I guess you know who asked the last question. It's fun to see them so excited.

I should probably pack a bag, and figure out what I'm going to do with the other kiddos when the big moment arrives!

4 weeks...WOW soon we will be a family of 6! Where does the time go?

Annual Shopping Trip...

Meet my former Patterson Ladies (Kitty, Audra, Me)...they were my saving grace while I worked there. We were all in payroll, and we laughed everyday. We have all moved on from Patterson, but we have remained good friends. Audra now lives in Lubbock, Kitty works for Snyder ISD, and of course I stay home now. 

A couple of Saturdays ago Kitty and I loaded up and headed up to Lubbock to meet up with Audra. This is the 4th year to do this. We have a BLAST!! We shop, shop, shop, eat lunch, catch a movie, and just laugh our heads off. No husbands, or kids...just us! If you know me at all you know I HATE shopping. I know exactly what I want before I go into a store. But I have to admit, I look forward to this day every year!! 

Decorating the Tree...

Decorating the Christmas tree is one of my top 5 favorite things to do at Christmas time. Probably cause it always makes me think about decorating the tree when I was a kid. I loved to help Mom. She never seemed to mind us handling the ornaments and arranging them however we wanted. If she came back and rearranged them later, I never knew it. 

Tenley was so excited, she had been asking for a couple of days to put it up.

Cheesy Miles...Where should I put this one?

I'm actually not sure at this point if she was putting on an ornament or taking one off.

Syd was having a blast, she could take them off faster then the kids could put them on.

Helping Syd put her ornament where he thinks it should go.

He was showing off his cowboy ornament from last year.

Tenley got the honors of placing the tree topper this year. 

Apparently Daddy is one funny guy, because once he started...they were all smiles.

I'm not sure what he was doing because he stayed behind me, but after seeing the pictures. I  wish I would have turned around a snapped a few pics.

Goose thought we needed pics of all the kids touching the tree topper...I wonder how many years he will be able to hold Tenley up like this.

Miles' turn...don't you just love his Santa hat? He made it last year at Kids Under Construction.

And of course, Syd. She really liked the topper.

It was fun decorating the tree, but sadly all the ornaments are now on the top 1/3 of the tree. Syd just can't resist the temptation to play with the ornaments. Oh well, it's still pretty with all the lights.

Stansell Baby #4 Update...

Looks like I have another little stinker on the way. S/He has been a little turkey and wouldn't turn and get into a head down position...s/he has been breech. Only 6 weeks away from my due date, Dr Cooper wanted us to have one last look. I love having sonograms...I feel like I'm getting to peek in and spy on my baby.

I have a singer!! I'm sure it's just a yawn, but a Momma can hope!

 Profiles are still my favorite...I really don't know why. I just love then!

 Who do you think s/he looks like?

S/he has been a very good baby...head was down!! Maybe this one will be sweet and angelic...maybe. This little one is weighing in at just under 51/2 pounds. They are thinking I'm looking at an 81/2 pounder...I smiled and said, "well...8, 10, or 12 lbs, this baby is coming out one way or another".

Thank you Lord for this sweet precious blessing...I can't wait to meet!!!