We've got spirit!

We started Thanksiving Break off with a bang!  Maddie spent the night on Tuesday night and had a camp out with Lila in her room.  Well, that was the idea.  Too bad Maddie was the only one camping and Lila slept in our room.  Sigh.  Maybe one day!  The kids had built a fort also the night before and played plenty that morning before we had to go run an errand.  Afterwards, I treated myself to a Caramel Brulee Latte and then came home and made the kids hot chocolate and hot apple cider.  They love some cold weather drinks, too!

After warming up our bellies, it was time to get down to business.  We had a chocolate coke cake to bake for the next day!

Jackson turned on the Christmas music for us, then all three kids took turns adding ingredients, stirring, and most importantly, licking the bowl clean!  I don't think it was possible to get any more into the holiday spirit!  We tried, though, by watching the rest of The Search for Santa Paws while we ate our lunch:)

After our cake was baked, it was time to make our thankful turkeys.  They love this simple activity and I do too.  It makes them sit and think for a little while about just how much they have to be thankful for.  Jackosn had to ask for two more feathers because he just couldn't fit it all in:)

Maddie was thankful for school and soccer, but my favorite one of hers was that she's thankful for being a rockstar.  Too funny!

J man was thankful for God, his family and friends, but the funniest one to me was for technology.  He said, "mom, I really do love technology!"

And last but not least, this little turkey was thankful for her family, friends and teachers, but my favorite was her thankfulness for horses and cows.  I love you, little cowgirl!

It was a jam-packed day, but I hope one that will stay with them for a while. 
Making memories is what it's all about.  I am thankful for all three of these kids.

Holiday Spirit

Let the record show, I was on the ball this year!  We had our tree up and decorated before Thanksgiving.  I know, a little over-eager probably, but hey, I felt good and these days that's nothing to take for granted!

I was lucky enough to find two really cute elves to help me hang ornaments, too.

Wait a second, those look like two kiddos I know and love!  They had a ball hanging their own ornaments.  Ironically enough, I was the one who broke an ornament this year, not them.  And it was the one we made for Lila in Florida!  I did superglue it back together, but it's not quite the same.  She was much more forgiving of me than I probably would have been if the roles were reversed, and I appreciated her forgiveness immensely.  Thank you, my sweet child.

Pilgrims, pioneers and more!

Lila's class had their Thanksgiving party a little early this year.  We got her turkey outfit on and headed up to school for another fun day of celebrating. They had cookies and ice cream cones will with marshmallows and pretzels. As usual, they were all very well behaved and did everything we asked of them.

For a little perspective, this is how looney Jackson's class was at this 3 year old Thanksiving party...



Which makes it even more amazing to me that this group of kids just sits so nicely at all of their parties! 

 

After their snacks, it was time to make turkey ornaments.  Lila was so proud of hers.

We were a little disappointed that J didn't get to have a Thanksgiving Feast at school this year.  They did have Pioneer Day, though, so Davey Crockett got out his 'coon skin hat, canteen and boots and headed off to school.

And I must say, it really was a fantastic day for them!  They had 7 different stations, including making butter, necklaces and their very own soap, as well as writing with a feather and playing old fashioned games like "Button, button, who's got the button?"

They also got to visit the Antique Museum, run by yours truly!  We had rounded up antiques from my Meme, mom and mother-in-law.  And thank goodness we did!  Besides all of the ones we brought, there were only 7 others donated by everyone else.  The kids really loved looking at the old pocket watches, oil lamps, Indian Head coins, old wedding ring, a real butter churn and picture of Meme and her siblings from 1933.

The next day was Western Day at school, so J wore his boots, belt buckle and best pearl snap shirt.  My long, tall Texan!  They had monster square dancing in the gym and do si do'd with the best of 'em!  Yee haw!   A really great, short week to kick off the holidays.

Thankful for good friends

Last week we had a playdate at Sawyer's house for all of the little kids.  They had such a good time playing with each other.  Then, after lunch, Miss Hayley had even more fun things planned.  Cupcakes and crafts!

As long as there is icing and sprinkles, you will always see a smile on this little turkey's face.

But once again, the biggest smiles of the day came when he got to hold Baby Samantha!  She was so sweet with her and held her hand very gently...

Pure baby heaven!  Thanks, Rachavongs for a really great morning with everyone:)

Baby Shower Time!

Even though it was seriously cold yesterday, I still felt all warm and fuzzy inside.  Why?  It was my baby shower day!  Lila and I had been looking forward to this day for so long and it was finally here!  We arrived a few minutes early and got to take a sneak peek at all of the beautiful food and desserts.  Lyndsie made these adorable and delicious cookies.  They matched Cameron's bedding and had her name and initials, too.  Wow!

She also made these pumpkin, toffee, chocolate chip muffins that were simply divine.

The rest of the spread was impressive too--we had pink fluff with nuts, mini-pecan pies, coffee cake, mini-pancakes, quiche and salad.  Yum!

I was so happy that Meme was there, too.  Cameron will get to meet her great-grandma very soon!

My mini-me's!  Seriously, I look like a giant next to them!

Emily, Hayley, Taylor, Maria and Lyndsie were my amazing hostesses.  What an awesome group of girls that I get to call my friends:)

The little girls had a few friends at the shower, too.  They played dolls galore until it was time to open presents.

I was so glad that so many of the Cubs Moms were able to come, too.  All of our boys have played ball together for 4 seasons, so we've become pretty close.  Love these ladies!

After catching up with friends and enjoying the food, it was time for the gifts.  And I had four really eager beavers there to help me!

Madison was so excited to give me this precious swim suit for Baby Cameron.  She will be a little water baby come June:)

Jenny found this hilarios little onesie that said "New Kid on the Block."  I love it.

Once Lila discovered that there were pancakes at the party, she was all over them!  I think she ate at least three stacks of pancakes--the girl's got some hard core love for pancakes.

I did manage to lure her back into the living room when I told her that there was a present for her.  She opened it up to find a Big Sister shirt and matching tutu.  She might be the fanciest kid at the hospital if she decides to wear it up there!

After all of gifts were opened, it was almost time to say goodbye.  I was so thankful that all 4 Hays women could be there to celebrate with me. 

I most definitely felt the love from this wonderful group of ladies.  Love you all!

We are that much closer to being ready for Cameron's arrival now.  Ever since we did the 3D sono, got her furniture in and had the shower yesterday, things have gotten VERY real!  Only 7 more weeks to go, so I guess it's a good thing I feel that way!

Sweet Baby Face!

This past weekend we went to Stork Vision in hopes of catching a glimpse of sweet Baby Cameron's face.  It took some time, but it was well worth the wait.  Just look at this little sweetness!  Her eyes were open and she looked so calm and content. 

Before our time was up, she even gave us a big smile.  Love her!



It was really neat for these three munchkins to see, too.  To them (heck, who are we kidding, to me) it seems like I've been pregnant forever! 



Only about 7 or 8 more weeks until we get to meet Baby Sister!  It's going to be so much different than just watching her on the screen.  I can hardly wait.

Lila's weekend with Harley

When I picked Lila up on Thursday afternoon, she was smiling from ear to ear.  Why?  Because she had Harley, the class mascot, with her!  My children love this part about school!  She asked if I wanted to pet him and immediately showed me his book and journal that showed what he'd done at other kids' homes.
 

The first night at our house Harley helped make dinner.  Turns out that tigers really like Mexican pot roast!

The next morning, Coach Marina even let Harley join Lila's gymnastics class.  So fun!

Madison came over to play on Friday afternoon and Harley got to meet her.  After dinner, dad and Jackson put up the tent in our playroom and we got it ready for all three kids to sleep in that night.  They were pumped!

Before bed, though, we watched Return to Neverland together and Harley got to snuggle with Lila.  J man only lasted a few minutes and he was out like a light, but both girls watched the whole movie.

The next morning we were so excited because it was time to go see Baby Cameron at our 3D/4D sonogram!  Harley told us that he thought she was cute and she reminded him of a certain little blondie.  We agree.  She might be Lila's mini-me.

Harley also got to go to church, but Lila thought it was too risky to let him come inside.  She said that she didn't want to accidentally leave him, so he had to wait in the car.  When church was over, Lila raced out to the car, scooped up Harley and told him all about the three men that got thrown in the fire but were protected by God.  Hopefully Harley was able to learn something from Lila even if he didn't actually get to step foot inside Sunday School!

It was a fun weekend with the little guy, but this mama was ready for him to go back to school. 
Enough with documenting a tiger's every move for four days!

Mustangs and Cheetah Girls

Another soccer season is in the books!  Jackson had his end-of-season party at Country Burger a few weeks ago and got a trophy from Coach Ado.  He played really well this year and was the leading scorer on the team.  Go J!

They celebrated in style with burgers, fries and cupcakes.  Happy kids:)

A week later, it was Maddie's turn for a team party.  The Cheetah Girls met up at Napoli's for a rowdy night of pizza.  They did so good this year.   It was their first season not playing co-ed and they went UNDEFEATED!!  Madison really came on strong this season and scored up to 5 goals in a single game.  Wow!  Such a fierce cheetah girl!

Way to go #10!  We are so proud of your hard work.