Merry Christmas 2016

Christmas Fun

I got adventurous and met Alixa at Northpark mall to see the Christmas train display.

Sending Dad a funny face picture.  We ended up eating lunch at the mall which got a little crazy with bathroom breaks, nursing, eating, changing diapers, oh man.  I might stay home for awhile.

Trying out this wrap that people rave about.

Al always says he doesn't like to lay on me so he built a boob out of his quilt to lay Brady on...lol

Movie night with the boys.

Both the boys had a Christmas program at school.  Cole's was adorable, he sang every song and was so cute.  

Alex wasn't as into it, but he did good and looked so handsome.  I love that I was able to be there.

More December

Brady hasn't slept in his crib yet, but he has laid in it a few times.

Al was being goofy and put on my Solly Wrap to carry him around.  I think he lasted 5 minutes.

We went to a hilarious white elephant party and someone got this shirt.  Everyone was dying...lol

There is nothing better than holding a sweet baby especially when it's your own.

A girl in the primary presidency sent me this text.

So happy they transitioned well with Brady.  I was worried about Cole, but he's been great.  Maybe a little smothering at times poking him, laying on him, and who knows what else.

Costume time!! 

We took them to dinner at Mellow Mushroom pizza which they call Marshmallow Pizza and then got Hot Chocolate to go look at Christmas lights.

There isn't a ton of amazing lights to go see in Frisco, but when your a kid it's all about the experience anyway.  

After one of them spilt hot chocolate in my car we let them hang out the sun roof and act crazy.  It's moment's like this I want burned into my brain. 

Grandma Ranes

My mom was able to come for a week to help us after Brady was born.  It was so nice having her there to take the boys to school, make me food, and the best thing, sleep!!  She decorated my tree and hung garlands on our staircase, yay.

We watched a lot of Christmas movies during the month of December.  One of Alex's favorite things to do is to get in comfy clothes, watch a movie, and have some popcorn.

Too bad Al is the only one who doesn't enjoy movies unless it's based on a true story, haha.

I really wanted to try to take a picture like this, but the lighting wasn't that great, the blanket wouldn't lay flat and Brady was wide awake.  

A picture with Grandma by our staircase lined with garland lights she worked on the entire day.  We also need a taller tree, everything looks so mini in our house.

My mom kept talking about going to Waco so we got adventurous and drove down there Friday morning with Al.  It was about a 2 hour drive, the weather was fabulous, and it was really cool to see the Silos and store from the famous show Fixer Upper.

Signing the guest book.

Our last day with Grandma, so sad.  We went and ran some errands together and took Alex to the Dollar Store.

Saying Goodbyes to Brady.  Why is it so hard when MIL and Moms leave.  It would be so great to live close especially in these early years when extra help would be amazing.

Our dinner at Chuys.  I'm breaking all my rules about chain restaurants, but they just work with big groups and kids.

Showing Grandma the Biggest indoor Christmas tree in the US.  Maybe next time we can go ice skating.

Thanks for coming to help us for a week.  Those extra naps, yummy salads, and help with the boys was amazing.

Christmas Parties

Who would of thought I would have 3 boys (besides my mom that told me that I would before I married Al).  It's amazing how fast life goes by.  I still feel like I'm 20 and somehow have 3 kids, a house, a husband, and a life that I always dreamed of.

Elf on the shelf is in full force and nightly chore.  Alex and Cole love it so I set my alarm so I wouldn't forget:)  This is an idea I copied from a friend.

Me nursing and Cole jumping all over the car being crazy!!  Sometimes these moments are so hard, but someday I know I will miss them.  Isn't it weird how that happens.

Cole and Alex had Class Christmas parties that were so cute.  Al came to Coles with me which was a special treat.

Alex was so sweet.  He kept hugging me and saying I love you mama.  Whoever marries this boy is a lucky lady.

I love watching Alex do activities like this because he is so careful.  The kids next to him had icing everywhere!!  

Alex requested a picture next to his schools Christmas tree before we went home.

December

I don't know how I keep getting so behind....it's March and I haven't even finished December.  Just a few random photos to remember these short precious moments.

When both of our moms left we had a few meals brought over which was a lifesaver.  This is Cole giving his approval of one of the meals:)

I remember this day being long because Al got another one of his awful stomach aches and laid on the couch all afternoon and evening while I drowned with these 2 and a 1 month old....somedays I'm not quite sure how I do it.

Costco fun.  I don't know if it's worse being pregnant and loading the cart or having a baby strapped to you loading the cart.

My sweet Brady.  My mom gave us this cute outfit when Cole was born and it was so fun to see Brady wear it too.

Enjoying the warm Texas weather

My friend Lauren told me that Bass Pro Shops has a cool kids area and pics with Santa.  We got there right when it opened and there was a 6 hour wait to see Santa, say what?   We opted out, played a few games, walked around the store, and then nursed Brady in the car:)  It just feels good to get out and do normal things after you have a baby.  

That afternoon Al let me leave all the kids and go to the mall with Heather to meet Jillian from the Bachelorette.  

Our ward Christmas party was also that night and so well done.  All the kids went to the primary room to play and do arts and crafts while all the adults ate dinner, genius.  

Cutest photo booth!!  Did I mention our ward got split right before I had Brady and every single one of my friends is in the other ward now, so sad.  Ward splits are hard and I'm still bummed 4 months later.

Before my mom left we took the boys to the mall to see Santa Claus for a picture.