We had so much fun at gym class with Malia today!
I so wish we could join the class, but I was worn out afterward and with baby Rose on the way, there’s just no way right now! Anna Kate and Malia are saying “Ta Da!” in the 2nd picture. Noelle said, “Aww, they get along so well,” about the 1st picture.
Aren’t they just the sweetest little girls!
Happy gymnast!
We all met Mrs. Angela, Colbey, and Noelle afterward for lunch at Dickey’s. What a fun morning!!!
Noelle got to have a sleep over with her Pond grandparents again last week, so we had the special privilege of spoiling Anna Kate! We had SO much fun taking her out to dinner and to ride the carousel. She was the happiest little girl in the entire world!
She couldn’t wait to get going! I wish I had taken my camera with us! She loved the carousel, so I think we will be doing that for her little mini-sized b-day this year!
The girls and I had fun playing with play doh this morning! Noelle made lots of crosses in this first picture. She said Jesus died on the big hot pink one because his love for us is so big!
This fantastic play doh girl is me, Mommy! (with Noelle’s signature eyelashes)
This is a big beautiful blue flower!
These are our family as snakes… from bottom to top, Rose little blue, Mommy (hot pink snake with the big ol belly), then Daddy, then Noelle (pink of course) and at the very top, Anna Kate.
Noelle did this all by herself, and I was super impressed!
Anna Kate said “Eww..” to play doh but enjoyed banging with all of the tools!
Welcome to our party!!!
It’s my party, and I’ll cry if I want to!
Candyland!
My belly keeps growing and growing!
Game time!
Toasting to a great new year!
Aww…
Counting down!
A LOOK BACK…
Ringing in 2006
(pregnant with Noelle)
Ringing in 2007
Ringing in 2008
What a rip off! 
Ringing in 2009
(pregnant with Anna Kate)
Ringing in 2010
Last year and this year!
Ringing in 2011
(Pregnant with Rose)
What fun times!!!
May your new year be filled with as much love and laughter as these little ones share!
We had a wonderful Christmas celebration with the Ponds this year! The gift exchange was fast and furious, so I didn’t get any pictures, but we had too much fun!!! The girls are so blessed to have such loving families surrounding them!
Spying Santa’s presents for the first time!
Favorite presents: Anna Kate with her new car keys, and Noelle with her new doll!
Noelle was just as excited to show Anna Kate all of her presents. It was really cute watching them discover together.
Anna Kate kept putting her new hair clips in Mike’s shirt pocket – fun little game!
Someone didn’t stay in her pjs for long!
Noelle got lots of new jewelry in her stocking. She won’t leave the house without all her jewels on! She even asks me to put on a necklace or earrings before we go anywhere. She is such a girlie girl!
Thanks Poppa and Rara for preparing so many delicious meals and snacks while we were home. It really gave me a break and allowed me to play with the girls more (and take naps too)!
Our cutie pie!
Our lovely little lady!
Cookie time! Noelle thought it would be funny to give Santa a Santa cookie next year so he can eat himself. Silly Noelley!
Home sweet home! What a fun vacation!
This is a picture of our family before the Christmas Eve service. I didn’t realize I was holding my belly, but I guess I just can’t wait to include Rose in everything!!! The big joke of Christmas was Anna Kate’s need for an “ice pack!” every time she slipped while we were at Poppa and Rara’s. She did take one big fall (I’m so sorry little one) at the beginning, and after that, she loved the “ice pack” attention. She’d run to the freezer and whine “ice pack” “ice pack” until someone came to get it out for her!
When we got home, we made Poppa’s homemade pizzas. The girls loved helping add the ingredients, and this has become a fun Christmas eve tradition for us!
This picture is great in so many ways. My belly really makes me laugh!
We draw names on the Banks side for Christmas, so next on the agenda was to skype the Eberts and open “Secret Santa” gifts in the game room/Poppa’s “war” room as it was nicknamed from the Neches River Wildlife Refuge project.
Since it was Christmas morning in Japan, Drew and Anna loved showing us their Christmas presents.
We loved spending time with John and Nancy!
Noelle made all of her grandparents homemade crafts this year. She was so proud to have worked hard on her gifts this year! She keeps bragging about how much everyone loved her crafts; she has such a giving heart. Okay, one more story about Noelle… in the car before Christmas, she stated to me, “I am going to give all my pennies to the poor and do chores to get more money. God would be so proud of me if I did that!” Noelle’s got something special going on with her little heart!
Thanks Rara for the custom “N” apron and Samantha movie. We’ve already watched it 3 times I think, and she thinks of you every time she sees it! (and the Swan Princess even more times than that!)
Each time the girls would open a present, they would bring it back to the wagon to play with. All the girls decorated the wagon with the anticipation of a Christmas Eve wagon ride to look at the neighborhood lights (Ra’s fun idea), but it was pouring rain! It seems like great ideas never go to waste though, because this was hilarious and something I’ll never forget! Maybe we should have a “gift wagon” every year!
Mike was so happy to get some more winter hats, and Poppa struck gold with his $10, 4 huge posters inside, all about Taylor Swift magazine! When he took Noelle grocery shopping for us last time he was in Arlington, she supposedly threw a little fit about needing this magazine. Well, the rule is no fits if you want something, so she did not get it that day. Needless to say, she was so shocked to open her present from Poppa to find this and beyond thrilled!
Isn’t Jax a little cutie!
More loot!
Poppa with Jax and Cash (John and Nancy’s dog).
Then it was time for “The Night Before Christmas,” sprinkling reindeer food (oatmeal and glitter), and then reading the Christmas story of Jesus’ birth when we were all tucked in bed.
Ever since Mike’s been working on his project, Noelle has cuddled with me until Mike gets to our room at night, so Santa was a little challenging this year. I kept going upstairs and telling her I had to go back down and check on one more thing (make sure cookies for Santa were in place, make sure kitchen lights were turned off, etc). I finally got it all unloaded and laid out. She wanted three things: an American girl doll, a bathrobe, and a charm bracelet. I added some accessories for the doll and cute things I couldn’t resist throughout the year. She kept saying, “Wow, Santa brought me lots of bonuses!” Each time she discovered an item that was not on her list, she’d say, “This is a bonus!”
Anna Kate helped me with her stash too. On school days, when we were out and about, she’d find things to play with in the store, and we’d buy them together for Christmas. Her three things were: rain boots, piano, and “car keys.” Her bonuses included an outfit for her zuhzuh pet, more hamster tunnels, dolls, play food, butterfly towel, throw, and jewelry!
I anticipated Christmas morning more than ever before!!!
Noelle woke up on Christmas eve morning and told us she thought the talking house needed some new band-aids. One of my mom’s best friends lives through the forest behind our house (long-time bloggers, you know all of this). I used to tell Noelle stories of going through the woods (where the pine needles would go “crunch crunch” under our feet) to visit a talking house. I would then tell of when we arrived at the talking house how the front porch would “squeak” as the boards would say “ouch! that hurts when you step on me.” Noelle would squeal with delight at that part. I haven’t made up a “talking house” story in quite a while, but it made a huge impression on her because every time we visit Jacksonville she wants to go for a visit.
So, off we went. When the pine needles did indeed go “crunch crunch” under our boots, Noelle said, “I’m in the story!!!” This stick was to ward off any stray wolves (Noelle’s idea)!
We took this manger scene cookie bouquet to our dear friends.
And we’ve arrived at the front porch of the talking house!
So, the band-aids got placed inside this year, because sometimes Mrs. Angle lets the reindeer come through the front door, and Noelle felt the need to prepare the wood for their stomping.
Anna Kate just loves to explore and is happy being along for the ride!
Mrs. Angle and her sweet daughter Claire with Noelle.
Mrs. Angle gave Noelle a cookie and told her to “hide it from Mommy.” That worked out really well! On the way back to P&R house, the girls collected pine cones.
It was my joy watching the girls discover nature and breathe in the fresh air of the pines. It’s so great to escape to the country! What a fun Christmas memory!
We finished our outing with a good swing before nap time!
