Silly Sleepers

The boys have slept in the same crib since birth (excluding the 27 days they spent in the NICU). We never planned to keep them in the same crib this entire time, but they love being together. From the time they were just a few weeks old, they have slept with some parts of their bodies touching (arms, legs, etc.). Of course, now that they are bigger they don't have as much room in the crib and they are bound to touch, but they don't really even try to stay separated. I just love walking into their room and finding them like this:



"I love you, bro!!"



Still snuggling...



I guess they wanted to stretch...




And yes, Preston is really asleep on Parker's bottom!

Have I mentioned just how much joy these boys bring into our lives??  They are always making us smile!!!

First Snow of the Winter!

The girls were so excited!

The boys liked the snow for awhile...

Big sisters are great helpers!

Parker had fun swinging...

But Preston wasn't so sure about the glider!

Lauren, our beautiful snow angel

The boys are saying, "Okay, Mom, we're done with this snow and stop trying to take our picture!!"

A few days ago we had the first snowfall of the season.  We only received about 2 inches, but the girls were so excited and couldn't wait to play outside.  I bundled up the boys and took them out also.  They were happy to walk around in the snow to begin with, but it didn't take long for them to decide they weren't very impressed!

Sooner or Later...

Sooner or later, I'm sure we're going to end up in the emergency room because these boys have put things in places they aren't supposed to be.  Case in point...Preston recently put green beans up his nose, and then several days later he decided to put macaroni and cheese up there (FYI...this picture was taken AFTER we discovered what he had done; it was actually up inside his nose to begin with).  This morning, Parker had a Cheerio in his left ear...oh my!!  Have I mentioned how tired I am by the time the kids go to bed??

Merry Christmas!

Christmas Day was a busy, fun, tiring day!  We started by opening presents at our house, and the kids loved their new toys, clothes, etc.  (The note Katie left for Santa read:  "Dear Santa, Hope you like the cookies.  Love, David, Heather, Katie, Lauren, Preston and Parker.  That is a family of six.  Yes we survived with six."  --  I guess I wasn't the only one surprised that we have survived with 6!!  HA HA!!)  We then left for my cousin's house in Carthage, MO, where we had the huge Christmas meal with the extended family.  We always look forward to this time because the food is FABULOUS and the people are a lot of fun, too!  :)  It is bittersweet because we have lost two of my cousins and my uncle within the past two years, so the time together is very special now and makes me appreciate my family even more.  On Christmas evening, we went to my dad's side of the family and had dinner with them.  Wow!  We were stuffed and tired by the time we got to bed...  :)  On the morning of the 26th, we opened presents with Mom, Dad, and Brian's family.  Three days later, on the 29th, we had Christmas with David's parents and his sister and her family.  We had a great Christmas "week" and are truly thankful for our many blessings.

Happy 7th Birthday, Katie!!

Lunch at Rib Crib...we required a "big" table!

Mmmm...a smore's brownie sundae

Party #2...after church and dinner

Party #3!!

Katie turned 7 years old on Christmas Eve.  We ate lunch at Rib Crib, her favorite place to eat a birthday meal because they bring dessert and sing to her!  Later than evening, after attending the Christmas Eve service at church, we had another celebration with presents, cake, and ice cream.  Six days later, on December 30th, we had the big family party with grandparents, aunt, uncles, and cousins.  It felt like we partied for a solid week!  But it was so much fun ~ it's hard to believe that seven years ago she came into our lives.  We love you so much, sweetie!!!

Christmas Fun at Big Cedar Lodge

We spent December 18th-22nd at Big Cedar Lodge near Branson.  We love to go there before Christmas; it is so beautiful and it really gets us in the Christmas spirit.  Santa's elf came to visit the kids one night; they played games and read stories before the elf tucked them into bed.  We even had a Christmas tree in our cabin, and the next morning the kids awoke to find presents under the tree!  They had so much fun swimming in the indoor pool and, since the weather was nice, they were also able to play on the playground.  The boys loved running around on the deck of our cabin--their very own fenced in play area!  :)  We watched movies, ate cookies, and drank hot chocolate every night.  Such a nice, relaxing time!!

The elf's name was "Snowflake."

Preston and Parker weren't too sure about being tucked into bed...

They found presents the next morning!

"You can't catch us!!"

The girls cooperated, but the boys weren't too excited about having their pictures taken!