Friends...

This weekend, we had a great time with some of Tate and Emmy's friends. On Saturday night, Brad's friend (since elementary school), Philip, and his daughter Ari came over. The kids had a great time with Ari. It is amazing what 3 kids can do to a playroom in one night! Tate, Ari and Emmy listening to a book.

Playing Candy Land.

Then, on Sunday, Brad had over some guys from Sunday School to watch the Cowboys game. Our friend, John, brought over his son Hunter. They watched videos and played in the already destroyed playroom. It is fun to watch Tate and Emmy with their friends.

Hunter, Emmy and Tate watching Boz.

Hunter and Emmy

Calling the Fashion Police....

This is what our Saturday looked like... I was putting up the Christmas decorations and the kids were just hanging around the house. Emmy decided she wanted her ballerina dress on and her "heels" (on the wrong feet!!), so Tate decided he wanted to put on some of Emmy's red cowboy boots and refused to put on anything else. Since it was 80 degrees, I just decided not to fight that one! He was also very insistent on posing next to his fire truck. Here they are in their fashion "don'ts"

Super close up. (Excuse Tate's nose!)

This was Emmy on Monday (Yes, still in the ballerina dress and "heels" on the wrong feet). She has been working on the potty thing. I just had to snap a picture of her all dressed up on the potty!!

We are watching Sadie Jane (Banty's dog) this week and Tate loves to put her on the leash and take her for a walk around the house. She is surprisingly a good sport about it all!

Miss Emmy...a.k.a. Cinderella

Aunt Laci, Uncle Todd and Ellie gave Emmy this Cinderella dress from Disney World for Christmas. Aunt Laci and Banty took Emmy back to Banty's bathroom and did her hair with the tiara one afternoon while we were in Clifton and these pictures tell it all. It completely changed her demeanor...she thought she was a real princess... Her and the "tialllla" (tiara).

This was what we called the princess pose.

Hamming it up for the camera.

Emmy looking in the mirror at herself.

I love this picture of Brad looking at her.

Last night, we were saying our prayers before bed and I asked Emmy what she was thankful for. She looked at Brad and said, "Him!". I think she stole her Daddy's heart all over again!

The Unwanted Visitor...

While we were in Clifton for Christmas we had a little unwanted visitor...the stomach bug!!! In all, I think it hit 9 of us! Not fun at the time, but looking back, we were all pretty good sports about it. :) Brad and Uncle Rooster were the only one's not hit and we are not sure how they escaped it! Here are some before pics...

And the after pics...it just wiped them out for 2 days...We watched lots of movies and slept!

Daddy makes us feel better!

Christmas with The Greene's

On Christmas afternoon, we went to Clifton to see The Greene's for Christmas.

We had a great time with everyone.

Boots and Banty re-furbished Aunt Laci's old kitchen from when she was young. They loved pretending to make cookies and dinner.

Aunt Courtney made the kids these adorable aprons and hot pads. They are so cute!

Chef Tate

Boots and Tate eating Christmas Dinner

Tate got this firetruck from Boots and Banty. He loves it!

This picture makes me laugh!

Emmy with several of her presents...The Cinderella Dress from Aunt Laci and Uncle Todd, the pink cowgirl hat from Boots and Banty and a borrowed cell phone from Ellie.

All three kids in front to of the Christmas tree...They were not in the mood!

Paw and Dorothy came by Christmas evening for a visit. They brought everyone new coats! Thank you, Paw and Dorothy!

Christmas Morning...

We were at our house on Christmas morning. The kids had a great time waking up to see what Santa brought them. Emmy's presents included a pink ballerina dress (this was her request after seeing The Nutcracker - Mommy was at Target Christmas Eve looking for this!), a Barbie fishing pole, a highchair/swing/bouncy chair for her babies, and a stocking full of stuff.

Tate's stuff...a HUGE tractor set (I think it had over 100 pieces to it!), a Scooby Doo fishing pole and a stocking full of stuff.

She insisted on wearing the ballerina dress all morning over her red pajamas! Here she is testing out the chair for her doll (Carol Jane).

Mommy made Mimi's recipe for cinnamon rolls. This is something my mom did every Christmas morning for us. It just would not be Christmas morning without them. :) (Of course, this was the second attempt at making them. Let's just say, the second batch was MUCH better (and edible) than the first...I have never claimed to be a cook/baker!!!)

Tate playing with all his new "manimals" and tractors.

They also got new baseball gloves from Mommy and Daddy. As you can see, we have a little work to do with Emmy...she had the right-handed glove on the right hand...we will work on that!

Tater and Daddy opening a gift together.

Christmas with The Drake's...

On the Sunday before Christmas, Mamaw took us all to breakfast at the Richardson Hotel. We had a great breakfast together and then headed to Mimi and Papaw's house for presents and more wonderful food. :) Thank you to Mimi and Papaw for everything, we enjoyed spending the time with everyone. Mimi with her 3 grandchildren looking at the gingerbread houses.

Emmy and Mamaw...

She was the only kid not running around when we attempted a picture.

Mimi and Papaw got her this Little Cottage. Let's just say she loved it! She is such a little Mommy and loves to "play" house already. She also got new baby dolls, which she tries to put all in the little cradle!

Tate got this neat train table from Mimi and Papaw. He loves pushing the trains on the track and playing with the cars.

Papaw and the kids taking a quick nap in the house. Tate is so funny when they play house because he takes on the "man" role of mowing the yard, killing the ants in the garage and taking out the trash while Emmy changes the diapers and does the dishes. So funny!

On a side note, Brad and Molly announced on Christmas Day they will be welcoming a new little one in August. I hear Brody B. is very excited to have a new little brother or sister! We are excited to welcome a new baby into the family! Congratulations, Auntie M and Unc B!!

Nana and Papa's House...

We started our "Christmas Tour 2008" at Nana and Papa's house on Saturday night. We went to eat some yummy Mexican food, then went to Nana and Papa's to open presents. The family at Nana and Papa's house.

Nana and Papa with all their grands and great-grands.

Tate "riding" boots...the ribbon on Boots' head was the rope/halter.

What a good sport!

Emmy and Honey at dinner.

All the kids...

Boots and Banty with their grands.

On Friday night, Boots and Banty came to look at Christmas lights with us. Don't' be fooled...it was about 70 degrees and we were all burning up in the flannel pajamas! We had the air conditioning on in the car. :)
Boots reading "The Texas Night Before Christmas"


More Christmas pics coming soon...

Ballerinas and Fish...

The Friday before Christmas, Brad and his good friend Philip took Emmy and his daughter Ari to see the Nutcracker Ballet at Fair Park, so I decided to take Tate to the Dallas Aquarium. Tate and I had a great time looking at all the animals. Brad said Emmy enjoyed the ballet and sat in his lap the whole time. Emmy all dressed up and ready for the ballet.

Emmy and her Daddy

Tate with the penguins. He told me they were his "favorite".

He was not too sure about the tank with sting rays.