Time for work

Daddy to O to work with him today, he doesn't have any students and it's a low key week.  O was beside himself when he found out he was going, he loves going to the base.  Kev picked out his clothes and O did not agree he decided he needed to wear his flight suit as well since he was going to be a pilot today.  How handsome are my guys in their uniforms???

He came He came!

All 3 kids slept late on Christmas morning, I think till almost 8am and I had to wake Fin up so she wouldn't miss all the action.  Kev and I were already up and waiting for the chaos to begin when we hear Owen yelling from the living room, he came he came, quick come out here and see all the presents.  It was game on and we had better be ready...

K is on her scooter with her tiara on backwards, can you tell it's the first time they've had dress up stuff?

Fin getting her loot out of her stocking

laying on her new fairy pillowcase, it's the little things that make them happy.

so serious

The kids are so blessed to have so many people that spoil them, they got more than they needed for Christmas.  Some of the favorites were new scooters, cabbage patch kids, play kitties (K thinks hers is a bunny rabbit), remote control car, and new ATV's.  It is so much fun to see Christmas through the eyes of a child especially now that they are starting to get it more, this time next year we'll have 4 little ones to enjoy the season with.  Merry Christmas to all of you!

Can we go see Santa (again)...

O has been dying to see Santa (for the 5th time at least) so we took them to Bass Pro on wednesday morning.  Since this is our first year actually paying attention or caring about seeing Santa I didn't realize how busy it would be.  Well the line was super long and there was no convincing the kids that we've already seen him enough this year.  Now there are plenty of things to do at Bass Pro while waiting to see the Big Man, thank God...

Daddy helping Keira

the girls coloring

Clearly I am not the type of mom that gets their kids all dressed up to go see Santa, I wasn't really that well prepared for their interest in him this year.   Kev being the great Daddy he is waited in line for us while I entertained the kids in the store and finally it was our turn.  O went first, followed eagerly by Fin and Keira backed out last minute.  I could have been like the people in front of us and made her sit on his lap while she screamed and looked miserable but I really don't care if I get an annual picture with Santa, it was all their choice and I don't see the point in making my kids miserable.  By the time the photos were done and we had moved on to see the big fish tank Keira decided she wanted to get her picture taken and I had to explain there was no way we were waiting in that line again, she didn't seem to mind....

Isn't he a great Santa

I think they told him this is what they wanted for Christmas 

Away in a manger

For you listening pleasure, Away in a Manger

Christmas chapel

The girls and I attended O's school Christmas Chapel this morning, they love going to brother's school.  It was so cute to see all the kids listening to the story of Christmas, their music teacher has all the patience in the world!  O loves any type of singing/performing, I swear he is going to be on Broadway someday.

After their chapel we got to go to his classroom for their Christmas party, even the girls got to participate.  I hope they are this eager when I drop them off for their first day of school next year!  

making a sticker nativity scene

decorating his cookie

fin enjoying her cookie

keira got one too

Trimming the tree

We got our REAL Christmas tree last weekend and with Noni's help got it decorated.  I don't have high hopes that it will stay decorated since we've already had several casualties.  Hopefully we put most of our nicer ornaments out of reach and they'll make it through the season.

finding the perfect spot

Keira was not that interested

brother helping Fin

Santa in style

When your daddy is a pilot Santa comes the the Christmas party in a Jet, granted it's not the Eagle but still impressive to the kids.  We had our squadron kids party last night and Santa arrived in style, gave each of the kids a gift and then the sugar high settled in.  I wish I had taken a few pictures while we were inside because kids were stealing candy off the tables left and right and the wrappers were the only proof all over the ground.

waiting patiently for their turn

this is when it pays to have a camera that people know how to use, clearly not this one.

 Fin was the only brave sole to sit on his lap

opening their loot, new Christmas books

Elfie is back

Our friend Elfie is back to stay with us till Christmas night, he comes the night after Thanksgiving but we of course forgot to get him out.  With some quick thinking Kev got him out of the garage and set him up at the front door and rang the bell.  We had to leave him there until he was ready to come in since if you touch him he'll loose all his magic and won't be able to go report to Santa at nigh.  He's inside now and nice and comfy in the house.  The kids love finding him in the morning and we've Kev's only forgotten to move him once so far, pretty good.

Yes that is O-dog in a winter hat and hard hat, it's been chilly here in TX in the mornings and we are wimps in the cold.  The weather here is so crazy it could be in the low 40's in the morning and high 70's in the afternoon, layering is key.

31wks

Here I am at 31wks pregnant, I don't think I have a single photo from this whole pregnancy.  We got our family pictures done right before Thanksgiving in Boerne and I asked if she would take a few maternity-type shots for me.  This pregnancy has flown by, too fast actually.  I am not at all prepared for this new baby but are you ever really prepared for what is about to happen?  By baby #4 we're as ready as we're gonna be and this little one is going to have to be super flexible and hopefully easygoing. We're so excited to meet you especially you big brother and sisters!

Keira giving baby a kiss

Random info

I really don't have any pictures to post since I've been slacking with my camera lately but I do have a few funny stories.

Santa - we went to Bass Pro shops last saturday to look for some boots for Kev, he went to the shoe department and I took the kids to the Christmas area, low and behold Santa was there.  I have never expected/forced my kids to sit on Santa's lap it's just not my style and kinda silly if you ask me.  So they noticed him and went about their business looking/playing with all the toys set up.  The girls were really interested in what all the kids were doing in line so I took them over to show them and they immediately wanted to go sit with Santa.  We got in line and I thought they were going to change their minds but oh no once they noticed kids were getting candy canes they wanted to go even more.  I couldn't believe all 3 of them actually followed through with it, they each had their own turn and O even told him a few of the things on his list.  It's the first time I've ever gotten a picture with Santa for any of my kids and now they keep asking to go back and see him again, I think it's the candy canes.

Just the girls - Kev and O are back in MA for a mini-vacation, Kev is getting inducted into his high school hall of fame for hockey tonight so he brought O back with him.  The girls keep asking where is brother, I think they really miss him, we've never been without him for more than a few hours while at school.  We have been doing our regular stuff and spending a lot of time at the playground and of course getting ready for turkey day.
I brought them to my MD appointment today, it was the first time since I usually leave them with their babysitter.  They did really well and sat in silence until it was time to hear the heartbeat and he called them over to listen.  When I was all done and off the table they announced it was their turn to hear the baby in their belly, yes both of them have babies in their bellies.  He obliged of course and let them lay on the table while he ran the doppler over each of their bellies, no babies yet (and for a long long time for that matter).  They then each got a pop and were instantly in love with going to the MD with me, a pop is all it takes in our house.

Yes it's still hot here in and we're still in short sleeve shirts.  K with her baby the love of her life.

Turkey Time

The girls and I went to O's school Thanksgiving feast today, they loved going to brothers school.  The kids did a performance and then we Owen got to eat a Thanksgiving meal.  He of course shared with his sisters and they of course acted like they hadn't been fed in months asking for more.  It blows my mind that this time next year the girls will be doing this same thing in this same class while O will move up, I hope his teacher is ready for them!

Here is the video if you want to check it out, O is in the top right, my camera doesn't have the best zoom.  He took this very seriously and would practice at home which shows since he is one of the few that is actually singing and doing the motions he was suppose to.
We now have to head to Kev's work for another Thanksgiving potluck, by the time the actual holiday comes around we'll have had our fair share of Turkey.

A video

Let's see if I can get the video thing to work, click the link and press play...

Hard work

O and Drew what a team

O and his friend Drew had a lot of work to do on friday at the house being built next to ours.  They got all their gear on and headed out to the job site.  They found all kinds of tubes/pipes/wires and various other scraps on the lot and put them together to build their own plumbing system.  I think O is going to take after his Popi and go into the construction business.

O's work team

too much to do too little time!

the finished project, perfect...

Two wheeler

We officially have a bike rider, 2 wheeler that is.  This is the 1st time he's even really tried to ride without his training wheels and I attribute it to these bikes, he's been riding his sisters all week and now he's on his own.  As you can see he jumps in full force, full speed and does awesome.  Not sure if 4yo is early for riding without training wheels but I have a feeling Keira is not far behind, she has to be just like brother.  I wasn't home for all the excitement but Daddy did a great job taking pictures and videos of the big event, if I can figure out how to upload the video I will.  We are so proud of you big guy!

fierce concentration

Fall

We're finally having some fall-like weather here, it feels so nice!  I made Chili for dinner tonight and then we had a fire complete with marshmallows.  We've had a few fires since we've lived here but this is the first time it's really been cool enough to enjoy it.  The kids like the building/collecting wood part and then loose interest until the marshmallows come out.  What kid doesn't love marshmallows over a fire (we've tried s'mores but they were more interested in just the marshmallow part), they would have eaten them all night if I hadn't cut them off.

the gang

play time

O gets to go first

Yum

F cooling hers off

It's suppose to be back in the 80's next week so we'll enjoy it while we can!

Pumpkin Carvin

We carved our pumpkins last night, I know it's so close to Halloween but that's what you have to do here in TX.  It's still in the high 80's during the day so a carved pumpkin doesn't last very long around here, I'm hoping ours even make it till Sunday night.  Just a glimpse into what it's like getting something done around here....

notice O is the only one helping

feeling the guts inside the pumpkin

O's scary jack o lantern

don't even comment on their hair, it's scary 

the finished products thanks to Kev