We miss you Coco!

While Clif was up in Brooklyn helping Beth and Brian pack, mom came to Greenwood to help little ole me out....and I really appreciate it. We had a fun week together but I didn't get any pictures. It was a cold week and we were all trying to fight off colds but now we are feeling better.
Bennett watching a little Cedarmont kids (thanks Mrs. Cook - this is the only thing that he likes to watch) and enjoying a snack in his very own chair.

On dad's travels from Brooklyn he got Parker and Bennett a treat.....words can't express how excited they were and how much they loved their suckers. I, on the other hand, wasn't so thrilled about them...go figure.
Close up of Bennett after his sucker. This is what Coco had to get clean her last night with us.

On Sunday, while dad was helping unload the moving truck, I took the kids to get mini sundaes at Sonic and then straight to the park to burn off all the energy they consumed. We had wonderful weather yesterday for a change.

Parker loves her pink tutu that Coco got for her a few months back. Here she is with her pretty pink hair.

Another pic of her in the pink tutu sitting with her babydoll Haley.

Bennett go his own chair from Uncle Shannon and Aunt Sarah. He was so excited and so was Parker because now she doesn't have to fight with him about her chair.He also really likes the box the chair came it. Her is picture of Bennett enjoying his chair and Parker on the couch.

Here is a cute video of Parker, Bennett and Taylor playing with the bubble machine at Coco and Papa's house back in November

A few weeks ago we had some really warm weather so we decided to do a little yard work as a family. Parker and Bennett weren't as much help as look below.

Bennett loved playing in the leaves. There was one point when I couldn't find Bennett because he was completely covered in leaves. He had a ball!

Here is a cute video of Taylor sliding down the slide at Coco and Papa's house

Above is a video of Bennett on the go! I was trying to get him dressed and he had a better idea. He loves this stroller. He puts all his favorite things in the bottom basket and then if off! Notice his turtleneck is only partially on. This is pretty usual for us!

Parker asked for one thing for Christmas this year....dinosaurs! So Santa brought her some. She loves to play with them and so does Bennett. One night she lined them up and wanted me to take a picture of her with them. It was too cute! She kept doing different poses and wanting to see them. What would we do without digital cameras!

Not sure if you caught the cute picture of Crissie modeling some of Parker's gifts from Santa but Bennett couldn't resist trying them on too! While he was running down the hall in front of me with this wig one he looked like a troll baby. It definitely made me giggle a bit!

These were taken before Christmas but I haven't gotten a chance to post them until now. This is one of those mornings that Bennett just didn't wake up very quickly. I thought his cup of mornin' juice would help him wake up...see for yourself.

So here are the Christmas pictures! I'm sorry it took me so long but I was having technical difficulties uploading pictures. To make up for it, I've posted lots of pictures.

Below is a picture of the gingerbread house Parker and I decorated after a few days of it looking very nice. We were barely able to get it decorated because Parker kept eating the decorations! First all the gumdrops disappeared from the roof and then all the hard little candies were gone too. You can see all the colors where the candies used to be. Bennett even got in on un-decoration the house. It was fun so we will probably get one next year too.

Mom, dad, Michael, Crissie and Taylor came to visit us on Tuesday before Christmas. We had a wonderful dinner prepared by my sweet, talented husband on Christmas Eve.

Below is a cute picture of Taylor and Bennett on the hearth on Christmas Eve. Aunt Crissie was so sweet to get the children all matching pajamas. This was right before Taylor grabbed one of the stockings and the holder came down and hit him on the head and cut him. The next day Parker did the same thing and got a cut on her eyebrow. These stocking hangers will not be coming back out next year!

Merry Christmas....Parker, Taylor and Bennett running in to see the loot Santa left!
Coco and Bennett playing ball

Taylor and Bennett playing basketball

Crissie wanting to play with Parker's fun play clothes

Me and Parker

Taylor is pooped after all the fun Christmas morning activities

Bennett and Yaya playing with his new train table.
Bennett and Taylor acting like little monkeys. Taylor learned that climbing on everything was lots of fun after watching Bennett. This is the reason I have chairs and stools on the top of the table or countertops!
This is just a cute picture of Bennett strutting his stuff with his chest all puffed up

The week before Christmas our good friends Scott and Tina Young came to visit us. We haven't see them since they got married in June of 2007. We had a wonderful time visiting together. Also, they were so sweet and brought the children early Christmas gifts. Below is picture of Parker and Bennett playing together with Parker's gift. They don't play this well together very often so I thought it was definitely picture worthy.
Bennett hasn't quite mastered the basketball goal on the ground so we found a way to help him out. He is so cute when he slam dunks because he does a "slam dunk" jump on the trampoline afterwards. I will try and get some video.
We had a wonderful Christmas with family and friends and hoped that all of our readers did as well!

I hope everyone has a Happy & Healthy New Year!

I promise that I will update soon!

This past Sunday Santa was at the Country Club so we went to see him. We could barely get inside because Bennett loved the golf carts. We learned our lesson with Parker and we make sure the keys are not in the ignition!

Bennett was mad he wasn't driving anymore! Parker loved Santa this year

but Bennett wouldn't sit in his lap

this is the closest we could get Bennett to him
What a difference a year makes!
Parker and Santa in 2007

Below are some great pictures of the children that Cathy took in her front yard. Parker loves to try and climb trees these days. And of course Bennett wants to do anything that Parker does!

The last two pictures were taken at our "Little Red Schoolhouse" park that we take the children too. Parker looks like such a big girl!

Look at those cheeks!

We had a wonderful time in Brooklyn for Ruby's Baptism. She has grown up so much since we last saw her. Soon they will all be in Mississippi! Below are a few pictures from out trip. We found some time to visit NYC too. It has been awhile since I've been and I think I got my next few years worth. It can be a fun place to visit. We didn't attempt to take the children. They stayed with Mrs. Lynne since mom and dad are still recuperating (quite nicely).

Family photo op after the Baptism. Ruby did great! She only whined a little when the Priest poured the water over her head.

Saturday we all went to this cute French restaurant down the street from Brian and Beth's apartment on Atlantic Ave. While we were eating, it started snowing. None of it stuck but it was a pretty site.

Below is a re-enactment of a picture that Clif and I took almost 10 years ago when I was living in Hoboken. I am going to frame it next the other one that we took.

And of course, we had to go see the tree at Rockefeller Center. It was a busy time to go to the City but we had a lot of fun!