Christmas 2013 Memories

We have had a wonderful Christmas season.  While it has been hard and different as we miss Big Frank so very much, the joy of Christmas has been in our hearts.  I think much of our joy comes from our two kids.  Their laughter is infectious and is a welcome distraction from the sadness that creeps in to our hearts at times.  As it was a busy holiday I will talk about each one individually:

Chandler Christmas!
We kicked off our holiday week with my family for our Chandler Christmas.  Amanda made her delicious chicken enchiladas and mom and dad made beans and rice and some other tasty sides for a mexican lunch for us.  Before eating we enjoyed the madness of gift opening.  Our kids were given so much stuff... they are so very loved and spoiled!  And so are we!  We love everything that was thoughtfully purchased by my family for us and enjoyed watching as the gifts we brought were opened.    I have the greatest family and am glad we were able to celebrate Christmas together.

Dad and Patches

The new slender tall tree with all the gifts... plus silly Emerson playing with the presents!

Alyssa and Justin

Some of the gift opening!

The silly shirts my mom got the guys... they were expandable shirts that were originally almost the size of playing cards.

A picture of us with my mom and dad

The kids with their aunts and uncles!

And here is a video of Cam pretending to talk on the phone... his voice sounds so deep it is funny.

Big Paul Christmas!

We left from Duncanville mid afternoon to head to Austin for the Big Paul family Christmas Sunday night and arrived right on time!  Right after arriving and unpacking the car everyone else arrived and the next Christmas celebration began!  It was fun visiting with Frank's cousins and his Aunt and Uncle. The Paul family is always a lot of fun.  We were all missing Big Frank, but had a very nice time together.  And again, our kids were spoiled with more presents!!  It was so thoughtful of everyone to think of the kids.

Sarah and Glenn

Uncle Carl as Santa  :)

Everyone visiting

Cousins Beth and Kelly with Dorthy

You know... us  :)

Christmas Eve!

Christmas Eve was lots of fun for everyone, too!  We made some Christmas cookies and Emerson helped.  She had lots of fun playing with the flour, which ended up all over her face as well as the floor!  :)  After church we decorated the cookies and Emerson piled on the sprinkles like you wouldn't believe!  We went to the Riverbend Church in Austin for the service and it was a beautiful sermon and service.  We sang Silent Night at the end, which is always a sight to see with everyone holding the candles.  Before that the preacher talked about the power of light and the joy that is represented by the light.  It shines through the darkness and brings us joy.  No matter how hard things can be, the light comes and is there. I guess to me it was a message that there is still great joy.  The power, wonder, and celebration of the birth of Jesus, which we call Christmas is so great that it overcomes the sadness we may feel.  I know I needed to hear that sermon.  The message may have meant sometime slightly different to others who were there, but I know that is the message I was supposed to hear because to be honest, I really have had a wonderful Christmas and I have struggled with understanding how I should feel.  Yes, there are many moments that are sad, but mostly we have enjoyed this time.  And so in my heart I have a bit of a struggle with that.  While things don't feel the same and I wish they were different, I am still happy.  Going through this loss for Frank and family has been so very difficult.  Things don't feel right, but they aren't completely wrong for us.  We are still a family, we laugh, argue (just being honest!), pick, joke, etc like always, but one person isn't there to see it and laugh with us.  I think there are so many times we catch ourselves silently enjoying something and then we think that it was something Big Frank would like.  In those moments we feel the loss again.  On Christmas Eve morning there was a beautiful fog over the lake and bridge and I thought to myself that Big Frank would have really enjoyed that.  Many times he would take pictures and send them to us on our phones.  I happened to be watching the kids and didn't pause to go take a picture outside before it lifted, but I mentioned it to Dorthy later in the day and she commented how she too saw it and thought Big Frank would have enjoyed it.  While I don't like feeling sadness, I hope that we always have moments where we see something like the beauty of the fog over the bridge and think of Big Frank.  

Emerson and MomMom working on cookies

Our family picture before the service

Our handsome little Cam

Our beautiful Emerson

Dancing for Sarah

Putting a hefty amount of sprinkles on her cookies!

He truly is a perfect little man

Our elf, Joy, telling Santa how great Emerson and Cameron were.  

Christmas Day:

Christmas Day was a lot of fun opening gifts with Dorthy and Glenn and Sarah.  Emerson was over the  moon excited when she opened a red remote control car and exclaimed that "Joy told Santa!".  I mean she was THRILLED!  If she opened a car she loved it anything else was useless to her.  So when she opened one of Glenn and Sarah's gifts that was a Dr. Seuss memory game that looked fun, she made a funny face as she politely put it on the coffee table.  Sort of a I know I need to smile and say thank you but I don't like it expression.  Dorthy and Sarah got a real kick out of that. 

Opening Santa's gifts at our home!

While we were gone in Austin Santa also came to our house because there wouldn't have been any room for that on the car ride home!  :)  We caught the reaction of Emerson seeing her adorable VW convertible car and the what is now funny reaction the two kids had.  Here are some videos of that:

Here is a video of Emerson driving the car for the first time:

The next three videos are us having fun with a slinky that Santa brought as well.  Such a simple toy is a ton of fun!!

This one is slow motion using the new feature on the iPhone... in slow motion we sound like cows.   :)

Thankful Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving this year was with my family and we had everyone over to our house.  We had a ton of food, as always, and really had fun together.  As a different activity I got some paper from Macaroni Grill to put on the table and borrowed some of Emerson's crayons so we could all write what we are thankful for on the table.  Emerson was excited to be able to draw on it as well while we all ate.  We all had many things we were thankful for.  A common theme was we were thankful to all be together.  It's a little strange to be getting to this so late, but I do want to share some things we have all been thankful for.   So here are a few:

Our family (the four of us)- Emerson and Cameron are always on the move exploring their world, laughing and being kids.  I (we) can't imagine life without them.

Each other- Frank and I are thankful for each other.  It sounds corny, but I feel like we are more in love than ever.  Frank is a wonderful husband and dad... I truly am blessed.  And since he is so sweet to always say how much he loves me too I know he is thankful.

Our families-  We don't always agree, but no matter what our families are there for us.   They come to our rescue when we are about to explode. As was the case after we moved in to the new house and my family helped in so many ways.  Families make it happen because it is important and not because it is convenient.

Memories-  We lost Big Frank, which has been incredibly heart breaking for us, but we are thankful for the memories and the legacy he has left.  And we are thankful for the new memories we make to cherish with those we love.

Friendships-  We have some outstanding friends.  They are available to support us in so many ways... whether a shoulder to cry on, advice on what to do, just understanding, or to help us laugh we have the best friends who are there for us.

Health-  I have a tainted feeling when it comes to health... I say that you think you are fine until you find out that you aren't, but I am thankful that we have good health.

Our abundance- We are very blessed to know where our next meal comes from.  We don't worry that our electricity will be turned off, or that we will be evicted.  That is a world I don't even comprehend.  Growing up we had any and everything we needed and pretty much everything we "wanted" and didn't actually need.  But especially around the holidays there are more stories shared about those who go without.  Though I can't understand what that may be like, I'm thankful we don't have to choose between dinner and bills, fixing the car or dance lessons.  That's huge... it's a reality for so many people.

These are the important things that come to mind.  Of course I am thankful for many other things... our jobs... my fantastic coworkers... yall know I love me car.  I have had it for 3 years and I'm still as thrilled about it as I was when we got it... With us talking about a 3rd kiddo I am saddened it may mean a change in cars because of the space factor... but that is not going to be a big worry for a bit... for real!  :)  I'm thankful for pedicures... massages... I really love massages.  For margaritas... wine... pajamas.... the glow of a lamp light.  Soft blankets... for sleep.  Sleep is glorious.  Coffee... that's a must.  Our house, of course!  Music... I really love music!  So yeah, lots and lots of other things could be listed and I know you get the point.  So, happy belated Thanksgiving.

Icemageddon/Icepocalypse 2013 and other "winter" fun!

This year we had a crazy ice storm hit the metroplex... 1-2 inches of ice or more covered all the roads, houses, yards... everything!   It was beautiful to look at but dangerous to drive on!  Even with four wheel drive you would slide... not much you can do about ice that is that thick!  So we had lots of family time and Emerson was able to slide down the yard on the ice, which she loved!  Our sweet neighbors baked a Bourbon pecan pie and shared it with us, which was delicious!  Here are some pictures from over the last several weekends and a few videos I love too!

All bundled and layered so she could play outside!

He is just so darn cute!

The picture we used for our Christmas card, actually taken on Thanksgiving :)

Such a charmer!

Sweet, sweet girl!

Giving daddy some kisses!

Better watch out!!  (this is the back of Cam's shirt)

Dorthy's Christmas card picture

One tree in the front with the ice on the branches

A golf course nearby... Preston Trails.

Emerson and Daddy snuggling watching tv

Our formal living room decorated for Christmas

Little man trying to walk around in my flip flops... he loves trying to wear shoes and walk around.

I have to share the Santa picture we took this year as well... I just love it.  So funny.  Poor Cam!!

Now for some videos!!

"Do it again!"

Emerson sliding on ice

More sliding on the ice!

Emerson and Daddy playing "Hide and Seek"... this is so funny.  I love it.  

Just a random video of the kids playing around

Halloween 2013!

Things were too crazy this year for a Halloween party, but we still had a great time carving a pumpkin and Trick or Treating.  Both kids were super heroes, which I find fitting because they are super kids!!  (yes, I am THAT cheesy!)  Here are some pictures of the fun!

Having fun with the pumpkin I carved... free hand, by the way.  Not too bad!  :)

Super girl!

Batman!!!

Emerson ringing the door bell to get some treats!

Cam's long overdue 18 month update! (since he is now almost 20 months!)

I'm so behind, so I will keep this pretty brief!  Little man continues to melt my heart every day.  He is such a tender hearted little boy (or I should perhaps say baby).  He went through a phase a while back where he hardly wanted to be held, but now he wants to be snuggled and loved on all the time.  While it is not easy to get much done when he wants to cuddle, it is really wonderful to have him in my arms and to give him lots of kisses.  His vocabulary continues to grow and he says many phrases.  Some are just two words and some 3-4 words that run together.  "I'm gonna get you!" as he and Emerson chase each other around.  "Hold this" when he wants me to hold his lovey so he can drink his milk.  He loves to say "No" still... all the time!  Ha ha.  Also, "Okay" in this super sweet voice.  One thing that tickles me is that when he is doing something he shouldn't do I will ask him if he wants to be spanked (which I know, that is a dumb question, but it works!) and he will stop what he is doing (for real!) and will say "No" in this adorable voice.  I have no chance of actually spanking him in the future if he continues to respond with that sweet innocent sounding voice, that is, should he start to ignore the threat.  So far so good it would seem...We have so much fun with this little guy.  As far as other details... he is a picky eater, despite my what somewhat vigilant attempts to keep his food variety going.  Interestingly, he loves blackberries.  Yes, you read it right.  Those little tart berries that most adults sort of flinch while eating because they are tart are like candy for Cameron.  He doesn't flinch one bit and shovels them in his mouth.  And speaking of shoveling, I will add that is Cam's preferred method of eating.  Why use the fork or spoon when you can two fist it and shove so much more in to your mouth??  We use our handheld Dyson 2-3 times a day for that reason... and I am considering getting a dog to also help with the matter.  ;)  He loves playing with his sister and they sometimes play and share in harmony, though many times there are some disputes and yelling.  He is not as passive about things as he was before because he will yell "NO!" back to her and has actually gone after her.  It really cracks me up to see him charge after her, but I am quick to diffuse the situation usually!!  He loves to turn light switches on and off and tries to plug things in and out of outlets.  I wish he would not do that so we have to really watch him!  And he enjoys playing with blocks and stacking them... and trying to play with his sister's cars while she isn't looking.  :)  Cam is still a great sleeper and usually goes to bed around 8:30 sleeping until 7:30 or later.  Oddly over the last couple of weeks both kids were really sleeping in and didn't wake up until after 8:30, sometimes 9... and one time 10!  (though the 10am is suspect as I was gone at a hair appt and this was the time Frank woke up and interestingly the kids got up shortly after...hmmmm)  When I took Cam to the doctor these were his measurements:  26 lbs 13 oz (50-75%), 33.5 inches tall (75-90%), and his head was 49 cm (75-90%).

We love our little handsome Small Paul so much!

"Call my Agent"...  aka Mom...