Merry Christmas! We have been so blessed this year and are grateful to have you all as friends and family. We hope this holiday season finds you in good health and brings you lots of joy.

So I had a terrible day recently- Katie was teething and miserable, and in 2 days I went from thinking I had life under control to being at my wit's end. I was literally singing to myself all day "Momma said there'll be days like this..." Our fam had tickets to see a big high school football game that night, and I decided I didn't want to miss it; even though Katie would likely still be miserable while we were there. So we went.

By the end of the night, I was in such a great mood! The weather was perfect, Katie loved being outside, the boys and I were cheering like crazy for our team, it was a really great game, and...our team won! I have to laugh at myself, but Fall Football truly has a healing effect on me.

My little guy turned 4...
He had a Halloween-themed party, so all the kids wore their costumes...

With all the goods from the pinata...

The highlight of the party was that Nona and Papi came over in their costumes too!! Special birthday hugs and kisses...Austin is such a blessing to our family. His sweet and hilarious personality keep us adoring and laughing with him. He already shows so many strengths which I know will benefit him and others throughout his life. Love you Little Man!

She's such a doll...

I can't believe she's already 1. This year has really flown by, being filled with lots of great times. Katie seems to be learning several new things everyday. She now says about 20 words, signs a few things, and very clearly lets us know everything she wants. Until recently, I said a baby is a baby, boy or girl; but now there are big differences. She rocks her baby, carries a purse, and is much more talkative than the boys ever were. I love her sweet and fun personality. Here are some birthday pics:

Her gift from Mike and me:
Her most recent silly face:

If you come to our house at any given time of day, this is what you will find Katie doing. She begs to go outside and stands at the door saying "doggie, Trouble (the dog next door), cow, moo, whee (for the swing)" while smacking the door until we take her out. Then she rewards us with pure joy and excitement, which is why she almost always gets what she wants.

Ethan is enjoying 1st Grade. His teacher reads several books to them each day with the class's pet tarantula on her shirt the entire time! For a 6-yr-old boy, it doesn't get better than that.

Teeth

Ethan seems to be losing a tooth a week lately. Since this picture was taken a few days ago, he has lost his other top front tooth. He got paid two days in a row by the tooth fairy and we told him that for Halloween we're going to make and Ethan Jack-O-Lantern, missing the same teeth he's missing.

Full House

Many of you may know that we've had some friends staying with us for the past couple of months while their house is being built. You know you've got great friends when you can live under one roof (9 people in one house) and be even closer by the end of it all. Our kids seem more like siblings now.