Little snoozer

I forgot how much babies sleep and HOW they sleep!  Adam has never had a problem falling asleep.  No matter where he is or what he's doing...he can always fall asleep!  It seems like a bottle is the key factor in all these pictures!

Smarty pants

Adam is getting too big, too fast!  From pushing up to full on crawling...he's turning into a little man!  

He's even got the iphone figured out!  How does he learn these things?!

What a cute little guy!

Babes in Toyland

While we tried to limit the number of gifts the kiddos got from us...there was no controlling the grandparents!  Christmas morning I woke up bright and early to start cooking cinnamon rolls and making coffee.  All the grandparents and Auntie Leah would be here this year and we were in charge of food!  Aaron started the BBQ roast the night before and I was in charge of sides and desserts.  It was a BBQ Christmas!  Once the kids woke up...all food preparation came to a halt!  Time for presents!  While Reagan was bust going through stockings...Adam got his chance with the baby gecko!

Reagan quickly moved on to the wrapped gifts and was absolutely buried in wrapping paper!  Again...limiting gifts didn't really work!

Adam started to get into the unwrapping, but ultimately just wanted to eat the paper!

After gifts were open and trash picked up...let the playing begin!  Reagan took first ride on Adam's walk and ride dinosaur.

But, did decide to share.  Check out that happy face!  I think he likes his dinosaur!

Reagan is still trying to figure out the whole idea of basketball.  We couldn't get her to get out from UNDER the basket to shoot!

Trying to figure out how to make this thing walk!

Adam getting ready for food!

Merry 1st Christmas sweet baby!

'Twas the night before Christmas...

Normally, Christmas Eve is spent at Mom and Dad's house.  This year, however, we spent it at the Rehab Center.  Dad was still in treatment for his stroke at the Rehab.  So, we reserved the family room and the family set up a tree and carried on just like we were at their house.  Dad was thrilled to have everyone, especially the great grand babies, up there.  We had a gift exchange (with Reagan as the delivery girl) and sang Christmas carols.  Reagan was especially fond of Happy Birthday to Jesus.  Each time the song ended she would clap and say "again!"  Too precious!

Dad and Adam

Old Mom, Old Dad, Reagan, and an unhappy little Adam.

After the gift exchange at the Rehab.  We went back to Nana and Papa's house for dinner.  Granny, Opa, and Auntie Leah came over too.  We ate and visited for a while until it was time to go to home and get ready for Santa.

Adam soaking in the activity

Sweet little angel

Finally, a picture of Aaron and I!

Good finger!

Meanwhile...back at home...

We were preparing for Santa's arrival!  KZ elf would head back to the North Pole for the last time this year so Reagan took the opportunity to say good-bye and Merry Christmas.  He was a crazy thing.  Always seemed to show up in unexpected places!  But, he sure was good at his job.  He kept Reagan in line!

Adam saying bye-bye to elf.

After elf was taken care of...it was time to take care of "Teetah" (Santa).  We put cookies on a plate and I asked Reagan what she wanted to give him to drink.  Apple Juice, of course! 

After everything was in place...it was off to bed!

...And to all a Goodnight!

Cookies for Santa

In trying to start a tradition for our family, I got out the mixer and the cookie press to make cookies for Santa!   Reagan loved making, tasting, decorating, and tasting cookies!  This year we made Christmas trees, wreaths, and Santas.  Reagan and I had a lot of fun and I hope this is a tradition that we can continue for years to come!

siblings remember this...

I'm posting this blog to be able to show my sweet babies the love that they have for each other.  Nothing better than your little brother waking you up on a Saturday morning and playing in the crib!

These 2 sweet little smiles put a HUGE smile on my face and joy in my heart!  Their laughter is contagious and their energy is amazing!

Adam is always laughing and looking up to his big sister.  

Literally...looking up!

I pray their relationship continues to grow and they continue to be each other's best friends!

I love you my sweet babies! 

These are just random pictures.  It's amazing how sweet and innocent they can look when it's just a picture!

Holiday Cheer!

Disclaimer:  I write this because it is how she described herself!

My "blog stalker" friend let me in on a little secret and a really AWESOME offer from Shutterfly.

Like her I love a good deal and in all honesty...I'm cheap...very cheap.  Or as my husband says, frugal.  So, when I heard about this offer I decided it was time to get to the blog!

Shutterfly has been a staple in our house and in my parent's house since the birth of our 1st child.  And, now that there are TWO kids in the mix...where would we be without it?!  It's so great to order fun little gifts and just have them mailed to the grandparents.  I think the best gift was the coffee mugs that we got for Granny and Opa after our little girl was born. I also bought one for my husband after the birth of our second little one.

Now that the holiday season is upon us...it's time for Christmas cards.  I have always enjoyed giving and receiving pictures with Christmas cards so Shutterfly is the place to go!  They offer great deals around the holidays but always have cute cards at a low price.  And...you can't forget the frequent offer of free shipping!

In true Rachael fashion...I have procrastinated...so the question is: Do I want Christmas cards or New Year card?!  So...where do you start and how do I narrow it down?!  Luckily...Shutterfly can help you with that!  Here are some of my favorite.  But, check them all out here.

This one is just fun!

I love the message in this one.

Very simple, yet cute!

A little more modern than what I would normally pick but I LOVE these colors together!

Now for New Years cards in the even that I decide to procrastinate further...

You can find them all here!

Bright and fun!

Love the story line!

Simple and bright!

And...how much fun are the gift tags.  I think these are such a fun and great idea!

Check them out here.

Again...I LOVE these colors!

I am always at a loss for gifts to get for great grandparents.  After looking at everything on the website...I think there would be nothing MORE FUN than a calendar full of family pictures!

Happy shopping!

You can participate in the Shutterfly offer by going here and submitting your very own blog post by December 15th. Hurry!