HAPPY NEW YEAR!

This was our first year going out to celebrate New Years Eve in MANY years. Since before James. And then some. Because we're old and live in a small town and do n't really like big crowds. But this year was different. We left the kiddos in the capable hands of their grandparents (all FOUR kiddos!) to have their own little toddler New Years party, while we went out on a double date with my brother and sister(in-law). We ate ourselves silly with sushi and appetizers and the Hibachi grill specialties, then partied it up at their house (sans munchkins) where we battled bowling, table tennis, and sword fighting on the Wii. We made it home just in time to ring in the New Year with a champagne toast with our parents (James and Eli were somehow both still awake, but just barely), then Jay high-tailed it to bed with our kiddos. In my book, it was the perfect way to celebrate the holiday. Many thanks to Grambot and Pawpaw for the evening off, and to D&T for hanging out with us - we had a great time!

(Sake Bombs... Taryn won by a long shot)

(3 little trouble makers... two of them up past their bedtimes and one past his drink limit - busted!)

ADDY'S PARTY

Today was Addy's 1st Birthday party, and she celebrated in style!

Cora too. She loves her new shoes:

Addy with her grandparents:

Cora with her Mama and Great Grandma:

Eli is silly...

So is Pawpaw...

Taryn made Addy's beautiful cake!

YUM!

Cora wants to use the potty so badly. She knows to tell us AFTER she wets or dirties her diaper, and she's got the wiping thing down (which, actually, James has never even attempted, even though he's been trained for 7 months now). Now, if we could just get her to go in the potty... Not that we're really trying, just letting her go when she asks us to. In another 4 months or so (when she's 22-months-old, the supposed ideal age for potty training) we'll be doing the 3-day bootcamp method with her, so hopefully she'll be ready by then (unless, of course, she happens to figure it out sooner than that, then we'll just go with it)!

PAWPAW'S LULLABY

It may be from "Big Bang Theory", but it sure calmed Cora down. On multiple occasions. And Pawpaw sure sounded cute singing it to her!

GYMBOREE TIME!

Dave took the kids to Gymboree today (they have a monthly membership), and I'm pretty sure all 4 of them had a great time.

Addy was thrilled just to walk around with her maracas and blend with the big kids:

The girls particularly liked the boat:

James was running and jumping off everything. Luckily he only hit someone once. Too bad it was Addy. In the head. (Eli is much better about taking turns and waiting for a clear spot to jump...)

Cora found a rocking horse:

And at the end of the hour, Cora thought it was awesome to let the boys push her around in the barrel. She went round and round and upside down, and loved every second. Hilarious!

TURTLE BAY EXPLORATION PARK

Having not seen Robyn since James was 5-weeks-old and she came out to help this first-time mama adjust to reality, and having not seen Stephen since the summer of 2008 (the same week I found out I was pregnant with James!), I was SUPER excited to see them today! We were very lucky to be visiting the west coast at the same time, and have a day to get away and meet up halfway between our home bases. That place may have been Redding, California, but Robyn found a cool spot to spend the day: Turtle Bay Exploration Park!

The kids slept almost all 3 hours up to Redding, and they were ready to go when we got there!

Once Chris finished nursing and appeared on the scene, my kids overtook his stroller (wish I'd gotten a picture of them with their faces smooshed into his...), then I got my turn. He is SO cute!

We attended the fish feeding...

My kiddos showed their true colors while "sharing" the truck on display:

We all enjoyed the bat exhibit (especially the echo cave). Cora kissed a bat (numerous times):

The outdoor kids area was really cool. Slides and climbing features and pebble digging and a working water trough.

We lunched at their cafe, which may have been slow, but was yummy none-the-less.

Then we headed over the Sundial Bridge to stroll through the Botanical Gardens (which are likely much more beautiful in the non-winter months).

The bridge was a good size walking bridge. We saw fishermen and jet-skiiers from up above. James thought it was funny when they fell in the water... Here are Jay and Cora next to the base of the sundial:

By the end of the day, our kiddos were fading fast. Cora passed out before we even made it back over the bridge. It was so nice to be able to catch up with good friends, meet Cora's betrothed, and let the kids explore someplace new. Thank you so much for making the trip (and the time) to come see us you guys - we love you all!

(And as a bonus, we stopped at my favorite fast food restaurant on the way home. James thought the workers/cooks were conductors because of their hats, and they gave he and Cora a couple so that they could be conductors too. "Hey Mama, I a conductor! Conductors need a drink! Whoo-hoo!"

DOWNTOWN CHILDREN'S MUSEUM

Today's excursion was to the Stockton Children's Museum, way downtown. It may not be as fancy as our Children's Museum in Jackson, but the kids had a great time, stayed busy and burned off some energy, and maybe even learned a thing or two, so it was awesome in our book. AND we got to hang with Nicole and Jagger, which made the adventure even better!

(My husband is so goofy. And fun. And totally cute.)

(Addy was checking out Cora's twinkle toes...)

(Cora lends a hand...)

Such a great afternoon! Thanks for hanging out with us Nicole! And thanks for letting Eli and Addy come play Uncle Davey!

BACK TO THE PARK

Paw-paw gives the BEST moustache kisses!

The kids and I circled the neighborhood. Twice. And Cora made me push her most of the way while she rested her feet up around her steering wheel...

It's a head-on collision!

After goofing around the house, we went back to the park where we shot our family portraits, so the kids could really run out some energy.Poor Eli had none to spare though...
When Taryn joined us for dinner after work, we realized we were wearing the same shirt. And because we're ridiculous, we had to take a photo. Everyone says our daughters look just like us. What do you think?