Hi Daddy!

I could not get all 3 kids on the video at the same time to talk to Daddy.

We can't wait for all our sweet treasures from the Asia/Pacific.

First comes love...

Then maybe after several more years...marriage.

This video is of Graham describing a wedding figurine that I had on my dresser. He tells the camera that it is Graham and Faith. Graham and Faith have been BFFs since they were paci babies and in diapers. I am saving this video clip to play at their rehearsal dinner in 20 years.

Oh Brother!

Things to do over the holidays.... open presents

ride on Uncle Kevin's shoulders


bother my sister

jump on the trampoline

play video games

and be surprised when I return to Allen to see that Santa left additional gifts under the tree.

Sisters

Bryce and Layne are quite the twosome at times. They play, for the most part, quite well together. The call each other Sissy and call Graham, Bubba. They like to give each other pats on the back, steal each others pacifiers, and on occasion fight for mommy's lap.

A Houston Holiday

We spent 8 days in Houston over the holidays. We had much to celebrate...Kevin, Brian's youngest brother, returned safely from Iraq, getting to finally meet the newest Doffing, baby Abby, enjoying time with family and friends, and most of all seeing the excitement in the kids' faces as they enjoyed their cousins and of course the presents. We had 4 sessions of presents...With my mom before she left for the Philippines, Christmas Eve with the Doffings, Santa ~ Christmas Morning, and my sister's on Christmas Day. It was a whirlwind of unwrapping presents and Graham LOVED. EVERY.MINUTE. of it. The girls were troopers through out the whole thing. They of course did not have the stamina of their big brother but loved ripping up the paper and climbing on all the boxes.

This will be a long post of pictures but I know my mom missed most of this since she is relaxing in the Phillipines with her sister and extended family.

Session #1 My mom and dad's house

Session #2 Brian's parent's house

Session#3 Santa arrived

Session #4 My sister's house Christmas Morning

Sneak Peek!

After many missed sessions due to the weather, we finally had our outdoor photo session with my favorite photographer and friend, Jerry. Jerry snapped away while his wife, April, gathered children and did everything to get the kids to cooperate.

These are just the first look...Jerry has not worked all his magic yet. I have to pick from over 300 shots. I have no idea how I am ever going to narrow it down. I can't resist sharing some of the intial shots.

How happy does Graham look?

The girls enjoying the leaves.

and there goes the bow...

Graham enjoying the leaves.

Bryce

Layne

Graham~love the sweaty head as it is in the upper 70's in December.

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree

The tree is up. It took 4 whole days to decorate because I had 3 little ones that wanted to help at all times. I could not bare to finish the tree without them. Graham absolutely loved it this year and the girls loved the boxes. What a difference 3 kids have made in the way I decorate a tree. Before the children I thought I had The.Perfect.Tree. Everything coordinated and every ornament was placed with thought. The tree was glamorous.

Fast forward to present day and today I can say without doubt that I definitely have THE.PERFECT.TREE. The ornaments this year were placed with precision by a 3 year old. Breakables up high and out of reach of his sisters' little hands, soft, squishy indestructible ones down low to survive those same little hands.

I just loved how he "grouped" ornaments together so they would not be lonely.

Please note the sweaty matted hair...due to all his hard work.

Proud of all his hard work...yet still more to do.

Take notice of the teddy bear stocking hanging in the tree behind Layne and glass balls mid way up the tree. Do stockings go in trees? They do in our house.

Bryce preferred playing with ALL the boxes.

Layne and Bryce after they shared a sweet sisterly kiss. I can never catch their sweetness in action. I am always late.

Here is the finished product! I just hope it does not take me 4 days to finish decorating the rest of the house. But if 3 little helpers want to lend a helping hand, I will gladly spend the next 4 days letting them add their touch to our house.