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Saturday, December 29, 2007

John Curtis's (second) First Birthday Party





While we were in Texarkana, we had another birthday party for John Curtis. We made chocolate cupcakes and Kay decorated them with carrots for the Peter Rabbit theme. Taylor's aunts and uncles, cousins and their kids all came. Our friend Julie Lewis who lives in Oklahoma and we don't get to see very often got to come with her girls, Emma and Ana Kate since she was home visiting her parents. It was a fun evening.

Christmas in Texarkana



We got to Texarkana around 5:00 on Christmas night. We opened MORE presents and had a great dinner. The kids really enjoyed being in Texarkana. Uncle Erick was there with his dog, Ellie. John Curtis couldn't get enough of her. In the mornings he would navigate his way past the chairs and couch cushions that had been set up to keep Ellie in the sun room where Erick was sleeping. He would go over to her and squeal with delight. Uncle Erick didn't get the sleep as late as he would have liked most mornings.

Friday, December 28, 2007

Christmas Morning





Christmas morning was a fun time. John Curtis got a play cube and a stocking full of goodies from Santa. Sophie got a washing machine and some dress up shoes. After we opened our presents, we got in the car and headed for Texarkana. We stopped half way in Weatherford at my parents' house for lunch and were in Texarkana by dinnertime.

Christmas Eve

Sophie woke up very excited on Christmas Eve morning. We made cookies for Santa and then our friends, the Waltons, came over for a yummy lunch. It was good to spend the afternoon with friends since neither of us were able to be with our families. We went to the Christmas Eve service at 5:30. Sophie walked in with the rest of the kids and put her rice bowl full of change at the manger at the front of the church. When she came to sit down she asked me, "Where is Baby Jesus?" She has been asking a lot of good questions about Him during the Christmas season. One night we were talking about how He died on the cross to take away the bad things we do. She said she wasn't going to do bad things anymore so He wouldn't have to die. Christmas Eve was a special time at church. Taylor had to stay for the 7:00 service, so I went home with the kids and got John Curtis in bed. Then Sophie and I read Christmas books, put reindeer food out on the lawn, and set cookies out for Santa. When Taylor got home we lit our advent candles and read the Christmas story. Of course I had to end the evening by reading The Night Before Christmas.

Wednesday, December 19, 2007

John Curtis is One!

Today is John Curtis's first birthday. As I think back on this time last year, I am so thankful for him and the joy he brings to our family. This time last year was a crazy time. San Angelo was without water including the hospital I was supposed to deliver in. Thankfully we were able to go to another hospital as the dr. didn't want to wait to induce. John Curtis was not growing at the rate he was expected to and I worried that there would be developmental problems. He came out a tiny 5 pounds, 13 ounces, but was so perfect.

He has come a long way in the last year as he is now over 20 pounds, healthy and happy. He is walking all over the house, playing with everything he can get his hands on. His favorite (and pretty much only) word is uh-oh which he says as he throws things across the room, including his food. This is something we have not been able to break him of. He loves balls and climbing on things. He tries to play with his sister when she lets him and laughs a lot. Overall, John Curtis is a joy!
We went to story time at the library this morning as we do every Wednesday. All of the kids sang Happy Birthday to him and he wasn't sure what to make of that. We went out to lunch with Dad and had friends over for dinner tonight. The Peacocks have a son Caleb who is 4 and Connor who turned one in November. The kids enjoyed playing together and eating cupcakes. I made homemade mac n cheese since that is John Curtis's favorite. He ate it by the fists full. He had a fun first birthday.

Ornament cupcakes







Sophie helped me decorate cupcakes today for John Curtis's birthday and her Mother's Day Out Christmas party tomorrow. We made ornaments. I thought they turned out pretty cute!

Monday, December 17, 2007

John Curtis's (first) 1st Birthday Party





During the family Christmas on Saturday we had a birthday party for John Curtis. He is going to have one with the Sandlins after Christmas so this was just his first 1st party. The theme was Peter Rabbit and he had the cutest cake. It took him a while to dig into the cake, and he wasn't sure what to make of everyone singing and staring at him. He definitely has a sweet tooth, though.

Bunch Family Christmas





On Saturday, Mom's extended family came to Weatherford for Christmas. We passed presents while reading Left/Right stories. Sophie thought that was hilarious and ended up with a $10 Target gift card. We enjoyed seeing the family.

Christmas with Grammy and Bumpaw




On Friday night we had Christmas with Mom, Dad, and Lindsey in Weatherford. Sophie had fun looking for her name on presents. John Curtis liked to climb on top of the boxes and clap for himself. Then we drove around and looked at lights.

Tuesday, December 11, 2007

Gingerbread Men




Since John Curtis was sick this weekend and the weather has been COLD, Sophie and I had to come up with something to do to pass the time. We made and decorated gingerbread men. It was the first time I had ever made gingerbread and they turned out a little crisp. They were fun to decorate anyway!

Christmas Parade



On Saturday night Sophie and I went downtown with her friends Gracie and Ellie and their mom Leia. We watched the Christmas parade and looked at lights along the river. It was supposed to be a family outing, but John Curtis got sick so the boys stayed home. The girls had a great time!