End of the Year

I cannot believe December is drawing to a close!  I feel like I am always saying we've been very busy but it is a fact of life right now.

Let's start things off with Jocelyn passing her permit test!  YAY!!!  It was a nail-biting wait as teen after teen who took their test was being told they didn't pass.  We felt for them...then up came Jocelyn's results..."you passed."  We gave each other a traditional hi-five at the news. :)  You're awesome and I love you girlie! xxoo

We had a fun Thanksgiving with family but somehow I only snapped a pre-thanksgiving photo. :o  I am soooooo thankful for you all!

Jazzy and Gideon had some bonding moments building a massive fort in her room; messy but very fun!

Jasmine you had a dance recital that was awesome!  I was lost in a mom moment, when your heart is so full of the spectacular person your child is inside and out that it flows out in tears of joy.  I love you girl!  Pre-dance/warm-up outfit photos...

And we met up with Uncle Jason and his family, Aunt Sarah and her family, and Big Mama for a Christmas play and dinner.  It was a lot of fun!

Photo bomber Jocelyn! :)

I am so amazed by your dad!  I love this guy so much!  He's just AWESOME!  We all appreciate him so much that we've been using our new saying "team dad" when he's working on something or does something for us. :)  He just finished tuning up our air/heater.  We love you!
Say cheese while you work...

And finally, we decided to start a new tradition...the kissing ball.  It took us about 40 minutes to cut/trim/poke all the greenery into 3" floral foam but its just so pretty.  Gideon isn't always in the kissing mood but with the kissing ball its another story.  We decided if your caught with someone you wouldn't normally kiss, a hug will do.  Next year we talked about making it a friend activity to pretty up your home/room for Christmas. :) 

As October came to a close we had a cRazY week. 

We had our first preschool field trip to see the farm animals at the fair!  One of our coop moms, Miss Lesli, has family connections so we were able to visit the barns when the fair was closed to the public; so fun!

Next up we were busily buying/constructing things for the girls homecoming floats...it was very fun to see all the students!  While we were watching I had one football player call out "Hey Mrs. Yanez!" and I said hi and waved and the boy behind him said the same thing and also "Do you remember me?"  I don't know how but I'm thankful that God gives me the names when I need them.  He was so excited I remembered.  :)

Gideon you loved the firetruck!  The driver got on his loud speaker to talk to you and they were all waving so much so that you eventually put both hands down with palms up like "What?!? We're still waving?" :)

Jasmine you were Mike Wazowski from Monsters Inc. and Joce your Halloween party float was pretty cool!  Thanks for inviting us girls!

Finally, Halloween night.  Quite the night.  Dad was out of town for work so it was just us and our neighborhood block party.  Gideon, you and I head out for a little trick or treating and an old lady got off the couch to come see you at one house.  I think she was a little out of it...she leaned down to see your face and said "Oh my goodness you are so handsome.  You're like an angel."  I'm moving in and thinking 'OK grandma that's good.'  And BAM!  She kisses your face! AHHHHHH!!!!  I think I said that out-loud too!  We quietly walked away and you took your sleeve to your face and wiped.  I spit on my hand and scrubbed and wiped.  You said, "I'm never going there again."  So we had a little talk about space after I called Big Mama to get some medical advice. :)  No worries...poor guy.  And yet you still wanted to walk a little more after that before heading back to our block. :)

Smorgasbord

Let's back it up to September...

We celebrated two very important people around here!  As of last year we started breaking up the dazzling duos birth date...my sweet hubby thought Jazz should have her own day so we celebrate his birth date a few days ahead.  I'm not complaining, double the cake and ice cream. :)  She loved every gift she received but it was especially Papa's-yes, its a hundred dollar bill.  I asked him if he was wearing his glasses when he put it in the card?!?  Crazy girl!  It's sitting in her piggy bank. ;)

There's two type of birthday people I've discovered "ah this is such a great day" Jazz and "I'm so serious about birthdays" Jer. :)  I love Gideon on each occasion above.

There was late night cuddles while Dad was working an overnight-er.  Flash is not good in pitch black haha!

 A little piece of Gideon's daily routine when returning from anywhere...if he's wearing jeans he cannot ride in his car seat with them on so every place he has to get dressed. :)  Oh goodness.

Jazz you brought home "the baby" again for child development class.

 Gideon couldn't decide if it was more fun to take care of the baby or be the baby.

We went to the movies...Joce you had to get a shot with these guys!

And we planted our little garden.

Oh and I almost forgot Gideon started preschool!  Good time learning a few academics while learning the importance of listening, following directions, being nice and managing emotions...oh to be three I guess.  If Gideon isn't feeling the quiet type of guy, he's definitely full bore and feeds off whatever everyone else is doing.  After Sunday school he's pretty wired...finding the balance between crazy and calm.  Here we have calm guy for his group photo but was not interested in his solo.

Now into October we go...
We read plenty of books.  Okay maybe just one book, over and over and over again.  Gideon you love this big dictionary book from Richard Scary Busy Town.

We went camping.

 Gideon, you love to grill with Daddy.

Jazz, you and I enjoyed some fishing with Gideon while Joce, you and Dad went out on their own adventure of craw fish hunting.  I'm always learning something new about you all.  Joce you were a brave one for rolling up those jeans, flipping rocks and catching craw fish.  Love you!

We went to the pumpkin patch with Big Mama and had a surprise picnic lunch at the lake on the way home...so fun!

 Dad was all tuckered out.

 Gideon, you and I had a park date.

And you had your first dentist visit.  Such a great job!  It helps we have the sweetest hygienist around!  You were so quiet and did exactly what was requested of you...she said you were the best patient.  You acted like you knew just what was happening and let her do everything...scrap teeth, polish, squirt water, vacuum water, floss.  So fun!