The MOST Wonderful Time of the Year!

I LOVE CHRISTMAS! 

There I said it! Everything about this time of year makes me happy!! I love decorating, shopping for xmas presents and wrapping them. Baking and eating lots of good food, as well as getting together with our whole family to celebrate. I know that Christmas is about so much more than all of these things, and  teaching Gavin about the REASON for the season is one thing very important to Eric and I. I can't wait to take him to church Christmas Eve to sing all the beautiful songs and eventually learn why he's there! But we've got a ways to go before that. 

Here's pics of our tree and fireplace! 

Last night we went to dinner with Nana and Papa, and everyone looked so cute I just had to get a pic!

And the Verdict Is...

DEFINITELY NOT A FAN OF SANTA! 

We took Gavin to see Santa today at Bass Pro. What a sweet looking Santa, with Gavin smiling all the way to his lap! But the second that Daddy set him down, it was all over! He was NOT having it, and screamed, cried, arching his back! It was pretty comical, but we couldn't make him suffer for long...

Santa: "Alright Dad I think you can take him!" 

I know he will love to look back on his first encounter with Santa one day. And this face is priceless!

8th Annual Christmas Party

This past Saturday we had our 8th Annual Christmas party at our house! We look forward to this party every year, and love to host all of our friends. We eat tons of food, drink some cocktails (except me) and play dirty Santa. This year, our party was smaller than usual, but still so much fun! Megan and I made lots of good food, an awesome punch, and our Dirty Santa game ended up winning one of the guys $800 from a scratch-off ticket! 

Caramel Corn, Pretzels, Popcorn Bark, Zebra Nipples and punch

My Pinterest attempt at a Christmas tree made from Strawberries! No judgment please

Kassie, Steph, and Kristin

Kristi, Eric, and Garrett

Scott, Lyndsie, Justin and Cindy

The Pregnant girls drinking our sparkling grape juice!

Scott congratulating the "big winner" 

Sister pic

Getting Ready for Baby Sousa!

Saturday I went to one of my great friend Kassie's baby shower for her daughter Sophia. She is due in February as well, so there will be me, Steph and Kas, (and my sister-in-law) all due within about a week of each other! Where have I heard this before? :) I guess we just all like to have babies in the same week!! 

Anyways, her shower was beautiful! The colors of the shower were the colors of her daughter's room, which are so fun and bright! And Sophia got so many cute clothes and things...she's definitely going to be spoiled! 

Kassie and Sophia at 30 weeks

Hosts: Gina, Erin, Lindsey, Mommy Kas, Megan, and Tori

Me: 28 weeks, Kas: 30 Weeks, Kristin: 25 weeks, Steph: 30 weeks

All of "Sophia's Treasures" 

I love being pregnant with so many of my good friends! It definitely makes the time pass quicker, and we're all so busy with each other's baby events! 

What have we been up to lately?

READING!! 

Last week I bought Gavin a few new books, all having to do with Christmas because I was in a very "Christmassy" mood! I brought them home and put them on the floor thinking he might step on them a few times as he plays with his train or car or paintbrush (yes he really likes the paintbrush). Well I couldn't have been more WRONG! He picked up the book, carried it over to me going "Eh Eh Eh", handed it to me, then proceeded to turn that cute tooshy around and set it in my lap! Then he waited patiently for me to start reading. It was the cutest thing I have ever seen. Up until now, my efforts to get him to set through a story have been a huge fail. But these Christmas books really sparked his interest. He especially likes the ones that sing to him...we've sang "Jingle Bells" more times than should be legal in the month of December. But both Eric and I can't help but smile and then start singing/reading every time he comes our way with another book! I just love this little man. :) 

And as a random side note, this kid is now rocking 2 TEETH! He's really giving it his all at biting into things even though both teeth are on bottom. I haven't snapped a pic of the teeth, but I did get some of him in a cute little wintery outfit the other day! 

Shower for Memphis

Last weekend we celebrated Baby Memphis and our great friend Stephanie at her baby shower. It was at Mickey Mantles in downtown OKC, and we had so much fun! There were TONS of people who came to show love, and baby Memphis will be DECKED OUT with tons of cute clothes and just about everything else she might need. Here are a few pics of some of the gifts she got...

Hosts- Aunt Pam, Megan, Mommy Steph, Liz, and Me

Steph at 29 weeks and me at 27 weeks

Steph with her Mom, Grandma and Aunt

I know that baby Memphis will be so loved, and we all can't wait for February for him to be here! 

Thanksgiving in New York

We miss Ray and Jess, bottom line! We never get to spend time with them, and this year we decided that we would make the trip with Gavin to see them on Thanksgiving. We found direct flights, which was a Godsend, and left Thanksgiving morning with us 3, and Nana & Papa. Gav did so great on the flight out there. We passed him between Eric and I, and his Nana and Papa. They were happy to entertain him and Papa even let him have his own seat and go to town on some cups, and magazines! 

When we got to Ray and Jess's apartment, Jess had everything prepared for our big Thanksgiving dinner. Everything was so great! I should've taken more pics, but I suck. Jess's Aunt Ann and Uncle Rich also joined us for dinner. The next day, on Black Friday, we decided we should take Gav into the city to experience it for the first time! 

Snuggle time with Papa

Already tired, but ready for a day in the city

Horse Carriage ride in Central Park

Aunt Jess, Gav, and Nana

FAO Shwarz

One of the many beautifully decorated buildings (Fendi)

Nana with her boys

Saturday we spent the day inside watching football and being lazy. Sunday we got to see some of my favorite New Yorkers, Laura, Charlie, Charlotte, and Kaitlyn. I worked with Laura when we lived here, and she was definitely my closest friend. Since I have left, her and Charlie have had 2 beautiful little girls (who didn't really look at the camera!). I didn't even get a pic with Laura bc we were so busy chasing kids, but we had a great time catching up. They brought Gav a late birthday present, which he loved!

Overall we had a great trip! We are so glad that we made it out to see Ray and Jess, since we can't be there when baby Lincoln is born. And we won't get to go back for awhile now, because we'll have 2 little ones and a very busy schedule. Thanks Uncle Ray and Aunt Jess for being such awesome hosts, and we miss and love you very much!

Peace out New York