Christmas gifts!!

Every year for Christmas I have to come up with a list of things that TJ can pick from for gifts.  I don't really enjoy the process, and I have a hard time coming up with a list big enough so I at least get a little surprise with what he picks out.  This year he asked me what I want and there was only one thing on the list: I want bedroom furniture.  I had been looking on Pinterest and found this bedside table I liked and a headboard I liked.  I printed out the plans and gave them to TJ and today I got the first "delivery" of furniture-one bedside table:

When I get the chance I'm going to get some baskets for the bottom shelf, but if I do say so myself, it's beautiful!

Busy Busy Months The Final Installment

Late Friday night/early Saturday morning, the weekend before Christmas, my sisters and their families arrived at our house.  We had a great long weekend eating, drinking, watching the kids play, fishing, hunting, and just generally having a good time.  On Christmas Eve we celebrated Christmas because everyone was leaving Christmas day and I had to work.  We made a big meal and opened presents.  It was also in the low 70s outside so the kids spent a lot of time outside burning energy.  It was a great time and something I hope we can repeat in the future.  (warning:lots of pictures to follow!)

Busy Busy Months Part III

The Thursday before everyone arrived for Christmas Nate had his Christmas concert for school.  TJ and I were interested to see what it would entail because Nate had been bouncing around the house singing various songs, most of which we couldn't decipher.  It turned out to be a fun concert with a surprise visit from Santa.  Aunt Laura also came to watch the festivities:

Nate was really excited to see Santa, that is until he actually got in Santa's lap!

Busy Busy Months Part II

We had a pretty low key Thanksgiving because I worked so much to make up for our trip to Amarillo.  After that we got into the nitty-gritty of getting ready for Christmas.  Because both my sisters were going to be there with their respective families (Mitch in Laura's case), I had a lot to get ready.  I wanted everyone to have some gifts to open, so I got into Susie homemaker mode.  This is what I came up with:

Robes for the kids

A matching game each for Nate and Reilly

Coloring bags for Nate, Reilly, and Ava

2 Pairs of shoes for Reid

I also made necklaces for the girls (including TJ's brother's girlfriends), beer reindeer for Eric and TJ's two brothers, and a portable seat for Reid.  Everyone enjoyed their presents.

Busy Busy Months Part I

November and December were EXTREMELY busy months in the Muir household.  We went to the Amarillo area right before Thanksgiving to visit TJ's family.  Unfortunately we were unable to his Granny and Grandad because Granny was sick.  The boys still had a wonderful time hanging out with their grandparents:

My boys are obsessed with tractors

Muir men

Christmas at Mama Bear and Papa T's

Stay tuned for more installments

Baby Snuggles

There is something so soothing about sitting in the recliner, rocking with the baby as he falls asleep.  That weight of them relaxing into you and the steadiness of their breathing.  It's especially nice if it's with this baby:

Grandma Denyse's Visit

Forgive me ahead of time for a picture heavy post.  My mom came for a visit and as usual it was action packed.  I'll let the pictures tell most of the story.

We started with some present opening for both of the boys.

Laura had a costume party to go to and went as an airline pilot.

Then we had some nighttime stories with aunt Laura in our new matching pjs.

The next day we had a fun San Antonio day that included a trip to the Japanese gardens, the zoo, and a train ride.  The boys had a blast, but were exhausted.

 

Then we headed to our house and went for a walk/run (Nate was the main runner)

We also made a trip to the Jersey Barnyard in LaGrange for a visit to see the animals, milk a cow and pick out our pumpkins.

Finally we ended the weekend with some pumpkin carving!  Fun weekend!