This and That

We are getting ready for Christmas! Macie picks up a present almost daily. She did unwrap Cage's present one day. The temptation was just too much. I reminded her she has to wait until Christmas. Several of the presents are missing bows and ornaments get rearranged. I LOVE IT....just because she is so excited. She knows Christmas is Jesus' birthday and when asked what Santa says she says, "Ho!" (We are going to have to work on repeating it!)
I told Macie we were going to make Christmas cookies for her cousins that are coming for a visit. She ran to her table and pushed it to the center of the kitchen like I normally do when we bake something. I took her picture, put the camera down to prevent her from eating the dough, and she said, "Cheese." She kept saying it while looking at the camera so I guess she wanted her picture again because she smiled each time. Why couldn't she have done that early today when I was trying to get a picture of her in her Christmas dress?

When I showed Macie the dress I was going to put on her she said, "Church." Guess she thought it was too fancy just to wear around the house!

So Zack and I went to a Jewish wedding a long time ago but have saved the hat for some odd reason. Anyway, Macie found it and was wearing it while she ate breakfast.

The week before Thanksgiving, we took the kids to Nonnie's school so she could show them off. They loved writing on the board. These pictures were on my other camera so I forgot I had them.
As you can see, my daughter is writing on herself.







If you listen closely, Macie is singing, "Happy Birthday to You." She loved this little cake. I think she will be good and ready to blow out the candles at her 2nd birthday! CAN'T WAIT!

We got a package in the mail with the bubble wrap. I heard all this popping and then realized that Daddy and Macie were have lots of fun without me!

McClung Thanksgiving

We headed to Austin this past weekend for the McClung Thanksgiving. What fun it was to be together as a family. Macie and Finley had a great time playing together. The weather was amazing so we got to spend time outdoors. Zack's parents got to Austin Friday night and the Smiley's got there early Saturday morning. Good thing they did because Saturday morning Amy walked into the kitchen and said the baby is coming today! Talk about excitement. We went to lunch with the whole family, got home, and Amy was off to the hospital. Kylan Christopher was born Saturday evening. We stayed back at the house and played with the kids. Sunday morning we all got to meet the newest member of the family. I am so glad we were there to be a part of the birth of Kylan. God is so good. I love our family. I love watching it grow. The saying is: when you marry you marry not just your spouse but the whole family!!!!....GLAD I married into such a precious family!

Finley and Macie
Are you supposed to be sitting on those?

Macie sat on Finley playing "horse." In the end they both tumbled over and got a kick out of it.

"Horse"

Finley didn't know what to think about it at this point!

Riding the Train....we went to the park to take let the kids have some fun and to help Amy take her mind of going into labor.

Macie loves playing "horse." Jackson was picked this time to play!

Cleaning off the leaves from the balcony

Macie is SOOO into baby toys still. She climbed into the bouncy and GOT HER FOOT STUCK. I keep reminding her that she is a big girl!

Finley holding Kylan....BROTHERS!

Washing hands so she can touch the baby which she washed over and over and over!

I love this sweet little guy! Macie loved him too. She was so sweet to him and kissed him without me prompting her. I can't wait until Christmas when we can hold Kylan again!

Burleson Thanksgiving

Pappy and Nonnie with all the grandkids

(This picture was not an easy one to get!!!)

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving with my side of the family this year. Reagan and the boys were here for a whole week. It was such a joy to watch all four cousins play together....kind of crazy too! They all did a really good job playing, sharing, and getting along. Sometimes the sharing was a little tough. I am so thankful for the family that I have (both sides). On Thanksgiving Day we were saying what we were thankful for. As I looked back at all the pictures I took I thought to myself...I am thankful for these moments we have together, these precious children, and my parents, brothers, sister-in-laws and Zack. I look forward to watching the kids grow up together. With all the craziness of life sometimes it is easy to to not appreciate what you have or to take the time to remind those you love that you love them. I know that I am truly blessed!

Happy Birthday, Cage!
Cage turned one on November 30th. We had a little birthday party for him. His brother and cousins wanted to open all the presents so he didn't get much of a chance. They also liked blowing out the birthday candle.

What will she try next? Macie is one crazy girl. She goes down every which way she can on the slide.

The strollers have been a popular toy around Nonnie's house. Cage is in one now. Macie took a ride in it and so did Jackson. Blake has ridden in it several times, too. The funny thing is we got it for free. They are all getting really big so they won't fit much longer.

Cage was such a good sport!

Riding the "Horse." Everyone had to take turns.

Making the stuffing with the help of Macie and Blake who kept wanting to sample the bread instead of tearing it up.

Sweet Boy....we hadn't seen Cage since last Christmas. It was fun to see how much he has grown. He is precious.

Watching Movies

Pappy was so nice to let Jackson and Macie put Thanksgiving stickers on him.

Cousins: Jackson (2 1/2); Macie (almost 2); Blake (little over 1 1/2); Cage (1)

3 Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed

November

It is hard to believe that we are over halfway through November. Where has this month gone? Thanksgiving will be here next week which I am super excited about. Reagan and the boys are coming to Nonnie's. I think all 4 of the cousins are going to have a fantastic time. Then we head to Austin for Thanksgiving which will also be lots of fun...again all 4 of the cousins on the McClung side will have a great time! I just love FAMILY TIME! I love this time of year. AND I really excited about the Christmas season. Macie says Christmas tree when she sees them. I took her by all of them in Hobby Lobby and she kept saying, "Touch it." She loved the ones with all the colorful lights. I can't wait to see what she thinks when we put our tree up.

Macie is talking more. She is saying several short sentences and really wants to be big like the neighborhood kids. I thought it was funny yesterday when she kept saying, "Big kids." She did impress me last week when she pottied in her potty before bedtime. She took off her diaper and ran to the bathroom. She first had a little accident on the floor and then finished her business on the potty. I shouted with joy and made a big deal about it but again....she isn't interested again. She also is so funny when she fake sleeps. She is actually doing it as this moment while I type this up. Maybe she fake sleeps because I tell her that is the only time she needs her thumb. I am going to start working on that thumb after her 2nd birthday which is also right around the corner!!!! Macie also likes to play hide and seek even though she hasn't totally gotten the concept and she says, "Ready, Set, Go" and then run through the house. Macie continues to feel my heart with joy! Zack and I snuck in and watched her sleep last night. When I do that it always amazes me that she sleeps so crazy but more than that it amazes me what an overwhelming love I have for her!

Helping Mommy Bake Cookies

Loving DADDY

CHEESE

On our way to church

Last Few Pictures of October

We borrowed this from a second cousin, Noah, back in August. We haven't seen them since to give it back, but this little scooter has become a favorite. Macie loves riding it or pushing it like the neighbor kids.
I love this little girl!

Macie wanted a tent the other day and any day if there is a big blanket out. She also will often go to the linen closet and say tent. Anyway, I made her a little tent and she pushed her books into it. I helped her with her pig. She read in there for about 10 minutes or so.

There was an airshow very very close to the house this weekend. It did get on my nerves Thursday and Friday when they continued to practice and rattle the house during nap time. Macie didn't notice and slept through it. Then on Saturday I was sitting in the backyard watching it and taking millions of pictures for my brother because he loves jets. These 4 flew directly over my house. Yes, we are that close to the Alliance Airport. Macie, Zack, and I enjoyed watching all the tricks and jets.

Happy Halloween

Halloween was lots of fun this year! I told Mom I wasn't so sure if Macie would like it or be too shy to walk up to people's doors. I shouldn't have worried. Candy was involved and she got the hang of trick or treating very very quickly. She toted her pumpkin around and got one piece out after another when we were going between houses. Macie also impressed me because she kept her Minnie ears on almost the whole time. I have tried twice to get a few pictures of her in her costume with no success. I guess she was just waiting for the real thing. It was a beautiful night to be out! I loved experiencing Halloween with Macie. Too bad Blake was sick. He just didn't feel good enough to wear his costume or trick or treat. Next Year those to can go out again!

MINNIE MOUSE

Trick or Treat

Macie and Blake practiced on Nonnie's door and got candy. Macie then knocked again and Nonnie answered with more candy. Why go to any other house when you can just stay at one and get lots of good stuff!

"If I sit here long enough do you think I will get more candy?"

Just Got Ready for the Big Trick or Treating
This was the real thing. Not practice! Macie wasn't even scared of the witch. BUT when we passed candy out later that evening she didn't like the scary costumes one bit!

The cat was a big attractions...almost bigger than the candy. Macie and Blake chased this cat all over an empty field by my parents' house. Luckily, it didn't mind. Blake even forgot that he didn't feel so good.

Macie sat down for this picture in someone's yard. I think she would do anything as long as she got to carry her pumpkin and eat whatever she could get her hands on.

We just got back to Nonnie's...trick or treating was a success!