Mione Christmas Party

Last Saturday we loaded up all of our gifts and headed over to spend the afternoon/evening with Craig's family to celebrate Christmas with them!  Even though I was still getting over what seemed like the worst cold ever (Okay, that's probably exaggerating a bit), we had a really great time!  We were able to get over there a little bit before the kids were supposed to take their afternoon nap.  Of course, they boycotted and took horrible naps but luckily they were in great moods through the evening and powered through till bedtime!

Harper and Keegan each wore Christmas shirts for the occasion.  Neither of them wanted to sit still long enough for a good picture though.  Hopefully I'll be able to get a better picture of each of them individually and together when they wear their shirts again for Christmas Eve.

  

We stacked blocks and cups for probably a good hour.  I'm not sure who had more fun with this though... the kids or Jack, Craig, and I.

  

 

After playtime, it was time for presents!  We all got such great gifts! (Good purchasing everyone!)  Aiden was clearly excited about his gifts as you can see by the pure joy on his face!

 

  

 

Jack wanted to take a picture holding all 4 of his nieces and nephews.  Now that I think about it, I'm not sure why we didn't just have him sit down and hold them all but that wouldn't have been nearly as fun!

 

 

Merry Christmas Mione Family!

Playing Catch Up

Ever since we got back from our Thanksgiving trip, I feel like I've been in a constant state of playing catch up.  Craig and I have both been sick twice in the past few weeks which means even when laundry gets done it doesn't always get put away, my grocery shopping has not been happening each weekend when it normally does, and the house is definitely not as clean as I would prefer.  We never got any of our Christmas decorations out or even put away our suitcases from our trip.  At this point, it's a lost cause since the suitcases are now being repacked for our Christmas trip to Indiana!

I struggled over the decision to not decorate for Christmas but I'm okay that I didn't.  Next year it will be a bit easier to keep them away from the tree {hopefully} so I fully intend on decorating the weekend before Thanksgiving so we can fully enjoy the decorations and our Elf on the Shelf until we leave for Indiana.  It just seemed silly this year to decorate a week into December and only enjoy the decorations for two weeks.

Not only am I playing catch up in real life but also here on the blog.  I promise I'm going to get better at consistently posting!  New Year's Resolution maybe??

So here's what's been going on...

We had the ice storm the first weekend of the month and I was able to work from home that Friday since the roads were a sheet of a ice!


My view while I worked...

Snuggled up in our pajamas

Harper and Keegan decided since it was too cold to play outside, they'd just pretend to go to the drive-in.

Not long after the ice melted, Harper and Keegan both got snotty noses.  As if one sick kid isn't enough fun, two just puts it over the top.  Even though I hate them not feeling well, it is nice to get in some snuggles every once in awhile.

Luckily they got over being sick quickly since we had a big weekend ahead - Mione Christmas party! {post coming soon!}

Thanksgiving Recap!

Last Wednesday we loaded up and drove up to Craig's Aunt M.E. & Uncle John's in Wichita Falls for Thanksgiving!  Once we arrived we were all about just enjoying the time with the family!  We all have such a fun time at Thanksgiving each year and this year was no different!

The afternoon consisted of wagon rides through the pasture and hanging outside!

Harper snuggling with Uncle Scott

Aiden & Aunt Melinda

Uncle Sam, Keegan, Craig, & Harper

Wednesday evening was a little different than our typical Wednesday night before Thanksgiving. This year we were celebrating Craig's cousin John getting his PhD from Princeton!  Yep, he's definitely way smarter than the rest of us and we're all so proud of him!

M.E. & John threw him one heck of a party!  We dined on shrimp, crab legs, and lots of other yummy food and drank what seemed like an endless supply of champagne!  And what's a party without a DJ?!  Seriously, they got a DJ and it was AWESOME!  (Cousins - this needs to become a Wednesday night tradition!)

Aunt Pat, Scott, & Craig

Erin & Kathryn

Thursday consisted of lots of the same fun from Wednesday -- wagon rides and having fun with all the cousins!  Apparently I only got one picture of all four of us the entire time we were there. #momfail

How is this the only picture I have of the four of us?

Apparently plaid was the trend of Thanksgiving day!  Even Keegan had plaid on but he was napping while this picture was taken.

I believe our total head count for Thanksgiving day was 44!  Before we pray before lunch, we all stand in a circle and count out how many are there.  It's always so fun to see how big the number is!

One of the best Thanksgiving traditions is sitting out by the fire each night -- sharing stores and having a few drinks!  A nice addition to the fire was the TV setup outside so we could watch the Texas vs. Texas Tech game.  Hook em!

Craig & Wyatt

It's sad that Thanksgiving is over because it's always such a great time but now it's time for us to get pumped up for my favorite time of the year! Christmas!!  Only 20 days away!  Let the countdown begin!

Happy (early) Thanksgiving!

Today we are on our way up to Wichita Falls to join the rest of Craig's family for some Thanksgiving fun on the farm!  We didn't get what we consider the full Thanksgiving experience last year since we drove up and back in the same day so we are really looking forward to spending a few days with everyone this year!

Harper & Keegan were only five weeks old for Thanksgiving last year!  They were so tiny... and we were SO tired exhausted!  I barely even remember anything from this time last year!

So small!

I sure needed a highlight... and some eye cream.

Thanksgiving is hands down Craig's favorite time of the year!  He looks forward to spending time with his cousins at Thanksgiving all year long.  We started counting down back in September!  And honestly, I love all the fun at Thanksgiving!  The pie making, sitting around the fire, the s'mores, Black Friday shopping... I love it!  We all have such a good time together!  Christmas will always be my favorite time of the year but Thanksgiving isn't far behind!

So we've packed up what seems like the entire house and we're off to enjoy Thanksgiving festivities! Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Keegan's First Haircut

Keegan's hair had gotten rather out of control!  He had wings over his ears and nice rat tail.  I'm pretty sure he was trying to grow a mullet so I decided it was time for a trim!

Last Friday Valerie at Olive gave Keegan a little trim!  He did such a good job!  He didn't exactly sit still but Valerie was able to give it a good cut!

I think it's safe to say he is happy with how it turned out!

No more rat tail!

He is such a handsome boy!

13 months!

Harper and Keegan turned 13 months on November 18.  The past month has gone be faster than I could have imagined! It seems like they just had their birthday last weekend. They are transitioning into toddler-hood faster than I thought.

Eat
No more bottles or formula!  We officially finished with bottles and formula this past month!  I know some people are sad about this but I couldn't be more excited!  Making bottles for two babies who drink two different kinds of formula was kind of really a pain.  Right after their birthday we dropped their three daytime bottles cold turkey and replaced them with sippy cups of milk at mealtimes.  Then we dropped the night time bottle about 2 weeks ago.  Keegan seems to really like whole milk and Harper tolerates it.  Honestly, I think they could care less they aren't getting bottles anymore because these two can seriously eat some food!  They might be small but they can pack it away!

Some of Harper's favorite foods include: yogurt, mandarin oranges, cheese, Nutrigrain bars, stuffed chicken with broccoli and cheese, french toast sticks, green beans

Some of Keegan's favorite foods include: waffles, steamed broccoli, stuffed chicken with broccoli and cheese, french toast sticks, lima beans, Italian stuffed peppers

Craig and I probably aren't going to win any "Parents of the Year" awards anytime soon since we do feed them processed foods and don't make everything we feed them but we're okay with that.  Harper and Keegan are both healthy and growing and that's what matters.  We feed them TONS of fruits and veggies but they've had Chick-fil-a (and Chipotle and other fast food joints) a few times as well. :) Of course, just like their parents, they LOVE Chick-fil-a!

Sleep
They both are really good sleepers.  They go to bed between 7:15-7:30 PM (occasional 7:40) and wake up around 7:20 AM.  They are still taking two naps - 9:30-10:45 AM and 1:45-anywhere between 3:30-4:15.  They don't always quickly fall asleep for their naps so I'm wondering if we will start transitioning to one nap sometime after the holidays.

Play
It's been so fun to watch Harper and Keegan play together recently.  They would kind of acknowledge the other before but not all the time.  This month they have really been interacting and becoming best friends.  It's so cute to watch!  They love to play peek-a-boo!!  Most of the time they are using the curtains in the nursery to hide behind but sometimes they hide from each other behind our living room recliner.  The giggling during an intense round of peek-a-boo is just the best! :)

Anything else?
Harper is walking!  She still crawls a decent amount but her walking has really improved.  She kind of walks like a drunken sailor but she's just so darn cute!

Keegan has zero interest in walking.  He pulls up on anything and everything and has for quite sometime but has just recently started letting go and standing on his own for a few seconds.  If you try to make him stand on his own though, watch out for the noodle legs.

Too soon for tantrums to begin? Unfortunately, no. We've already had a few knock down drag out fights.  Well not really but they've both hit each other several times and are learning how to push each others buttons.  Harper likes to scream and make dramatic facial expressions (typical girl, I know) and Keegan prefers to lay flat on the floor on his stomach to make his point known.

It's been amazing to watch them learn.  They both can wave hi/bye and clap.  Keegan can high five and Harper can signal a touchdown.  And if you'd like a big open mouth slobbery kiss, Keegan is your man for sure.  Harper's kisses are a little more reserved.

Sometimes I think Harper actually thinks I can understand her.  She rambles on about who knows what for hours on end.  The girl seriously never shuts up.  I'm pretty sure this already drives her brother crazy.  Even though Keegan isn't as vocal, he is loud when he wants to be like during diaper changes which he hates.

I'm so excited for all our family and friends to get to spend sometime with them during the upcoming holidays! They're so much fun!!

1st Birthday Party!

I planned and planned for Harper and Keegan's 1st Birthday Party and it went by in the blink of an eye.

I absolutely loved the invitations!  The original idea I found was actually for a gender reveal invitation but I was able to work with a great Etsy shop (Popcorn and Pixels)!  She transformed the gender reveal invitation into the birthday invitation.  They were exactly what I was wanting!!

The day of the party was fantastic!  The weather was perfect and the kids were in such great moods!  The cakes turned out just how I wanted and so did the decorations!

My favorite part of the decorations were the chalkboard stat boards I made!  They could not have turned out any better!! UPDATE: Chalkboard signs can be purchased from SugarBub Designs!

Harper and Keegan loved eating cake... especially Keegan!  I'm pretty sure cake is his favorite food now.

I can't believe their birthday was already over a month ago!  It was such a fun day!  I'm so glad so many friends and family were able to enjoy the day with us!