A HUGE Milestone for Brooker

While we were cleaning out the garage a couple of days ago, Brooker saw his bike that he almost never touches and said, "Mom, are you thinking what I'm thinking?" I was so surprised and happy when he suggested riding it! We took it out to the golf course and he hopped on. He did not want my help and said, "Let go." I did and he was off! I couldn't believe what I was seeing! I told him that it looked like he was going to be able to say he learned to ride his bike in 2012. Today we tried it on the hard road. He took off and was a bike riding master! He told everyone that walked or rode by that he learned how to ride his bike in 2012! He can push off and get going on his own and everything. I can't believe he has achieved this milestone...It was on his terms and in his own timing!

Naptime??

Mary Kate just seemed sooooo tired while we were outside playing today but it was too late to go down for a nap so I asked if she would like to sleep in the wagon. She took me up on it and stayed in there for a couple of hours just resting while we were playing! She's such a funny girl :)

Christmas at Mammy & Pappy's

Since Mammy and Pappy were visiting Bo, Leslie, and the girls in Kentucky on Christmas day, we celebrated with them tonight. We surely missed the others and wished they were with us...Hopefully next year! Mary Kate loved the plush barn/horse toy and money and gift card from Mammy and Pappy. She also loved her Dora book/toys and magnetic paper doll set from Aunt Laci, Uncle Bear and Marlee and her Dora dress-up gear from Uncle Bo, Aunt Leslie, Rylie, Baxlee, and Harper. Brooker went nuts over all the stuff he got from his aunts, uncles, and cousins...a Florida Gator piggy bank with money, 3-D glasses and drawing pad, glow in the dark stars, colored pencils, and more! Mammy got him his very own hat for running..cool stuff! Mammy, Pappy, Laci, and Bear loved the gifts we gave them and we loved the gifts we received from everyone too. We enjoyed a tasty dinner after all that gift opening and enjoyed each other's company for the evening. 

Family Photos

This afternoon we got all gussied up in red, white, and green for a photo shoot at Aunt Mollie's house. She hired a photographer and invited the whole family over to get pictures taken. There were almost 40 of us there with many many missing! This is one BIG and very BLESSED family. Nene and Pepa just sat and smiled through all of the tons of pictures we took! I love how they turned out and will treasure these photographs!

The "Game Room" with Friends

This morning we joined the Halloran crew for some fun at the good ol' arcade in the Lakeshore mall. It was not easy getting there...My car battery was dead so Laura rescued us and we all rode together...that was more fun anyway. Hayden kept telling us the "Game Room was closed." Apparently he hears that a lot from Mic and Laura...Haha! Well all the kids were happy to know that in fact the arcade was not closed and not crowded...perfect for four crazy kids! Brooker stuck to the action games mainly and Mary Kate and I played the games that won us tickets! On one game she won 75 tickets...she just kept pulling them out and was so excited. The kids used their tickets to "buy" junk but what was important is that they had a fun morning out. Thank you Laura for saving the day!

Mosier Family Christmas

Our last stop of the day was at Aunt Mollie and Uncle Steve's for Christmas with my mom's side of the family. The crowd was much smaller this year with Mom and Dad gone, Bo, Leslie, and the girls not here, Heidi was sick, and Win, Rebekah, and the boys were in Lakeland. It was still a great time and of course we had delicious food to indulge in! Mary Kate got a Patience Brewster ornament from Aunt Mollie...so cute! Brooker got an orange and blue fish ornament from her too. Nene and Pepa got the kids their usual Hess toy...This year it was a helicopter...pretty cool! The little girls also got dolls. The big boys had their gift exchange...Jared ended up with his own gift! The big girls did our exchange and I got a beautiful Jewel Kade necklace. After the fun we headed home and did not have anywhere else to go...it was really nice just relaxing and being together as our little family of four. We ended the night with roasted hot dogs and smores around the fire pit.

Merry Christmas!

Of all mornings for Brooker to sleep in (hardly ever happens), it was Christmas morning! Jared and I got up early to start breakfast and anticipate him waking but at almost 8 a.m.we actually had to wake up both kids! They came out of Mary Kate's room and had a direct shot of the Christmas tree. They both started smiling and ran to the tree. Mary Kate immediately started playing with her doll bed and ignored the fact that she had a new American Girl Bitty Baby waiting there too and ran to her room to get her favorite baby and her blanket! Brooker thought his globe was pretty cool and spent a few minutes with dad checking out all the places, identifying the animals that live there, and plugging it in so it could glow. Then we all opened our stockings...my favorite part! Papa and Cici arrived so they got to see all of us open our presents under the tree. Santa was really good to me this year and brought me a new vaccuum! Haha! It's actually what I really wanted :) He also surprised me with a beautiful new purse and wallet, some pj's, and perfume! Jamie and Kenny and Mrs. Terri and Mr. Jeff showed up after all the craziness so the kids could share all of their gifts with them too. We were missing Mammy and Pappy this morning...they usually come too but went to Kentucky to be with Bo, Leslie, and the girls this Christmas.