Mason's Preschool Play & Braden's 1st Haircut

I've been so busy getting ready for Christmas not to mention working, this post is a little late. Last week Mason's Preschool had their Christmas Party/Play. It was nice to meet the other parents and watch the little ones interact. Then on Saturday the whole family went for haircuts. Thanks Heidi for fitting us ALL in! It was Braden's 1st haircut. Mark it ... at the tail end of 4 months old Braden Hollingsworth got his first haircut! And it was WELL OVERDUE! He is such a hadsome little guy sporting his new haircut this week.

Mason & Jayden were "Mary & Joseph," though

neither one would where their costume!

Mary, Joseph, and Baby Jesus

Decorating cookies

Before leaving for the haircuts

Does someone need a haircut or what!?

He's ready!

Here we go!

A Visit With Santa

Last Saturday Keith & I took the boys to see SANTA! Mason was so excited until we actually got up to Santa and then he got shy. He wouldn't talk, wouldn't smile, nothing! Hmm, from stories I've heard, this kind of sounds like someone else when they were young ... ME! He eventually told Santa he wanted a Choo Choo Train. You will see from the pictures that our little Braden is desperately in need of a haircut. He is overdue! We are all getting haircuts today, including Braden. One week shy of 5 months old and my little guy is getting his first haircut! Mason was 19 months old when he got his first haircut.

Later today Keith and I are venturing out on our annual Christmas shopping date. We shop for the kids and then go to dinner, it's fun! The snow is making it even more festive. I'm so excited for Christmas this year! Having small children makes Christmas so much fun.

My little guy, 4 months old

Someone sees SANTA!

Mason got shy and would NOT smile.

Braden's first visit with Santa!

Work Christmas Party

Last Friday I attended our annual Christmas Luncheon. This year is was held at the Buxton Inn in Granville. I'd never been to Granville and I must say, it's very cute. I loved the old houses and the old buildings. We had lunch and then took a tour of the "haunted Inn." It was a nice afternoon spent with my girls!

Vanessa & AnnMarie

Jill, Nicole, and Linsey

Me & Stacie

On the tour, down in the Tavern.

Karen & I

'Tis The Season

Well it's that time of year! The time where everyone in the family takes turns getting sick! Let's back up a couple weeks. My dad was sick on Thanksgiving with a stomach virus. What a lousy Thanksgiving he had. The virus then spread to Colton, my mom, and my brother. My Aunt Teri had it last week. Then Thursday night Keith came home from work early because he was throwing up! By Saturday he was on the mend. Then Saturday late night/Sunday morning I woke up naseaus. Oh no ... Yep! I threw up, and the other from 2am until 6am. Sunday I felt achy and weak, but by Sunday night I was feeling better, just tired. Keith calls me at work on Monday to let me know Braden has a fever. On my way home from work I was talking to Keith on the phone. He was feeding Braden and Mason was watching cartoons. Mason suddenly didn't feel good and said his stomach hurt. Keith got him a bucket and told him he was probably going to throw up. I could hear Keith telling him ... "Buddy your gonna get sick okay. I can see it on your face, just be ready and throw up in your bucket." Next thing I hear on the phone is a slight "bleh" and Braden starts crying. Keith shouts "Oh no!" "What happened?" I asked. "Braden just threw up everywhere" Keith says. Then not 5 seconds later I hear "blaaah." "OH NO!" Blurts out Keith. "What now?" I shudder to think. "Mason just threw up all over the couch!"
Nice. This is what I'm on my way home to. Oh boy. And Keith gets to leave and go to work. Monday night was spent nursing sick little ones. Braden never threw up again but his fever held steady. In fact he is still carrying a fever now. Mason spent Monday evening throwing up about every half hour until 9:30pm. This morning Mason felt better and went to preschool. As fast and as hard as this virus hits you, it leaves just as quick. That's the bright side I suppose. At least we were victims before Christmas. Let's hope it stays away from here on out.

In other news Braden had his 4 month checkup yesterday, before everyone fell ill. He is 26 1/2 inches long (97th percentile) and 14.2 pounds (50th percentile). My little guy is growing. He "talks", smiles, and laughs all the time. He is such a joy, we just love him to pieces. Mason is an awesome big brother and it will be fun to see how they interact as Braden gets older.

Nikki's Birthday

Last Saturday night Keith and I went out to help my best friend Nikki celebrate her 32nd birthday. I hadn't been "out" in so long ... over a year. I was pregnant and then nursing, remember. So I was pretty excited to be able to join her in her celebration this year, since I didn't last year. We started the evening at Piano Bar. It was pretty fun, like the old Howl at the Moon, for those of you who remember that! We later went to Callahan's for some dancing, aka a workout! We had alot of fun hanging with adults, however everyone missed their kids and were sharing stories and pictures, lol. At the end of the night we were happy to come home!

Happy Birthday Girl!

Nikki on the piano being serenaded!

Heather, Nikki, and myself.

Trying to send a picture to our friend

Karen in Michigan.

Happy Thanksgiving!

We started out Thanksgiving out at my sister-in-law, Liane's house with Keith's family as well as Liane's husband's family. The food was good and the kids had so much fun playing, as usual.

Thanksgiving part two was back at our house with my family. When we left to go to Liane's, my mom, Aunt Teri, and grandma arrived to start the turkey. How nice of them, right! They started cooking the feast while I was gone. God love them! Our Thanksgiving was delicious too! Not to mention grandma made two of her famous chocolate/peanut butter pies ... my favorite ... YUM! It was nice to spend time with both our families and reflect on all we have to be thankful for.

At Lianes' - Mason loved this wooden train.

My big boy!

Wrestling match between the cousins!

Nana and Braden.

Aunt Tee Tee with Braden.

Colton loves food and he LOVED Thanksgiving!

My husband changed his clothes once we

got home ... nice.

Love my boys!

Mmm Mmm Mexican!

Tonight the girls and I went to El Vaquero for dinner to celebrate Karen's birthday! We enjoyed some MUCH needed girl time and of course yummy mexican food. It was so nice to enjoy some time with my girlfriends! With all of our busy lives and kids we don't get to hang out too often, but we always make a point to when a birthday rolls around. Happy Birthday Karen! You are such a great friend and coworker, I love you!

(AnnMarie & I came straight from work, hence the OSU attire.)

Vanessa & AnnMarie

Me & Karen

On the outside of her gift was a Christmas

ornament with all of our names on it. So cute!

That AnnMarie is so clever!

AnnMarie & Linsey

Karen modeling her new Stella & Dot necklace we got her!