We wish you a Merry Christmas

We had a wonderful Christmas! Dakota and Rory got alot of fun things, Dakota got his dinosaur he was practiclly praying for. I will have to put a picture up of this dinosaur...it is insane! Fuad and I got some great goodies and movies for one another,mostly brit comedies,that we began watching today. Paul and Jackie were able to come over,and we played Rock Band 2 and ate a ton! All in all it was a fun time. Then most of the occasions where we get to spend time together are always awsome! Anyhow,we would like to take this chance to wish all our friends and family a Merry Christmas,and we love you all very much!
Dakota and Rory playing with the dinosaur. Rory has an etch-a-sketch, but he is convinced it also controls the dinosaur!
Rory playing with some of Dakota's firefighter costume.
Dakota in his firefighter outfit Rory got him
Fuad watching Dakota try out his new remothe control dinosaur.
The beautiful scene before the kids woke up! What a blast we had.

Fuad in the middle of building the airport that goes with Dakota's train set.
Rory,he just looks so innocent.
Dakota with his new Wall-e toy
Rory opening a shake-and-go diego toy
Dakota's new remote control dinosaur.

Twas the morning before Christmas

Ok,these are just some pictures I took of Rory. Both my kids are overly hyper because it is almost Christmas. So these are of Rory,as he ran around in his pj's and a hat...I think he called Santa? I am not 100% sure. My poor Dakota was still not up for the picture taking. I am not trying to push him to do things if he isn't feeling great. as long as he feels better in time to enjoy his presents and spending time together. MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Sick

Dakota got one of his Christmas presents early... He got strep throat. =( He was not well and had to miss his holiday parade today. He kept telling me it was not fair, but his temp got up to 105.4 today! So I had him rest once we got back from the doctor,and once he woke up he finally felt like eating. Then he asked me "how many min. before I can be a snowman?" So I let him put his costume on and he danced around the tree for a little bit, but soon was worn out. My poor baby! Anyways, he has some antibiotics and we are hoping he feels all better by Christmas. In the meantime, enjoy the pictures of Dakota the snowman.

Christmas ornaments

The christmas ornaments that Dakota and I made for his preschool class. We had a blast!
Dakota posing by his new Wall-e pictures. He thinks they are so cool!

Ok,I got the idea for this out of a walmart magazine for holiday food ideas. The book had this idea for ice cream ornaments,where you make big balls of ice cream and roll them in sprinkles,and put on a reeses cup for the top. I thought it would be fun to do for Dakota's class,but not with ice cream. So I bought a couple of boxes of the pink snowballs,some red food color spray and some green icing. Topped them with a reeses cup,and done! I think they turned out way cute. I,of course had to let Dakota know this was the last labor intensive snack I would be doing for this school year! It was worth it though.His class enjoyed them very much,and we had alot of fun together making them.

breakfast with Santa

Yesterday we went to have breakfast with Santa. Lucky one of our neighbors got there super early,otherwise we may have never made it! It was held in a little bistro with maybe 16 tables. We waited for maybe an hour for our food....it was worth every moment!Dakota got to eat breakfast with his friends,and Santa went around and sang songs with everyone. Then today we went to play in the "snow". Never again will we spend the time or money. it was more like a little bit of ice slush on the ground and possibly up to 50 kids in this tiny empty lot. Still, Dakota and Rory enjoyed themselves. I guess that s the important thing!
Me and Dakota,waiting for our breakfast.
Dakota and Santa
Dakota with the coca-cola bear.

good times

Well, these are just some random pictures of our boys being...them. Rory and I went to playgroup at a friends house yestereday,and we built a gingerbread house. Rory was more into watching me,and of course eating! But later on he kept telling everyone to come and look at it. So Fuad decided to get a pic. Rory seems so proud when he accomplishes something. He helped me load dishes into the dishwasher and afterward I said "great Job Rory!" and he was just beaming!I love that my kids are building so much confidence.



Dakota was busy coloring,as you can see. I bought him the Wall-e movie for Christmas and the lady at the checkout gave me these coloring pages for each boy. Dakota has been practicing using all the colors of the rainbow in school. So as you can see,he felt he should apply the lessons here! He is so funny in how precise he is! Dakota is learning so much at school,I know he is going to do great in Kindergarden next year!

Growing and showing

Just look at her grow! I saw this picture and can't believe I have only gained 6 POUNDS! I hope I can keep it up! Fuad was taking pictures of the kids last night,and thought he would capture a few of me prego for the last time. He is just silly. I can't get over the fact that we only have about 3 1/2 months left. It seems like the time has just flown by. Should be interesting times ahead of us!

Happiest boy ever!

This was Rory,all day long today! He was ALL smiles. He is normally so serious. I just thought since I had the camera handy,might as well capture the moment! He is talking a little more everyday. He has begun recognizing some of his numbers, even if he sees them written out of sequence. I feel assured that he will become a chatterbox in his own time, just like his brother. I love watching my boys as they growing and becoming more independent. It has been a wonderful distraction to keep my mind off how yucky I have been feeling. Lucky it can only last for so long!

Turkey shirt

Dakota made this shirt in school last week to wear for their thanksgiving feast. It was so sweet because he came home and said "look at my shirt I made Mommy....I made my big hand into a big turkey because I am getting really bigger!" I just thought, how does it get better than that!?! I love that he takes such pride in what he does. He wants to make another one for Rory, I may attempt it. Not sure when yet. But when it is finished, there will be pictures!

Are you ready for some football?

the boys playing on the floor
Dakota in his SC jersey
Rory in his Notre Dame Jersey

So there is no real purpose for these pictures,I just loved that the boys were decked out in their jerseys. It has been so very cold here lately,I think today got up to maybe 48 degrees. I know it doesn't sound that bad,but our being from Fl. the kis and I have been bundling up lately! Fuad is as always STILL in his shorts.... That's my crazy husband!

Dakota's turkey cookies

quick shot of our nicest turkeys!
I managed to get a quick picture of the Cookies we made for Dakota to take to school. He was the leader for the day and gets to bring in a snack for the class. I tried to have Dakota get a picture with his cookies,but he was not in the mood. Anyhow,I thought they came out super cute,and I know that some of you wanted to see what they came out like. Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Jump on in!

These are some pictures we took of the boys playing in the fresh raked leaves. They really enjoyed themselves. The last one was taken later when we were playing around in Rory's room. I just thought the expression was too funny! Most the leaves have now ended up on the ground,and Dakota is promising that it means snow is coming. Sweet boy! I am so glad it at least will snow on occasion here. I thought he would never get a chance to play in the snow when we were living in Fl. And I love the fall season. I guess it is because it's one of those things you don't get in Florida. I am so happy we moved here!

IT'S A GIRL!

Today we went to have our ultrasound done...and we are expecting a healthy,baby girl!!! I am still floored that Dakota was right! He has told me from day 1 that it was going to be a girl. I just thought it was because most of his friends have little sisters,that he thought that was what happens when there is a new baby. Anyhow,we are very excited,and just very relieved to know the baby is healthy. So now we are thinking of middle names. Fuad came up with Rebecca Erin,to keep with a nice irish theme. I actually quite like it. We still have time to work it out though.
The crib,complete with Girlie bedding!
my best "it's a girl" pic.
Rebecca profile

Trick or Treat!

Happy Halloween everyone! We had another successful year trick or treating. Rory enjoyed himself,especially when he had some candy to snack on. At one point there was a neighbor setting off fireworks,and after they finished Rory Yelled out "YAY!" He was thrilled to see them! Of course Dakota loved every moment of the evening. He kept going to the door,and after he got his candy would tell the person "Thank you Halloween!" It was priceless! Fuad kept Rory fairly calm through all of it, He has a knack for keeping Rory relaxed. He is such a great Daddy. Tomorrow we will celebrate Fuad's birthday,since his actual birthday falls on election day. Happy birthday Fuad,we all love you very much!
Dakota,Kylie and savannah having fun
Rory,Kylie,Dakota and Sadie.How sweet.
Rory and Dakota
Dakota the Ninja (with mustache!)

Chimney Rock Park

Our last stop was to Chimney Rock Park. We took a tunnel that takes you into the middle of the mountain and there is an elevator that takes you all the way to the top in 30 sec! Once we got up to the top we grabbed a bite to eat for the boys (and the baby) at the cafe in the sky. The kids thought it was fun to "eat in the clouds" Then we went up to chimeny rock and took some pictures and enjoyed the view. Afterward,we decided we would just take the stairs back down. This is where it all got crazy. Dakota wanted to jump,that's right,JUMP over rocks,skip stairs,and when I had him hold my hand, I believe he saw it as a challenge to see if he could still jump,and maybe take me with him! Needless to say,it was a longgggg way back down. I think it was almost 40 stories back down to where the shuttle buses were. However,we all had alot of fun,and most important made it home safe!
Dakota sitting on some rocks on the mountainside
Fuad and Rory
Dakota on chimney rock by the flag
Me and the boys

Apple picking

This was by far,one of the best times we have ever had on vacation! There was something in it for everyone. Dakota and Rory loved sampling every type of apple...(which caught up with them later.) they each had about 3 apples. Fuad and I had so much fun watching them chase each other around the orchard! We ended up with so many apples! I have not decided what to do with them all just yet. Applesauce was Dakota's choice. Fuad voted to make apple pies, and Rory would just like to eat them as is. It was alot of fun and we believe we have found a new fall tradition.
Dakota deciding how many more to pick
Me,Dakota and Rory
Fuad helped Rory get an apple from the top
Fuad and the boys (eating apples)
Dakota's first apple he picked