Getting Ready for Christmas

This past weekend we went to see Zoo Lights at Reid Park Zoo.  Very cool, and Davin loved it because he loves Christmas lights no matter where he sees them.  He also loves his Grandma, and insisted that she hold his hand, even when he was in the stroller.  Charis enjoyed looking around at the twinkly lights, but was a little tired by this time of night.  So, she needed a pick-me-up, which came in the form of cotton candy.  Her first time trying it, and she was taking huge bites (go figure, she likes sugar).  I found one of the hot chocolate tables and decided that just felt right for the occasion, but then was a little bummed when I found out that Mom and Mariah had found their own pick-me-up at the table that would add liqueurs to your hot chocolate.  Where was that table when I was buying my hot chocolate???
The next day we got up early (mostly because Davin was wide awake in a strange place and not because we were determined to get up early) and braved the mall to go see Santa.  Being their early had its perks, though, because we were second in line as soon as we walked in.  The mall was much more packed by the time we finished shopping and left.  Charis sat with Santa quietly, no fuss, like she knew it was just something that had to be done.  Davin was hesitent, and, after much conversation and coaxing from Santa, would only sit beside him, not on his lap.  When asked what he wanted Santa to bring him for Christmas, Davin's response was a whispered "I want bring presents."

Did I tell you how cute my kids are?

I'm really behind on going through my pictures on my camera.  I have this routine (stop reading here if you don't want to listen to OCD Nicole) where I take pictures from my camera and organize by year-month-day in folders.  Then I go through each date, pick out the best of the best, move them to the print folder, and edit as needed from there.  I edit the copies so that I still have the original to work with if I ever learn some amazing trick for editing and MUST re-edit.  And, because I just can't make myself get rid of the original.  I actually keep the original of all the picures, even the really horrible ones...
Anyway...

As I was going through pictures, found some I really like and thought I would share.  You know, because of how cute my kids are... (that's jerkey that Charis is eating in the last picture, by the way. Charis loves it!)

The Babies are Baptized!

At long last, on Saturday, our babies received the Sacrament of Baptism!  I have been stressing about this for so long, and for reasons that are too numerous to list and comepletely silly, because it was awesome!  The kiddos didn't even cry when they had the Holy Water poured over their heads.  Charis cried a little in the beginning when she got hungry, but that was it.  Davin, Mr. Independent, really wanted to hold his own candle, so I was pretty relieved when Father Ed said we could blow them out.Their little white outfits, by the way, were amazing!  Charis' dress had such gorgeous embroidery on it, I couldn't stop staring at it, and I couldn't stop staring at my beautiful girl once Veta and I got her clothed.  Davin looked so cute and handsome in his tux, even though he wouldn't let Thomas and Adam put the vest and tie on him.  We joked that he looked like John Travolta in Saturday Night Fever.
I loved having our family and friends out with us, that makes the day even more special.  Mom was so kind as to hostess a little reception at her house afterward (thank you, Mom, I know that was a lot of work), so we all got to visit and Davin got to play with the grandchildren of his new Godparents.  Veta and Adam, you have some awesome grandbabies!
I have to say a huge thank you to everyone:  Thank you to Veta and Adam for accepting our request to be Godparents to our babies, and for all the work you put into the baptism (and to your grandchildren who were amazingly helpful as well).  Thank you, Mom, for hostessing the reception, I know it was a lot of work!  Thank you to Grammy for the salads.  Thank you to Father Ed for performing the baptism and helping everyone relate to the process.  And thank you to everyone who came out to help us bless and celebrate our children.
Now for pictures (of course)!  I will probably add other pictures when I receive them from others who were photographing the day as well  (thank you to Mom, Dad, and Grandma Dupont for that, I love people who bring cameras!).  Also, you can see their baptism portraits here.

Happy Halloween!

This Halloween turned into more of a weekend celebration than just one day.  On Friday, we dressed the kids up and headed over to the carnival that Solomon Elementary puts on every year. Davin got to wander around, play games, and win prizes and treats.  Miss Charis just stared around in awe, then decided to indulge in her own treat (a bottle).  On Sunday, after mass, we went to Mom's house and made popcorn balls (so good and you can't eat just one, at least I can't) and painted pumpkins.  We thought Davin would get more into painting pumpkins than carving, and we were right!  He dove right in and started creating little round works of art.  Charis played in her walker most of the time... not really into pumpkins or popcorn balls just yet.  On Monday, we took the kids around trick-or-treating.  Davin was actually understanding the concept this year, for the most part, and was having a blast pretending to be a pirate and scaring people with his spooky noise maker.  Charis just paraded around looking pretty as a fairy princess, and got pretty tired of the whole thing by the time we made it to Grandma's house (our last stop).  The idea of Halloween is pretty new to her (as are most things).  It was her first, after all!

She Rolls

Although Charis' favorite mode of transportation lately has been scooting around on her back, it doesn't get her very far.  So, imagine her excitement (and mine) when she figured out how to roll over.  This still doesn't get her very far (yet), but she is working so hard to fine tune this skill.

Important Things

Already this morning I've been to a charge nurse meeting, done a load of laundry (complete with a scorpion in it), fed both kids and put one of them down for a nap.  But right now I'm playing with Davin, doing whatever he wants to do.  While his little sister is asleep, he gets his mommy all to himself (a rare thing these days), and there's nothing more important than that.

Sending Up Birthday Wishes... and a Request

Dad would have been celebrating a birthday today.  Lately, when I think of him, I get really teary eyed, sometimes because I'm thinking happy thoughts, and sometimes because I am so incredibly sad that he is gone.  It's strange, when he first passed away I was sad, but I must not have taken the time to mourn him then.  That, or it's a delayed reaction... denial... I don't know.  But it seems to be hitting me like a ton of bricks lately.  I miss visiting with him and learning from him.  I wish Davin could have had more time with him, they had such a tight bond.  I wish he could have met Charis (although, he probably got to hold her in his arms before any of us).
I have a request for anyone who reads this.  I want to make a scrapbook about Dad's life.  I have some pictures, and would always love to have more.  And I really need stories from you all.  Stories about happenings, timelines, relationships.  Anything!  If you need my email address, you can send me a message on facebook, or ask Mom for it.  Or, feel free to comment here.  Get in touch with me however you like, and please pass this request on to other family members and friends!  Thank you!
Happy Birthday, Dad.  You are always in our hearts!

Happy Labor Day Weekend!

Davin took his first fourwheeler ride this weekend.  He and Thomas drove in circles around my mom's house, and every time they passed by, we could hear Davin yelling "wheeeee" and "woo hoo!"  After several laps, he threw a huge tantrum (as only a 2 year old can) when Thomas put the fourwheeler away.

  I spent my late nights this weekend (we're talking like 2am) learning how to use my new Yudu.  I have been coveting one of these for ever!  It's basically an all in one hobby screen printing unit, and it's just as awesome as I thought it would be!  I made several things for Charis and myself using a hibiscus design, and they turned out so cute!  Next I need to design something for Davin. 

 This is the apron I made for myself.  Now I need to get back in the kitchen and cook!

Sunday morning we made our way to mass (Charis usually sleeps through it, but she's so darn cute in her dresses), then out to brunch.  I have had such an unexpected sense of peace since we have returned to attending mass the last couple weeks.

Davin got to spend the night with Grandma on Sunday night, since she didn't have to work on Monday.  We grilled steaks at her house, and then got Davin all ready for bed.  He was so happy to be staying, I think because 1) he is my mom's little buddy, he get so excited to go visit her, and 2) he got to do something his sister isn't old enough to do, and just for one night he got to be the only kid in the house again.  Thanks, Mom, for making Davin feel so special!

Monday morning, we got up and picked up Mom and Davin for a breakfast out.

We spent the rest of Labor Day playing outside in the little pool, eating watermelon, and grilling hot dogs.  This weekend kind of signifies that summer is winding down, a thought that I hate.  I love the season of swimming, flip flops and sunglass, cookouts, and lazy days!  I sometimes wish summer could last forever, but even if it won't, I had such a great weekend with my family!



Charis' New Jewelry!

My baby girl got her ears pierced today!  Sure, she cried until I calmly explained to her that beauty is pain and this is part of being a young lady.  Kidding!  She cried until I held her close and rocked her, but she actually didn't react as badly as I expected.  And, not that she wasn't stunningly beatiful before, but isn't she gorgeous with her little gold studs?

The Ultimate Hunting and Fishing Expedition

That's what took place on my kitchen floor yesterday.  Davin already had the airplane bear hunt adventure set from Bass Pro Shop, and added the fishing adventure set from Cabela's to his collection the other day.  So, all day, he was playing with these little action figures and their vehicles, telling me all about the "mans" and the boat and the "pictures" (that's what he calls the miniature binoculars).  I love watching him put his little imagination to work!