Christmas Eve

We celebrated "Christmas morning" on Christmas Eve this year.  Oma, Opa, and Blake were there with us and then Grandma and Grandpa Parker and Andy came and joined us for lunch!

 Taylor left Santa a muffin and some milk in a wine glass (her idea).

 Ben got up early the next morning to try out his new chair!

 Taylor checking out the new dollhouse!

 Excited about the Little People zoo from Oma and Opa.

 Guitar!!!  She was so excited and LOVES to entertain us with songs.

 Benny sporting his new Sox hat from Uncle Blake.

 Cruisin' on her new scooter from Uncle Blake

 Tay took a break to work on her new laptop and eat a cookie (for breakfast).

 A new ball pit for Ben....and Taylor!

 Ben and Oma are ready for church!

Christmas With Friends

We had our friends over for a Christmas party on Sunday evening.  The kids had a fun time running wild and it was nice to see everyone.  Getting a group shot of the kids in their matching shirts was pretty much impossible, but I do have some cute individual ones.

Taylor

 Camden

 Cohen

 Cam and Tay

 Ben

 The dreaded group shot.....what's everyone looking at????

 Oh, just the "other" Taylor not really wanting to be in the picture!

Attempting to see Santa

We took the kids to the Botanical Gardens today to "see Santa".  They also had the place decorated like Candy Land and had some live reindeer, too.  Taylor got one glimpse of Santa and was DONE!  She didn't even want to look at him.  She also told me, "I don't want anything for Christmas."  Apparently getting nothing is better than having to sit on Santa's lap!!!  However, Ben was a trooper and visted Santa!

 Taylor hiding from Santa.

Benny and Grandpa probably discussing how wimpy Taylor is!

Sweet Benjamin!

In front of "Gumdrop Mountain"

 Ben and Dad by the poinsettas

 Grandma and her grandbabies

Gingerbread House

Taylor got to make a gingerbread house at cooking class today.  She did a really good job and had lots of fun!  She ate about as much as she put on the house and kept telling me, "this will be my snack, mom".

 Finished!

 Waiting for Daddy to come home for lunch so she can show him.

 From baker to rock star.....she now uses the ice cream scoop as a microphone and belts out songs all day long!

 And poor Ben.....hanging out with girls all day!

4 Month Check-Up

Ben went to the doctor today for his 4 month check-up.  He weighed in at 16 lbs. 7 oz. and is 27 inches long!!!  He's huge!  He is actually on the chart now for weight, but his height continues to be off the charts.  I always have to laugh when they ask me if he eats well.....um, yes!

 Only 12 more days until Christmas!!!

4 Months Old

Ben is 4 months old today!  He is really becoming quite a happy baby!  He still LOVES to be held and snuggled tight, but he is also enjoying sitting in the bumbo seat, the high chair, and playing on the floor.  He likes to have his sister feed him pretend baby food...he'll go after that spoon even when there is nothing on it.  I have a feeling it's going to be easy to get him to eat! 

 My new favorite picture....he looks so sweet!

First Snow

We had our first snow of the season and Taylor LOVED playing outside in it.  She kept saying, "This is real fun, Mommy!"  After I took these pictures we got quite a bit more snow while she was out there.

Ben is just happy being inside where it is warm!

Thanksgiving

We had fun celebrating Thanksgiving with the Larkins side of the family and the Parker side of the family.  Unfortunately, Oma and Opa both had the flu :(.

 Taylor was not into having her picture taken!

 Handsome Ben....getting stronger and more smiley every day!

 Taylor had fun decorating Grandma and Grandpa Larkins' tree!

 Ashton and Taylor's 2nd Annual Cookie Decorating Fest

 Benny's getting ready for Christmas!!!