Celebrating Christmas in St. Louis

On Saturday we drove up to St. Louis to celebrate Christmas with my family. On Sunday we spent the whole day as a family by going to church and then over to my parents house for the day of opening gifts and hanging out. It was so pretty to see snow on the ground and it kept coming down all day. David and I enjoyed our time in St. Louis with my family and are so thankful for all the gifts we got this year. Will and Parker had fun driving on Will's new toy in the snow. The Jeep wouldn't drive very well in the snow, so it was a good thing Will had his new ATV.

Will and Parker the best buds. It was so much fun to see them play so hard together. Parker can't wait for Spring Break to see Will again.

The Sisters all sitting in the gift that we got from my dad. He made us 2 chairs each and they are so beautiful. He has talked about making them for us for years and this was the year. So exctied to get them down here to Birmingham. We couldn't take them back with us, since we didn't have room. Now we are trying to find the perfect spot for them in our yard.

Parker had so much fun sitting with the boy cousins.

Another view of the boys with Kate sitting with them.

Parker got more CARS from Will for Christmas!

Kate looks so cute in her dress up clothes that we got her for Christmas. She is such a princess and it was fun to see her again.

Parker got his first scooter and loves it. He is really good at it.

Parker was so excited to celebrate Christmas with his cousins, aunts, uncles and of course Grandpa & Grandma

Caleb trying to open the gift. He loved the wrapping paper and Parker had fun helping him open gifts.

"How cute am I"

Christmas morning in Birmingham

We celebrated our first Christmas morning as a family of 4 in Birmingham. It was really nice to be able to put the boys to bed and then get their Santa gifts out. We left a few treats and milk for Santa that David and I enjoyed eating later on. David and I really cherished our moment of being home for Christmas with our boys. The day was very relaxing and we started out with opening presents. I made breakfast for us and David and I enjoyed using our new Kuerig. For a late lunch I cooked a ham, hashbrown casserole, corn and rolls and of course a pumpkin pie. Parker was really into opening up his presents this year. He has been anxious to open them every since Thanksgiving time when I wrapped some of them.

Caleb loved the paper and his new toys.

Caleb was watching Parker open one of Caleb's gifts.

Parker got a sleeping bag/air matress. He loved it and we even took it with us to St. Louis

Caleb enjoyed eating the hashbrown casserole and applesauce for lunch.

Merry Christmas!

This is our first Christmas for our family of 4 at home in Birmingham. We have enjoyed a day of rest and relaxation before the joy of opening gifts on Christmas morning.
Caleb has a bad chest cough and an ear infection that we went to the doctor on Tuesday for some medicine. Today we took him back for them to look at him, since his cough is getting worse. The doctor put us on a stronger antibotic to help make him better. Caleb has now passed on his cold to Parker and me. This morning I woke up with a breast infection, since Caleb hasn't been nursing that great this week because of his cold. So glad my doctor called in a prescription for me and I should be back to normal in a few days.
We will be traveling to St. Louis on Saturday to celebrate Christmas with my parents, sisters, brother-in-laws and the nieces and nephews. It looks like we might have some snow up there to play in. I sure hope we do see some snow, since Parker wants to make a snowman and throw snowballs at Daddy and me.
We want to wish all of our family and friends a Merry Christmas.

Caleb's 6 months pictures

On Thursday, I got Caleb's 6 months pictures taken. Parker went with me, but he didn't want to get his picture taken. Maybe for the 12 month pictures. Caleb was awesome and loved the camera. Here are a few of the photos from that day. We can't believe our baby is now 6 months and he is so cute and adorable. Enjoy.

Parker's Christmas Party

Today was Parker's last day of school for the year 2009 and his Christmas party. It is always fun to see what they have made for Christmas. He made several ornaments that will be able to go on his Christmas tree for years to come. He also made us a plate with his handprint on it and he even decorated the paper bag that was used to wrap it up. I loved it and I will cherish it for years to come. Not sure what he was trying to show me, but he is always moving.

I wanted him to stand still long enough to get a photo of him and this is what I got.

Caleb was in the stroller looking at all the children and sucking on the car keys. Everything has to go in his mouth.

Today was a busy day for me and I was on the go all day long. Being a stay-home mom is a full time job and I also run my candle and bread business from home. First it is always a mad rush to get out of the house with the boys dressed and all the bags, candles and breads. I was late getting to school this morning, because a neighbor flagged me down to talk about his new side business and wanted my advice on how to market. When I finally got Parker to school he had a melt down because he didn't want me to leave him. Then I was off to feed Caleb and then get a coffee at Starbucks with my best friend. We both didn't have long to sit and talk. From there I went to Costco, delivered a candle, went home for a quick bit of lunch, to Publix to look for candy canes for Parker's party. Then I went back to Parker's school for the party and then rushed over to McDonald's for a coke and fries before we went to get Caleb's 6 months pictures taken. We finally made it home around 2:45 and I feed Caleb again and then put him down for a nap. While Parker was watching TV I started my Amish bread and Crownies so I could fill more orders for Christmas. What a day!

Great Moments during the Christmas Season

Yesterday we had breakfast with Santa at Parker's school. Parker didn't want to go sit on his lap and get his picture taken. Surprise, Surprise! When going through carpool this morning, the director told that Santa went to visit with all the classes yesterday and Parker talked Santa's ear off with all that he wanted for Christmas. Too funny. Parker took this picture of Santa.

Parker loves singing the Veggie Tales Christmas music in the car. He has to have it playing really loud and he sings at the top of his lungs. David and I just smile at each other and think it is very cute that he is into Christmas music just we are.

Caleb and Mommy in the car waiting on the carpool line to hurry up so we can pick up Parker.

Caleb loves playing with the steering wheel. He is all boy!

Keurig- Our new found love

Last week David bought me another early Christmas present from Costco. It is a Keurig one cup coffee maker. This thing is amazing. While I was at the beach this summer with my best friend, her parents have this at the condo. You can make coffee, tea, hot chocolate and ice tea from it. Our counselor even told us that she had one while in our meeting with her last week.
Now David and I can both enjoy a cup of hot tea or coffee (just like at Starbucks) together in the comfort of our own home. Parker has even gotten into it and wants to load it for himself as well. If anyone is looking for a great coffee maker I highly recommend this one.

Sweet Pics of the Boys

The other day we went to Starbucks for a coffee with the boys. Parker loves this place and enjoys going there with both of us. While we there I had to take a few pictures of how cute they were sitting there. Caleb was playing with his bath toy fish. He loves sucking on the eyes.

Parker had to sit in one of the nice chairs. There was a gentleman sitting next to him reading a book. the gentlemen shook hands with Parker and they told each other their names. It was too cute to watch that exchange. So grown-up!

A close up picture of Parker enjoying his coffee. Fun times!

Christmas Decorations

I love projects and love using my Design degree to create wonderful Christmas decorations. Today my best friend and I decided to make a mailbox decor out of the clippings from our tree and then things in her yard. WOW! I love it and it looks so professional. People pay lots of money for these and I did it for free.

Our beautiful mailbox. I might add a bow to it, but will have to make one from my stash of ribbon. Again another project I enjoy doing over the years.

I bought this metal tree from my best friend and decided to put it on a wreath and put one of my homemade bows on it. Love it!

On Tuesday for our MOMS bible study we had the owner of Hot House Design (florist) come in to show us how to make a christmas decoration. I was all over this one and it was super easy and so much fun. It looks like the Whoville tree from the Grinch that stole Christmas. This is something that I could make every year and hopefully a neighbo around me with have a cedar tree to be able to cut some clippings from to make this again.

My car has turned into a reindeer for Christmas. For years I have noticed these and loved them. Well David surprised me with these as a early Christmas gift. He had a lot of fun ordering them online and then dropping me hints of what my gift could be. It was like old times with me wanting to know NOW what my gift was and him having fun leading me on with hints.

Years ago, David bought me reindeer antlers, angel and santa headbands. I used to wear these at work just for fun. (I also would wear a crown that was given by my boss) Those were the days when I loved my job so much because we had fun and didn't let the stress of deadlines get to us. I am super excited about my antlers and red nose on my car. The boys love them and so do lots of the moms at Parker's school. Today while in the drive thru at the bank an older man (grandpa) told me he liked my antlers and bet that my kids liked them to and how fun for them to see them. Merry Christmas from the Crossmans. When you see these around your town, think of us drivin around in Birmingham.

Snow over the weekend

On Saturday morning we woke up and it was 31 degrees with a light dusting of snow on the ground. The roads were clear so ventured out to get some pictures and breakfast together as a family before we went to a birthday party. Caleb all bundled up in his cute hat.

Daddy throw a snowball at Parker. So much funa and laughter as a family.

Sweet Caleb with Mommy. I needed my cup of coffee this morning.

Daddy with his boys. I love my boys so much (daddy, parker, and caleb)

Parker walking carefully in the snow.

We went out to dinner for a family date night. The little boys were great and Daddy and Mommy were able to enjoy a peaceful evening.

Caleb's 6 month check up

Today I took both boys in for their check-ups.
Parker had his 4 year old exam and weighs 39 lbs. with a height of 41" tall. He didn't like having to go the bathroom in the cup and his finger pricked. He is the drama king of this and so it was tough to manage him in this state.
Caleb had his 6 month exam and he is really doing well. He weighs 20 lbs. 10 oz. and is 28" long. I thought for sure he was 21 lbs. since my arm has been killing me for the last few weeks. He is getting so big and so happy. He cried a little bit for the blood prick and then only when the needles were put into his thighs. He recovers so much better than Parker.
Milestones for Caleb, he is right on schedule. Although he has only rolled over once for us this week (from tummy to back) he can sit up really well. The doctor said that his sitting up is beyond a 6 months old ablility, so not to worry about the rolling over. Some children just skip the milestones and go onto other ones. Here is Caleb in his walker and he loves it. I have found him in the dining room this week pulling on this christmas catcus and tugging at the Christmas in this room.

He is getting so grown up in the highchair and loves to eat table food.

Here is a preview of what our Christmas card might look like this year. This is the real Christmas tree in our living room. We have 7 trees around the house along with other decorations in every room and outside. We just love this time of year with all the Christmas music, lights and decorations.

Pictures of Mommy

Someone recently told me that they don't see much of me on the blog. Well when you are the one who takes all the pictures you rarely get pictures of me. So I started looking back through some of the pictures that Parker took of me. Parker took this one of me on the Beach, when we went away for Labor Weekend.

Parker took a picture of me kissing baby Caleb, I think he was about 11 weeks then.

Here is another one that he took that same day.

Then one of our friends was taking pictures of the party for us, so we could get some pictures of the day since we were very busy with the party. So here is another sweet moment with Caleb and me.