Tis the Season!

Christmas is less than 2 weeks away and it is really feeling like the holidays!  So far, this time of year has been a lot of fun, and I know we have a lot more to come in the following couple of weeks.  It will be extra special this year with it being Rylee's first Christmas.  And, it has been a very exciting few weeks because my sister-in-law had her baby a month early! So, we will be celebrating two first Christmas' next weekend at our house for our 2nd annual "Krusemas" celebration. Ray and I got to be at the hospital when he was born, so we were able to see and hold baby Kenny briefly, but Krusemas will be the first time for the cousins to all meet.  It was a rough last few weeks of her pregnancy, but Alison and the baby are both doing well.  We are so excited to have another baby in the family!

We had a busy few weeks with celebrating Thanksgiving, the arrival of our nephew, and Kenley's birthday.  The birthday girl is officially 6!!  We celebrated a little early by taking her to the American Girl doll store.  She had been asking to go there and get a doll for quite some time, so that was her birthday gift from us.  She had  a great time picking out her doll with blonde hair and brown eyes, just like her.  We also had a party for her with family and a few friends.  She wanted a "rainbow-themed" party, so that is what we did, and I did my best decorating the house as colorful as possible among all the Christmas decorations.  Kenley has become so independent this year, and she is doing excellent in Kindergarten.  She is learning so much, and she loves pretty much every part of school, but it seems like she especially enjoys reading and writing.  Maybe in that sense she will be like me :)
She often comes home from school, and then she wants to play school with Charlie.  Unfortunately, he isn't always the most cooperative "student."

And, speaking of Chucks, he has been giving us a hard time lately.  He has always been a bit of a challenge, but it seems that lately it has been increasing.  I'm hoping that it is just the age, and I have had a lot of people tell me 3's can be worse than the 2's.  I am trying my best to be patient, and to continue to try different approaches with him, but it can be difficult.  Thank goodness he has the face of a (mischievous) angel, and that he can definitely be good and sweet when he chooses to be.  I'm just praying that those good moments start to outweigh the bad ones more and more. 

Rylee is still the sweetest, happiest, baby!  She is starting to get so interactive babbling, making funny sounds, and often screeching out of joy!  I finally got to see her roll over last week.  She had been sneaky about it for a few weeks where I would leave her laying on her back, and I would leave the room for like 30 sec. and I would come back and she would be on her belly!  I'm enjoying these moments with her where she is so snuggleable!

The kids went to visit Santa last week, so we got some great pictures.  Hard to believe how much can change in a year.  Also, the grumpy picture of Charlie was NOT staged at all.  It perfectly captures this time in our lives.  These next few weeks the kids are looking forward to their school parties, a few family and friend parties, and Kenley is looking forward to her Christmas break. We've already had a few inches of snow, and they played outside once, but I think I will let them head outside again once Kenley is home from school.  Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!