Christmas!

We had a very nice Christmas. Last Friday we opened presents at our house. Ryland was very excited about the remote-controlled car and the Hot Wheels race track. Raylee loves the play cell phone Ryland got her. Saturday morning Santa had been to our house. Ryland must have been extrememly tired because we had to wake him up to see what Santa brought. Santa splurged this year and got the Nintendo Wii (kind of a family gift). Ryland was very excited. That boy is so good at bowling. His average is much higher than any of ours. Santa brought Raylee a grocery cart and a doll. She loves pushing that thing around all over the house. Santa did well.

After some playing with the new toys we loaded up and headed to my parents. It was a nice drive with good weather. We arrived just in time for supper (Kelly's great chicken and dumplings). The others had been snow skiing so everyone crashed early. My parents have church services in their home every Sunday for everyone living on their mountain and in the area. Just a few were there since it was a holiday but it was a nice small service. Afterwards we attempted to take family pictures. A challenge with 8 adults, a 4 year old, a 13 month old, and a 4 month old, but hopefully we got a few good ones. Leland and I then cooked our famous chicken strip meal. It was quite tasty if I might say so myself. :) We all just hung out the rest of the day and played the Wii. With my parents we have always gotten a Christmas Eve gift that is pajamas of some sort. I got these awesome maternity/nursing pj's I've been wanting. Leland and my brothers all got matching yellow shirts and flannel bottoms - quite cute. Monday morning my mom made her famous cinnamon rolls and we opened gifts. Everyone seemed very pleased with their loot. Raylee was all into ripping the wrapping paper and offered to help everyone. Keynan was very excited about eating the wrapping paper. :) After cleaning up the huge mess the playing commenced. We had lunch at 2:30 and we hit the road at 3:30. We made it to Clovis that night. Sonic was actually open and was very busy since it was one of the few places in town open on Christmas day so that was our supper. We had a nice hotel stay and got rested. Tuesday we hit the Clovis mall (decided it would be much less busy compared to the Lubbock mall) and did well with the day after Christmas doorbuster sales. We visited my grandparents in Lubbock and got home at 6 that evening. It was a whirlwind trip but we all had a good time. Seeing family is always such a fun adventure. :)

Leland is getting to stay home with the kids until he returns to work January 5. He's enjoying the dad time. I think lots of Nintendo playing and movie watching will be done. Hopefully we will also get some of the random house projects completed also.

I hope everyone had a nice holiday with family and friends. Have a Happy New Year!

Holiday Fun

December is always such a crazy month but so much fun at the same time. Saturday was baking day at our house. Ryland and I made 18 loaves of banana nut bread, a batch of chocolate chip cookies, a batch of chocolate crinkle cookies, and dunked pretzels and peanut butter crackers in almond bark. We had so much fun. Ryland loves to help cook so we had a blast. The only bad thing was that the weather outside was nearly 80 degrees so the warmth outside on top of the oven running from 1:30 to 6:00 made for an extremely hot house, but we all managed and enjoyed it.

Saturday evening Leland and I went to the local symphony performace of the Nutcracker. The Midland ballet performed also. We had a very nice date. One of the adopted grandmothers from church came over and watched the kids for us so everyone had a nice evening. (thanks Max Ann!)

Yesterday my in-laws drove into town and met us at Furrs after church. We then opened presents with them at the house. Of course the kids loved everything. Ryland has really been into pirates for awhile now (hence the Halloween costume) so Sandy's mother made him a pirate vest and booty bags that were filled with coins and jewelry. Raylee was REALLY into the jewlery. I think I've got a bling girl on my hands. They also got lots of pirate gear - noise making sword and gun, looking glass and patch. Lots of fun had by all yesterday afternoon. Thanks again for everything Lee and Sandy.

We then got another present, the kids went home with my in-laws. :) They love to be spoiled by grandparents so they were excited. Sandy will return on Tuesday with my urchins. I'm excited for the break but will be glad to see them tomorrow.

It is obvious it is the final week before Christmas at our house. Last night we enjoyed dinner and light looking with several of our friends; tonight is a wedding in Abilene; tomorrow is the journalism Christmas party; Wednesday is Ryland's program and party at "school";Thursday is a meal with some other friends; Friday is Christmas at our house; and Saturday we are headed to my parents to spend a couple of days with my family. Such a crazy time of year, but it is all fun and good to see everyone.

Have a great holiday everyone!

Holiday Pictures

Leland took the kids pictures the Wednesday before Thanksgiving at his "studio" at the school. It is such a challenge doing pictures with a 1 year old and a 4 1/2 year old but we came out with some cute ones. Here's a sampling.

This is the one we used for holiday cards. It is actually sweet of both of them.

Doctor's Visit and 4 year old mind

I've intended to get this info here sooner but just haven't the past 2 evenings. Oh well.

Raylee had her 1 year check up and shots Monday morning. She is a whopping 23 lbs and I think 26 in long. She's on a good growth curve so all is well. She had to have 4 different shots also. She was a trooper like always though and only cried during the actual pricks. The nurse did warn me though that Raylee will have a fever in 3-10 days because of the measles, mumps, rubella shot. It should run 100 to 103. I wanted to ask if they would take her on that day. :)

Ryland also got a shot on Monday. When we were at the doctor for Raylee's 9 month check up they informed me that our county just started requiring the hepatitis a vacinne before they start kindergarten. So we did that shot Monday. He did awesome (because he's a superhero). They also measured him. He is 43 in tall (I think) and still hasn't crossed the 40 lb mark - very tall and skinny. He had grown 2 inches since he was there in July for his 4 year check up but only put on 2 lbs. I guess he'll fill out one day so that I won't have such a hard time fitting him into pants.

The baby is well also. I am 14 weeks now - time is flying again. He/she is definintly growing (or maybe that is just my mom gut growing). I had a doctor's appointment Nov 29 and everything looked good on the sonogram. I don't go back until Dec 27. Ryland is so excited and tells everyone that comes to my office that his mom has another baby in her tummy - so cute.

I'll end with a Ryland story. Ryland says such hilarious things. His mind is always working and wondering. There was the time he informed me that 3 things melt - witches, chocolate, and mom (I always say I'm melting when I'm hot). There was the time he asked if chickens fly which Leland replied "not really." So then he wondered if a chicken would fly if you hit it with a bat. Well, good thought - not sure why we were pondering it but oh well. This past weekend Ryland joined Leland on a UIL trip to Aubrey. While eating at Taco Bell Ryland got that "I'm about to ask a major question" look. He finally told his dad "I'm glad you have hair." Well, so is Leland. He then wanted to inspect the top of Leland's head. Ryland then proceeded to say that Leland having hair meant he wasn't old yet because only old people loose their hair. Leland reminded him that Pappy still has his hair which Ryland replied "Pappy's not old!" Then Sunday morning in class the teacher was talking about Mary and how she was special because she was the mother of Jesus. She proceeded to tell him that he is special also. He said "I know and my whole family is special also. You want to know why?" Of course she wanted to know where his mind was headed with this one. He said "We are all special because we are all superheros." (We each have our own names and powers and are called the Mallett Team). I love the mind of a 4 year old.