Happy Half Birthday Ireland!

Six months; half a year?!  Where did this time go? I can't believe that Ireland is already 6 months old.  She is sitting up, laughing, playing and... talking.  Her newest (really, let's be honest... her only word) is Da Da. 
She used to be a little baby.  Now, I feel like she is her own little person.  She loves to sit up, chew on EVERYTHING and laugh at her brother.  Her personality is definatly coming out and I think that we are going to have our hands full with her.  She knows what she wants, will let you know and isn't happy until she gets it. 
Ireland is still 100% breast fed (except one formula bottle right before bed).  She has also LOVED food!  She likes everything we have given her.  She still loves a little snuggle in the middle of the night, but that's getting better.  I forgot how much changes in 6 months!    

Happy Half Birthday, Ireland Noreen!!!



Toots Our Elf

Toots is our Elf on the Shelf. 

He is always up to no good.  Cohan wanted to name him Poop.  We settled on Toots.  He has taken bubble baths, decorated trees, played with Riggs' toys, made snow angels, driven tractors and more...  Cohan is always excited to wake up and see what he's been doing.

Visit to the Big Guy in Red

Cohan tells us all the time he doesn't like Santa.  He lets us know he would rather text or call him than have to see him.  Today, we did it.  We met Santa! 

On our way in, Frosty the Snowman greeted us.  Cohan liked him.  Then we walked over to Santa.  Ireland, she had no qualms about Santa.  Sat right down and began staring.  Cohan ran away.  So, for the second year in a row, I had to hold him.  Cohan did however tell him how he wanted a fire truck and trash man (truck).  Ireland, well, she just stared.  Cohan loves going to Bass Pro because there is also so many other things to play with.

 

These are pictures of our pictures, so they aren't great. 

Here is our visit to the big guy in red...

Holy son of a nutcracker, this makes me even more excited for Christmas this year!!! 

A Little Alone Time with Our Babies

Ahhhh... Saturday mornings.

One thing that we love is spending time with each of our kids individually.  There's nothing like it.  So when Nanny had asked if Cohan could come make Christmas cookies with her Saturday morning, we took this as a chance to spend time with Ireland.  She offered to take Ireland, but we wanted to spend time with her.  Cohan had a blast, and we enjoyed a morning of Christmas shopping and lunch out with just the three of us!  These are the pictures they sent me! 

Then, Saturday night we had a Christmas party.  This used to be an adults only party.  But, now, everyone has kids and they all get along so well.  We all know how much fun our kids have together, so we couldn't leave them out.  Everyone put in money, hired a babysitter, and all the kids played together in the basement while the adults had a fun time upstairs.  There were about 10 kids and they had a blast.  We left Ireland at home with Uncle Pooh and Aunt Meagan since she goes to bed a lot earlier and can't partake in lots of the fun with the big kids yet.  She had a good time too!   

Thank you so much to Nanny, Papa H, Unlce Pooh and Aunt Meagan. 

Our kids are so lucky to have you and so are we!!!

Magic Tree

One really cool Columbia tradition around the holidays is The Magic Tree.  This tree takes your breath away.  Last year, it moved locations.  This tree used to be in a neighborhood through the woods behind our house.  At night, we could see it from our backyard.  Now, it has moved and attracts quite the crowd.  So tonight, after a workout with my trainer (I feel like I need to say that because I look like a hot mess) and dinner, we packed the kids in the car and went driving to look at Christmas lights knowing that our final destination was The Magic Tree.  Cohan LOVED it!!!  The boy was in awe.  He ran around, touched it, talked to people and soaked up the Christmas cheer.  Ireland, well, she was a little taken aback by the rainbow of lights and people.  She was wide eyed the whole time.

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree...

Sunday was tree cutting day!  Scott and I have been doing this at Star Pines Tree Farm for years.  We love their warm apple cider, farm fresh eggs, Amish sweet treats, the homemade wreaths and just the experience. 

This year was a little different because the weather was (dare I say) hot.  I mean we were sweating and stripped layers as we left.  It didn't feel like Christmas Tree cutting weather.  But hey, this mom is NOT complaining!  It was beautiful!!!

Cohan was in a hurry to get everyone's trees cut so he could get back on that tractor for another ride!

Cohan loved watching the tractor. 

Our tree!

When we got back in town, Scott left to help his mom and Jack get their trees in their stands.  The kids and I took the opportunity to play outside, talk to neighbors and do a little outdoor clean up.  Ireland loved playing in the grass.  Cohan kept a close eye on her and an even closer eye on his sweet ride while he sat with his sister.  

When Scott got back, he and I got our tree in the stand and Cohan wanted to help... 

So did Ireland... 

Monday night, we finished the tree.  I love our house around the holidays!