5 Months (On Christmas Eve)

Wowee! I can hardly believe my youngest babe, Catherine, is already 5 months old! (Plus a little...late on these monthly posts again!)

She is such a happy, healthy baby. Other than one ear infection, she has been so healthy. She is growing so much and getting big so quickly!

What is she up to these days?

• She can roll over both ways. (But, she only does it when she's frustrated!)
• She weighs 14 lbs.
• She can sit up by herself for a short period of time!
• Catherine LOVES her sassy and takes it out of her mouth and puts in back in her self. (Sometimes backwards, but whatevs!)
• She loves to lay on her quilt and play with her toys, especially when her sisters play with her.
• She still has one lone snaggle tooth. The second pearl she was born with STILL hasn't made an appearance yet!
• Catherine will reach for me when her Daddy is holding her and vice versa.
• She eats 8 ounces every 4 hours and 2 ounces of cereal at breakfast and dinner.
• She LOVES her new highchair and is much more content not being held at dinner time.
• When she wakes up in the morning, she doesn't cry, she just growls at us!
• She sleeps from 7 to 7 most nights without waking.
• She laughs and laughs when Emma and Hannah run circles around her and she tries to follow them.
• She has discovered that when she kicks in the tub, it makes big splashes.
• Her new favorite thing: HER TOES!
• Catherine LOVES her exersaucer that Santa brought her. She likes anything that lets her sit up straight, play and watch us.
• She is SO spoiled...mainly by her older sisters!

We are so blessed to have a wonderful baby! Its amazing how quickly time is flying. She is developing her own little personality and it shines through more and more each day!

Catherine, we all love you so much!

A Very Williamson Christmas (Part 3 of 3)

I forgot to mention in my previous post. Not only did we wake up to house full of gifts, but also, a yard full of SNOW! This is the first time I have ever had a white Christmas and it was beautiful. (I did not take a single picture though).

Christmas day, our plan was to head to Hot Springs to have Christmas with my parents and all my Dad's side of the family. I was SO worried when I heard the forecast that we were not going to be able to make it.

About 11, Travis took a short drive and said we could go. I packed everyone so FAST! We loaded the car with three kids, 4 suitcases, 2 diaper bags, a computer bag and tons of gifts and headed to Hot Springs. My dad called me before Alma and told me we better go through Little Rock. It was quite possibly the LONGEST trip of our lives, but we made it!

(BTW, I was a BAD photographer at my parents)

We had steak, twice baked potatoes, stuffed mushrooms and grilled asparagus when we got there. My mom also made some more of her AMAZING cheescake. (Thank-you, Bea Bea, for passing that tradition on!)

We had a blast hanging out and opening gifts with Honey, Daddy Brooks, Uncle Jon and Aunt Nicole. We all got everything we wanted PLUS some! It's always fun to hang out with my parents, because between my Dad and Jon, we are cracking up the whole time.

Saturday morning, Travis and I got to sleep in! My parents are AWESOME and got up with the kids. Although, we only slept until about 8:30, it was still great!

We ate breakfast and lounged around. Finally, we showered and headed over to my grandparents house. Miss Maude made the girls the most adorable Christmas dresses. I don't have a picture from that day, because Hannah was running a fever and before we left, Emma fell and knocked her tooth loose! (Don't worry, I already have a plan to get a faux pic taken this week).

We had so much fun at my grandparents house. All my aunts, uncles and cousins were there. Everyone in the family is so quick witted and funny. We all just laugh and laugh. We played a game called Origins (if you haven't played it, you should...its kinda like Balderdash). My grandpa, then, broke out the guitar and we sang Christmas carols. Finally we ended with a round of the "Twelve Days of Christmas". Everyone gets a part and it's always VERY entertaining.

My mom cooked some delicious Chicken Cacciatore and we all chowed down. (notice a theme here? Almost everything in our family is surrounded with food).

We used to draw names and exchange gifts at my grandparents house. However, as we all get older, it ended up that we got gift cards for everyone and that was just like trading money. So, we decided for the past few years to do a Chinese gift exchanged. My family is very competitve and agressive, so this can get a little heated at times! :) It is always SO MUCH FUN!

All in all, we had such a wonderful Christmas and are so blessed to be able to spend so much time with all of our family. Each year, as we start getting married, moving for new job opportunities and having our own children/traditions, it gets harder and harder. But, I hope that we can continue to do Christmas just like this with both Travis's side and my side.

I hope everyone had as wonderful of a Christmas as we did! :)

A Very Williamson Christmas (Part 2 of 3)

Every year, we spend Christmas Eve and Christmas morning at our house with just Travis, the girls and I. We have all kinds of traditions that are special to just us!

Christmas Eve, Travis and the girls stayed home. I ran to the office until noon (this is our SUPER busy time). When I got home, the girls and I started baking. We made all kinds of goodies. We made sugar cookies and decoarted them, chocolate and sprinkle covered pretzels, rice krispie treats and yummies! We made a tray to take to my mom and a tray for Travis's mom. Even Catherine "participated".

I also cooked a roast and we ate a yummy dinner. Then, we played and hung out in front of the fire. I love when we keep a fire built....it makes everything SO homey! We spent time talking about the true meaning of  Christmas and looking at my nativity scene and talking about each person.

Finally, we opened some of the gifts that the girls got for each other. Every year before Christmas, I take each one shopping for the others. They love it...and I think sometimes they tell each other what they got! Ha!

After that, we put cookies and milk out for Santa and sprinkled reindeer food in the yard. Finally, it was off to bed!

Christmas morning, Travis and I woke up before the girls (about 6 am!). About 20 minutes after we woke up, Catherine was stirring around in her bed. Travis went and got her. We played with her in our bed. I finally asked Travis why the girls weren't up yet? He laughed and said he told them not to get up before the sun was shining in their windows! I called Emma's name and immediately heard "Can we get up!?". Poor things had been lying awake waiting for the sun!

When they came in our room, Travis told them he didn't hear Santa last night, so they better go check and see if he came. Hannah did NOT want to go out there. Emma ran down the hall and ran back and yelled "HE CAME! HE CAME!".

I finally figured out why Hannah didn't want to go. She thought Santa was still out there! HA! She is NOT a fan of him, and didn't want her presents if he was out in her living room! Once we cleared that up, Emma and Hannah went to look. (Santa wraps his gifts in our house). Hannah came back and said "Welp, I don't see my TV!" Emma looked at her and said "Hannah...you have to unwrap the gifts FIRST!" (These girls crack me up!)

Finally, Travis and I got up so the fun could begin. Needless to say, Santa was very good to them and they got everything they wanted. I was so busy watching all the fun, I didn't take very many pictures. But, we love our traditions and are very thankful to be able to spend such a special time together.

A Very Williamson Christmas (Part 1 of 3)

The weekend before Christmas, we had our Christmas with Travis's mom and his brother-in-law and family.

Travis's mom lives in Farmington, so we went to her house to enjoy some time together. Blake, Candi and the boys came up from Texarkana on Saturday. We went over there. Travis smoked some ribs and two chickens for everyone. I made party potatoes and calico beans (yummo!). Candi made an amazing lemon pie and an onion soufflé. We had a blast!

We made the kids wait until after dinner to open gifts. I thought they were going to lose it.  We got lots of great things, but most of all really enjoyed seeing everyone!

Before we went to her house Saturday, I had Catherine decked out in her A.DOR.ABLE tutu from Bibs and Cribs. I decided it woudl be cute to put her in the presents under the tree and snap some pics. I have attached them all so you can get an idea of how our little photo shoot went! HA!

Emma's Christmas Party

Today, I went to Emma's Christmas Party at school. She was so excited all week for it.

They had a great party and did Christmas Party Stations.

At one station, they ate pizza for snack.

At the next station, they made ornaments and pencil toppers.

Next up was Christmas Bingo.

Finally, cookie decorating. (Please note my child's angle has RED eyes...eek!)

Emma had a great time and I enjoyed being there with her.

(Since it's Christmas time, you know I have TONS of posts coming!)

Ugly Sweaters

A few weekends ago, Travis and I went to an ugly Christmast sweater party. I think this picture says enough!

Puppy Love...

What did you say to your mother???

Oh Hannah...my dear, sweet, wild and crazy Hannah.

The other day, Hannah was doing something she wasn't supposed to.

(I dont' remember exactly what it was..this is a frequent occurence in our house these days.)

I gave her the do-not-make-me-come-over-there-and-stop-you look.

She saw me and smiled.

(My Dad always asks her if she is going to try to smile her way out of everything)

Then, Hannah Brooke (who is 2 years old) said in her mothering voice:

"Moooooommmm! Don't yook at me yike that...or else I am gonna yell at you."

(At this point, I turned away from her to contain my laughter and she got in trouble...but...really...is that not hilarious?)

Yummm! Smores!

Tonight, I got home from work. Travis had picked up the girls and gotten a GREAT idea...

Before he picked them up, he ran to Harps to get three staple desert items:

1. Graham Crackers
2. Marshmallows
3. Hershey's Chocolate Bars

See...during the winter, we ALWAYS have a fire built. I love how homey it makes our house feel. Travis loves that it keeps the house SO warm!

So, after dinner and bath, Travis and the girls roasted marshmallows in the fireplace. Then, he taught them how to make s'mores. They LOVED it.

I was sitting in the oversized chair feeding Catherine and watching it all. I am amazed at the patience that he has with them. He loves spending time with his girls and is so good at taking time for each one of them individually.

I am sure that this will become a regular thing in our house. And, when the girls grow up, I bet every time they eat a s'more, they think of their sweet Daddy!

Sisterly Love...

Aren't my big girls A-DOR-A-BLE in their cute Matilda Jane dresses? I am SO IN LOVE with these sweet faces!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, HONEY!

Happy Birthday, Honey! We love you very much and hope you have a wonderful birthday!

Thanks, Mom, for being the best! You have taught me through your actions how to be a wonderful mother and wife. I still struggle with balancing it all as well as you did, but I will get there. I love you very much!

Thanksgiving Mania!

HOLY MOLY! We did A LOT of driving, A LOT of visiting family and WAY TOO MUCH eating!

This Thanksgiving was so wonderful. Monday, Travis left to go on his annual Thanksgiving deer hunt. The girls and I missed him, but we were busy getting ready for the week.

Tuesday night after the girls went to bed, I packed, cleaned the house and got the laundry done. Wednesday morning, we got up, fed Catherine and headed to Hot Springs to see Honey and Daddy Brooks.

We got there and helped Honey get some of the cooking done ahead of time for our Thanksgiving feast. Emma, Hannah and Honey made crock pot candy. It was a big hit at Thanksgiving. Other than that, we just hung out together.

Thursday, the girls and I drove to DeQueen to meet up with Travis and have Thanksgiving lunch with his Mimi. This was Mimi's first time to see Catherine and they LOVED each other!

It was so nice to see everyone. Lunch was delicious. The girls got to play with some of their 2nd cousins (I think...they are Travis's cousin's kids...so whatever that is). They had a great time seeing the cows and horses on the farm.

(These shirts are courtesy of the Dirty Laundry girls! Aren't they adorable!?)

About 2 it was nap time, that was the indicator we needed to get back in the car and go back to Hot Springs for Thanksgiving dinner. So, the girls and I headed back in my car with Travis following close behind in his truck.

He had some walkie talkies from deer camp and we all talked back and forth most of the way. The girls thought it was so great!

We got back to Hot Springs just before the rush. About an hour or so after we arrived, Uncle Jon and Aunt Nicole came over. The girls just LOVE them...and love their dog, Bo!

Later on, Great-GrandDa and Daddy Ben, Great Aunt Bev and Great-Uncle Michael came over. We had a wonderful dinner.

(my mom is an amazing cook and always has everything that everyone requests!)

After filling our tummies, we hung out talked and laughed until late into the night.

GrandDa knitted the girls their super cute Santa scarves! They love them! Thanks, GrandDa!

Friday at 4 am, my Dad and I got up to head to get ONE thing for Black Friday (you will have to check back at Christmas for the big reveal). We left the house about 4:15. Travis got up to go hunting some more and left about 4:30. Dad and I got home at 5:30 and went back to bed.

After we woke up again, we hung out, watched football and snacked on leftovers.

I LOVE going to stay at my parents, because my mom is the best. She knows how hard I work at being a good mom and wife. So, she ALWAYS gets up with the kids, whether thats the  middle of the night or early in the morning, and lets me sleep in as long as I can (which usually isn't any later than about 8! ha!). She also never sends me home with any dirty laundry! Nothing is better than that! Thanks, Mom!

Saturday, we got up, played and packed. We headed home about mid-day. It was a great Thanksgiving, but I needed time to get settled and get everyone back in the swing of things before the week. So, Sunday, we went to the grocery store and just played all day. Reece and Meredith came over too!

I hope everyone else had as good of a Thanksgiving as we did! There is always SO much for us to be thankful for and this time of year is a nice reminder!