Family Photos

It is pretty amazing that we are friends with Kacy Chaffin and get to follow her journey in Africa.  As if that is not blessing enough, we also get to partake in an annual photo shoot (because it has been done two years in a row now- that makes it annual.  Right?) to raise money for Kacy. Here are a few of our 2010 family pics taken by Loryn Windwehen:

So my hair got a little crazy in the end....dern humidity.  Oh well.  It was a fun day, a good cause, and nice to be able to see Loryn again.  Here's praying the rest of the day goes well and more than enough is raised to support one of the most precious women we know and her heart for orphans and homes in Africa!

Dear Santa (4 Month Check Up)

Dear Santa,

All I want for Christmas is healthy children.  So I can have more of this:

And less of this: 

Sincerely,

One Terrified Mama

- scared we are starting the ear infection cycle again.

Yes, we went in for Marissa's 4 month check up today, to find she has her 2nd ear infection (or maybe her first never fully healed, I dunno).  This really came as no surprise since she did not sleep more than 2 hours at a time last night.  And so it begins....

But she is 24.5 inches long now and weighs 14 pounds, 3 oz.  She is 50% for weight and 75% for head circumference.  I can't remember the percentage for height, but my guess would be 50% as well.  According to the student doctor, she is above average for her physical skills (but seems to be right on target according to the books/e-mails I read).  We will go back in 2 weeks for her shots (hopefully).  She is on Augmentin this time, which wrecked havoc on Nate when he took it, so please pray she handles it well.  Poor thing.  We will keep you updated.

'Tis the Season....

'Tis the season for business and fun!  We kicked off the Holiday festivities this weekend.  Saturday night was my work party. I do love my crazy co-workers.

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Especially my fabulous OT department (Gabby and Laura were not able to attend the party).

Sunday we went to church, where the pastor's message was on Rahab, and was subtitled:  Ho! Ho!  Ho!  (I do love people with a sense of humor).  Then Nate went down for a quick nap and off to his daycare production. 

They had a live Nativity where the kids got to pet the animals.  Or in Nate's case, hug their rear ends....hence, the missing pictures from inside the fence!

Then we went in and the kiddos sang.  Nate only has 8 in his class, this is a pic of all the 2 and 3 year olds.  And Nate sang a little this time (but much better than his Thanksgiving performance where he stood frozen like a statue).

Afterward we came back to the house and Grandma and Grandpa Yancy had some fun planned.  First Grandpa read "The Gingerbread Man" to Nate, then Grandma helped him make his very own gingerbread man! 

He was pretty proud of it!  In fact, he refuses to eat it and it has to accompany him at the table now... well, he did manage to lick all the icing off...wonder how much longer it will be allowed in the home. 

Santa & Frosty

On advice from some friends we took the kids to Santa's Wonderland at the Bass Pro Shop.  I know, it does not seem like the ideal place to meet Santa but they do a fantastic job with the area, the line was not too long, and there were all kinds of fun things for the kids to look at/do while we were in line, and the Santa is fantastic.  Additionally, the store is amazing; there are huge fish tanks (and if you know our family, you know we love fish), a waterfall, a huge stuffed bear...they should almost charge admission just to get in.  Anyway, I digress...

Nathaniel is just beginning to realize that Santa is something fun and special.  Last year he was terrified of the fat man in the red suit.  He was really looking forward to meeting jolly old Saint Nick today.  In fact he insisted he take his tape measure in to the store with him to show Santa (it is his most recent obsession) and practiced saying "Ho, Ho, Ho. Merry Christmas" in the car on the way up.  Then, when his big moment came to sit in Santa's lap, he was speechless.  He was not terrified as in years past, but more in awe.  It was fun.  And Baby 'Rissa, well, she could care less (of course).

4 months old

Marissa is now 4 months old. 

Highlights these days are:  she will amuse herself for extended periods of time by studying her hands and feet, she is amused by rattles, she is squealing with delight, she lights up when her brother comes over to talk to her, and she is on the verge of sitting up.  She enjoys time in her Bumpo and in the exersaucer.  She continues to be such a delight to us! 

Roast & Toast for Bum Phillips

We had a date night and went to a Roast & Toast for former Oilers coach, Bum Phillips.  I found he is greatly admired by his players to this day; they had wonderful things to say about Coach Phillips.  Most of the roast/fairly cruel remarks were directed at Bum's son, Wade Phillips who was also in attendance (recently fired by the Cowboys).  Overall, it was a nice night out for Mommy and Daddy!

Pure Excitement

I came in later than usual from work to find this:

Yet another exciting evening in the Yancy household.