The pitter patter of little....ELVES

So here is my little elf in training who is so patiently awaiting his frist Christmas. My other Elf has run off somewhere and told me "No more pictures please!" Can you believe that?!?! Well not to worry we will have plenty to post!

Goin' to see Santa

Today I braved the wind and took the kids to see Santa after church today. After wandering the mall for half an hour MacKenna decided she was "brave" enough to go see Santa. We got there and the line was not too terrible so we got in. MacKenna and Peyton both did VERY well waiting in line. MacKenna told me all the things she was going to ask Santa for. About 2 people out Peyton started to get fussy. I looked at my watch and we had been in line for an HOUR and he was getting HUNGRY! I pleaded for just a few more minutes and he could eat. Well when it was finally our turn MacKenna dug her heels in and did a face plant at Santa's feet and cried "I don't like Santa Clause." Well oh no momma was not going to stand in line for over an hour and not have some proof that we were there. So after explaining to her that Peyton needed her she sat by Santa. Below is the picture we got. Not half bad!!

As we were checking out she was yelling "Hey Santa! Hi Santa! I want a Dora please Santa!" Goodness! Well there is always next year.

Deck the Halls...Or at least a small Corner

So this is what I woke up to Saturday morning and MacKenna telling me that how much she loves Christmas and "where's my tree?" So being the "good" mother I am I decided to take her advice and we'd get out Christmas. Even though we got rid of our big Christmas trees over the summer due to malfunctions, Walgreens came to my rescue with the "perfect tree" for this season. BTW: Daddy is in Dallas with Pepaw at a Coin Show.

Yes MacKenna and I cleaned AND rearranged my living room. She was such the big helper.

This was her excitement when I told her that we were going to get out Christmas. Unfortunately the digital camera didn't quite capture it. She is VERY happy!!

Peyton is very bright eyed and just wants to lay low out of the way....He stayed in his bouncy seat most of the morning. I think he's praying for us as we begin our adventure.

Apparently we must be in only our panties to put up the tree because it is "too scratchy." Whatever I just went with it.

Ok mom can you give me the directions....She REALLY wanted to look over the paper directions. But it is a 4.5' tree how hard could it be.

We have put the tree on an end table to give it the illusion of being tall. Here MacKenna is putting on the final "fluff" touches.

So I have finally convinced her to get dressed but she wouldn't wear the Santa hat. We sent Peyton over to Grammy's so the real work could begin. She did most of the decorating herself. She is so proud!

Here is my little helper with her Christmas Corner. She is SO excited! Note how most of the decorations are near the bottom. She did NOT want my help putting any near the top.

This is how a morning of furniture moving and Christmas tree decorating can just take it out of you. Yes she fell asleep there all by herself and slept for 2 1/2 hours!!

Peyton is back and MacKenna is up for a game of Peek-a-Boo. I didn't get the big belly laughs that he was giving but they had fun!


Peyton is not so sure about Snoopy Santa....

MacKenna's reaction when I asked if she had fun today!! I think that would be a YES!!!

Over all we had a great day!!

Christmas Tea

Last night I spent the evening in total relaxation mode away from the hustle and bustle of the holiday season. Just taking a moment to be with Christian ladies who pamper and love on one another is one the most joyous feelings. We have a tradition in our town in which we spend one night a year away from our families and reflect on the reason for the season. It is just so amazing that such things begin with a spark can blossom into a great fire of faith, love and friendship.

Me and my mom (not that you needed clarification)

A little about us

Amber, Aaron & MacKenna Easter 2008
(Peyton is still a cookin')
One of my very favorites of the kids!!

So after thinking about it for a few hours I decided that I probably should inform those of you who are reading this that things aren't always so crazy around our house. Aaron is an assistant band director at a school about 20 minutes north of our home and he has been there for 2 years although he has been teaching for 7 years. He enjoys music of all varieties but especially Trans-Siberian Orchestra and anything Broadway. In his spare time he LOVES to fish and golf. His favorite times are his summer time fishing trips with his dad at Lake Moss. I teach 7th and 8th grade History at a Middle School about 10 minutes south of our home and I have been there for 5 years and this is my 6th year to teach. About 2 years ago I started my very own business out of our home and I ABSOLUTELY LOVE what it has done for our family. I am an Independent Beauty Consultant with Mary Kay Cosmetics and I think it is the greatest company in the world! We are very active in our church attending a young married Sunday School class and playing the church orchestra and loving every minute of it. As busy as that sounds we also have two adorable kiddos. MacKenna is our precious artist who is 3 1/2 and every bit of that. She is very active and keeps us hopping all the time. She LOVES LOVES LOVES Dora the Explorer!!! She goes to a little Daycare in town and has just blossomed. She does go to Speech at the Elementary school twice a week and physical therapy in Lubbock once a week. She has come so far since we started all of this about 6 months ago. It is amazing what a little intense instruction can do for a kid!! Our newest addition and quite a blessing is our 5 month old son, Peyton. He has been our little miracle baby from the get go, and now that he is here he is absolutely wonderful. He has been sleeping consistently through the night since he was about 6-8 weeks old. He is always very content and smiles all the time. He loves when his big sister talks to him and just thinks everyday is a wonderful day. We just love him so much! Well now that you know a little about us. I guess we can officially welcome you in to the world with two kids and the funny things that happen when you are a parent!! God Bless you all and have a WONDERFUL Holiday Season!!

And so it begins...

I have decided to join the world that I was convinced was much too complicated for me. The world of blogging. Last night my daughter, she's 3, decided that she would create for us the most interesting mosaic masterpiece while she was supposed to be sleeping. As we are spending the next 45 minutes bathing our daughter and cleaning up her room which she had totally destroyed I thought to myself I should not keep these little interesting "fun kid things" to myself. But who should I share them with....everyone? Well I certainly don't have the time to call all my family and friends and tell them that instead of sleeping last night that MacKenna had decided to potty in her room and use the waste to create her masterpiece on the back of her bedroom door. So I thought what better way than to start a blog to not only share this moment but others that are constantly happening daily in the Noland household. Unfortunately or rather fortunately I did not take pictures last night because between Aaron and I it took a lot not to become sick ourselves so pictures where not on the top of the list. I know this is not the best way to start something but why not. It was very interesting and today it's easier to laugh about but last night there was no laughing.