Christmas

We spent Christmas with my family in Abilene again this year. I am so glad that I get to spend my favorite holiday with my family. The girls absolutely cleaned up with presents. I am still trying to figure out how we are going to get all the stuff back home.

Kennedy got a kitchen and a ton of "food." She also got a lot of cute clothes, roller skates, dolls, little einstein toys, and an ACU cheerleading uniform. Kylie received clothes, Pooh toy, toy keys, crib toys, a ride on alphabet train, etc.Here are Kennedy and Momo relaxing!

Each Christmas we start the morning off with a number of appetizers. The last few years my mom has added powdered donuts to the mix for the girls. This year the donuts were right in reach of the kiddos. Between Myka and Kennedy, they put away a ton of donuts.notice the powdered sugar on Kennedy's face!

We had a fun relaxing day on Christmas!

The next day I went to have coffee with some friends from high school it was great to catch up with them.

On Sunday we headed back to Dallas but not before stopping at my Aunt's house in Bluffdale (outside of Granbury). It was great to see my mom's family because we are all rarely together. My sister and I had a great time talking to my cousin, Diane. She has three precious little boys, Hayden, Brent, and Ethan. They are so cute and had fun bonding with them. My cousin, Ginger seem to have her own little daycare going outside. She was the only one with any energy to chase the kids!

We finally arrived back home around 4pm Sunday night! What a whirlwind! I love the holidays, but I am so ready for "normal" time!

Santa

We finally went and saw Santa yesterday. I was very nervous about how Kennedy would react to Santa. As you know Kennedy is not shy and when she doesn't like something she lets you know. I thought my kid would be the first kid to take out Santa.

I have been preparing her since November by watching the Polar Express with her. My sister's girls love the Polar Express and Myka always talks about Santa, so I thought I would give it a try.

When we arrived at Willow Bend I was so excited to find out that Santa's area had been decorated to recreate the Polar Express. It was perfect! She was so excited. She saw him as we were coming down the Elevator and exclaimed, "look Mommy it's Santa!"

It was so fun! There was an area to play with the train controls and pull the horn. There was always a part where it was snowing on us! As we got closer to Santa she got even more excited. She kept trying to skip ahead in line. When they told us it was our turn she walked up to Santa gave him a hug and climbed up in his lap. She talked to him about Christmas and toys. She took great pictures with her sister. I was so proud of her!

Kylie's New Chair

Last night I went and got Kylie a new chair so she can sit up. When you lay her down flat she tries so hard to sit up to see what is going on.

This is one of the first pictures that I can tell that Kylie looks like me. Ha! Now maybe if Brad will just admit it!

Kylie is 3 Months Old

What a joy! I know I say it every month, but it is true. Kylie is an amazing baby. She is so happy and beautiful. She has the prettiest blue eyes. She is normally so content. She loves it when you talk to her. She squeals with delight! We call her "Smiley Kylie." She loves her big sister and is fascinated watching Kennedy play. She has definitely inherited the "Lewis-Crawley" eyelashes.

She is still so little! But it is nice because I don't feel like she is growing too fast since she is so petite.

Happy 3 month Birthday Baby Love!

Week in Review

I know it has been awhile since I have posted anything, but things have been a little busy around here. Last week was my first full week at work. I only worked Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, but my body is still trying to get used to waking up at 4:00am.

On Thursday we went over to the Meierhofer's new house in Colleyville. Brad and Michael got some work done on remodeling. Angela and I had fun keeping the kids out of trouble. We were pretty successful except for Caleb's lip incident (read Angela's blog http://www.ourpreciousboys.blogspot.com/)

We took the kiddos to the Adolphus Parade on Saturday. I have spent many years volunteering at the parade and have always wanted to go and actually see the parade. In fact when Kennedy was five months old I took her with me and we served hot chocolate together.

This year I got my wish! It was insanely crowded so we decided to go up in a parking garage so the kids could see better!

Here is the Incredible Hulk riding on a Firetruck (or choo choo truck) from Abilene.

Here are the Meierhofers watching the Parade.

Trevor and Kennedy waiting anxiously for the parade.

Our Family of Elves

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Thanksgiving Week

Whew! What a week it has been. I cannot honestly remember what we did the first part of the week because the rest of the week was so crazy! It was lots of fun though and I am so thankful for the craziness.

On Wednesday the girls and I drove to Las Colinas around 5pm to pick up Brad from work so we could head off to Abilene. Let me tell you though the hours prior to that were absolutely insane. It is always hard packing for my family. I have to pack for all four of us because Brad's idea of packing is throwing random clothes in the back of the car and tada he is packed! So I "get" to do it all. I am always so afraid that I have forgotten something. I want so badly for my house to be clean when we leave. However, after packing and searching for certain hats, boots, clothes, etc. it is not always as clean as I would like.

So the girls and I headed to Brad's work and then off to Abilene. The ride down there was pretty good, considering we have a newborn and a two year old. We arrived at my parents house around 9pm. Kennedy was so excited to see Nana and Poppy! She loves spending time with my parents.

The next morning we woke up early and began cooking all the yummy foods. I was not working quick enough for my mom and sister's taste. It's not like I had to take breaks to feed, dress, and comfort my children! Anyways, we had fun teasing each other. My mom and I called my sister our sous chef because she did a great job chopping and preparing our ingredients.

Here we are taking a break from cooking to take some pictures.I love my husband!

Here are the girls!

This is my Aunt Wanda with Kylie!

I am so thankful for my parents. This is the first time in a very long time that we have been able to spend Thanksgiving with my family. It was so much fun!

The next morning the Lewises headed to Brad's deer lease. It has become a tradition that all the guys who hunt there bring their families and we all have a big Thanksgiving dinner. This was our first time to participate.

On our way out of Abilene we stopped at Walmart to buy bottled water. I normally avoid Walmart but in west Texas there are not many options.

We drove into the parking lot and we could not believe our eyes. We knew no one would believe us. So we took a picture. That's right ladies and gentlemen, someone drove their tractor to Walmart!

I decided from there I would document the rest of our journey. I took pictures of the signs of the small towns we drove through.Here is Munday, Texas. Next we have Megargel, TX.

This is my personal favorite, Olney, TX. I know you can't really tell but the sign says, "Welcome to Olney, home of the one arm dove hunt!"

When we arrived at the lease we were quickly introduced to everyone. It was great to meet all the guys Brad talks about. We met a couple named Ryan and Stephanie. They have two little girls. Allie Beth is five years old and Addison is 19 months.

Kennedy had a blast with Allie Beth. Allie Beth had an little ford truck that you can drive. She drove Kennedy around all the camp. They had so much fun!

Kennedy saw deer, quail, hogs, and turkeys. She even went to the blind with Brad and Bryan. She lasted for 45 minutes before realizing she didn't have her puppy and needed to return to the camper.

I had a lot of time to bond with Kylie. She was extra sensitive to the cold and wind so we stayed indoors most of the time. She is really such a joy. Her little personality is coming out. It is so fun when she smiles at you.

Overall it was a great time as a family. We were all very tired. I knew that Kennedy needed to go to bed early, but before I could even suggest it she had fallen asleep on the couch!

Seven Random Facts

1. I can't stand the sound of scratching. It makes me cringe. Whether it is someone filing their nails or scratching their arms it drives me crazy. When I was in Junior High, my best friend Katy would "file" her nails on the tennis court and I would go crazy. No wonder I was never any good at tennis, I was too distracted! :) Just kidding!

2. I have never flown in an airplane. I am not scared, just never had the opportunity. Hopefully next year it will change!

3. If you rearrange all the letters in my name it spells Stinker! I had that nickname for quite some time in school.

4. I was very accident prone in Junior High, either that or just the victim of many assaults.

• I broke my nose when my doubles partner (sorry Katy) hit me, accidently, in the nose with her tennis racquet (we are still friends)!
• In Art Class if you cut yourself you got detention. I cut my finger in Art Class with a knife and calmly asked my teacher if I could go to the restroom without telling her what happened. After ten minutes of trying to get the bleeding to stop, I realized it was not going to. I then returned to class and told my teacher what happened. She put her hands on her hip and said where? I showed her my finger and asked if I had to get a detention. She turned white and sent me to the nurse. I got six stitches and no detention.
• I got hit again with a tennis racquet (I know, I know...) and my principal called me waffle head for a week because I had "waffle" marks on my forehead.
• And the best for last...I cut my finger open on a locker at school and was raced from the gym to the nurses office by my friends. Bria walked on one side, Stephanie held my injured finger (she is a nurse now, go figure!), and Katy stared at the blood. I returned to school from the doctor to find out that Katy had gone home because she passed out from the sight of blood.

5. I do not like tomatoes, I will eat Ketchup and Tomato soup but not tomatoes.

6. My favorite color is pink! I guess it is good that I have two daughters.

7. My sister and I used to spice up doing our chores by "making" commercials while we cleaned. For example, while washing we show it's ability to fight grease and how great it was on your hands.

New Pictures

Here are some cute pictures from this week.

Smores

Now that we finally have had some cool weather, we have been able to introduce Kennedy to fire. Both Brad and I love fire. In fact some people would say we have "pyro" characteristics. However, as parents we have to be responsible, darn it!

We have built fires in our fireplace the last three nights. We also made Smores. Kennedy did not really want to eat the smores. She wanted to burn the marshmallow. It was so cute! She would hold it over the fire until it fell off. Here is Brad explaining the process to her.

Kylie's New Accessory

Kennedy picked out a new paci for Kylie today at Target.

It is green just for you Jenni!

Kennedy really seems to like the color green.

Jumpy, Jumpy!

One of Kennedy's favorite activities is jumping on her bed. I know it is not the safest activity, but I am convinced parents don't want their kids jumping because it messes up the bed, which of course drives the "High C" in me crazy. But it is a good place for Kennedy to get out some energy. Of course she has to throw all the pillows off her bed and it does mess it up, but she loves it!

Poor Puppy!

Anyone who has spent five minutes with Kennedy has probably met her beloved puppy. "Puppy" (we are so original) was given to Kennedy by my grandparents for Valentine's in 2007.

She has always liked stuffed animals. Which I am convinced is because I really do not like stuffed animals. Something about how they are everywhere and there isn't a good place to put them. I know I have issues, that's for a different blog! Anyways "Puppy" is different than any other stuffed animal. In fact we have purchased too many other animals in an attempt to give poor puppy a break. And although in the store it seemed successful, hours, no minutes later we realize we have been fooled. Just another animal to her collection...

When Brad went to Iraq in May of 2007, "Puppy" became even more important to Kennedy. Kennedy sleeps with "Puppy" every night. Her favorite part of "Puppy" is his tail. I joke that one day we will get rid of the rest of "Puppy" and keep the tail. And my daughter will carry around a grungy, old, little tail!

On Wednesday night, the girls and I were waiting for Brad's arrival from work. I had just fed Kylie and was burping her. Kennedy loves to be anywhere her sister is. Even if that means right in her face. And where there is a Kennedy, there is a "Puppy." So of course Kylie has a projectile spit up episode and it lands right on "Puppy."

Oh my goodness if you could have seen Kennedy's face. You would have thought "Puppy" died. Her bottom lip was puffed up and out (the one thing this child got from me is the ability to pout with the best of them.) And then she starts crying.

I have named this time of day the bewitching hour. I am sure most parents, especially moms, can relate that this time of day is crazy. It is right before daddy gets home, right before dinner, right before bedtime, so tears and tantrums are common during this hour.

I quickly grab "Puppy" and throw him in the wash for a much needed bath. I pass Brad in the hall, which was the perfect distraction my little drama queen needed.

Our Week

Monday we took Kylie to Dr. Berry's office. Kennedy affectionately calls her Dr. B. She is finally past the stage of screaming at the doctor's office. A few months ago when the nurse would call Kennedy's name she would throw herself down on the floor and scream! I felt so sorry for the nurse. However, now Kennedy is realizing that not all visits are bad and some are even for her sister. She gives Jennifer (the nurse) hugs and is a little ham for everyone there.

Tuesday we had our friends the Meierhofers over for our annual pre-holiday dinner. It was so yummy! Angela made the ham and yummy sweet potato casserole. I made green bean casserole, a pumpkin cheesecake, and an apple pie. Brad said my apple pie was very good and on further review, even better than his moms!

Here is Caleb holding Kylie!

On Wednesday we took the kiddos to Stonebriar Mall where Kennedy, Caleb, and Trevor rode the Carousel. Kennedy absolutely loves "riding the horsies!"

I also made the very hard decision to go back to work part time. The girls will be attending Mother's Day Out and I will be working at Starbucks. I cannot pass up the awesome insurance they offer for our family. I will only be working mornings and will pick up the girls right after nap time!

On Thursday we took it easy and didn't leave the house all day! Kennedy wanted to put Kylie in her doll stroller, so I assisted. It was precious. However, my mom is worried (and probably rightly so) that Kennedy will try to put her sister in the stroller on a regular basis.

On Thursday night Grandpa came over and ate dinner with us. He also brought some of Brad's old toys. Kennedy fell in love with a little tractor. Apparently this tractor was very popular with Brad as well!

On Friday I took the girls to the park by our house. It was so much fun! Kylie slept the whole time, so I had time to spend one on one with Kennedy. She is bound and determined to climb on the monkey bars. Each time she gets a little farther, but gets scared and wants down, but quickly wants back on them.

On Saturday we went to Katy and Scott's house. Katy's mom was in town and it was great to see her. We had yummy fettuccine with clam sauce. Katy has a tiny little miniature pincher named Libby. Kennedy absolutely loved playing with Libby. She carried her around all night. I was so impressed with Libby because she was so relaxed the whole time.

On Sunday Brad got up and made us breakfast. We all got ready and went to church. After church we all crashed and took a nap!

Here are the girls relaxing together. It looks like Kylie is laughing at Kennedy.

Kylie's Update

Our little peanut is still little, but growing fast!

Kylie weighs 9lbs 7oz-20th percentile

She is 21 inches-5th percentile

Cute Pictures

Here is one of Kylie's first smiles!

Here is Kennedy wearing her sister's pants! They are 0-3 months size!

Oh the things they say....

Having a two year old is so much fun. But it is quite a challenge. Kennedy is a litte sponge. Everything you say she is bound to repeat. And it only takes one time for her to hear it and it is in her vocabulary. It also makes you aware of things you say. Apparently I say, "that is so sweet," a lot, because Kennedy says it about everything.

For example the other day Kennedy had an accident in her panties. When I discovered it I looked at her and said, "Kennedy, did you go potty in your panties?" She looked at me with those beautiful blue eyes and said, "yes!" I waited a second to see what she would say and she looked at me and replied, "That is is sooooo sweet!" I had to turn around to keep from laughing.

Tonight I was watching TV and Kennedy came into the room and heard the lady say, "I'm so happy!" and there she was running around the house screaming, "I'm so happy!"

She has such a sweet spirit.

We have been at my parents house all of last week.

I put Kylie down for a nap in the pack and play, while I got ready. A few minutes later I heard Kennedy in the room with her sister and she was reading her a book.

These moments melt my heart.

Here are some fun words Kennedy says or pronounces:

Green-Gareen (you can tell she is from Texas)

Yellow-Yallo (almost sounds likes hello)

Yogurt-O Gurt (my daughter eats two things of yogurt a day)

Chocolate Milk-Cha Milk (She can say chocolate, but this is what she says)

Fire Truck-choo choo truck