Christmas Picture

It's a Christmas miracle!  Clay somehow managed to get all 3 kids smiling at the same time!  I know I'm partial, but these are 3 pretty cute kids :)  Merry Christmas!

Cookie Creators!

The boys helped me decorate cookies this year.  I've never seen so many sugar sprinkles on cookies :)  We then, with our santa hats on, wrapped them up and delivered them to the church staff.

Jackson turns 5!

On Jackson's actual birthday we opened all his family presents. Lexi and Jonah got a few things too.  He had cinnamon rolls for breakfast and picked Chick-fil-A for his birthday dinner!

Jackson's safari puzzle from Granpop and Granginny.  It's 4 foot long!

Lexi got a block puzzle.

Jackson's excitement at getting a Steelers jersey!

Jackson took his turn with the Shaggy wig!

Jackson's Scooby Doo Party!

Jackson's 5th birthday was this month.  We had a Scooby Doo party and Shaggy was there in person! :)  8- 5 year old boys is quite a houseful, but they were great.  They played soccer for a long time.  And everyone helped open presents.  Shaggy tried to steal the cake, but with the help of his friends and clues that Scooby left behind, Jackson was able to find it.

Bluffton Christmas Parade!

Our sad, sad parade this year was more than entertaining for children.  Jackson really has the candy "run and grab" down.  We came home with a gallon ziplock bag full of candy.  Lexi did great.  The cannon on the pirate ship didn't even scare her.  We sat with the Roses... Will is one of Jackson's best buddies and Caroline loves playing with Lexi.  

Random Cute Pictures!

Decorating the tree!

I love decorating for Christmas, but this year I decided to leave most of the breakable stuff hidden away in boxes.  Lexi is just not understanding enough to be able to put out valuable things.  She has managed already to break a ball off the tree, but that I can replace.  She loves it all just like the boys.  Last night we worked on the outside stuff which everyone was crazy excited about.  I hope everyone has as much fun decorating as I do even with 3 kiddos!

Family Photos

Some of Clay's family was here for Thanksgiving.  Here are some of the good pics we got.

this is Jackson and Aunt Heather.

 

Granpop reads to Lexi.

Granginny plays the piano with Jonah (there was some singing too that I got on video... will have to post when I figure out how with the new camera)

Another of Granpop and Lexi.

Granpop and the kids head to the neighborhood playground.

Lexi update...

We went to Charleston a couple of weeks ago to visit MUSC's international adoption clinic.  We met with 2 doctors and an occupational therapist plus an intern was there observing.  It was quite a crowded room.  Lexi did great during the visit.  They seemed impressed with her language and gross motor skills.  Overall they rated her at about 18 months old, so not too far behind.  They did a bunch of blood work and everything is good.  They also tested her vaccines and her levels were where they should be so we don't have to redo her vaccines.  Woohoo!  She did have some skin infections, so she got an antibiotic for that, but otherwise she's great.  We go back in 6 months to see how she's progressing.  If you're still looking to pray, just continue to focus on communication.  It is very frustrating to Clay and I trying to give her rules/boundaries when we don't know how much she's understanding.  She is very obsessed with non-toys in the house i.e. my computer and the dvd player :)  Hopefully after Christmas she'll have enough toys that she likes, but I'm not convinced.

Great day at the beach!

A visit to the Cartwrights is not complete without a trip to the beach even this time of year.  Jonah was a little sick so he just sat in Granginny's lap.  Jackson and Clay played a mean game of frisbee.  Jackson was taking a flying leap to catch the frisbee everytime which always ended with him rolling around in the sand.  Lexi is truly as addicted to the beach as the rest of us.  She just ran and ran!

Thanksgiving Projects

Jackson with his turkey bag from MOPS.  If you look at the feathers, he is thankful for church, friends, walls, toothbrush, and family.

The kids and I made a thankful tree this year.  The boys helped me cut out leaves and each night at dinner we would right some things we were thankful for on a leaf and add it to the tree.  Because it was at dinner, we are mostly thankful for food :)

Thanksgiving dinner (mostly dessert!)

Jonah with his 4-layer and pumpkin pie.

Lexi loved the 4-layer!

Jackson gets ready to down the rolls!

Everyone at the table!

My Super Heroes

Jackson with his soccer trophy

Super Joe showing off his muscles!

The brainwashing has begun...

Lexi dons her first Baylor paraphernalia.

The Boys in KC

I know its a lot of pictures, but they were there for a month.  The grandparents, Aunts and Uncle spoiled them rotten.  I think they did every fun thing in KC while they were there.

The floating heads!

GG and the boys.

The boys and their new friend Kyle at Deanna Rose Farmstead.  Its a great free petting zoo that has a pumpkin patch this time of year.

Jonah, Jackson, Carolyn and Emma.

Aunt Amy had the whole first week off, so they did lots of fun stuff like painting, cake making, and chalk on the driveway.

The Bass Pro Shop had archery for preschoolers one night.  Jackson was the only one who showed up so he got lots of practice.

Of course, its not a true vacation unless you get to go out on Uncle Clay's boat.