The First Christmas Of The Season

How is it Christmas time already?!  Well we had our first Christmas of the season at my sister's house in LeClaire.  We had so much fun.  We loaded up our car at 7:30 AM and made the treck to their house.  We were greated at the door by my nieces asking Paige if she wanted to open presents.  I just love the excitement of that age.  It reminds me of all of my cousins at my grandparents in Pella.  My kids were blessed with so many awesome gifts from my family.  Grandma Greta got some surprise gifts the parents didn't know about.  She got snow toys!!  So the big kids went outside and played in the snow.  They had so much fun.  We spent the night at Heather's before coming home today.  We're a little exhausted as my kids did not sleep well, but oh well.  We'll catch up on sleep tonight.  Paige had so much fun and didn't want to leave today.  She already asked me when we're going back to their house.  Christmas is so much fun this year.  Paige understands the whole process and how things work, plus she's so into making sure Henry is taken care of.  I thought Henry was going to figure out how to open a present, but he just tried to eat it instead.  It was great to have some time with my family and to get to run around with my nieces and nephew.  To hear Colin say NIKKI!  I was pumped!  That little boy melts my heart.  Enjoy all of our pictures and expect a lot more where these came from as we continue through our Christmas adventures.

I asked Paige to hang out with Henry while we loaded the car.  I walked into Henry's room to find both of them on the floor cuddling with their blankets from Grandma Chapman!  

Of course our Christmas starts with a dance party.  So funny to watch these girls in action.  Heather and Tony are in big trouble with Carly LOL.  Henry even got into it and was kicking his legs on the floor.

So fun to see Carly and Elise actually able to read everyone's name on the presents.  Colin and Paige were the runners.

Present time!  She was so serious while unwrapping.

Henry cuddling with Grandma so I could take pictures.  He sure loves his Grandma.

My mom got Colin a tractor flash light.  So funny to watch him with this thing.  It's funny to see boy stuff showing up at our Christmas, not just princesses.

Just hanging out with Daddy

The presents are done.  Now it's time to play in the SNOW!!

This little boy is my buddy.  I seriously love that kid more than anything.  I tried all day to get him to cuddle with me.  He would just laugh and laugh and say No Nikki.  But I finally talked him into it so I made my Mom take a picture LOL.

These two little friends kill me.  They love each other so much.  Colin is always wondering where Paige is or Pay as he calls her.  They were cuddling and watching a movie together.

This morning we loaded up our car and we were off for home.  The kids did so great with the drive.  Paige was watching her movie and coloring most of the drive.  Henry pretty much slept.  We did stop at the outlet mall and took advantage of a nice sitting area they have by the bathrooms.  Let Henry stretch his legs, and Paige to run off some energy.

Henry 6 month update

My little monkey is 6 months old!  How?  I probably shouldn't even call him a little boy even though he is slowing down a bit on the growing.  We had his 6 month appointment.  He weight 22 lbs and 4 oz and 29 inches.  Such a big boy.  Our doctor was happy to see him sitting up on his own and hear he is rolling around all over the place.  He's still loving his baby food.  Crazy to hear my doctor start talking to me about sippy cups and finger food.  HOLY MOLY!!

The only bad part was our well baby check up turned into a sick baby check up.  Sunday Henry was just not being himself so I was very happy we were already going to the doctor on Monday.  Found out he had a virus in his throat which was causing him pain and major loss of appetite.  We gave him shots anyway that day.  So needless to say we're still trying to get back into our good routine and schedule.  He's doing MUCH better and is eating more like himself.  Now to get back to sleeping at night w/out getting up a bunch.

I was sitting with him in the kitchen last night while Paige was eating supper (Dad has now caught a very bad cold).  I was sitting there and realized Henry and I matched.  So I thought I would include this nice picture of us in the same outfit LOL!  We start out tour of Christmas' this weekend!  Paige is so very excited!

Crazy Paige

I should have names this blog crazy Mom.  Who lets a 3 year old talk them into going on a short walk when it's 13 degrees outside?!  Oh yeah Nikki Hartz does.  We bundled up in our boots, coats, hats, and everything.  Walks half of our block when the wind picked up.  Paige said I just want to go home!!  So we hurried home and had hot chocolate!  I think we'll stay in most of the day from now on.  Henry is cutting teeth we believe, he's grumpy and his cold is back.  Poor dude.  But tomorrow is his 6 month appointment, so I'll have an update about that too!

Paigey's Big Girl Haircut

Paigey and I had a girls day yesterday.  It started out with some cuddling before the boys got up.  We watched some TV.  Then we went out for some errands.

We started out our morning with Paigey getting a big girl haircut!!  I would say it was her first real haircut but Kelsey who cuts my hair trimmed Paige's hair when she was 6 months old.  But I have cut it since then.  I decided that it was time for her to get used to someone else cutting her hair.  She did GREAT!  The girl who cut it was very good with kids so that helped as well.

After the haircut we went to Target because Paigey wanted to buy Daddy and Henry Christmas presents.  I thought this was so sweet of her.  So she picked out some toys for Henry and a special surprise for Daddy.  Then we went out for breakfast at Perkins just us girls.  It was a great morning with Paigey.

My Buddy Henry

So Henry has started becoming a bit of a cuddle bug to his Mama.  I'll take every minute of it.  Rob caught some pictures of him last night.  He also is a ham for the camera as Rob tried to catch him cuddling and you'll see what he did.  I love this little boy.

Elf on the Shelf

It's official.  We have started Elf on the Shelf at our house.  Paige has named him Joe, Rob and I were trying for Bernard.  Paige didn't like that name.  So Joe has started making his rounds around our house.  Paige is very unsure about the whole thing and worries every once in a while about what's going to happen, or how is Joe going to get back, etc.  Hopefully she'll get more comfortable with him soon.

Paigey's Model Status

So as most of you know I work for a company that does photography for many different clients to help them produce their corporate ads.  Recently we have increased our involvement with Scheel's.  SO Paige had an opportunity of modeling!!  I don't know how many more times I'll do this with her and it was a long morning for her and she almost missed a field trip.  She had her picture taken alone and with one of our Art Directors sons.  They were so entertaining together!  Now to get Henry in an ad, HA!

Here is her wonderful debut!! She ran in their black friday ad, which of course we didn't get in Ankeny.  So I was given some copies from the salesman at work.  They look so cute!!