The 9 Popes

We had a very quick visit from the "6 Popes." They were on their way up to Marquette Michigan and we were so excited to be their last stop before they finally made it HOME! Although it was a quick trip we had so much fun. The cousins loved playing together and Will was sad when they all left :(. But good news is we are only a quick flight away now!

5 minutes into the visit and the kids were all over the toys - Will included

Two buds talking it out

Mr. Gideon leading the charge

"Mom look how fun this is!!! Can they move in?"

Christmas in Connecticut

It was truly a picture perfect Christmas - there were cookies, and trees, matching Elves, carrots for the reindeer, presents, little mermaid outfits, snuggles, family and babies - lots and lots of little babies crawling and running about. Again it was truly picture perfect. We all went home for about 5 days and it was the neatest thing to watch the four cousins play like four best friends in the whole world.

Prepping for house the big day and Santa's arrival!

Build Candy House - Check!

Vacuum family room - check!

Put vacuum away - Check!

Make the cookies - Check and Check!

Filling the little bellies - It seemed like most of the day there was someone eating - breakfast, lunch, dinner, lunch #2, dinner #2 - these kids like to eat and have fun doing it!!!

Thing 1 and Thing 2 being silly

We call this meal the "green stuff" - avocado, peas, and other stuff all mashed up

Best friends for life - Tessa is Will's hero

And then everyone showered and up dressed in their Christmas best! We all somehow actually made it to 4 o'clock mass and found seats - for most of mass. At one point all three boys were in the back of the church blowing off a little steam. Buddies for life!

The Whole Crew - Christmas Eve

Will 10.5 months, James 20 Months, Deccie 13 Months, Tessa 3 Years Old

Our First Christmas as 3

"I Love Ya Man!"

The Christmas Elves were very excited that Santa came!

Getting in a little trouble before little Miss Tessa woke up

The two little guys hogging the attention of Grandma on Christmas Morning

Deccie and Will checking out the new toy - Barney!

It was super hard to keep these 4 still for a picture - this is as best as we got of the stripped jammies

The Popes Christmas Morning - Will love Love LOVED all the Christmas morning activities. He crawled all over the family room playing with toys, grabbing wrapping paper, wrestling Deccie and snuggling with Mommy and Daddy. He was the BEST gift ever!

Daddy and Buddy!

Overdue for a nap - nothing a little binki can't fix

Reading his new Elmo book from Jamesy!

My little snuggle bug

Santa's Helpers

"So Santa comes down here? Maybe he needs our walker?"

"Justus lets put the decorations up here"

"Ohhh yes - it looks great"

Birthday Bash for Tessa and Deccie

Will was so excited to be invited to the big birthday bash for Tessa (3) and Deccie (1). Lucky for Jason and I, Will allowed us to bring him to and from the party, feed him dinner, catch him when he decided to let go when standing up on all the jungle gyms and carry him out of the car when he crashed on the way home. That was so nice of you Mr. Will. The party was a huge hit and Tessa and Deccie were just adorable.

"Hey Will mind if I get a ride on your back"

"hey mom I am heading up ok?"

Kisses from the bday girl!

Going wild on all the play structures - he screamed with excitement the whole time

Want to meet for dinner?

We can totally do that now!!! Thats right my parents have moved to the hood!!! Lots of more fun to be had - but here is a picture from our first dinner three doors down from their apartment having some pizza.

Let it snow...Just a little

This morning we woke up (12/9) to about 1/2 of inch of snow! Although it was really just a dusting it is always fun to wake up to the first snow of the season. It must have been the holiday/winter jammies I put Will in last night that brought on the precipitation. Not sure if Will even noticed the snow but the pictures sure make it seem like he was interested! Can't wait for our first big snow so we can bust out the sled!!

"Mom is that snow out there??!!"

"Yep I think it is - lets stay in here and snuggle :)"

All bundled up for a snowy run

SANTA! I know him...

Well even if Will did know Santa they didn't hit it off the other night walking down Southport. It was the sweetest Mr. and Mrs. Claus but Will was not in the mood to be passed over to strangers. Maybe next year buddy - in the mean time I will tell Santa what you want for Christmas:

- puffy crackers

- a swiffer sweaper

- a remote to the Comcast Cable box

and a couple good power cables

Merry First Christmas Buddy!! Here is to 100 more!

10 Months Old - December 5, 201

Look at our big 10 month old!!!!

"Cheeseeeee"

"Oh hey - how does this pose work for you?"

"You don't like it? I am so annoyed with this whole thing"

"Oh hey - you are still there - WHAT THE"

Weight: 19lbs 5oz

Likes: Play catch, crawling up, over and ontop of things, meatballs, soups, talking/screaming when he gets excited, when Daddy comes into the room, eating for long periods of time, pulling all of the books out of the book shelf, running away naked while I try to change his diaper, running after the swiffer sweeper, birthday parties (deccie's and tessa's)

Dislikes: Diaper changes, getting 4 teeth in 1 week, sleeping in past 5 in the morning

So MUCH to be thankful for!!

What a wonderful Thanksgiving we had in Dallas with the WHOLE Pope Family. This was the first time in two years since the whole family had been together - with two new members (Gideon and Will). It was so awesome to get to know our little niece and nephews better and when we left on Saturday I missed them so so so much. We had the most wonderful trip - here is a run down of all the kids and our few attempts at a cousin picture.

Jordynn - 9

Hunter - 7

Keon - 3

Gideon - 18 months

Will - 9 months

Will jamming at the piano

Gideon getting a good grab of Will's hair

CHEESSSSEEEEE!!!!!

Donna and James were so kind to have us over their huge new house for Thanksgiving. Their house is all one floor which made it PRIME for crawling all over. Will had his first Thanksgiving meal - which lasted longer then all the kids and adults. He loves a good 45 minute meal :)

Boys with their boys

The Popes!

Mealtime!

Could they be any cuter??? Dressed up for Thanksgiving

We also got to join Hunter to celebrate his 7th birthday a little early at Mr. Gaddy - which is like a Chuck e Cheese - but ALOT nicer! Thank you Grandmommy for taking us all there!! Even Will got to join in on the rides.

4 Generations - Will, Jason, Grandmommy and Great Grandmommy

Sisters!!!! How lucky am I?