GIANT Monkey Softie

When Ruby was a baby she got this monkey "softie" (picture above)  that has been her sleep friend ever since.  Even after getting her other animal "softies" she always went back to the monkey one as her fav.  Kristin was shopping for a baby shower gift and came across this  identical GIANT monkey softie (below)  and had to bring it home to Ruby.  She giggled and giggled and said "oh mommy, it's silly!".  But of course she immediately took to it. 

 

The GIANT softie is big enough to wrap up in or use as a blanket for a bedroom picnic!

 

 

This morning Kristin peeked into Ruby's room to find her having a picnic on the floor with her friends and telling them a story from her Bible (with a crown on of course).  When asked what story she was telling them Ruby simply replied

"The battle of Jericho, Momma!" 

 

Dance/Tumbling Class & In-Door Soccer

 

Miss Ruby's dream come true -- a dance class  (but one that both kids can be in at same time).  It also includes tumbling.  Grandma Carrie is taking them each Wed. to a studio about one  mile from their home.   Notice Ru's perfect little arms up -- I don't even know what that is called!  And then see Carson in the mirror with his pointing straight up! 

Ballerina vs. tumbler!  Having girl/boy twins sure is a learning experience with how different the two can be.  

 

 

 

 

Now this is more up his alley.  This was their very first soccer class and he was talking about it all week.  He has such speed and endurance, that this very well could be HIS SPORT! 

 

 

 

 Ru lumbered along as well, enjoying herself! 

 

 

Some Fun Quotes Over The Holidays!

CARSON:  "Did you know that Christmas is more about giving than getting?"

RUBY:  "Carson you better be good or you will get on the naughty list!"

CARSON:  "May I please have some more Brussel Spouts!"  (no kidding)

RUBY:  "I forgot to ask Santa to put a cheese stick in my stocking!"

CARSON:  "Mommy, I think the Elf is real because he is eating bread!"

 

When Ruby was given a Christmas gift to open, she would hug the person who gave it to her and thank them, BEFORE she even opened it.  Such sweetness in her heart! 

 

 



Happy New Year 2013

Dec, 31st, was a very cold cold day, but we got outside so Carson could do his new remote control car.  He is very good with it and we went around the block.  He did get tired of the car and wanted to run, so Kristin took over the controls. 

Nanny Rach came for a visit.  Here they are all snuggled in to watch Charlie Brown's Happy New Year before going outside to welcome in 2013. 

 

I had been telling them about banging pots and pans outside to welcome the new year and they could hardly wait.  Carson tried out all my pans and spoons to see which one made the most noise.  We went out at 8:00 PM (which I'm sure must have been happy new year someone in the world) and made some racket.  

 

When I said it was time to go in (since it was in the low 30's), Carson began to cry. I think he thought he could stay outside and bang pans for a long time.  I made him happy by telling them we could go in the back yard too.  I'm sure they will remember this fun moment in their lives, and want to do it for years to come. 
(Notice Miss Ruby's different backyard banging style)

 

It was so terribly cold outside on New Year's Day, that we found inside things to do.  Here they are enjoying the new play dough set I got Ruby for Christmas.  

 

 

This little boy loves his Nanny Rach and was sad when she was saying Good Bye! 

Christmas Evening At Grandma Julee's House

A few more gifts to open.  Grandpa Bill sent Elf On The Shelf items that were a hit.  Since their Elf, Lucky, had to go back to the North Pole till next Christmas, the kids were delighted to have the little snow globes of the Elf to keep in their rooms all year long. 

 

 

Great Grandpa Frank sent Carson an erector set.  He is 92 and was very specific about what he wanted to get for the great grandchildren.  He remembered playing with an erector set as a child.  They have changed in all these decades, but still a lot of building fun for a little boy with an engineer-type mind for building things.  I think he will have hours of fun creating things with this set. 

 

 

Great Grandpa Frank wanted his 3 great granddaughters to receive dolls for Christmas from him.  Over the years Miss Ruby has had dolls, but she has never really been a dolly-girl ------- until this Christmas.  She LOVED this new doll and quickly named her "Rosie".  The doll has gone everywhere with Ruby since Christmas Day. 

 

 

Below is my decorations for the holidays.  I enjoyed having them so much this year that I still haven't taken them down.  I must do it soon, because the dead tree is becoming a fire hazard in my own living room. 

Christmas Eve & Christmas Morn

Grandma Carrie really made a HUGE HIT with her gifts this year.  She made the pink princess dress and Aunt Lindsey made the crown and arm bands.  She found this "amour of God" outfit for Carson at a Christian outlet on line.  Carson calls it his "knight armour" and wore it all Christmas Eve and most of Christmas day.  They were both quite proud of themselves with their new outfits.  I love how Ruby has her arm around her "knight in shining armour!"

 

Christmas morning the first thing Kristin did was read the note that Lucky (the Elf on the Shelf) left to the children. He will see them next year! 

Santa gave Carson a  pirate sword and eye patch  in his stocking!

After Ruby came home from seeing Santa she said "I forgot to tell him I wanted a cheese stick in my stocking."  She was delighted to find one in there and quickly made it disappear.  

 

Santa gave Casey tickets to the Alamo Bowl in his stocking (and his father also got tickets).  They were both  thrilled to travel to TX to watch their beloved beavers!  (Sadly, after leading the entire game, the Oregon State Beavers lost in the last few minutes!)  

 

Cousin Megan gave Carson a cool helicopter that made him squeel!  

 

Thank you Cousin Megan for the dress up  doll set for Ruby. 

 

Little-Beaver-Fans-In-The-Making
(We didn't tell them to strike that pose --  they both just did it when I said I wanted to take a picture!)

 

I think Carson's favorite gift was the remote control car.  We were still opening gifts and told Carson to wait till later to play with it.  He was so excited that he said "can you just open it so I can touch it?"

 



Really great MONSTER TRUCK PJ's from Aunt Stephanie & Uncle Jimmy!

 

More fun gifts from Aunt Stephanie and Uncle Jimmy -- Thank you for all the gifts you gave us!



Aunt Stephanie and Uncle Jimmy got a Cabelas' gift card for Casey -- Couldn't be happier!  



Blue and Pink piggy banks for the kids -- and they quickly got all my change to start them out!

 



 

Ruby loved her mermaid bath toy and set it up on the dining table.  They couldn't wait for bath time!



 

Such a boy -- trying to takel the mermaid from Ru.

 

Above Carson has a moment to play with the mermaid set alone while Ruby played with his Lego set alone in the kitchen. 

 

This was the year of the Lego's for Carson.  He is very good with putting together the smallest of sets. 

 

One small Lego piece fell and Carson got out his new flashlight to see if it was under the oven.

 

Ruby started right in with her thank you notes that morning.