Instagram Christmas

I joined the legions of iPhone users and am addicted to Instagram. It just makes everything look nostalgic and sweet. So, instead of trying to do something holiday-ey everyday (it just seemed too overwhelming this year), I decided to document the little things through this great app. So, here is our month leading up to Christmas in pictures.

Halloween 2011

Mermaid Sadie with Magician Davis

Super Cashion!

Bebe found this onesie in a catalog that you could customize, so Cashion became SUPER Cashion for Halloween. Too bad he wasn't feeling so super (he was getting over Hand Foot and Mouth Disease, yuck). I almost added red tights to the get-up, but decided against it (which I hope he will thank me for someday). The crocheted mask and mermaid tail came from Etsy. Sadie decided that her Rapunzel wig would complete the mermaid look. The kids were thrilled when Papa joined us for trick-or-treating. Sadie was a totally different kid this year when it came to trick-or-treating. Last year, she wanted one of us to go up to each door with her because she was nervous. Now she is so independent that she took off with a pack of neighborhood kids as they ran around the neighborhood. It was fun to watch and it gave us a little insight into what the next few years (or more) could be like.

Punkin' Huntin'

We went to Tarrytown Methodist's Pumpkin Patch this year since we didn't make it out to Sweetberry Farm. It is so convenient and a nice size for toddlers. And it was a gorgeous day on top of everything.

July 4, 2011

Cashion and his Papa have a special connection

Sadie and her Bebe

We spent July 4th at the Lake House and actually made it over to the festivities at Quail Point this year. The kids had a great time watching the parade, getting their faces painted, getting patriotric tattoos, stalking the balloon animal guy (who also juggled), eating popcorn and watermelon. It was a real small town celebration. Sadie also got to stay up late enough to watch the fireworks at Horseshoe Bay. She sang along to Katy Perry's "Firework" as she watched her first pyrotechnic display.

Easter 2011

Yes, I know, Easter was a long time ago, but I am doing my best here. He happened upon the Easter Bunny at the mall and Cashion was curious, but Sadie was not (you have heard this story before..."Santa").

We enjoyed another Easter Egg Hunt on the Capitol grounds and this year Granny got to come with us. The next day we went to church, had another egg hunt at Bebe and Papa's, discovered Easter basket surprises and had lunch with the Tingley clan. It is rare that we get everyone together for Easter like this and it was fun to spend the holiday with Baby Jack.

Sadie, Granny, Baby Jack and Jack

Happy New Year 2011

Sadie was so excited to see her cousins this holiday. Stacy, Greg, Katelyn, Mason and Gracie came to Austin over New Years and it was so much fun. We stayed in and watched the ball drop in Time Square on TV. It was great. The kids (and adults) had a blast.

Christmas 2010

Christmas Eve Service

Sadie driving the "hay ride" at the Elgin Christmas Tree Farm

Our attempt at Santa pictures

It seems like years ago, but Christmas was a wonderful time for all of our family to spend time together. It was fun to watch Cashion experience his first Christmas and see how much more Sadie enjoys it each year that she grows older. She was excited to show her little brother all her favorite parts of the season, too. Though she still couldn't handle the Santa picture. She was excited about going and then wouldn't let go of me when she saw him. Oh well, we got one of Cashion screaming in Santa's lap, just like when his sister was little. Sadie did, however, like decorating the tree this year and wanted to know about each of the ornaments. Cashion loved the abundance of tissue paper to play with and tear up. This was the year that Sadie got her first big girl bike. This might have been a bigger moment for Matt and I than Sadie initially, but when she got to ride it for the first time she was pretty proud of herself. We loved having Dana, Bebe, Papa, Nana and Granny all at our house Christmas morning to have our traditional "pigs" (in a blanket) and cinnamon roll breakfast while opening the kids gifts. Then, we headed to Bebe and Papa's for the Tingley clan Christmas lunch. It is about as stress-free as a Christmas can be for me (thanks, Mom, for your tireless efforts).