Shillig 4 Family

We made a quick day trip to Houston to visit my cousin Coty and her son Jackson and then over to see the Lincoln and Jackie Sarager family and their kids Brigham and Rosalee.  I was so impressed with the kids today, no major melt-downs and that was even on a 30 minute power nap in between visits.  Now Jake and I are unwinding while watching "Billy Madison" at my Dad's house.  I forget how nice it is to relax and watch TV before bed.

Last week, I went and had my best friend Marianne do my hair and while I was gone my Dad, Jake, and the kids raked up the yard.  They had a grand ol' time throwing leaves and especially being buried in them.  Rudy the little dog fetched sticks the kids threw.  I'm sad I missed all the fun but glad I finally got my hair done!

For Christmas we got some gift cards to the movies and to CHEDDARS restaurant.  We went one evening on a family date night.  The girls were ALL about the popcorn!  The theater wasn't crowded so the kids roamed a bit and found their own seats in the row in front of us.  I thought it was cute to see them be a little independent.  Cheddars was before the movie and Jake got himself his favorite, a MONTE CRISTO and I shared a kid's meal chicken strips with the kids, my stomach is at that SUPER TINY stage.  Thanks Dad and She She for the gift cards!

We've spent a lot of time working on our TX house to get it all ready for renters.  The kids have been troopers, even when we sit in the yard and have a poptart picnic.  My mom found an old TELETUBBIES tape of Brody's that even had his name on it.  He loved TELETUBBIES as a little boy.  Christmas morning Santa left us some stockings.  Malachi is REALLY into running off and laughing as you call after/chase after him.  Sometimes it's funny, sometimes it's not.  Pa Pa Tim got the kids flash lights of their very own so they'd quit stealing his big heavy duty one off the kitchen counter.  Mali Su is always sweet and humors me for a picture.  The Sellers have a HUGE Christmas party at their house.  We were excited to see everyone and got there right before the volcano of wrapping paper exploded.  Then my cousin David started a wrapping paper war, quite the event. It was great to be with all my siblings this visit!  We were even...

I guess that's what you'd call them. The girls have each made up names for I guess friends?  But I will admit we aren't quite sure.  It's not like the typical imaginary friend, these are just made up names that aren't really assigned to anyone/anything. Mali Su's was Bee-Stop-Bee and while at Nana's the boys kinda assigned that name to a turtle they caught at the creek so now Bee-Stop-Bee will forever be known as a turtle but I wish we had known what Mali Su really meant Bee-Stop-Bee to be.  I guess we'll never know. Aimi Lark has started talking about and using the name Sanga/Zanga and we have no idea who she's referring to.  Today though she did use the name for her baby doll. So there you have it, our girls and their "imaginary" friends/made-up names. Jake took the girls with him on a little shooting excursion with my Sellers cousins while I went shopping with my Dad and Malachi last week, explains the warm clothing and ear protection.  ...

I've been taking pictures from different cameras this trip so that is why they are all out of sorts in these posts.  Aimi Lark turned 4, we were so excited to have her a family party here. Great Granddad Charlie gave her and Mali Su PRINCESS UMBRELLAS and I think that might have been the biggest hit of the party.  Somehow Aimi Lark knew on her own to pull the candles out and suck off the chocolate after she blew out the candles.  She LOVED this umbrella!  Out came the bicycle!  A PRINCESS bicycle!  Aunt Judy brought an amazing meal and got Aimi Lark the bell and helmet to complete the bicycle party.  We got Aimi Lark a PRINCESS tin of popcorn.  On top were tons of accessories but the popcorn was the most loved.  We recently took Aimi Lark on a movie date night with just me and Jake.  While at the movie a cartoon of dancing popcorn came across the screen and ever since Aimi Lark associates dates with popcorn and she has really wanted...

We had such a fulfilling Christmas morning.  It was the perfect combination of quality and quantity. First gift of the day were some "pillow pets" from Aunt Judy.  Malachi roared at his and was later found laying on Aimi Lark's ladybug and even later eating candy off the back of his pillow pet.  She She got the girls these AMAZING dolls that come with food and drink that magically disappears and she says the cutest (not annoying) phrases.  These are a hit!  Malachi got an RC car from Pa Pa.  You shake it, set it down, and it TAKES OFF!  He kept saying what sounded like BUZZ (Lightyear) at the car.  It is a Toy Story car, but Woody is driving.  My Dad got us a much needed digital camera.  I am so excited!  We know I like to document just about everything.  Granddad got a clothes hanging rack.  He said he'd wanted one of those for 30 years!  Aunt Judy (my Dad's sister) was such a great helper this morning.  S...