Try to sum it up...

Merry Christmas everyone! I hope you all were able to celebrate with your families like we were able to do. We especially cherished this Christmas, it's just too bad that sad news makes you realize how fortunate we all are. We had a great time, my kids got too many presents and I am ready to take down all the decorations and hunker in for the long rest of the cold winter. BRRRR!

So to summarize our life for the past month:
* Lola is working on getting two teeth. Yes, that's right, TWO teeth and she is JUST 3 months old. I am super sad about this as this is just another reminder of how old she is getting TOO quickly. Teague didn't get teeth until 6 months...
* Lola still does amazingly well sleeping all night. Sometimes up to 12 hours a stretch. CANNOT COMPLAIN ABOUT SLEEP HERE THIS TIME AROUND!! WOO HOO!
* Teague is so smart (we aren't being biased at all I don't think)!! He can count up to 15 (maybe higher, we don't know as he does these types of things - counting- when he wants and not when prompted. He counted all the fish tanks at Walmart and there just happened to be 15 of them. Ryan and I looked at each other wondering who taught him that - Tina of course. He also can do the whole alphabet - again, Tina. He uses phrases and words that we can't believe he knows or even knows the correct context to use them in, like me: "Teague, should we go eat at Pizza Ranch?", Teague: "THAT'S a GREAT idea!"
*So we are super proud and smug of our kids.

My dad has started his cancer treatments and he has started to feel the negative effects of them all. That's very hard for me to see, I don't want my dad to be in ANY pain. He is so brave and strong. What a guy.

I am happy to have Ryan home for the next week (well sort of, bball tournament takes precedence of course). We have a wedding on New Year's Eve, so that will be my first night away from Lola.

Tomorrow Lola gets dedicated at church. We hope the weather stays nice enough for it! Have a great week and a Happy New Year!

Eating breakfast on Christmas morning - with Papa's silly hat!

Lola trying to lick Nana's hand on Christmas morning - wants any and everything in her mouth to comfort her sore gums! =(

Teague loves his new fleece blanket!

Lola playing Baby Jesus in the kids' program - she looks so happy!

The 3 "wise men" - or 1 Shepard, Mary and Joseph??

Chase showing Teague Baby Jesus. The youngest person is to put Baby Jesus in the manger on Christmas Eve - Lola is just a bit too young for that!

Teague placing Baby Jesus in the manger.

The Table of 4!

The best I can get of my kids together these days. The novelty of holding/hugging/kissing his sister has wore off!

Celebrating at home with the 4 of us. This is my attempt at getting a picture of the family (I don't really count).

Listen closely, she actually giggles!

Lola just jabbering away instead of being tired for bed!