Thanksgiving/Early Christmas in OK

The kids had to wear their Christmas outfits early because it was too warm for them in New Zealand.  They are sitting in one of their new recliners that Santa brought them.

Since we went to New Zealand for Christmas, we celebrated Thanksgiving, Salami Day, and Christmas all in one weekend with the Hardgraves.  It was kinda crazy, but lots of fun.

We went to Aunt Mary’s for Thanksgiving and it was really nice, but I didn’t take any pics.

Eli and Cori put on their Christmas pj’s and then we decorated Grandma & Papa’s tree.

Eli enjoyed decorating the trees in Oklahoma & New Zealand (he put all the ornaments on the same branch).  Cori just wanted to attack the tree.  This is her attack face.

Santa delivered a bike and recliners early since they were too big to fit on the plane.  Sunday evening we read the Christmas story and then exchanged gifts.

Cori got lots of nice presents, including her first doll from Nick & Kira.  She liked them all, but the shiny ribbon was her favorite. 

Eli got trucks, dinosaurs, books, a Diego scooter, and this sweet guitar that he still loves to jam on.

This is the Salvation Army Santa.  Eli got on his lap and told him thanks for the bike.  I think Santa was confused.  Cori wasn’t quite sure what to think.

Halloween & the pumpkin patch

Eli dressed up as Diego and Cori was a monkey, but her horrible mother didn’t get a single picture of her in her costume.

It was impossible to get a good pic of the two of them.  They both just wanted to play with the hay, which we now know Cori is allergic to.

       

Eli was enjoying feeding the goats so much that he just had a seat and stayed for a while.

Eli’s first pony ride!  He rode “Lucky” all by himself and loved it.

Cori is crawling!

Cori had been getting up on all fours for a while, but Eli’s green barbershop balloon finally got her moving.  She started clapping at about the same time too, so it was pretty much the cutest thing ever.  She would crawl a few “crawls” and then stop, sit up, and clap for herself.  Check it out.

Eli’s first barbershop hair cut

He didn’t want to sit in the chair by himself, but he was very happy to sit in Papa’s lap.  Sherman gave him a great cut and, since he was a good boy, he got a sucker, a green balloon, and a first haircut certificate.

Never a dull day at our house

 

They grow up so fast.  Cori can sit up by herself, swing in the swing, and eat rice cereal now.  She is getting close to crawling too.  She gets around pretty well just rolling and wiggling.  She also sleeps in the crib now because Eli is back in his big boy bed.  So, we can put them to bed at the same time in the same room.  It’s great!  In other growing up news, Eli is potty trained!  He wore his last diaper on Sept. 13th.  That was a Monday morning and when I got him dressed I put underwear on him and he has pretty much been in them ever since, clean ones every day of course :)  There have been just a few accidents, but not many and in the last few days he has even started telling us when he has to go.  I am super proud of him.

Labor Day Weekend

This year, Eli had the full Henryetta Labor Day experience complete with parade, turtle and frog races, fish scramble, a carnival ride, and fireworks.  His favorites at the parade were the Shriners and of course the candy.  He also loved the tiny turtle he saw and driving the motorcycle at the carnival.

The whole fam was at Mom & Dads house, so we had lots of fun there too.  There was lots of football watching, swinging, swimming, and of course eating.  Derek and the guys did get in a lake trip too and he did a surface 360, woo hoo.  Derek and the uncles also had fun throwing Eli around in the pool, literally.

Cori loves to swing on the swing and sing songs with Grandma and Papa.

Derek is a Citizen! (and other stuff)

Derek is officially an American now, but he is still very proud of his heritage (even if they have been stinking it up on the rugby field).  Go Springboks!

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Cori always looks so cute on Sundays with her dresses and bows, but I feel like hardly anyone gets to see her.

Cori is a super happy baby.  She likes baths, loves to suck her thumb, and thinks Eli is hilarious.

Eli loves playing outside.  He usually just helps us with yard work, but he likes his new sand box too.  One night after his bath he wanted to wear his towel like Daddy.  We are working on potty training.  Some days are better then others, but I can definitely see progress.  Yesterday he used the potty 5 times.