Christmas 2010

Christmas was amazing.  So sad it's over.  Not only was it special to have Knox here us, but also to have all of my family here (including all the kids).  We spent Christmas morning very low-key, with a pancake/egg breakfast and lounging around in pajamas. 

Santa's loot for Knox

He's making his "excited" face/noise.  Promise.

This kid could not have been happier.  His new fun toy and Mickey Mouse Clubhouse!

That evening, my family came over and we had dinner at our house.  Andy smoked a turkey in the Green Egg and we had ham and all the fixins.  Awesome!  Even better, we had all 11 adults and 5 kids running around celebrating Christmas.  It was great!

He loves his drum from Gigi and Papi

All three, three months apart, playing with the same toy.  Too cute!

The two boys, Conner and Knox

The eldest munchkins, Mackenzie (or Belle) and Olivia

Mackenzie in her new chair, fur bolero, crown and wand.

It was a very merry Christmas around here, and above all else we celebrated our joy for the birth of Christ.  We sang him Happy Birthday at least three times, the kids couldn't get enough.  Pure joy!

8 months old!

Our big boy is 8 months old.  Time has sure flown by, but I've done my best to enjoy each and every moment.  He's our pride and joy, and we couldn't be more proud to be his parents!

Things he loves:

STANDING

Cruising around furniture, holding on of course

Slapping his hands (drumming, making loud noises on the table, etc.)

Eating

Sleeping

Being the center of attention

Crawling to a new piece of furniture and standing up on it

The dogs (petting them, pulling their ears/tails, watching them run in and out of the door)

Jumping in his jumparoo, although he's almost outgrown it

Bathtime

Playing with his Christmas toys

Things he hates:

Green beans.  Still.

Being held when he'd rather stand or crawl

Sitting still in his carseat.  If we're driving-great!  If we're in traffic-NOT great!

The end of bathtime.

We really are lucky to have such an easy baby.  He's quite the stud!

Christmas Eve

We headed up to the 3pm Christmas Eve service at church, and then headed home to make the sides for our dinner at Lindsay's.  We were able to snap some family shots before church, and then I only got a few pics at dinner...sad. 

3 Generations

The Dotsons

Excited Knox

Knox and Mom

 There are 5 kids on my side of the family, all under the age of 3.  The last 3 kids are all 3 months apart...it's a bit crazy!

Knox (8 months) and Avery (11 months) in a friendly tussle.  She won.

Papi's story time!  Mackenzie (3), Olivia (2.5) and Avery (11 months)

Knox and Lexi

My parents' dog, Lexi, was Knox's best friend this past week.  He is OBSESSED with dogs, and she might be the most patient canine I've ever seen.  He tugged her hair, climbed all over her, pinched her skin, pulled her ears, and basically owned her.  She would just roll over and allow it all. 

Knox was in heaven.  Lexi is exhausted.

My new years resolution, FYI, is to actually use my video camera instead of my iPhone.  I hate the terrible quality.

Merry Christmas!!!

Jolene's Graduation from SMU

This past weekend Stephen's cousin Jolene graduated from SMU.  We are so proud of her for all that she has accomplished, and wouldn't have missed it. 

Congrats, Jo, and best of luck in all of your future endeavors!!

Sweet Jolene!

Stephen's grandmother and her husband, Bob, came in town just for the graduation!

The Holmes clan: Josh, Jolene, Jesse, Jeanette, and John

LifeGroup Christmas Party

Last night we had our LifeGroup's Tacky Christmas Party.  We had a lot of really junky food and desserts, a White Elephant gift exchange and a little Elf.  Love Elf. 

We are so thankful for our group and the amazing friends we've made.  We have so much fun that it seems as if we've known each other forever...blessed!

Amy made she and Eric's sweaters.  We think she needs to start an Etsy shop.  Tacky sweater parties are a constant...she could make a killin'.

Amy and Jessica, being all sassy



Amy and Eric's loot.



The Dotson Clan



The girls (minus Jacqui and Janice)



The Group!  Please note that Eric's sweater has a lantern, with a light in it!  I'm telling you, Amy...you could make a killing!

Naps these days...

Start and end like this.  The crib was lowered (and I almost cried) to the lowest setting and now he has free reign to roam, walk, stand, etc. along the rails without mommy having a small (er, massive) coronary every time he leaned over the edge.  Pretty cute!

Santa...I know him!

Knox finally met Santa!  We went to Frisco Town Center with our good friends, the Wrights, and had a blast.  Santa was FREE (which is awesome) and you could take your own pictures (again, awesome!).  Knox loved Santa, and was really interested in his beard.  He told him he wanted a lot of money and warm milk for Christmas.  Pretty smart kid!



He was wondering why mommy was making such wierd faces at him.

 

Hey, I know you!  And your beard is AWESOME!

 

Ok guys, think I'm done!



Once we'd seen Santa and had dinner, we went to Dimples (a cupcakery) so Ella could have her prize for sitting with Santa.  Maren and Ella LOVE Knox, and the feeling is mutual.  He also loved their cupcakes and wanted some... 

Ella letting him get close!

Maren, Knox and Ella.



Silly Maren and her cupcake teeth!



Before we left, we had to dance in the snow (they do fake snow for the kids every 15 min) and take family pics in front of the tree!

The Dotsons

The Wrights.  I hate that it's blurry...

We always have the best time with the Wrights.  This might be a yearly tradition :)

Knox's first fever.

I hate this.  It's no surprise that the winter is harsh on little ones, and we've been really lucky in the fact that he hasn't been sick yet! But it's hit.  We got home from Austin on Sunday and Stephen thought he felt warm.  Sure enough, 102.9.  Wowzers.  We gave him some medicine, and thankfully it didn't go up.  Unfortunately, the next morning it was up again so we went to the doctor.  He didn't have any other symptoms besides the fever, so she took some blood and found an elevated white blood count...infection.  So, we're on Amoxicillin and Motrin for the fever, and hoping he feels better soon!  Real soon.  He looks pitiful!