Fun Family Memories

One of Scott's favorite ways to extract kisses from his children is to pretend he's asleep and only kisses wake him up (mine don't work in this game, only the kids!!)!! Allie is not into this game very much anymore, she's getting stingy with her hugs and kisses. Cooper, however, LOVES this game! Here he is "waking up" his dad!

Allie got a makeup case from Santa this year, one of the things on her list! It was full of lots of pink and sparkly lipsticks, nail polish and other things. Fortunately, it looks worse than it actually is going on! Grandma Crockett came over to get a make-over! She has only had her toenails painted one other time, but she consented to letting Allie paint her toenails! Here is grandma after her make-over!

Until recently, Chelsie has had our first tv in her room. We got the tv the first year of our marriage so the poor thing is almost 17 years old!! The picture went out on it a few years ago. Being "Crockett's" (also synonomous with cheap) we did not ever buy a new tv for her!! Why? It was perfect for her! She's blind!!!! She doesn't need to see the picture, just hear the sounds! Anyway, Scott's generous Aunt and Uncle gave us one of their tv's. It's giant! We laughed at how silly it looks in Chelsie's room, but the unexpected blessing in the whole thing is that the kids go in her room and watch her shows with her! It is good for her and good for them to interact with her and spend time with her!!! Here is a picture of Cooper chillin' with his oldest sister!

Getting Ready for Church

We tried out my new clippers I got for Christmas with a little haircut for brother before church. He wasn't very happy about it, but I love my new clippers!!

Here are some pics of A and C before church!! So cute!!


Here's what happens to a die hard boy with no nap and church from 2-5pm!! CRASH!!

Beautiful children...

Scott finally purchased a camera so we're back in business! Here's some pictures he took of Allie and Cooper the Sunday before Christmas... SOOOO cute!



For my sister out in NY, here are some pics from our Cooper family Christmas party. First, the grandkids...

Because you haven't seen them for a while, I'll name them! Allie, Cooper, Quintin (B's),Brady, Jessica, Will/Darby, Casey, Skylar (all R's), McKinna, Cassidy (B's), Gavin (D's), Kirstin (B's), Camryn (D's). Not pictured is B's youngest, Kaitlin and K's Avery and Landon. Notice K's cheeser pose behind the grandkids... he's still the funny one!!!

Here's Michelle and Eric. He really does look this bad in person, he's not doing well at all. Presently, we're not sure he's going to make it. We were surprised, but happy he was well enough to join us for Christmas.

Here's Colette with their youngest, Kaitlin. Is she a little Brandon in girl form or what??!!


Here's Kathy with her two, Gavin and Camryn


And Jenni with "princess" Jessica!!

Grandma did her traditional treasure hunt for presents, which is ALWAYS a hit with the grandkids! It is a loud, rambunctious, chaotic party... but it sure is fun to be together!! I love my family!!

Things I Love, Things I Don't...

Let's start with things I don't love. I don't understand it, it drives me crazy!!! There is immeasureable feet of cubic space around me. Why do my children insist on walking right in front of me? Even if I move to the side to try and go around, they move back directly in front of me! This is especially bothersome while carrying armfulls of groceries or worse, their big sister. I can't really see in front of me while holding her, she's awkward and heavy! Few things make me want to scream more than their unexplainable urge to walk right in front of me, as slowly as possible!

Wheh, with that out of my system, on to things I love! I love taking Allie to preschool! I realize one day I'll feel like a taxi cab and I won't love it, but now I do! I love talking to her, especially after school, about her day. We were driving to school Monday, that was December 7th. The topic on her mind that morning: what kind of birthday cake she'd like for me to make for her! Keep in mind that her birthday is the end of July!!! Yet, she's thinking of it in December. I love that. I love hearing all of her ideas and more importantly- how she is so confident in my cake making abilities!! How "perfect" (according to her) her princess cake was, and her flower cake. I hope she always feels that way, grateful for the little things I do. Grateful for my efforts to make her ideas reality! Again, it probably won't last forever so I wanted to mention it.

First Big Purchase

Allie has been saving her money for our trip to Disneyland we took in November. I thought I better document the first big purchase!!! It took a lot of weeks to accumulate her money, but she worked hard and was excited to spend it! Here she is counting up her hard earned money with dad...


And the grand total is....


She found what she was looking for!!! Allie LOVES soft things, she loves to snuggle with them and ever since she was a baby she would rub her face at night/in her sleep with her soft toy. When she found this lion she was SOLD!! It is a pillow and a pet! The fact that Erin Bevard had one was also a bonus! I thought it would be tough for her to part with her money, she is a Crockett anyway... but NOPE! She was so excited about her first big purchase!