Goodbye 2009!

I promise that someday I'll get around to posting photos from this year, but I need to get some of these photos from late December in the blog. Some are just too precious not to post! We had a rather subdued New Years Eve celebration this year due mostly in part to this little man...It's hard to believe in just a few short hours, this hearty and healthy looking boy would be puking all over our bed. AWESOME! What a way to end the old year. Despite the fact that he was obviously not feeling great, he insisted upon wearing his snow boots in the house all day long.

My awesome husband stayed behind for the majority of the evening and came over just before bedtime when we whisked Tristan upstairs and put him to bed to avoid contaminating the whole family. We enjoyed a quiet and small party at my parent's house on New Years Eve, in direct contrast to the harried pace of the previous holiday. Sweet Alexandra was saying goodbye to her very first year on earth. 2010 will be a great adventure for her as she learns to crawl and walk.

Brent and I have spent so many New Year's Eves together. This is our thirteenth year as a couple, our ninths as a married couple. I love my honey more every year. He is precious to me! The Bridge's Rockin' New Years Eve! While we played games, Dad and Micah napped until the ball dropped.

Alex is trying to learn to crawl and on New Years Eve wriggling herself into this weird position. After the ball fell, and celebration was over, Alex was REALLY ready to retire for the night! Brent and I retired soon after to spend the night at my parent's house. Alas, it was not meant to be a restful night for us and Brent ended up taking Tristan home at 5am, while I stayed behind to decontaminate the room where he stayed. I love my kids, but this was really not how I was looking forward to welcoming in the New Year! Happy New Year 2010!

And speaking of retiring, recently during one of Maura's rare naps, I peeked in to see this sight. Maura had taken a hamper from her closet, pulled out all the stuffed animals, and crawled in herself to fall asleep. It was hilarious! She actually slept in this hamper at both naps and nighttime for about a week, then accidentally ripped a hole in the side. She no longer sleeps there, but it was definitely on of the more unique sleeping arrangements that we've experienced yet. Tristan has a new obsession--choo choo trains. I think we can trace it back to that choo choo ride at Opry Mills. Whatever it was, it occurred just a week or so after Christmas. It would have been nice to know BEFORE Christmas that we would be entering a train obsession! We got out Tristan's ride on train recently and he spent a lot of time riding around our foyer. Tristan talks about trains all the time and is always saying, "All Aboard!" these days!
Our first home church of the year was a relaxed affair where we ordered pizza and played Rock Band. The kids loved it and got in on the action. Maura found a pan and a stick and went to town as a percussionist for the Rock Band song.


All the girls took a very embarrassing turn at the game. We were, shall we say, awful! It was fun anyway. Here's to 2010. It's going to be an awesome and life changing year for us.

December Trip to Tennessee

Due to our pre-Christmas trip to Colorado, we didn't have a chance for our customary pre-Christmas trip to Tennessee. We headed down for a visit two days after Christmas and the kids were SO excited to celebrate yet another Christmas with Nan and Poppa. Poppa and his girl enjoying some chocolate and getting ready to open presents.

Maura CAN NOT get enough present opening this year. She pretty much opened all of her own presents along with all of Tristan's. She especially loved this bumblebee costume from Nan and Poppa. Tristan LOVES his Poppa. He talks about him all the time. He finds the photo of Nan and Poppa that we keep on the bookshelf, points to him and says, "Poppa! Poppa!" We're working on getting him to say "Nan" too.
The kids were happy to help Daddy and Poppa put the toys together. I think we have some future engineers on our hands! The major reason for our arrival on the 27th of December? The bowl game, OF COURSE! We bought tickets for Chuck and Grandpoppa for Christmas gifts and the guys all headed out that evening for some really cold football! I'll have to say I wasn't disappointed not to be heading out for four hours of "fun" in the 20 degree weather!

Kentucky played Clemson in the Music City Bowl and we were so excited that they made it to a bowl game again this year. Cold Kentucky fans! They cheered their hardest, but alas, it was not enough to propel the Cats to victory. Kentucky lost to Clemson, but we'll hope for better luck next year!
Little Ruldoph! Maura loved prancing around the house and pressing everyone into her game. I'll have to say, I'm relieved that the Rudolph stage has passed in favor of the kitty cat stage. We now have lots of meowing around our house. Maura enjoyed some crafting time with a gift from Uncle Matt and Aunt Brenda. She LOVES doing crafts.
Grandmother came out for a visit one morning and the kids almost overwhelmed her with their crazy dance moves and running around. I think she loved all the activity but it is, well, a bit overwhelming. The kids gave us a lovely rendition of Flight of the Bumblebees.

Then Tristan decided to be a bumblebee. He's going to kill me for this one one day, but I SWEAR he really wanted to wear the costume. This picture is definitely reappearing at his graduation dinner!

GG and Great Grandpoppa invited us out for brunch one morning. The kids enjoyed their chance to visit with their greats. I love this photo of Tristan with his Grandpoppa--two generations of Allen men. Tristan is the only boy on the Allen side to carry on the Allen name, so I think he holds a special place in Grandpoppa's heart. GG with her girl. I'm so glad that my kids have a chance to really get to know their great grandparents. So special.

On our last evening in Tennessee, we headed down for a special dinner at the Rainforest Cafe. I've been wanting to take the kids for some time and it just seemed like the time to do it! Tristan looks slightly concerned about that gorilla looming in the background! Brent enjoying some quality time with his parents.

Me with my sweet kids. We opted to avoid the two hour wait by sitting in the bar area. AWESOME idea. I'll never wait at Rainforest Cafe again! The kids loved watching the rain, smoke and moving animals. Nan and Poppa enjoyed the chance to act like kids with the kids!
The whole time we were sitting at dinner, we kept hearing a train bell and seeing a choo choo rush by. After dinner, we went out looking for the train and paid for a ride for the kids and their daddy. Come to think of it, this is probably the beginning of Tristan's current train obsession! "Choo--Choo!" Tristan's current favorite word. He also says, "All Aboard!"
Blast off! We blasted out of Tennessee the next day, but not before we had lots of fun on our Tennessee visit.

Christmas Day 2009

I was wondering if I was going to be able to meet my goal of posting all Christmas pictures before the end of January, and it looks as if I might just squeak by. So, here I am posting Christmas Day photos on the eve of February 1. If you remember, we arrived back at our home at 1am on Christmas Day. Thus, we were a little bleary eyed when the kids woke up bright and early at their normal 7 am. They were ready for Christmas, even if their parents were ready to turn back over and go back to sleep! They were so excited and cute and I sat them at the top of the stairs just like I did when I was a kid.

Tristan just stood and stared when he entered the living room. He turned around several times and then headed straight over to Maura's new bouncy ball and pitched it across the room. Maura was furious that her fairy ball had been tossed and headed over for some serious bouncing.
Mr. Santa had the brilliant idea of giving the kids foam swords for Christmas. Now, they beat each other over the head on a regular basis. I think Santa may have gotten the gifts mixed up. Tristan seemed to prefer Maura's gifts and Maura liked Tristan's.

Maura was pretty excited about her big girl bike. Tristan finally figured out that his trucks are FUN! He actually spends more time sitting in this truck than pushing it.

Maura with her dinosaur family--she received a baby T. Rex to join her big dino. Aww, Tristan loved his baby Triceratops and kept giving it hugs and kisses.


Despite the fact that we'd been out of town, I tried to be ready and anticipate Christmas morning, so I did have sausage and cinnamon rolls ready for Christmas morning breakfast.
A rare Christmas morning photo of me in my PJ's. I couldn't miss having a photo with my girl! Brent enjoyed opening his presents, despite the plane flying around his head!

My favorite gift--my super premium snuggie! After breakfast and showers, we headed over to celebrate with my family. My cute niece, Alex, was celebrating her very first Christmas.

Enjoying Christmas Day with my honey! Merry Christmas Brent! Maura and Tristan were both so excited to be a Grammy and Pappap's house. I manged to forget to get a photo of my kids with their grandparents.

Maura received a parachute from Aunt Lorie and Uncle Micah. INSTANT love. Daddy and his wild kids.
Stocking time! Everyone piled onto the couch for this family tradition.
What a fun family day. I love Christmas and I'm always a little sad that it's over and I have to wait another whole year for it to come again. Thank you, God, for sending us Baby Jesus!