Off to Texas to see about a little man named Parks

Buhumbug...even Mickey doesnt wanna fly this plane

Parks Tucker

Angela went to the bathtub....and caught a shark!

Their birthday was on Saturday and we left Sunday the next morning at 4am to head to Texas with Mom T.
It was a 12 hour trip in which the girls did great. All four us girls, that is. Sadie and Trista were Ipad entertained and except for an occasional squabble in the back followed by a much needed nap they did great. Chris had to work(thank you hun) so we headed down to see them since we knew they would not be able to make the trip to TN as previously planned for Christmas. Parks is in his 3rd round of Chemo. He is doing great. Mom and dad are holding up well. I cant  even imagine the stress they have to deal with. Lara and I took Parks to his chemo on Wednesday. We sat and waited for 4 hours and it only took them 5 minutes to give the Chemo. Better that way than the other way around, right!? He is a tough, strong little dude. So proud of him and Jonathan and Angela. Hate that they have to go thru this and wish we were closer to help out.
The girls broke in all of Parks toys while we were there and every now and then I saw them sneak a kiss on his blanket or arm. He was on his 6th day of steroids while we were there so he was a bit of Sponge bob fussy pants but considering all that is he is going thru he was a sweet boy to be around. He LOVES his stroller rides and his back pack excursions.... around the house....on Jonathans back. We loved seeing you guys!! XOXO to all. Miss those neck kisses, Parks!
Sadie asked the other day when we were going to see Parks again AND the other night they took their shoes off outside the front door. :)

Happy Fourth Birthday,girls. Your wish was my command

 It was a small party...as you can see

Tristas Request: Cinderella Cake

Sadies request: Spiderman

 THE BIG 4

I was a little sad this year about not making their bday  cakes myself but I have many more years. This year was a little different as you can see on the next post.
Your day was filled with all kinds of fun. We didnt do a big party this year with lots of kids we just did a family day.We took the girls to breakfast at the Pfunky Griddle where they could choose their pancake topping. Sadie chose banana, sprinkles and choc.chips Trista chose M&Ms, sprinkles and choco chips. The batter was multigrain and it was fabulous. We had scrambled eggs and a bowl of fruit. We then took them to the BIG SCREEN....bigger than our screen to see a Christmas movie and then home to have cake and ice cream with a few favorite people....their friends.
There are definitely advantage and disadvantages to having a birthday  on December 15th.
Advantage: YOU GET A TON OF GIFTS in a short time frame. We don't have to buy you much. Your gifts  can be combined which means they are nicer gifts :)
Disadvantage's: Its a crazy, busy time of year. I put your Bday gifts under the tree and I wrapped them in Xmas paper. Your Bday always has to be inside....for the most part.
What you got.
Warm outfits dolls and a new set of plates and bowls from Titi and Uncle Bill
Warm outfits from Cousins Preston and England
"Glass" slippers and Strawberry shortcake from Mom and Dad
A water slide from Glen
Harley Shirts from Race
A gas GO CART from Mimi, Papa Tom and Juju! Trista has already rode it several times. They have to grow into it a little but i think once they get the hang of it they'll LOVE it.

A Ballarina outfit and Hello kitty house shoes from Aunti Jen and Oni (uncle Steve)
Hello Kitty hoodie, spiderman and Hulk toothbrush, stickers, Cinderella gummie vitamins & bandaids, and headbands from Auntie Ang and Oni Johnny (imcle Jonathan)

All kinds of goodies from Mexico, a egg plant, nail polish, ring, headbands, Diva drawing board, ABC mucial book and CD from Wawa


You loved all your gifts and your ice cream cakes.

Where does time go? The BIG 4 and oh how they've changed

I cannot believe where time has gone. It seems like yesterday this time four years ago I was waddling into the hospital. Girls..you were anxiously awaited, utterly loved from head to toe and you are without a doubt mamas little drama queens.
You are contantly told how tall you are and what long legs you have. In fact....you grew 4...yup FOUR inches from Aug. 8th to December 20th. I think we could call that  a growth spurt. Trista are currently 41 inches tall. You have GORGEOUS strawberry blond, with natural highlighted hair. Both your eyes are blue. Sadie you are just a tad shorter...1 inch...coming in at 40 inches tall. You both wear the same size shoe...a 9 but are both very picky if they dont fit JUST RIGHT! You both love for things to match especially socks.  You are both big helpers. You keep your room clean, you love your chalk board wall I made you for you birthday, you are good about bringing your plates to the sink, you love to do things yourself, you clean up after yourself if you spill, your knew thing is that you love to crack the eggs for breakfast.(I've chomped on quite a few shells:/
You love your baby doll strollers, baby crib and highchair for your dollies that Mimi and Papa Tom got you for your birthday.
These past four years have been so fun, so exhausting, so busy, so challenging at times, so much all about you two.
Here are a few things that have made me chuckle:

Me: You better not eat all that candy or your teeth will fall out
Sadie: "like wawa (lara)"

At breakfast one morning after handing them the cereal box and explaining to them to only take what they will eat and not waste cause little girls just like them are starving somewhere Sadie replied "we are starving"

After making holiday cookies Sadie asked who they were for. I told her they were for some people we knew to which Sadie replied, "we are people."

One evening I was getting ready for a date with Chris and Trista was "putting on makeup"  with  me. She put some eye shadow on and some lipstick. She grabbed the mirror out of my drawer to look at herself and said, "yeah, I'm pretty"

You are my pretty girls. Love you to pieces!
Mom

Sadie and Tristas Great Great Granddad 1906-2012

Carl O Carlson

born in Sweden (100% Swedish)

1906 - 2012

The girls and I got to see Granddad one last time, the Thursday before TG. Granddad Carlson passed away on Thanksgiving Day. Granddad lived to the ripe young age of 106!! Just four months shy of being 107. I've known him over 18 years. I always enjoyed visiting and talking to him. I remember going to the Cumberland Towers and watching him make peanut butter and homemade bread....and that was when he was over 100 years old.!   So glad the girls were able to know him and spend time with him. He will be missed.

Thanksgiving at Mimi and Papa Toms

New Scooters from Papa Tom and Mimi

Sadie riding all by herself without training wheels

She rode over 1 mile with us!!

Sadie has been riding her bike without training wheels for a while. Since she got it she has not stopped. She rides all over. Seeing how she cant go on the road by herself she has gotten a lot of off road experience. She can even stand up while she pedals.  Trista still loves her hot wheel three wheeler. She shows no interest in learning how to ride her bike without training wheels. No rush  she'll get it when she's ready. This was over TG  at Mimi and Papa Toms place.

We arrived in Chattanooga for TG Wednesday evening, late! The traffic was terrible but we finally got there. Erin, Gavin and the cousins came over the next day. The girls loved playing with their cousins, jumping in the bounce house, funky shaped pancakes made by Papa Tom, park swinging, bike riding, scooter pushing and our COUSINS shirts!!

We had a delicious TG meal complete with Cranberry sauce, stuffing, Turkey(real) and fake(dinner roast..my favorite) mashed potatoes, salad and sweet potatoes with marshmallow. Homemade Pumpkin Pie that Erin made that was delicious. I was proud of myself. Only had one helping and small portions. Friday was started out with the alarm going off at 5am(4am Nash.time) to hit some black friday sales.Later that day mom and papa Tom watched the kids while we went on an 18 mile off road bike ride trail at the VW plant. Really nice ride---a bit excessive riding but after all we were with Gavin who excessive about riding. Burned off all the TG meal from the day before though.We headed home Sat. afternoon. Thank you Mimi and Papa Tom for a wonderful TG, The food was fabulous and your company is always enjoyed!!

Haircut #2 since they were born

I had made an appointment to get my hair cut a couple weeks ago. Trista said she wanted to get her hair cut too. Rather than have the girl who does my hair(too much $$) do her hair I decided we'd go down the road to Super Cuts. We walked into the place, the lady had a super cute animal cape for her to wear, a booster seat ready, a sucker in hand and all of the sudden Trista FROZE. She did not want to get in the chair. So we left! Glad I saved the money cause chris did just as good of a job as she would have. After a summer of pool fun and 2 years since their last haircut they really needed the dry ends cut off. So just a trim it was. I tell them everyday what gorgeous hair they have:) I think they get told everyday we are in public what beautiful hair they have.  People pay big $$$'s to have natural highlights like they do.

My Nude Sun bather

It was a chilly November morning....

I watched her take off her pj's from the kit. window

 My little nudist, Trista

Just basking in the sunshine