As usual, we've been keeping busy. Mostly for my mom who likes to know what we've been up to, I'll try to quickly fill you in on what we've been doing. I don't really like to stay at home too much so most of the time we are on the go.
Last weekend we went to the Southern Christmas Show Friday night. It's been a family tradition since we moved to Charlotte the first time and whenever we've lived here we make sure to go. We went on a Friday night and took all three kids (who usually go to bed at 7) because there are lots of fun Christmas things for them to see and it's the unofficial start to the Christmas season at our house. The kids were so so good while we were there and we had a really great night. The next day my dad took Kennedy and Parker to the Renaissance Festival and it just so happend to be "Pirate Christmas" day so Parker of course loved that. Sunday I went to the Panthers game with my dad and they won!! They're not having a winning season so it was great to go and really great to be there when they won. I love football. Someday I hope to go to all 16 of the Panthers games in on season.
Our weekdays are generally filled with babysitting, speech therapy, play groups, homeschool co-op, cleaning, cooking, laundry, homeschooling and working. Each week passes amazingly fast and I can never believe it's the weekend again.
Thursday night Chad and I went to the Panthers vs. Dolphins game. That was fun too, but they didn't win that won. Friday night we went to the SouthPark tree lighthing. They have free bounce houses and little train rides which the kids love. I have to say, it was incredibly depressing to go to a tree lighting when it was 70 degrees during the day. Hard to feel in much of a Christmas mood. After we went home and got the kids in bed I went to see "The Blind Side". It was based on a true story and I really enjoyed it. I would recommend it if you're looking for a movie to see. I can't even remember what we did the rest of the weekend.
Emerson has not been sleeping well at all. I was looking in her mouth today and it looks like her two front teeth are just about to break through the skin so I pray that happens quickly so she might start sleeping better. She's started saying "uh oh".
Parker has just started saying three word sentences which I am very happy to hear. Not all the words are always clear and complete but it's a step in the right direction for him.
There was something I wanted to post about Kennedy but I can't remember now what it was. I'll have to do it right away next time I remember.

At the tree lighting

It really wasn't that cold out but Parker loves hats and I wanted them to look like it was at least sort of time for Christmas. I think it was 60 when we got there, but there were a lot of people in hats and coats and mitts. I know that's funny to all of my Canadian family. We were swimming in Kenora this summer when it was 60!

This was us on this same weekend a year ago getting our Christmas tree so we could have it set up before the baby was born (and feeling like the baby was NEVER going to arrive!)

I just got Parker's Christmas outfit (the shirt matches Kennedy and Emerson's dresses but they aren't here yet) and had to try it on him. Here he is.

Emerson has recently discovered how to put things on her arms like bracelets and purses. She was trying to get my very big purse on her shoulder but couldn't so Chad found her a much smaller one. The little one made her lose her balance.

I got Emerson what I think might be one of the most adorable outfits ever this weekend. I can't wait for her to wear it. I wish they had a matching one for Kennedy but they only made it in baby sizes. The price tag is still on it because if it goes on sale more before she wears it than I can get a price adjustment.

The littlest Panthers fan. Although we're not having a great season, we still love the Panthers. We think Emerson should be their team spokesbaby! She has a very cute matching bow but she took it off right before the picture and then I couldn't find it.

I get to go to the game this Sunday with my dad and I'm so excited!

I know you might wonder why we have so many more pictures of Emerson than the other two. This is why. Kennedy and Parker rarely want to cooperate for a picture. See below! This is what happend when I insisted Kennedy sit down so I could get a picture.

Emerson started taking a few steps 2 weeks ago. She usually just takes one step and then falls forward but the past few days she's been taking a couple of steps before falling. I would love forher to start walking because she wants to keep up with Kennedy and Parker so she doesn't want to be in the carrier anymore when we're out somewhere. A crawling baby at the park or Carowinds just doesn't work out very well!

This week we've really noticed a difference in Parker's speech. He's trying to say more words on his own which is a big improvement. And the words he says are sounding more like the actual words which is exciting.

Not much new going on with Kennedy. She does say the funniest things, I have to start writing them down so I can remember them.

Saturday was my birthday. Chad surprised me with dinner with some friends which was fun. Thanks for all the cards and calls and birthday wishes from everyone!

I'm back!

I know we've been MIA on our blog here for awhile. We've just been so busy and Chad and I both often need the computer and we only have one working one so not much time left for the blog. Some random pictures of the last few months. My mom and Lara got to come down for Canadian Thanksiving. It was so nice to spend it with them! Lara and my mom and I went to the Panthers game that weekend, and they actually won!!

Carowinds this past weekend. Parker rode the biggest rollercoaster he was allowed to right and LOVED it. We finally got Kennedy on it and she loved it too. She ended up going on it 5 times.

My mom gave this hat (that matches a cute coat) to Kennedy. We found it in our winter stuff and just had to try it on Emerson.

I think this is the cutest picture ever of Parker. I just love his smile.

We got this for Emerson after we saw it in a catalogue and it was just too adorable to pass up. I found it on ebay for much less than the catalogue. Can't wait to get some pictures of her in it.

Several years ago we got some costumes on sale at Old Navy for $5 so Chad could use them for pictures. We found one in the closet and had to try it on.

I'll try to get some more pictures up soon.

Cruise pictures

Here is a link to a slideshow of pictures from our cruise. Warning - there are a lot of pictures and they seem to be in random order. I'll post about our trip later, at the moment I need to go get Parker in bed. Kennedy and Chad went to see Disney on Ice tonight and Emerson is asleep so Parker and I have just been having some one on one time.

http://www.photobiz.com/slideshowbiz/slideshow.cfm?slideshowID=88263&photographerID=6802

If you need a password it is cruise.

I don't have time to post pictures from our cruise right now. Here's a link to a slideshow Chad made on his website.