Merry Christmas

We hope you had a wonderful Christmas. The Willrich Family has been busy this past week and we are getting ready to head to my parents for a week and to bring in the New Year. We spent Christmas at home so the kids could enjoy Santa and church at their house. Here are some snapshots from the past week.

Before school on Friday. Madeline had her Christmas program that day and she did so good...the 2 year olds are quite funny trying to sing but she did great!

The Christmas party. Notice Madeline being her usual self and pestering other people...the chosen victim in this picture is Claire.

Kriesche Brewery has a trail of lights and Santa. All of the grandkids with Santa

The (original 4) Willrich Family

Roan was 3 months old on the 18th as well....growing fast - both up and out!

The girls dancing to some music at the old brewery house

We all went to the children's theatre to watch A Christmas Carol. Aunt Melissa with the girls before the show.

Mt. Calvary Preschool sponsored all the students to the Ledbetter Lane of Lights....this is Madeline and I on the hay ride.

Roan is now strong enough to sit in his BUMBO...what a big boy!

On Tuesday we had Christmas with Joseph's family....here is what Roan did most of the time.

Passing out presents with Mimi

We had all of them in matching PJ's to take what we thought would be a cute picture. As you can see Madeline has different plans. We do not have single picture without her crying. I will have to say she had been sick and running fever the day/night before so she was not her usual perky self...but still....just one picture without the tears...nope..not happening!

After Christmas Eve service.

My little Monster

Putting out reindeer food.

Cookies are ready for Santa

And it ALL WORKED! He came and left great toys!

After all the presents

Tid Bits

I have taken pictures that have been living on my camera and have finally downloaded them to the computer for all to see. Next step will be to download them to a photo website to get them printed. I won't count on that happening until Spring Break!

This was taken on Saturday before we left for Houston shopping. I didn't realize his pants were so small until we got to Houston and his little belly was red and imprinted from being squished into the pants. I was so taken in with his cute smile that I didn't look at how his belly is bulging over his pants in this picture. We are no longer wearing these 3-6 month pants. How charming is his smile, and I LOVE this onsie that my good friend Kaley gave him.....such great initials!

Those moments when your children are so sweet and you are reminded why God gave them to you. Madeline was telling Roan she loves him SO MUCH!

Making the Gingerbread House.....doesn't that smirk/smile make you think "what did she just do that she wasn't supposed to." Well, I'll tell you...she dropped the bowl of LITTLE ball candies on the floor by "accident." Accidentally tried to balance the bowl with 2 fingers and dropped it, after I had told her to put it down.

This was taken before we left for Schmeckenfest....he was bundled up so well it reminded me of the little brother in a Christmas Story...the clothing really compliments his chubby cheeks!

Opa and Madeline bundling back up after having a pizza break.

Madeline and Claire had a visit from Santa on Saturday evening...I think they needed it to remind them to be good....from what I hear it was a rough evening at Mimi and Poppy's while we were in Houston. I am sure Madeline was being her usual pestering self...she loves to do things to get Claire riled up. You would never guess that from the picture.

Joseph was in charge of watching the girls Sunday while I was at a cookie exchange party (oh what fun that is!) and here is the result. Notice football in the background while the girls play.

Joseph said at one point he heard loud banging coming from Madeline room and the girls were jumping off the stool. Then he heard LOTS of laughing and he went to check on them and they were jumping on the bed. I can only imagine what they did and he DIDN"T tell me about. I am just happy he watched the 3 of them (Roan was home as well) without complaints. The house was a disaster but the girls had a great time. Madeline took a nap with ALL her dress up clothes on, tiara included, after Claire left. Woke up with a nice imprint of the tiara in her forehead.

BUSY!

We have been busy lately and I have not had time to update the blog...SO SORRY! Joseph has been working late with a deadline - praise God he has work to do - so I am not complaining (too much) about him coming home late. It has been fun getting both kids fed, bathed, and to bed...but I finally have somewhat of a routine...Ha ha ha!

My dad came down last week to keep Roan for a few days. I took Dad and the kids to Schmeckenfest (wassail tasting) on the square, Dad enjoyed the "leaded" wassail and Madeline took the "unleaded." Dad was also asked to help, actually to teach, Joseph how to tile. We decided to remodel/paint/tile our utility room so that it will actually feel like a part of our house and not just the "ugly room in the back." They worked so hard on Friday evening - Joseph was falling asleep while Dad was trying teach him how to tile, that's when Dad decided to call it a night - and Saturday but the room looks GREAT! I will have to take a picture of it and post later.

On Saturday evening Madeline wanted to wear her new Christmas PJ's and so I took the opportunity to take a picture of them in front of the tree. It took several shots to get one where they both look good!

My little monster!

Thanksgiving

This is our cute little Roan at 2 months. The picture I had of him smiling is a little blurry so I am still trying to get a good one of him.

Thanksgiving 2009 was spent in La Grange at the Itsy Bitsy Burro Co., aka Mimi and Poppy's house. Melissa, Jonathan, and Claire were in from Mississippi and the girls had a great time. Here is a little preview of the things they did.

Rode Teaspoon in the front yard

Rode the mini mechanical bull. Joseph's father has one from his days working for Gilley's and Madeline was fearless on it. It is one of her new favorite things!

Ride 'em Sissy!

The girls up to a little fun and fighting. Like all 2 year olds...they love each other one minute and are arguing the next. Madeline was an Aggie "Princess" on Thanksgiving day. Joseph hasn't had the heart to tell her that A&M doesn't have cheerleaders....she will be SO disappointed since that is her favorite part of a football game. We headed to the A&M vs. Texas game that evening and had a blast!

Roan in his Thanksgiving onsie that was a little too small but he didn't complain so I put it on him anyway....he is getting too big for a lot of clothes but thank goodness he can't voice his opinion to much yet!

On Saturday we went to Christmas on the Farm and had a great time. Madeline and Roan got their picture with Santa by Lydia (she is the one who has taken their photos this past year). This was a great swing made from a saddle!

Sitting on the BIG swing with Daddy

Roan doing what he does best...sleeping!

2 Months

Roan is now 2 months old...WOW time flies! I will have to attach his 2 month picture when I get them downloaded off the camera at home....I am posting this at work b/c I know some of you have been looking for a new post. SO here are his stats and I will have to post our fun story from last night when I get a little more time. OH what an evening it was. Here are his stats:

Weight - 14 lbs 3.5 oz (95%)
Height - 25 in (95%)

I will do a better post tonight!

Back to Work

Today was my first day to "officially" be back at work after 8 weeks off with Roan. I say "officially" b/c I had been doing plenty of school work from home wishing I could get some comp time for it....still working on that. I am super tired so I am going to make this quick...I think.

Roan is staying at Joseph's parents during the day now that Tonnie is retired. She had come into LaGrange to pick him up this morning to make it easier for all of us....so we thought. When we were putting Roan in the car Madeline realized that SHE was not getting to go with Mimi and this is when it all started. She cried for Mimi and wanted to go with her. Once they drove off and we went into the house to load up all of my "school work" to take back Madeline was screaming for her "baby brother!" So odd when not 10 minutes before that she was pinching him (and not in a nice way)! I finally got her and her alligator tears into the car and off to school we were. Now normally Madeline will hop out of the car and run into school while I have to beg for a kiss before she is in her classroom. Today, she didn't want to go to school and clung to me like a monkey in a tree. She was crying and wanted to stay with Mommy (my heart is breaking now)! I tried to talk to her about what fun she was going to have and that she would get to nap with Mrs. Gladys..but today she wanted to nap with Mommy. Mrs. Becky got her into the classroom and I had to make a mad dash out the door before I felt I would cry, and didn't want to be late on my first day back! So the agenda for tomorrow is to take Madeline to school FIRST then take Roan out to the Willrich Farm...I'll let you know how that goes.

I was also proud of myself for only forgetting 2 things this morning. One being my lunch, but I managed to eat some tasty cafeteria food, and the second one being Roan's CAR SEAT!! Now this isn't a little thing to forget but at least I only forgot 2 things right! I picked Madeline up after school and headed out to Ammannsville to get Roan. We pull into the drive and I look back to get Madeline out and realize that there is an EMPTY base sitting next to her where the car seat should be sitting. I then remember that the car seat is sitting in the kitchen. I normally don't take the seat out of the car b/c it is so heavy but Joseph used his "big muscles" on Sunday and brought Roan in the house in the seat and since I didn't have to drive him out to their house...it never made in back in the car. So Tonnie and Jerry had to follow me back into town to bring my son home....oh what a day! Now I am tired and ready for bed.

This was Madeline last Thursday for another color themed day at school. I'll let you guess what the color of the day was..

Fun in Moran

We went to visit my parents in Moran, TX population 33! They have been building a house for the past 2 years and it was FINALLY finished and we just couldn't wait to go and see it. It was such a fun weekend with everyone there: riding horses, watching West Texas Friday Night Football (Go Coogs!), eating, sleeping, sitting on the porch, grilling....it was all so great. My brother and his girlfriend were able to come and stay with us on Saturday night ...it was nice to have everyone together. My grandparents also live close and we made a trip over to Anson to see them and introduce Roan to Old Oma and Old Opa.

This was taken just before we left on Sunday.

Sitting out on the porch while the men were cooking supper....Keathley, Mom and Roan.


Madeline decided to play dress-up that evening...she is with Molly

Uncle A and Madeline...she LOVES her Uncle A and Kefe (aka...Keathley)!

Riding horses ......Madeline on Dandy!

Dandy again! She wanted to ride the entire time

Roan with Larry....my mother's brother...at Old Oma and Old Opa's house.

Madeline and Old Opa. They both look ready for a nap!

Old Oma and the great grandkids...how lucky are my kids to get to know their great grandparents. It is not often that this happens...and Oma is still kicking strong. She made ALL of Roan's bedding in his nursery and Madeline's when she was a wee one....and just finished Madeline a new bedspread for her big girl bed!

I can't wait to head back that way in December for a week. Time with all the family is so cherished ....I just wish we were a little closer to them but we all know we are loved and miss each other dearly which makes seeing them all the better!

Halloween

The kids had so much fun over the Halloween weekend. Friday was Trick-or-Treat on the square and Madeline made out with LOTS of candy. Roan even came home with a few pieces...thanks to Poppy!

My little Lion before Trick-or-Treating
And my little Lion after Trick-or-Treating

Claire was in town from Mississippi and made it to La Grange just in time to go with us!

My Ladybug!

Saturday was full of Festivals and door to door trick-or-treating. This picture was taken at one of the church festivals....Madeline the Ladybug and Claire the fairy!

Being a ham as usual!