Allred Gift Exchange

A couple days before Christmas we met my father's side of the family for our annual Christmas gift exchange. Below is the BEST family picture we got from that night and Greg's eyes are closed and Owen is picking his nose. :(

Chloe and her pacifier

Chloe trying to drink out of Owen's cup
Chloe's pretty red coat from Robert and Nicky.
...eating her gifts..

Owen opening his "Woody" doll from Ashlea and Drew. HE LOVES it and sleeps with him every night!

Giving Drew knuckles after opening the "Woody" doll
Before gifts Owen did his "Blue 80 hut" .... for those of you who don't know, this is Owen's way of playing football. After going to Daddy's games this year and then watching countless games on TV, Owen will get in his 3 point stance, say "hut", then take off running and tackle Daddy. It is HILARIOUS!!!!

Thanks Sandy and Aubrey for having us over! We had a great time!

Christmas Eve

We started Christmas Eve attending the kids Church service at Lovers Lane United Methodist Church. After church we headed to Nana and Papa John's to open gifts. Greg was unloading the car so I actually got pictures with the kids. Usually I am the one taking the pictures so I am PUMPED about having pictures with them.

Here are some pictures of Chloe opening her gifts and then falling asleep with Daddy after all the excitement.

We got a picture of Nana on Topps' scooter. Greg's dad, Topps, had foot surgery last year and had borrowed this scooter from a friend ...then when my mom had foot surgery in early December she asked if she could borrow from Topps so she could move around better. She LOVES it! Thanks Topps!

These next couple of pictures are HILARIOUS! Owen's face is priceless when he opens gifts!!! These are a bit out of order (as you can tell from him having no shirt on, to having a shirt on...he feel in Buster's water bowl and we had to throw his shirt in the washer)

Here he is opening a drum set from Aunt Jenn and Uncle Chad.

Then he is blowing out the advent candles...

Nana always has picture books on her coffee table that Owen ALWAYS reads when we go to Nana & Papa John's house.....so Nana & PJ made Owen his very own photo book of all his favorite places...

...then he opened his favorite gift of the night. Robert & Nicky got him a New Home Depot Workbench..

...running to give Robert and Nicky a hug

checking it out...

PURE JOY!

Thanks for a wonderful evening Nana & PJ!!!!!

More pic's

The Christmas Card

A couple weeks ago, we decided to get the kids dressed up and take a picture for our Christmas card. The pictures below tell the story of how DIFFICULT this very simple task was...

The first picture of Owen who did NOT want to co-operate at all...
...the kids together with Chloe looking scared to death...

...Chloe playing with her shirt not looking at the camera...

...a better picture of them together...(notice the drum....it was the only way we could get Owen to smile)
Super cute pictures of the kids once they decided to have some fun...

Hopefully you all enjoyed the finished product that should be arriving in your mailboxes this week.

CRAZY kids!!!!!

Last week, 2 of my good friends from high school and I decided to take our kiddos to see Santa. We ended up playing in the play area for an hour, eating Chick-fil-a and didn't even get to see Santa. Oh the joys of motherhood!!!!!

Pictures

Chloe Marie Pels

6 months

She was totally different than Owen at his 6 month photos. She sat there perfectly and smiled on cue. She was just so adorable and loved every moment of getting her picture taken. Owen cried from the moment we stepped into the studio, during the pictures and on the way back to the car.

Isn't she cute?!!!!!

Owen William Pels

1st School Picture (2 years old)

Pre-School at Lakeway Baptist Church (Bible Bears)

I cannot believe he old enough to get a school picture taken! Such a big boy! I asked his teacher how they got him to smile this big and she said the photographer asked him what his sisters name was and he smiled and said, "Chloe!" What you don't see in this picture is "monkey" in his right hand and the teacher holding his left hand. Gotta love him!!!!!

7 months old

Chloe Marie is 7 months old today!
Big brother building his "castle" as he calls it