A Day in the Life of the Davidsons

Monday, January 10, 2011

Lots of playtime

Oh, how fun it is to have all these new toys after Christmas! These two are having a ball just playing, playing, playing! Cade got several new trucks for Christmas, and Ella likes to push them around just as much as he does...

Neither of them had played with blocks for a long time, but since Cade got some new ones for Christmas, they have rediscovered how much fun they are...

Cade's new umbrella is a hit, too. They can pretend to be so many things hiding behind those!

And, of course, the roller coaster remains a favorite. However, Cade is having a bit of a problem sharing turns with Big Sis. He just wants to go, go, go! They love it though and will try anything! Their favorite right now is to go down backwards.

The trampoline was a good investment, too- for more reasons than one. Not only is it so much fun, but it also doubles as a comfy place to lay and play their Mobigo(s). Yep, Cade has his own now, too. There was too much bickering going on, so Santa returned a couple of Cade's other gifts and bought him a Mobigo, too. Good thinking, Santa! They are crazy about these things!

Friday, January 7, 2011

Afternoon at the aquarium

Chris had this past Monday off work for New Years. He brought the kids to meet me for pancakes that morning when I got off work, then after a short nap, we headed down to Newport and to the aquarium. We wouldn't tell Ella where we were going, just that it was going to be a special family date. It was driving her nuts! Once we started getting closer to Newport, she saw a sign for the aquarium and figured it out. She was so excited! She kept saying, "Bubby, you are going to LOVE this!"
A picture in front of the shark mouth. Cade was trying to figure it all out.

One with Momma...

I love these tunnels. It feels like the fish are all around you. The kiddos were having such a great time.

For some reason, they both got a little freaked out and clung to their daddy when they saw the octopus and the huge spider crabs. They're both looking a little worried here. =)

Ella declared this "Nemo Fish" her favorite of the day.

She really liked the turtles, too.

They played a little Frogger in the frog bog...

Haha! They were cracking me up trying to look through the floors with their little bums in the air. They were trying to spot "Mighty Mike", the 14 foot alligator that is the aquarium's special exhibit right now. He was hiding and all we could see was his tail. We even doubled around later and came back, hoping to see him, but he was still hidden.

At the shark tanks...

The jellyfish were some of our favorites, too. (Have I mentioned how much I'm loving my new camera? It takes the neatest pictures!)

Checking out more big fish...

Cade was trying to get nose to nose with this big guy. The fish was being so still and, for some reason, Cade didn't like this. He ended up smacking the cage and saying, "Bad boy!" haha!

We stopped for some pizza then headed home. What a fun family date! Chris took some pictures of the city as we were leaving. I think this one looks like a postcard.

Thursday, January 6, 2011

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!! Chris said both Ella and Cade managed to make it until midnight to watch the ball drop, but were asleep just minutes later. I love the last couple pictures of Cade, so determined to blow that horn, but struggling to keep those eyes open! Just precious.

I have to admit I hated leaving my family to go to work on New Year's Eve. I felt the same way Christmas Eve. I just wanted nothing more than to be home with them and share the special holiday time. However, God never lets me sulk in self pity for long. He usually manages to hit me over the head with a new perspective pretty quickly. That night was no different. While I was feeling sorry for myself that I was separated from my family for that one short night, many of my patients and families were sharing their last holidays on this earth together. While I wanted nothing more than to be home with my husband and kiddos, many families were trying to prepare themselves for the fact that their loved one would never be coming home again. After a few short hours, I didn't care that I was working. That the ball dropped while I was giving pain medication and trying to make a dying woman more comfortable. That my New Year's celebration consisted of my coworkers and I high-fiving and yelling Happy New Year in the hallway as we hurried to take care of our next patient. All that really mattered was the knowledge that I would get to go home in the morning to kiss my healthy husband, hug my healthy kids and, God-willing, share many more healthy days with them in the coming new year.

First time sledding

The kiddos got to go sledding at Mom and Dad's on Monday. Last year, Ella was too scared to go down the big hill on the sled. This year was an entirely different story. She couldn't wait! I wish I had videotaped her. She just squealed and giggled the whole way. It was so much fun watching them!
Ella and Lexi ready to head down.

These are the same sleds we had when we were younger, and Pappaw commented more than once how watching these three brought back so many memories of watching Jason, Chad, and I out in the snow. Ella and Carson taking a turn together...

Lots of laughing and squealing here!

The worst part is the tredge back up the hill. Ella would take off running up, leaving poor Carson to drag the sled back up by himself. We straightened that out pretty quickly!

Snow bunnies and buddies...

I didn't get any pictures once Pappaw hopped on the sleds to join them. That was when it got really fun! haha! I have so many good memories sledding down that hill!

Christmas with the Lawyers

The day after Christmas, we headed to Mom and Dad's for Christmas dinner with the Lawyers. This is what greeted us when we walked in the door- a stairway full of stockings. I love it! There is nothing better on Christmas than opening stockings together. That was always the very first thing we did on Christmas morning. Look at this- the family has grown so much, there is only one step left!

No surprise that we found Mom and Dad hard at work in the kitchen...

Another cute family pic in front of the tree.

Opening stockings with Katie and Jared...

Uncle Jason and Lexi helped Cade open his...

Chris found the perfect stocking stuffer for my dad- a lighter shaped like a rifle. Of course, he loved it!

Carson and Ella checked out their stockings and the loot under the tree...

The Lawyer grandkids

The grandkids plus their Grammy and Pappaw

Time to open gifts! Chad, April, and Laila got Ella her very own disco ball! She was so excited!

Cade got a new Tonka truck from Pappaw and Grammy...

A pic of the craziness. Once again, the chaos of the whole scene is something I love!

Katie and her new Kids' Cookbook. Lay off of her, Jason!! =)

Lexi opening the purse and boots we gave her. Gone are the days of toys- now this young gal wants accessories! She is growing up too fast!

Santa brought lil' Jared a brand-new 40 inch TV! Lucky boy!

Lex and Ella quickly changed into their matching gowns, compliments of Gram...

Carson and Cade checked out new computers...

Then we snacked and ate and snacked some more. Cade and Laila stripped down and decided to compare bellies. haha! Cade was having so much fun doing this, but his little skinny self just can't compare. Aren't they just the cutest?! These are the pictures I'll love to show them when they grow up!

We played a couple games, including a few mean rounds of Pictionary. Boys vs. girls. The guys were taking this so seriously...

But the girls' team managed to triumph in the end. Woohoo!

These little kiddos were up early the next morning, but we could tell they were a little wiped out. Poor Cade just looks stunned. haha!

Thanks, Everyone, for spoiling us! We love you all so much!!

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

Christmas with the Davidsons

On Christmas evening, we headed to southern Indiana. First stop- Papaw and Mamaw's for Christmas with the Davidsons. During dinner, it was all anyone could do to hold off Payton from opening presents. What torture for little kids! We finally all sat down to open gifts together. I love how Cade and Ella are patiently watching Payton here. I guess they didn't really understand they were going to get to open more gifts, too. I'm sure that will all change in the next couple years!