Wetumpka December

And here goes our December.  Starting off the month we found out that this will indeed be our first and last Christmas in the big city of Wetumpka, Alabama.



Although at first I was disappointed in having to move again so soon (I LOVE our house), now I am getting excited about living somewhere new and I'm ready to get where we are moving in writing so we can start the house hunting process again.  Brian graduates in June and we will move shortly after that.



I didn't send out Christmas cards this year.  I love getting cards but I just couldn't get it together to send them out this year.  One of the reasons I didn't is my lack of photography skills this December.  Just couldn't get a shot that I was in love with.  Here are a couple of my attempts.





Carolyn's class at their Christmas performance.




This is her sweet little friend Caroline.  I hate that Carolyn has to go to yet another new school next year but it has not seemed to phase her.  She really doesn't know any different since this will be her third move in her little life.



A selfie from the older girls and I on our Mommy/Daughter day.  We went to see Frozen, which I loved just as much as them.  Now the Frozen sound track is played constantly in our house.  They are so cute dancing around and singing it!



Which is why lots of times they can be found in some sort of tutu outfits.  Love this picture of these sweet girls.



We had 80 degree weather here in December.  One of the reasons I could get used to living in Alabama.  The little girls love to watch Carolyn get off the school bus and this is just them one day sitting out waiting on her.  And a picture of Brian with Thomas from that day.



Another one from my phone.  This is how my lap is most nights.  And if it isn't like this then



its like this! FOUR kids can fit on one lap.



Thomas continues to be spoiled by both Carolyn



and Sidney.  He is such a lucky little boy to get all the loving and entertainment that these girls provide him.



My girls like their sleep and I love sweet little sleeping pictures of them!



Another sweet little sleeping picture.



Notice the only one that I don't have a sleeping picture of.  She takes great naps in her bed but she is not one that will cuddle up with you and fall asleep.  Every single one of the presents under our tree had tiny little rips in them from Payson.



She definitely takes advantage of being the third child and has the puppy dog eyes down to an art form.



I love the Gamecocks but everywhere we live I have a tendency to pick up a team I like.  I couldn't help but start routing for Auburn after living here.  Lord help Brian if Thomas ever decides he wants to wear colors other than Garnet and Black.



More shots of our tree!  Brian and I were both so excited about getting a big tree this year.  We had never had a tree this big before though and learned the hard way that our stand couldn't support it.  After the third time it fell (UGHH), we got a new stand and luckily didn't lose too many ornaments.





Thomas is constantly talking and staring at his hands.  Which in Brian's mind means of course he is going to be a fabulous guitar player.



The kids got to open two presents on Christmas Eve.  New pajamas for the night and new dresses to wear to our church's Christmas Eve service.
I love having girls that get just as excited about getting a new dress as a new toy.  Wonder if Thomas will be that way?  Below are a couple of photos before we left for the service.






Later that night decorating their cookies to leave for Santa.  They were so excited this year!



The younger two didn't quite know what was going on but they were still pretty cute in their pjs.



I love Christmas morning!  In an effort to make it last longer and because I wanted to be able to watch each kid open their presents we had the girls take turns opening presents from Santa.



I stole this idea from my friend who is also one of four and I didn't know how it would go over but the girls ended up loving it.



Payson wouldn't get out of her wagon for a while she was in love.




Sidney had been asking for this Furby since last Christmas and Santa finally brought her one.



She named him Luca (he's Euro) and he has been quite the entertainment for all the family.



The girls are so lucky to have a daddy that will not only rainbow loom with them but will also put together this "some assembly required" HA Barbie House.



Brian's parents, my brother and Seana, and my Dad and Janice all came to visit us over the Holidays as well and I did not do a good job taking pictures!  We loved being able to have all the visitors and have been so thankful for living close enough to have so many come to see us.

I did not plan on getting a group shot with Santa.  I really wanted one of all four of the kids and Payson was having none of it.  And if Payson was having none of it there was no way we could put a screaming Payson and a baby Thomas on Santa's lap.  Now looking at this I should have used this as my Christmas Card.  So.....
Merry Christmas much Love From The Donehues!!!

November

My kids love to look back at pictures of themselves and since I don't do photo albums I know one day they will appreciate our blog books(or they better). Which is why I am really trying to keep up with my pictures even through all our craziness. Anyway here is a recap of our November.

First off pictures from an event that we attended with Brian's school. They partnered with a local farm and



we had the whole farm to ourselves. It drives Brian crazy if we are not on time (something that he's had to let go of a little bit since Thomas came along). Anyway we arrived right when the event started and really were the only ones there which worked out great because the girls got their fill of these things before they were filled up with people.




Sidney now wants a pet goat that she will name Rosie. (Everything that Sidney names now is some form of Rose. Her doll is Rosa, Rosie the goat and something is Rose but can't remember what.




Payson would have sat in this box of corn kernels forever if we would have let her.



I don't know when my two older girls got so big! They both are growing way to fast for me.




Our Nav trying to lead us through the corn maze.



All his little ducklings following after...



even this one. Yea we didn't make it through the corn maze. We got turned around and ended up back at the beginning somehow and just told the girls "We Made it." Yes Brian makes his living as a Navigator.



At the end of the evening they took us on a hayride and then dropped us off for a bonfire. We roasted hotdogs and marshmallows but I have zero pictures of that because I was too busy trying to keep Payson out of the fire. She has zero fear.



Later in the month we traveled to Columbia, SC to attend Brian's family reunion/oyster roast. Again I did not take one picture because this time I was trying to keep Payson out of the fire and the pond.  Luckily my mom came with me to help.

Anyway Brian's cousin Charlotte is a fabulous photographer in Lexington and she got some great shots from the event.









After the oyster roast, Brian had a boys weekend complete with a Carolina Football game, and the kids and I invaded my Aunt Syvee's house. We of course had to take a trip to Riverbank zoo. This was Payson's first zoo trip that she really got it. She walked almost the whole time and was hilarious with all the animals.





An attempt at a family shot at the end of this weekend.



Next are just a couple of pictures from my phone.  These two are so silly together.



Our Germany friends the Hansens and the Butsons introduced us to the great game of Pigs. This has become the girls favorite game.



Payson being a mess. I think she was on a sugar high from "helping" me make cookies.



Love his little smile!!



We went to my brother's house for Thanksgiving. Covey and Austin are both so sweet with Thomas.  I love this picture.



My mom brought oysters and we had a pre Thanksgiving oyster roast.



Carolyn was not overjoyed by how cold it was that night. Skinny Thing is already so cold natured and I think Alabama may have thinned her blood more.



Cute little bundled up baby.



The pizza in front of the oysters makes me laugh. Still trying to win over some our littlest oyster eaters.




Love the memories the cousins have been able to make with us living this close.




Group shot of all the kiddos on Thanksgiving Day.



Doesn't everyone get naked to eat their Thanksgiving meal?



The relationship between these two is still and probably always will be fun to watch. Payson is such a fire ball and loves this little boy more than anything. Thomas is turning into such a laid back little fella and I always wonder what he is thinking about his big sister.




We have lots to be Thankful for and it was nice to spend Thanksgiving in America after having been gone the past three years.