NEW POSTS ALL AROUND

I have three BRAND NEW posts and one that was just posted yesterday! Don't miss the latest Cox-family happenings... because at this pace it may be a while before I am up to four blogs in two days again! :)

Happy Hump Day!

A Praise-Worthy Thanksgiving: Part II

After our super fun Thanksgiving in San Antonio we headed 'em up and moved 'em on out... up the road a ways to Waco! Nana, Bop, Ree Ree, Uncle Tag, Gran and Poppa were all ANXIOUSLY awaiting our arrival. We always laugh because no sooner have we pulled in the driveway than the door goes up and the crew all come running out to greet us! We can almost count it down... 5, 4, 3... and there they are!

The Cox Fam loves them some Caden and Kaki... and I guess they think Justin and I are alright as well... especially since we make such cool kids! :)

Once we got there and settled in a bit, Bop had a SAH-weet surprise for Caden! Flags... like GIANT handmade BAYLOR flags... like the Band has! He was in heaven and I was thinking that Bop just scored him some serious brownie points!

So away to the window I flew in a flash.... wait... wrong holiday! So away to the backyard Caden ran in a rush... with a flag in each hand! It was time to do a little marching, chanting, running... football playing!
And of course sweet Bop was ready to play right along with him!

Check out the wave of that flag... you go Caden!

Inside Kaki was getting some lovin' from Gran and Poppa who hadn't seen her in a couple of months... they couldn't believe all of her new tricks! And of course Kaki was quick to introduce them to her besties... Cheech and Chong!

After a fabulous Thanksgiving dinner which included a few new Cox family Thanksgiving treats we all settled in for our Turkey comas! But they couldn't last too long because Saturday was a fun-filled day of family activities...

The boys played golf... and Caden got to tag along... for the first 9 holes! :) And the girls skipped our traditional holiday craft time this year and opted for pedicures! I am pretty sure that this is the first year we've gotten our priorities in check! Amen?!

Aunt Ree Ree snapped a pic of the girls getting our toes did, but somehow I didn't end up with a copy of it... but you don't need to see a pic to know that we enjoyed every minute of it. And I must say that I am thoroughly enjoying my new color, "Warm and Fozzie" one of the new Muppet Collection OPI colors... think bronzy, sparkly, holiday fun! Love it! It was such a treat to get to do a little girly fun and especially now that we have Kaki pants to join in the fun. It was actually her second time to the nail place... you go Kaki-girl! Thanks Nana for the fun treat!

That afternoon we did a whole lot of nothing... well actually everyone but me did a whole lot of napping. I figured there needed to be one responsible adult still awake... clearly, I had my hands full with these two...

Speaking of Cheech and Chong...my word are these two ever the more alike! I think I married my mother in law!! :)

Saturday we ate mexican food TV-side and cheered on our Bears... to victory! Exciting stuff! I don't know about y'all though... after seeing all of those injuries I have a hard time wanting Caden to pick football as his sport! I mean those poor boys' mamas! I can't even imagine! Hopefully all of them will make a full recovery, especially 'ol RGIII... I think we kind of might need him this weekend!

Sunday we topped off our turkey filled week like any good Texas family should... with a big, juicy, beefy burger at the Fudd... got to love a burger and fries! We had a GREAT time in Waco and can't believe in just a few weeks we'll be right back there to do it all over again... time is flying! Tomorrow is December people!!

Thank you Nana and Bop... we are sure thankful for how you love us! And to Ree Ree and Tag for absolutely going gaga for our kids! They are such blessed little people to have so many people who love them as much as they do! (and you make flags for them... over the top Bop... over the top!!) We love you all!!

Happy Thanksgiving!! (again!)

BLACK FRIDAY (and other things against my religion!)

Well, if you read the last post about Part I of our Thanksgiving adventures you already know that I have a Black Friday story to tell... or I guess you could have assumed that I had something to say about Black Friday from the title of my post...

Or you could have assumed from said title that I had nothing to do with Black Friday since it was apparently one of the things against my religion...

BUT... alas... I did it! And theoretically I did go against my very strict belief that Black Friday is something to be avoided at all costs! It's funny how when you become a parent all of the things you always thought you'd never do... or even said you'd never do... you end up DOING! And part of you might even end up liking it...

Or maybe not...

I can't say that I enjoyed Black Friday madness... kind of like I can't say that I exactly enjoy grocery shopping with two kids...

And it's not the two kids that is the problem... they are gems... it's those dang carts! How in the heck are you supposed to do it? We looked like the Beverly Hillbillies... and it wasn't even a big trip!

But there are things that I always said I'd never do, like let my child buy/wear and enjoy character apparel... like Mickey Mouse... Elmo... Toy Story and the like. And while I do prefer other clothing... the joy on Caden's little face when he sees his new Mickey tee is worth all of the inner-turmoil I feel when I buy them! :) His joy is kind of like mine when I pulled this...

...out of the oven a few weekends ago! OH MY LANTA! Y'all this is SOOOO SOOOO good. And it's a Paula Deen recipe so you know that there are LOTS of religions out there that would be against this delectable dish... hello butter, and cheese... and canned biscuits for crying out loud! Google Savory Monkey Bread and enjoy the deliciousness, if it's not against your religion that is...

You know that grocery store picture? The dilemma of how to do it with two kids... well I am sure so many moms out there just say... Moby Wrap... Baby Bjorn... strap 'em on... and do it! Well, I am here to tell you that that is also against everything I know to be true... Oh my aching back and barely there ab-muscles... it is just not happening for more than 10 minutes at a time! Hello 17 pounder!! :)

And after looking at this picture... the other thing that should be highly against all that is sacred in this world is ME taking a picture of myself... I make this terrible face... you see it? Kind of resembles Roger Rabbit... yikes!

Okay, but really... all joking aside, Black Friday wasn't quite as bad as I had originally judged it to be. If you scope our your merch, get you a game plan and put on your big girl panties and of course take a handsome protector with you... all should be okay!

And it also helps if you have a hilariously energetic cousin who is doing the SAME thing to text pictures back and forth with! Thank you Boozy, Shannon and Terry for the laughs!! It made our standing in line for an hour MUCH more enjoyable!!

So the story goes something like this... we arrived at the Wal-Marts at around 8:45... secured us a spot in the Chick fil a parking lot... thank you for being closed on Thanksgiving! And sauntered on up to the door. Upon entry we got us a handy dandy store map that confirmed that our previously determined location for the merch we were looking for was correct. And off we went...

HOLD UP...

Wait a minute...

There was already a line... and a pretty hefty one at that... so we assumed the position... with 55 minutes to go we were hopeful!

We were gonna get that power wheel and 12" bike if it was the last thing we did! Of course, the entire ride to the Walmarts I was praying... "Lord, help us to be a light to those around us tonight. I pray that you would protect us for the crazy coupon ladies I've learned about on TV. Please let no one be packing heat and if they are I pray that they want a Wii and not a power wheel. Also, Lord, please keep Justin's emotions in check. I will be forever grateful for this. Amen!"

So I felt the peace of the Lord... and I continued to remind Justin to take deep breaths... and that "a power wheel is NEVER worth a life!!"

Of course Albi had texted to make sure we were alright before we had even made it into the store. The folks back at home I am pretty sure were holding a prayer vigil as a way of channeling their heightened anxiety about our Black Friday adventure at the Walmarts!

We were surrounded in line by lovely people who did not speak English which did take the pressure off of changing anyone's life that night... phew! It was enough that I was just there... standing... and not crying!

As time went by we were getting more and more psyched for the big event. At 9:55 my stomach started to drop... I knew the chaos was close... and I could see the concern on Justin's face as line jumpers were preparing their moves...

Oh Lord... Justin needs you...

And it was 10... and we were off... slow at first... then we were "let in" to the lawn and garden center... of course as we were following the rules a few folks decided to not... and well that left Justin with no choice but to let off a little steam...

"They are cutting! Those people aren't going the right WAY!"

I am speed walking behind him chanting, "Take a deep breath... it will all be okay. This is fun. Our kids will have a great Christmas regardless of this night."

Oh bless my heart!

Then I got my marching orders from the boss, "I'll go this way, you go that way. Get the bike!"

And so I was off... but alas, no 12" bikes. So I decided to chat up one of the ladies who was also looking at the bikes... asking her if she thought a 16" would be too big... another non-English speaker... shoot! So with a smile and a Merry Christmas I was off to find Justin.

I spotted him and he informed me that he didn't get the jeep but was able to secure an ATV... score! That will work! Right?!

Then on our way out I see some vTech lap tops.... everyone was grabbing them so I figured I'd ask how much they were... "$10... a hell of a deal," they said!

Well, alrighty then... I'll take two!

So with our two laptops and our ATV we were in line to get out ... and we spotted a bike... a cute little bike... 12" bike... Justin said, "grab it!"

So I did and proceeded to carry it through the crowded store WAY past all the people were waiting in the long check out lines... to the other side where the less crowded lines were! Suckas! We were Black Friday pros by this point!

When we got to the check out line and rung up the bike we realized that it wasn't on sale... HMPH! No way man, we are Black Friday conquistadors... we aren't gonna take no regular priced item from nobody... put it back!

And so we walked to the car... with an ATV... and two laptops... turned the car on... and the clock read 10:25...

Now that is a record!

On our way home I was grateful to have survived and Justin was ready to go to Target...thus proving the popular theory that opposites truly do attract!

Until next year... may your Fridays be any color but black!

A Praise-Worthy Thanksgiving: Part I

We were fortunate enough to get to do Thanksgiving x 2! Our first stop was San Antonio! Typically, we spend the first part of Thanksgiving in Abilene, but this year was a special year for our family. One in which I am sure none of us will soon forget. In July, our family was chosen to be a part of a journey that would end in a miracle. Baby Ryan, born well under 2 pounds is home, growing (he is over 8 pounds now), off his oxygen and is as normal as any other 4 month old. And did I mention he was PAINFULLY CUTE?!! Oh my, is he ever! So our family had to part ways this year to ensure that Ryan would stay as protected as possible during what we all know to be a bad time of year for the sniffles! While we are sure to have missed our Thanksgiving memories this year we could not have been more thankful for Ryan's life and feel certain that our celebrating will be all the more special in the Spring when he is ready to be around more people! For this and so MANY other reasons, not forgetting the two additional babies that were added to our family this year with Kaki and Kendall, this Thanksgiving was certainly praise-worthy!! Lord, we are humbled by your generosity!!

This was also a special time in San Antonio, because it may have been our last as a family... KK and Albi are moving to Houston!! And this lands us in the land of humility once again as God has so graciously blessed Albi with a new job and both Albi and KK with a new adventure! We are excited to explore the sites and sounds of Houston AND we are especially excited that with my parents being closer to Josh and Emily that we will get to see them MUCH more! In fact, God was so strategic with this job for my dad that he found them a place literally SMACK dab in the middle of the two of us...

Thanksgiving really is about more than just the food, isn't it?! But let's be real... the FOOD is REALLY, REALLY good... especially when you got KK and Gram in the kitchen! Oh... so that is one of the greatest details about this Thanksgiving... we got Gram! :) Which meant that we got as close to the REAL Thanksgiving meal as we could get! And we are especially appreciative of the rest of the clan for letting us have her! :) And yes... the food was delish!

Thanksgiving Day in our house ALWAYS begins with the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade... I had been pumping Caden up about it for weeks... he was excited for the h-wade, BUT let's just say that NBC needs to TONE it down on the interviews and show us more of the parade... or else a h-wade obsessed toddler can become a bit impatient and decide that playing tennis/football with his Albi is a much better Thanksgiving Day tradish!

While we still had him I figured I should start taking a few pics... KK was ON ME this time about being BETTER about taking pictures! We hardly EVER have pics from our get-togethers and have tons with the Cox-side of the family... well, this year it's flipped! Now if I can just get them both to have tons of pics I'll be doing good!

I am not sure everyone will appreciate these pics, but we do clean up REAL nice-like later in the day... promise! One of the many perks of being BEHIND the camera!

Caden and his Aunt Emily... enjoying videos on the iPad!

Uncle Josh chillin' with Kaki while I play photographer!

And KK... gettin' busy in that kitchen! Go KK, Go KK, Go KK!

In KK and Albi's neighborhood they have strict rules on leaving your cars parked on the street overnight... just ask Aunt Emily what happens when you do... SO... in a very strategic, albeit redneck fashion we managed to get all five cars off the street... they didn't say anything about parking them in your yard!! Welcome to the Evans' Redneck Thanksgiving! Y'all come back now, ya hear! The boys were certainly proud of their masterpiece!

Just before dinner and after we all had a chance to clean up a bit (OR A LOT) we headed out to the front to take some family pics... KK and Caden were my test subjects...

After several attempts this is the best picture we got... sweet Kaki had a hard time keeping her focus... we have SEVERAL shots of the back of her head... apparently the stone wall was super exciting, thus why we switched it up and let the kiddos sit in the g-rents' laps! Regardless, I still think we clean up pretty nice... (see above pictures for proof!)

And now for the three Katherines and a Caroline... four generations of Whitaker women! Can't beat it! I have never really thought I look too much like an odd ball in comparison to the other women in the family but for some reason these pictures make me stick out like a sore thumb... I promise I am related! If you put me, Albi and others from his side of the fam I wouldn't look so odd! :)

Close-up!
KK, Albi and the kiddos... best one!

And a few with Great-Gram... impossible to get all three looking so I just started snapping and got some cute ones, I think.

Attempt at family pics... again our best one... :)

And now... the President and the First Lady! (This is a running joke... some of the first pictures we ever saw of Josh and Emily after they first started dating they looked like the president and the first lady... and so it stuck... ) It really just means that they are a super attractive couple... with some star power!! :)

After pics it was time to get the last few things in the oven and prepare to eat... this guy was READY!

KK, lookin' all snaz-ma-faz in her apron...

And cute Gram... everyone's busy!!

Except for Emily and I who were just sittin' around looking cute... :)

Oh and Caden too...
And Albi was playing bartender... God bless him!

After a FABULOUS meal... seriously yummy... Gram and Kaki both needed to walk off a long day... and girlfriend fell fast asleep... must be all of that motherly, grandmotherly and not great-grandmotherly experience...

Sweetest little rosy-cheeked punkin' ever!!

What a wonderful Thanksgiving! It was truly one to cherish! But don't worry folks... it doesn't end there... we've got a Black Friday post and another round of Thanksgiving to go...

Thank you KK and Gram for a fabulous meal!! Thank you Albi for providing the means in which to pay for the meal! Thank you Josh and Emily for entertaining and loving my kids! Thank you Justin for looking so sexy in your skinny jeans! And thank you Jesus for blessing us with these friends we are fortunate enough to call family!! We love y'all!!

Happy Thanksgiving!

The Fabulous Five...

Sweet Kaki girl is 5 months old... and unlike my super punctual way of tackling Caden's monthly posts I am WAY, WAY behind! Okay, so really only two days, but that seems like an eternity in blog world, especially when I have a stack of "posts" waiting in the wing!

So much to say about our Kaki-pants! She is a joy beyond all joys, she makes every one say, "awwww!" From her big bows and poofy cheeks to her smile that makes her nose crinkle she is one little bundle of love! I haven't noticed until recently, but I am not calling her "little, little" near as much as I once was and I think it is entirely related to the fact that she well, isn't so little anymore... she's growing right on up! She is holding her head up so well, laughing at will, bouncing in her exer-saucer and believe it or not, girlfriend has even decided to develop an opinion!!!

I know... the nerve of her to get all huffs and puffs on us after such a sweet four months! The joke is now on us... because Kaki-girl has got some stuff to say about naps. Nuh-uh... girlfriend says, "NO thank you, I think I'll stay and play with you for awhile, Mommy! No? You want me to NAP!! Hmph... try this on for size..."

WAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! WAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!!! WAAAAAAAAAAHHHH!

We didn't think she had it in her! But does she ever! And part of me is grateful that she has got a bit of stubborn streak in her, because we all know that well-harnessed stubborness can be a beautiful gift...

With that being said we've had to do some Mommy nap boot camp the past few days... SO. NOT. FUN. But alas... like discipline... another not so fun thing... it is a part of parenthood and I do LOVE me some parenthood!! The show and the job! It's all good stuff!

Let's see what else can we say about sweet n suddenly sassy Kaki...

I think she may be a bit of a goofball... she has a deep, raspy voice... several octaves lower than her big bro's that is for sure. And speaking of big bro, she sure does love him and puts up with his CONSTANT singing, chanting and banging... if she's OVER the Baylor Bears and decides to become an Aggie it will be ALL Caden's fault! If she could speak I have NO DOUBT that she could sing the Baylor Fight Song right along with Caden! Bless her sweet heart!

There is still no one that can make Kaki laugh as much as Caden and he is still set on keeping her happy. He talks to her and asks her questions and if he gets frustrated while waiting for a response he just goes on ahead and responds for her... like yesterday when she was crying he said, "Kaki, you need your paci? Oh you do?! I be right back!" Then he jogs off in search of a paci! When he comes up short... "how about your blanket? I think she needs her blanket!" :) Sweet brother!

Kaki still loves her some Mickey Mouse... hilarious! I had to FORCE Caden to stare at a television when he was this age, but Kaki is all about it! So funny! I think we've got a future soap watcher here! :) Oh dear!

She loves to listen to people sing and enjoys her books before naps and bedtime. Oh... and how could I forget... her two most favorite things in the WORLD are... her right and left hands... Cheech and Chong... luckily they go EVERYWHERE with her, or else we'd be in a mess! She is all about getting those two hands as far in her mouth as possible, so much so that I keep thinking she'll be a thumb/finger/hand sucker but so far she hasn't found any particular piece that is better than her paci! They are just fun friends for now! :)

She has really been enjoying her lovie... she likes it all up in her face when she is trying to go to sleep... BUT don't worry, I watch her closely and move it just after she's gone to sleep! It's so sweet to watch her bury her face in it! Both of my kids LOVE their lovies! :) And might just take them to college! Okay... at least to Kindergarten! :)

I love my sweet Kaki girl! She is absolutely a love-bug!! We are so grateful that we get to be her parents!! What a perfect addition she has been to our family... we love you Kaki-pants!!!

And now a few photos of my 5 month old!! :)

HAPPY. GIRL.

Kaki's my name...
Sweet little bow head...

Are we done yet??!!

Happy FIVE Months Kaki!!

Do My Children Look Like Me??

So my mom recently brought me some pics for a little comparison fun! While it is certainly no doubt that both of my children are a good mix of Justin and I both, it is hilarious to compare pics and catch glimpses of ourselves in our kids!!

I will have to get Nana to bust out some pics of Justin for me to take home next time to do the same with but until then here are few comparisons of my kiddos and me! :)

Any Kaki-pants in there???!!

Caden actually tells me that "NO, Mommy that KAKI" when we look at that picture! So he sees it!
Not an exact match... but close! I had a pic of KK to scan... BUT it didn't come out right... will have to get some other to compare... because as y'all know Kaki is definitely a KK look-alike!

Another look...



It's funny when I look at the pictures of me just by themselves I see Kaki more than when I hold up pictures side by side...

And now for Caden comparisons...

I'm the one in the middle if you couldn't tell... with the MOST unfortunate haircut. My mom told me she was trying to go for the Dorothy Hamil like my cousins had... BUT I think the hair-dresser was headed more towards the redneck version of the cut! But let me just say that KK did have me going for a very fashion-forward version of the smocked dress with my textured tights and snazzy red shoes... you go, Kk!! :)

I think Caden looks more like me in pics than Kaki does, but there is certainly NO DOUBT that he has some Daddy in him too!!

And poor, sweet boy doesn't get his shy, cautious, I am afraid of loud noises from no where... it came straight down the genetic pipe!!

I cried for YEARS and YEARS anytime there was a big commotion! When my Aunt came to take care of my brother and I when my mom had surgery one time the PAGES of notes on what to do and not to do were apparently LENGTHY!! Don't look at her, turn the radio down before she gets out of the car at school, do not say her name when she is walking to the car after school, etc. etc. At gymnastics I would cry if the music was too loud... I cried nearly EVERY day of school for the first two years of my school life (kinder and first, not MDO and pre-school) AND luckily I grew out of that... BUT I was just telling my mom that after staying home for the majority of the last three years I feel myself getting more uncomfortable in public and prefer the safety of my people and my home! I am reverting back to my childhood behaviors??!! Girlfriend needs to get out more, AMEN?!!

Okay but back to it... our cry face is the same!!

And our shy face is the same too! This picture below is one that was taken at Mother's Day Out... a polaroid actually... I guess this is the best they could get! Happy Mother's Day from your shy daughter! And in case you don't remember her name... it's on her dress! :) LOVED this dress!!

(I know it looks like I am just a BRAT, but no... just PAINFULLY shy!! THIS is NOT to say that I didn't have my bratty years... because boy did I... and still have my moments today!)

I find it fabulous that the Lord blessed me with Caden's cautious/shy personality (IN PUBLIC... kid is a crazy man at home!) because I can feel his pain... and hopefully help him overcome it just like my parents did for me... although the poke fun until she cracks method is what they used... I might go about it a bit differently! :) No hard feelings of course... I am fairly normal... fairly! :)

That's all I've got for today...

Happy Weekend!