Reiss' Rhymes and Reasons: Snapshots of 2010 part finish already!

November

I am so glad we didn't travel in November because then I would have to blog about it. I am ready to be finished blogging about 2010!

A little Thanksgiving photo shoot by Reflections Photography. These were also Coop's 18 months pictures.

I love Coop's hair. From the time I was preggers with Jack I said I wanted a blonde hair baby. Of course, I got my Christian mini-me in Jack, and I wouldn't ask for anything different in him. While I was preggers with Cooper it became a joke about wanting a blonde hair baby. It wasn't going to happen. After all, Christian is a dark brunette and who knows how dark mine would be if I weren't highlighting it (ssshhhhh!). To set the record straight, I was definitely a blonde hair little kid! Against Christian's wishes, I have resisted cutting Cooper's hair. I just love those curls. In November there came a time when my little guy couldn't see. And as far as all strangers were concerned, my little "guy" was referred to as a girl on a daily basis.

First bangs trim

This is my second year being room mom at Jack's preschool. I do it because I want to be able to attend all of his events. I don't want to miss a moment! This is Jack with his buddy Conlan at their Thanksgiving Feast.

My Messy Eater
We "convinced" Jack to feed himself by the time he was 3 1/2 years old. And, no, unfortunately I am not kidding! On the other hand, Cooper has insisted on feeding himself since he was 17 months old. It is nice, but it sure is messy!

Happy Thanksgiving! We spent Thanksgiving at my parents' house with the rest of the family. Good food, good times, and good people! We have so much to be thankful for this year. I am thankful for the health and happiness of my family, I am thankful that Chad and Robyn are going to have a baby, I am thankful that the baby is a girl!!, and I am thankful for wonderful parents and in-laws that help us so much in this journey of raising our children. I am also thankful for the friendship I have with my parents. I am sad that this is my first Thanksgiving without my maternal Grandma. No matter how hard it is, life does go on for those left behind. I am thankful that my mom is hanging in there and my Grandpa's happiness is returning.

This is the 2nd year we took the boys to the zoo around Thanksgiving. It is such a beautiful time of year. It also fairly empty which is always really nice.

Here are pics from our Christmas photo shoot with Jeansonne Photography.

December

Robyn's Baby Showers
My mom and I flew to Houston on a Saturday morning for a beautiful shower for Robyn thrown by her sister Jill and her aunt Kathy. Then we flew home that night for Robyn's shower in New Orleans.

This year seems to be the year of the second traditions. My mom and her friends and their daughters have enjoyed going to a mother daughter tea at the Windsor Court for the past 2 years. I hope this is a tradition that continues.

Christmas with Friends
We had our Christmas dinner at yummy Theo's on Canal and then freezing Celebration in the Oaks. The kids loved running around and looking at lights. Of course, I didn't get ONE good shot of the 4 kids so this one will have to do.

Cousins Christmas Party
My dad and his sisters and their first cousins have a cousins Christmas party for the past 18 years. The younger generation of cousins began our Christmas party in 2008. I look forward to this party every year.

Royal Teddy Bear Tea

My mom and I have been taking Jack to this Christmas tea at the Roosevelt Hotel since he was a baby. We had a great time, but I think next year we will try to do a Santa breakfast since Jack is getting a little old for the tea and Ice Fairy Princess!

Fulton Street

Chad and Tyler were in town for Christmas time this year so we were excited to do all our normal Christmas activities together. We missed Robyn though. She was still working.

They had the cutest reindeer there to look at. This is Jack posing with his reindeer antlers.

Coop loved riding on Uncle Chad's shoulders. He also found something tasty to lick!

Gingerbread Houses
Every year we have Chase, Colby, Preston, and Peyton over to decorate gingerbread houses. It is a lot of fun and a lot of messiness! I think more candy was eaten than actually put on the houses! This year Christian's sister, husband, and daughter Lilly were in town when we did this. Jack was so excited to have Lilly join us. My boys adore her! We must have taken at least 20 group shot pictures, and I didn't get one of Coop looking. He was way more interested in eating the gingerbread house candies!

Christmas Eve
We spent Christmas Eve at my parents' house with family. Santa even popped in for a visit to drop off some early gifts. All the kids loved Santa until Coop had to actually go by him. He didn't like him so much then!

If only he knew who Santa was...

I'm thankful Aunt Glenda got to come in from Brooklyn to spend Christmas with us.

Two little boys ready for bed, but somebody keeps tickling them. Poppy maybe...

Merry Christmas Eve

Christmas Morning

Christian and I could barely sleep Christmas Eve. I think we were more excited about Christmas morning than Jack was. Finally it was here!

Jack and Cooper walking into the den to see they were good boys, and Santa left them lots of goodies!

Jack wanted a pirate ship and super heroes. Santa made him a happy boy!

Coop loved his cozy coupe. He loves all push cars and wants to be outside non-stop.

Gigi and Poppy spoiled us all once again. The boys had a blast tearing through more gifts!

We continued our gift giving at Christian's parents' house. The boys love going to their Maw Maw and Paw Paw's house. Plus Lilly is there!

Merry Christmas!

New Year's Eve
Family came over for dinner and games. Of course, Dad won it all! We had a great night. I am really looking forward to 2011. I can't wait to see my boys get bigger throughout the year and see what the year has to bring my family.