First christmas 2010

The girls first christmas was in 2010.  They were only 7 months old, so they weren't to into it.  I can't wait for this year!  Here are some of my favorite picture from 2010!

christmas cookies!

The girls and I made dough for our christmas cookies (we actually made titi's favorite for when they come in town)!  They had so much fun!  It gets a little messy, but I want them to experience everything and get down and dirty!  To those of you who are neurotic and hate mess', this is not for you!  Here are some pics!

Harly saying cheese, Zoey having a bad hair day and not keeping a clip in it!

Mommy, I hate having dirty hands!

Mommy, I will get this bag of chocolate chips open!

we got a chocolate chip for being great helpers!  Look at our faces!

girls meeting Gavin!

When we were allowed back to see my sister and the baby, the girls were napping in the stroller.  I didn't want to wake them because we drove all night and they woke up at 6am.  We decided to let them meet their new cousin the next day.

They did awesome at the hospital.  They were kissing him and gently touching him.  Harly loved to stroke his tiny fingers.  When they came home from the hospital, it was a different story.  They were very jealous, there was a new baby, titi and uncle ryan couldn't give them their full undivided attention.  When Uncle Ryan would wake up and come out to the living room, the girls would just follow him the whole time and pretty much didn't leave his side all day.  They were very jealous of titi, they had her all to themselves for 18 months.  She did awesome though, making sure they had alone time with her.  She would take them into another room and play with them.

Here are some pics I love of the girls with Gavin and then with uncle ryan and titi!

Harly stroking his fingers!

Zoey touching gently!

Dylan carrying on a convo about the girls clothes!  Love this pic!

This is one of my fave pics, because everyone is smiling!  I never get the girls to smile at the same time!

Gavin!

My sister gave birth to her first child on December 9, 2011 (same as Jackson's birthday!).  She did amazing, I am so proud of her!  Gavin Ryan came into the world at 10:08am weighing in at 7lbs 8oz and 19inches long!  He is also adorable and I love him so much.  I didn't expect to have the feelings I do for this little boy, I feel like he is my own son.  It was extremely difficult to leave him.  I think it is because my sister and I are so close, and because I have children.

As I am typing this I am getting emotional, and it has been 2 weeks already.  I don't remember my sister being like this when I had the girls, but I just think it is becasue I have children.  I am having issues with knowing I can't drive over there whenever I want to see him.  We always talked about getting together with our kids every sunday, like we did growing up.  I am having a hard time knowing that we won't be able to do that.  I want my girls to be close to their cousins.  I want them to be like brothers and sisters.  I am sure I will be able to get through this at some point.  I just miss my sister and especially my nephew.  I want him to be close to me and know that he can come to me for anything, I want to be able to babysit him whenever and take care of him when they need help.

But enough about me and my emotions!  My nephew is absolutely adorable, I love him like he is my own.  My sister and I have such a strong bond, that he is also now has a piece of my heart!  Here are some pics I took of him!  Enjoy!

Jackson!

My nephew was born on December 9, 2010.  He just turned one and now shares a birthday with my other nephew who was just born.  Jackson is such an adorable, loving, happy baby!  He lives in the south, so we do not get to see him a lot, but I love him so very much.  The girls also love him very much.  I have a picture I show them all the time and we talk about Aunt Carrie, Uncle Shane, and Jackson often.  Even though we don't see them very much, I want my girls to feel close to them, I want them to be able to run up to them and be excited when we do see them.

Jackson is Mr. GQ!  Over the summer, we were on vacation and every time I took that camera out to take his picture, he would look right at it and smile.  He is also his daddy's twin!  I hope that we will be able to see them more, I do miss all of them a lot and I know my husband misses his brother a lot!

Jackson-  we all hope you had a wonderful 1st birthday.  We wish we could have been there!  It looks like you had a blast!  We love you with all our hearts!  The girls are blowing kisses to you!!  Love you always and forever- your aunt Jackie, Uncle Ian, Harly, and Zoey!