Thanks, Babies, Music and More

12/12/2010 02:18:00 PM Edit This 1 Comment »
As usual we had a great time down in Texas for the Thanksgiving holiday. The best part of Thanksgiving is spending time with family and being thankful for that opportunity which we both are. Lexie always has "cousin withdrawals" when we get back.
Of course the first thing we noticed was how much the twins have grown. Here's Maddie - what a petite little girl. At 3 months she's now over 16 pounds, likes to sit up (with help of course) and is very curious about everything going on around her (and there is always LOTS going on.)
And Maddox may be her younger brother but he's decided he would be the biggest brother at just over 17 pounds. And believe me, when you hold him he feels way more than just a pound heavier. He doesn't really like to sit up (we've decided that's because his tummy is too big for him to be comfortable sitting) but he's a champion spitter. The boy can punk and get someone sitting 3 feet away - no problem. He makes his Aunt so proud!
And as big as the twins seem to be, they are down right dainty compared to their bigger brother Blake at 3 months.
Now that is a big boy!! Of course he started at just shy of 10 pounds so he had a head start.
Here he is today and he just turned 3 years old heading out to play with Z and Lexie. They have so much fun together!
I'm very proud of my nephew Cody who has just started taking trumpet in band at middle school (in Texas middle school is 6-9th grades.)
The kids decided to give me an impromptu to concert.
They are getting ready to audition for America's Got Talent. I hope they have your vote.

We also had to play catch up with GaGa since we missed her birthday. Here she is surrounded by her best gifts - some of her grandkids and holding a few of the presents from Lexie & I.
The next morning was Blake's Thanksgiving feast at his pre-school and what a feast it was.
 Their were songs that Lexie knew and yummy cookies to eat the heads off.
 Have no fear, we didn't leave the twins at home. They were excellent since they were sleeping through almost the whole event.
 Then it was time for Blake to show Lexie and GaGa his favorite toys....
 but Lexie wasn't impressed. Until she found HER favorite...a princess doll. Pre-school is great!
Once we got home (and had our naps) Lexie asked me if she could hold Maddie. How sweet are these two?
That night, Lynn (aka Yin-Yin) and Brooke showed up and naturally a baby was put into her arms (not that she was forced :-)
 With extra hands available to hold babies, the next morning I took the big kids over to Grandma's for an intense game of air hockey.
 Brooke and Cody were really getting into it.
 Naturally the littler big kids wanted to play.
 I think it was a tie between Lexie & Blake.
Then it was back to Boo-Boo & Jim-Jim's house for some outdoor fun while we waited for Uncle Todd & Yo-Yo to arrive.
 Lexie did her part.
 It's nice to know that Brooke isn't getting too old to join in the fun.
 And Blake is the king of silly fun.
Finally they made it (notice baby in a new set of arms.)
 Very soon they are giving both babies...
who were quickly "propped"onto something. Holding them for very long is not an option.
Sadly it was time for bed and Jim-Jim was in charge of the pre-bed game...
I wonder why it took the kids so long to fall asleep?
 Buzz, I mean Blake wanted to make sure he got his turn.
 Here's the girls having a slumber party in my room (rather Z's but we were borrowing it.) Lexie had put in a special request for a slumber party and Z was more than happy to accommodate her.
No one told Todd that the first one up gets a baby (how he hadn't figure that out yet I don't know) so this was the sight I came down to on Thanksgiving morning. Pretty darn cute!
 Then Maddie turned on the charm and Uncle Todd was putty in her little hands.
Who could resist that smile?
Naturally Lexie had to break out the princess outfit...
 and Blake had to improvise since Daddy still had Snow White under lock and key.
Dancing to the Macy's Parade was a must for Turkey Day morning. 
I gave the girls EZ Bun-Makers that I brought for them so naturally a few buns where in order.
 The double bun looks adorable on Z (and so do her freckles!!)
A few hours later the kids sat down at the kids table for their dinner (Blakie couldn't last so he was still napping) and the adult partook at the big peoples table (I didn't get a picture since the forks were flying too fast to for the camera to catch the action!) Great dinner everyone!
 As you can see it was a causal dinner so Lexie dined in her simple ball gown.
Later in the evening when football was ruling the TV, I had the kids do a scavenger hunt.
 Cody was not fond of one of the items Brooke found.
Z was seriously working on her presentation (which is an important part of this game.)
As you can see, Brooke had no problems in that department.
 Brooke even got Uncle Jim to help share the task of push ups. Nice job Jim!
 Blake thought he looked the best so he won in Best Glasses Wearing.
 Grandma and I were the judges with a little help from Lexie.
 And the winner is.....everyone!!
So a fun time was had by all on Turkey Day in Texas!

The next day we celebrated Mackenzie's 10th Birthday (even though this was just her pretend birthday since she was actually 10 until Nov 30th and she reminded us often.)
 I can't believe Z is already in the double digits! That is just not right.
 What a beautiful group of children. We are missing Casey (I know you aren't a child any more at almost 21 but you'll always the cute little curly headed blond toddler to me) Dylyn & Damian.
 Yin-Yin had to get in on the picture taking.
 The birthday girl clearly pleased with one of her gifts and Lexie mentally adding the toy to her list for Santa.
 This was Yo-Yo pretty much the whole time she was there - one baby in her arms and a burp cloth over her shoulder.
 Oh the boys. Cody his usually happy self and Blake trying to figure out how he can get another piece of cake.
I liked this outfit Lexie had on so I tried to grab a couple of shots of her. One was all I got. She said she was cold. Oh please! It had been in the upper 70's the whole time we were then and had dropped into the 50s on Thanksgiving. I am so evil to send her out in the blizzard. Besides she was wearing hear favorite boots!
So Blogger says this post is too long (there's a surprise) and I've run out of memory, so you need to click on older post (just below this on the left) to see "The Rest of the Story."

Thanks, Babies, Music and More - Part II

12/12/2010 01:50:00 PM Edit This 1 Comment »
The kids were ready for some fresh air and exercise with some of the neighborhood kids (note Lexie isn't too cold to do this!)
I have to ask - why did they let the youngest DRIVE the car?
I'm not sure this is any better.
 Cody decided to get away from the crazy driver Brooke.
 The birthday girl was being the most responsible of the group - note the helmet and appropriate sized vehicle.
 I don't even want to know how Cody got on the back with his scooter.
I can tell you they've had this Gator for at least 8 years and it clearly takes a beating.

One of the gifts Mackenzie got for her birthday was to have her ears pierced. So we all piled in two cars (4 car seats plus 2 big kids and 4 adults don't fit into any vehicle short of a bus that I know of)
and headed to Clair's. Blake & Lexie decided to entertain us on the way there.
It became clear to me that she's mixing up what she's learning on Dora & Kai-lan (plus they teach Spanish at her pre-school) but they were still cute singing.

Here is Z's support team (plus me!)
 Waiting in the chair. A little nervous....
 but very excited too.
 Z was very brave and the results are great. You look beautiful Mackenzie (but you do with or without the earrings!)
That evening we gave the rest of the family a concert to remember!

Here are the QuasWells playing Jingle Bells...
with Blakie on the little guitar
Brooke on the real guitar...
Mackenzie on the very pink drums..
Lexie on the piano..
and Cody on the trumpet. And here they are....
Now that's music!!! And don't forgot to vote for them when they make it onto America's Got Talent.

Well the next day was time for leave taking. Todd & Lori were flying home and Lynn & Brooke dropped them off at the airport on their way out of town. Before they left we tried to get a picture of all the kids together (without a birthday cake in front of them.) With the twins is was more of a challenge then ever.
This first one was the best in this location. We all decided the sun was just too strong so we moved them in the shade and had better results.
 This is nice but Lexie was looking off at who knows what. Below is nice of the big kids and babies (you don't want to know what the little ones where doing!)
 By this time we'd lost the babies but it's cute of best buds Blake & Lexie.
 This is my overall best one. It's nice but I hope Angie got a perfect one (hint-hint..please send it!)
I just love these kids!
Then it was time to say good-bye.
 I think Todd is checking for signs of puking.
 Don't you know they were glad this was a picture with their nieces & nephews and not their kids -haha!
 Just plain silly.
 Todd & Lori will be spending Christmas with her family so we will miss them at Christmas.
Lexie & her Yin-Yin.
Brooke was packing up her essentials...see you in a few weeks Brooke-Brooke.
Now Lexie & I fly stand-by (thanks Jim) and we had hoped to get out Sunday but it took a few extra days. So we had a few more days in Houston to spend more time with the kids.
 We got to see Cody all dressed up for Boy Scouts and he received a new badge too. Nice job Cody Bear!
Then I help Angie a little with the Christmas tree and Lexie & Blake helped watch the babies for a while. Okay - you caught me. They were all watching TV but they were watching WITH the babies.
Lexie did help with feeding Maddox. She really enjoyed spending time with them (when they weren't crying.)
 Who wouldn't want to spend time with these cuties. Especially in the 6-9 mth old outfits we gave them. I'm sure you noticed Maddie is in a pink princess tutu. Who do you think suggested that one?
This was on Mackenzie's REAL birthday. Look at these two sisters almost ten years apart. Just like Angie & I.
Mackenzie had dance practice on her birthday so we all headed out to watch her.
 Lexie couldn't help herself. She had to do a few steps of her own.
 Cody is being a great older brother and patiently waiting for Z to finish so we can go to her Birthday dinner.
This picture makes me wonder what the next 10 or 30 or 50 years will be like for Z. I'm sure whatever she does she'll be great at it.
 Luckily Jim made it back for dinner - yeah Daddy!
 Do you think Z is excited about her birthday?
 Here are the Wells boys, minus a sleeping Maddox.
 And the tired Angie Mommy & Grandma.
 Supporting their sister and cousin to win on her b-day.
If that wasn't enough celebrating there was a surprise cookie cake and a few more gifts waiting for her at home.
 Yes she's a special girl with a special family. Happy birthday Z!!!
Lexie & I headed home the next day but we had a great time and look forward to spending Christmas with the family very soon.
HAPPY HOLIDAYS EVERYONE!!!