Christmas...

This year we celebrated Christmas Hickman style! We were lucky enough to enjoy a visit from all of the Hickman clan. This was quite a big production as people traveled from Utah, Virginia and Connecticut to visit us here in Baton Rouge. Here are some pictures from the festivities.

All of the cousins decorated Christmas cookies

The cousins re-enacted the nativity. You can tell by the picture how well that went =)

Keeping with the Hickman family tradition, Santa came to visit. Just a little traumatic for Lex!

Katy enjoyed the snow white doll that Santa brought her. Notice how I'm still soothing Lexie in the background.

Lulu loved her cozy coupe!

All Katy asked Santa for was a "dolly castle". I think he pulled through.

I love when my girls will take 2 seconds to smile for a picture with me!

I had to include this picture because Lex is such a momma's girl and the little stinker would not let anyone hold her for very long without crying. Thanks for not giving up Nana!

The other night I finally got out of the house by myself. I was only running a quick errand, but the excitement of being alone, out of the house, without any kids was pulsing in my veins. I turned on the car stereo to rock out. I immediately start singing to whatever came on. About 10 minutes later I realized I was rocking out by myself to my daughter's favorite cd - The Laurie Berkner band. How embarrassing. Enough said.

Fun in California...

We had so much fun in California over Thanksgiving break. It's beautiful here in Baton Rouge - really green and...swampy? J/K it really is beautiful, but California is a whole other kind of beautiful. It was fun being with family and watching my girls play with their cousins.

My cute prego sister Kendra and my other sister Nicole (who made me breakfast every day for the 10 days I was there!)

Katy and Uncle Matt. He was such a good sport with the kids and will be a great daddy in April!

As you can see from the number of pictures, Katy and Jacquie were inseparable.

Katy, Jacquie and Evan at Fairytale Town. Really cool place for younger kids.

Jacquie and Katy enjoying some hot chocolate on a rainy day


My "Sac Town girls". All AMAZING women and great friends.

Lexie turns 1!!!

Our sweet little Lulu turned one during Thanksgiving break! We were in California visiting my family and were able to celebrate with cousins, aunties, uncles, grandma and grandpa. We headed to the Saxton family favorite pizza joint - Round Table. Since we were on vacation I opted to buy a cake for the birthday girl instead of making one. She had fun digging her hands into it, but then didn't really know what to do with the frosting after that! I had to help her take a couple of bites before she realized what the yumminess allover her hands was. It's fun to have two little girls. Jared and I have noticed that they are so different in many ways. While Katy is very bright, peticular, organized, and a little uncoordinated, Lexie is the opposite. Lulu is very sneaky, very quick, and very loud! She is also the biggest momma's girl I have ever seen in my life! While I'm very glad she is growing out of the baby stage and becoming a lot more fun, I can't help myself from snuggling with her - she's just too stinkin cute!

Our little trick or treaters...

We had a wonderful Halloween this year (last year Katy barfed all over someone's trunk or treat set up)! On Friday we went to Katy's Halloween party at her preschool where we decorated cookies and ate snacks. Saturday we had one of Katy's best friends over to trick or treat at our house. We weren't sure if there would be many people handing out candy in our neighborhood because it was just built in the last year and there aren't too many children that live here. However, it ended up being great because there were only about 12 trick or treaters in the whole neighborhood, but most of the houses were handing out candy. Every house we went to ended up filling their baskets with treats! Actually, I don't know if that's a good thing or a bad thing! I've definitely eaten my fair share of candy since Kaitlyn's too young to realize that all of her chocolate has mysteriously disappeared.

Here's our crazy monster pumpkin that Jared carved

Cutest bumblebee ever!

Sweet little "princess Dorthy"

The three little trick or treaters enjoying their loot!

Yay, our little bumblebee is walking!

Jana and John come to play...

We had so much fun this weekend as Jared's Aunt Jana and Uncle John came to visit. They came on Friday and stayed for the weekend entertaining Katy and Lexie the whole time! They won Katy's heart instantly as they came bearing gifts. We went to the pumpkin patch Friday night, but couldn't stay long because it was so muddy. That night, while I was getting Katy ready for bed I told her it was time to go potty. Katy said, "no, I want him to take me" pointing at her uncle! John turned a little red and told Katy that he would wait for her on the couch. On Saturday we took Jana and John to Bluebonnet Swamp which was really fun especially since the weather was so nice. It's more like a nature reserve than a swamp, although part of it is a little swampy. They have this nice wooden boardwalk for you to walk on and the hike is pretty shaded. The park also has a visitor's center where you can see and pet different animals - mostly snakes and alligators. When Jana and John were driving off on Sunday Katy turns to me and says in a forlorn voice "I loved Aunt Jana" =) We had such a fun relaxing weekend with Jana and John - we hope you guys visit again soon!

This is what happens when anybody besides mommy picks up Lexie!

Notice the instant smile on Lulu's face as she is promptly handed back to mommy!

I love this picture of Katy cuddling with Jana on the couch

I was terrified while Katy pet this alligator. I pretended not to be though because I don't want her to be scared of everything when she grows up like I am.

I was the navigator on the trail and of course I led them down the wrong path! How did I end up with the map when there were two boyscouts with us?!?

First steps...

My baby took 5 steps this weekend! She still prefers to crawl, but will take a few steps now and then. The funny part is that when she's really concentrating her tongue seems to pop out of the corner of her mouth. It's sooo cute!