Dinner and a bath

We have been having lots of fun with our newest member of the DeGarmo family. He has been such a joy- and the kids are really enjoying him too.

Today Isabella got to feed him.

She and Zach are both in love with him and like to do anything to help.

Yesterday was Xander's first bath (since the hospital) and he was NOT a fan.

Zach, however, was happy to help.

He was an unhappy camper through the whole thing.

As soon as we got him out and wrapped up he settled right down.

Indy is pretty fascinated by him- though I'm sure she wonders why this new "pup" gets so much attention.

Zach got one of Xander's books and wanted mommy to read it to them both. Zach was a bit more engaged. :-)

Early Christmas

While we were in Houston the kids (and us) got their presents from their Aunt Kim (Tata) and family. They were very excited.

Last Christmas they got a box of dress up clothes, but the boy clothes were in the minority. This year Zach got some additional dress up stuff. He is dressed up right now as I'm writing this in the blue Nascar suit and Bella is dressed up in the fireman's suit.


Isabella got a very cool reversible dress (the inside has a cupcake instead of a Christmas tree.)

Zach was most excited about his "Tata book" that chronicles his stay with Tata while we were in New Zealand. Isabella had one from a previous visit and they still love to read that one. Now they'll have a new one to read before bed.

Funny Zach

Zach is so imaginative. He makes up stories all the time- sometimes mixing reality with imagination to where it is hard to know what is real and what he is making up. He is especially fond of telling stories about what he and Grammie have been doing.

He also likes to make up songs. Yesterday, while we were driving home from target, he said, "Daddy, I know some new Christmas songs. Would you like to sing along with me?" "Sure," I said. "Ok, the first is called 'Putting up the lights.'" and he proceeded to make up a song and wanted me to sing with him. It was pretty cute. Then, as we drove past the tennis courts by Nonnie's house, he said, "The next on is called 'Playing tennis at Christmas'" and sang a new song.

Today as we were driving home to Austin, we put in "Cars" for he and Isabella to watch. As it started he was doing all the sound effects along with the movie. Then, when the music started, he and Isabella both sang all the words to the Sheryl Crowe song that starts the film.

Welcome Home!

Please join us in welcoming Alexander Adrian William DeGarmo (Xander.) Born Dec 9th. 8lbs 2oz, 21" long.

This video was shot by Isabella. I think she did a great job!

Happy to be reunited

We got home from New Zealand (pictures to follow) and I drove to Brenham to pick up Zach today. When we got home they were very happy to see each other again. Here they are riding doubles on the pony ride while we were out running errands.

Missing her brother

Yesterday we came back home from Tulsa. Zach stayed there and then went home with his Aunt and Uncle today to Houston. Last night Isabella went to bed fine, but after about 30 minutes came downstairs with tears in her eyes and said, "I miss Zach!" So, I went back up with her and dressed Zach's Curious George in his pajamas and Isabella put him in bed with her where Zach will sometimes sleep with her. This morning she brought George down with her and sat in the chair where she usually sits with Zach and watched all his favorite shows. I'm glad they love each other so much!

Gingerbread houses

Zach and Isabella had lots of fun making gingerbread houses yesterday at their cousins party. Here are a couple of pictures of their works of art.

Zach was very proud of his. Tonight he wanted to eat it, but after one taste of the gingerbread, he decided to eat pie. :-)

Here is Zachs from the front. You can see the fence of big gumdrops all around.

This one is Isabella's with a snowman out front. Both of them were very creative with their decorations. You can see marshmallows, peppermints, tootsie rolls, M&Ms, chocolate and white chocolate bars, gumdrops, licorice and more. I think they may have eaten as much as they put on...

Thanksgiving

We are in Tulsa at Chris' dad's house with all of the Oklahoma family. I am so thankful that we can be here to play, laugh, eat, sleep, and enjoy one another. I also am indulged in watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade. We also averted a potential turkey disaster when the house filled with smoke because the liquid overflowed and started burning in the oven. Thankfully, there is another oven where we can finish roasting the turkey.

Yesterday we had our cousins' party--something we do when all 10 of the grandchildren get to spend Thanksgiving together. We went downtown to a park where Lauren, my sister-in-law/photographer, did a great job setting us all up for the family photo. (Chris can post these later.) Then we went back to Lauren's house, where 9/10 of the grandchildren made gingerbread houses (Beckham, the 7-month-old, was an interested spectator). Lauren and Kim, another sister-in-law, set it all up, and the kids had great fun, although Zach really thought he should get to eat it immediately. After naps, Santa showed up at Grandma Carla and Grandpa Roger's house. Then we cooked out, and this morning the kids all got their gift bags. So glad we could be together.

I am so thankful for our family, for my beloved Chris, Isabella, and Zach, for the privilege of living in this country where we live freely, and for the Gospel that enables each of us to truly live freely.

Isabella's first school program

Last night Isabella's school put on a program in honor of Veteran's day. It was a patriotic theme and they sang lots of songs. The kindergartners were the last to get up and they sang several songs with the whole group. You can see Isabella right in the middle on the front row. She was very excited to get to sing and Zach was very unhappy that he could not go up and stand on stage too.

Operation Christmas Child

This year we are doing "Operation Christmas Child" again. This year we got boxes from Isabella's Awana club and the kids had lots of fun picking out stuff to go in them.