Congratulations Daddy!

David found out Wednesday night that he made partner at his law firm! We are so thankful that they acknowledge and appreciate all of his hard work! We are so proud of him!

Yeah Daddy!

In other Parnell news, I made my first trip to the ER this morning with one of my children. Actually, I think that is pretty impressive considering I have three kids and two of them climb everything in sight!! Bennett has been struggling with a cold and early this morning we could not get his wheezing controlled, even with the nebulizer we have. So, I talked to the nurse and she told me to go on in. He was a real trooper, and after 5 hours there he was diagnosed with RSV. They gave him a couple of more breathing treatments and some oral steroids and he already seems much better. In fact, I think he is on a steroid high because I saw him a minute ago trying to throw a soccer ball through one of our Christmas wreaths as if it were a basketball goal.

When I was sitting in the ER room with plenty of time to think, my mind keep wandering back to parents who have really sick kids and who have to watch them be poked and prodded like he was (for just a few hours) all of the time. I can't imagine! It actually helped me keep our little visit in perspective...just a little bump in the road, and he'll be fine!

Can't believe only 7 more days until Christmas!

Love, Nicole

Happy Birthday G!

We all love you very much! Hope you have a wonderful day!

Early Visit from Santa

I'm back! Santa came early this year and brought me (well, us, technically) a new computer!!!! I can't tell you how excited I am, as the old one has been the cause of much stress (especially in the "two you" area) over the last several months...It is something that we had been discussing, but something I didn't think we could do at this time. David came home Friday and surprised me! This will definitely allow me to get back to enjoying my hobby, and I should have no excuses about keeping up with my blogging as well! Thanks so much to the best husband ever (although the intangible gifts he gives are even better)!!

Everyone seems to have fully recovered from the stomach virus, so I am actually praying for some more snow around here so that the kids can do more than just look at it through the windows!

As for Elise's quote of the week, I heard her telling my Mom last night that we had been decorating and getting ready for Christmas..., "So," she said, "Mommy got God and Jesus out of the attic."

As I am sure you figured out she was referring to the Nativity Scene (an awesome wedding gift from Aunt K)...

Happy Holidays!

Love, Nicole

Let it snow!! (In more ways than one)

Yes! We had snow in Louisiana! It was so exciting! I promise to be back soon with pictures and hopefully a funny story or two. We have been bogged down at home this week with the stomach virus yet again..Lila is the only one who has avoided it thus far (knock on wood), and so, unfortunately, the kids were not able to enjoy the snow to its fullest. In addition, our computer is broken yet again which is putting quite a damper on both my blogging and my stationery (at the worst possible time!)... So, if anyone is wondering why I haven't responded to emails- that would be why...Hopefully it is fixable..I am starting to have a feeling we should have asked Santa for a new computer!
Good thing about this time of year is that it helps keep it all in perspective...hasn't been the best week, but it could be much worse..we have so much to be thankful for!
I'll be back soon!
Love, Nicole

Three hardworking elves

We spent the whole day yesterday decorating inside and out for Christmas. It was very interesting having three little elves that wanted to "help" out. Especially since Bennett thought all of the ornaments were balls and he wanted to try to throw them as far as he could! Funny, though, now that the tree is up they have lost interest....We'll see what the week brings!

Goofy fake camera smiles from Lila and Bennett...

Fiesty little thing!

Ohhh...this looks like fun!

Elise helping David put the lights on...She was really a huge help this year...She kept telling us that the tree was just "perfect", and the "best tree we've EVER had"...(does she really remember the other two?? haha..)

The finishing touch....

What a fun day! I love rediscovering all of the ornaments as we are pulling them out of the box...I have several old glass one's from my Dad's Mom, David's parents have brought us lots of neat ones from all of their travels, and my favorites are the ones with the pictures of the kids at prior Christmases....

Fun, exhausting day!