Our Normal

No excuses for the time in between posts...just life.  Here is what the Pope family has been up to.

We FINALLY got around to having family pics made.

The photographer that we used was awesome at capturing some amazing moments.

Popes, through and through!

This is my favorite pic of Camo!  I bet there were probably 20 outtakes on this one!

Little Pope is growing into such a handsome little boy.  I can't believe that he will turn 5 this summer,

They may bicker some days, but at the end of the day they are best friends!

Grandma Bread, also known as Spirit Fingers, went to the zoo with us in early November as they were getting ready for Zoo Lights.

We attempted ice skating at Typhoon Texas' holiday park.  This was about the extent of it all, but great for the Little Popes' first adventure on ice skates.

Ok so technical difficulties arise again, but priceless memories while decorating the tree!

Little Pope really got into decorating this year.

Of course what would the holidays be without the Nutrition Nazi dancing at his holiday party.  This year they asked him to kick off the dancing!

Another first this year was making s'mores.  They became obsessed with them.

Stay-at-home mom bonus...getting to attend school Christmas parties and seeing this cuteness!

This guy was so proud of his artwork that he made for us as a gift!

This little one was SOOOO excited for the Nutcracker ballet.  In all fairness we had the best seats in the house.  He only asked one time during the second act towards the end if it was over yet!

Family shot courtesy of the Nutrition Nazi's long arms!

We took this handsome guy to a 'nice' restaurant to celebrate the holidays and my birthday!  He did so well!

I let go a little bit more this year and let them help with the sugar cookie process.  Luckily they had their listening ears on that day!

Then they decorated cookies with NN!  Family fun was had by all!

A shot of all of the desserts that I made.  I jokingly texted my parents to wear their fat pants to Christmas.

I am going to keep doing this for as long as possible.  I love dressing them in Christmas pajamas and taking their pics!

It is amazing how much they grow each year!

The calm before the storm.  Little Pope was not happy when he woke up and saw that 'Santa' did not bring him Star Wars legos.  I explained that since it was a late request that he probably did not get it.  And for the record he did get Star Wars legos from his brother.  Did I hear someone say entitled and spoiled?  I see some volunteer work in his future.

A sweet moment captured!

Someone is excited about the giant dinosaur Grandma bought him!

Happy Little Popes!

A rare pic of two-hard working ladies!

Technical Difficulties

So long story short my Mac, my iPhone, and the software I use to post these are not working so well together.  They have become an old married couple that can't hear the other so well.  Oh well here is what we have been up to.

Cookies are a big deal in our house!  We all love it when they are fresh out of the oven!

These monkeys picked out their first set of similar hats and just like their personalities they are polar opposites.

We played a little miniature golf while on a short vacation at Jellystone!

The Nutrition Nazi and I managed to get away for a night for his birthday at Hotel Zaza!  So much fun to be just adults for a night, and not have to be mom and dad!

Early driving lessons for Camo at the children's museum!

A little fun feeding the giraffes at the zoo!  Camo always wants to feed the babies!

A little less than fun on the first day of school!  Gotta love Camo and his face.  It did not go nearly as bad as he makes it seem!

 A new kind of workout thanks to one of my awesome neighbors!  Changes in perspective = changes in mind!

NN won a trip to Mexico this year for being a top producer!  We had a blast thanks to our awesome family who watched the Little  Popes

Celebrating Paw Paw George's 96th birthday!

Happy Birthday George!

The Team Leader is all about comfort in the supersac!

Fall fun with Grandma Bread at Blessington Farms!

Cameron Pope, Rush Chair.  Damn glad to meet you!

Ying and Yang and their respective pumpkins!

Enjoying the beautiful fall weather in October for the two days it was not above 90.

Having so much fun on the zip line!

Selfies at Little Pope's Fall Festival! He had so much fun!

Sweet Captain America with his pumpkin!

Camo says to Little Pope in a parking lot, 'Hold my hand.'  So they hold hands and my heart melts!

Four and Counting

I can't believe Little Pope just turned 4 a few weeks ago.  It seems like time is quickly passing.  Here are a few highlights from his birthday party!

A few weeks before his birthday he got to take cupcakes to celebrate his birthday at school.  He decided he needed to make sure the cupcakes were ok the night before by sampling one!

We rented a super fun bounce house that took up a good chunk of our backyard!  The kids had so much fun and some of the big kids got in as well.

We had a super cool greeter hanging from the second floor balcony!

Little Pope loves birthday parties and presents especially when they are his own!

They may look cute, but looks can be deceiving!  These two are the definition of trouble-makers!

Exhibit A...Camo was caught trying to feed the dog chocolate since she was not allowed at the party.  And for the record I am not a mean person.  The Team Leader has had a few relapses with her knees and counter-surfing for food so I decided this was the safest place for her.  Camo actually crawled in with her at one point and requested a pillow and a blanket from my mom.

Not too much longer before I won't be able to pick up this birthday boy!

Family pics are more of a hope-for-the-best-after-20-shots style.

Still looks like a mini adult version of the Nutrition Nazi, with more hair of course!

One of his favorite parts, and his new friend in the background!

Presents are probably Little Pope's favorite part!  His neighbor friend helped him open and play with all his presents!  

Grandma supervised so I could write down what he got for thank you notes!  And for those of you with really sharp vision that is a baby I am holding that belongs to a friend of ours.  He is so sweet and I get to give him back! 

This year Little Pope wanted a piñata so I bought the kind that you can pull the strings instead of hitting with a stick.  My new house was super appreciative that I did not give bats to toddlers to swing uncontrollably!

It was a really big hit!

And then the pandemonium started once it broke open with all the kids trying to get as many goodies as possible.

Some of our new neighborhood friends needed a little help since they are not as seasoned at the older kids!

I was super on my game this year - ha!  I bought a 'stick the emblem on batman game' and of course it was little girl that won!

This is how my child posed when his friend's mom wanted to get a pic on their way out!  Once a Pope always a Pope when it comes to being an attention whore!  I love that he already has a few friends in our awesome neighborhood!

Happy 4th Birthday Little Pope!