What do you do before 7am at your house?

Well, we take the trash out in the rain.

Take turns getting a good look at the sun rise, in the rain,

put on a sock puppet show, complete with the puppets tickling, talking and singing,

 (here's stripee)

 turn in to toilet paper, mummies,

then bust out of them and make a big pile.

oh and just so you don't think we are too creative that early....
we also watch cartoons and can hardly take our eyes off them for a picture!!

 yep, it was an early morning here in the matlock home.  pray for me!!

Just Because

I had to post just a few of my pictures from lately!!

Here's a Christmas Card outtake picture. The boys were so cute. Thomas picked out their matching pj's. He wanted snowmen with carrot noses. He loved that his little brother had the same pj's that he did!

Just love those chubby cheeks! He does love to be on his belly, but at almost 6 mos old he still hasn't rolled over. He can do it, I think he just doesn't know it. Several times I've gone into get him up and he's rolled over. He'll probably crawl first.

Cousins! Benjamin, Thomas and Ethan. It was impossible to get this group looking happy all at the same time. I love watching Thomas with these two. He keeps them all busy with toys and things to look at. Often times no one else exists when Ethan is in the room. He loves his little cousin!

These two are just 4 weeks apart. It's going to be tons of fun seeing this relationship grow over the years.

My happy smiling boy!! Thomas thought he needed to be in the toy bucket so he emptied it all out for Benjamin to play in. He loved it! He sat in there happy for about 10 minutes.

Christmas Cards

With the birth of Thomas, my love for pictures was renewed. I quickly signed up at Shutterfly to get a good deal on pictures as well as the convenience of having them shipped straight to the house. In this day an age of digital photography, I still cling to my prints. I quickly became addicted to their photo books, collage prints and once a year, their Christmas cards. I went back yesterday to check out what they had to offer this year and was surprised by all the options they had. I think their selection has doubled!!! They are so contemporary looking and lots of fun layouts. This year they are even offering 50 free cards to bloggers!! Check them out and start your own Christmas Card tradition!! Christmas photo cards to http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/christmas-photo-cards

I'm thinking I might use the Merriment Montage! I love the colors and the layout. I'm planning on using it to show you all a precious picture of the boys in their pj's, a family picture and then hopefully one of each of the boys doing their favorite things. Shhhh don't tell the family, but I'm also working on the calendars as well. I'm sure they'll be shocked!! They are awesome! You can stick pictures on the dates and they have so many great layouts. Check them out: wall calendars to http://www.shutterfly.com/calendars/wall-calendars

For all of you looking for another great gift idea for the grandparents, check out the mugs: photo mugs to http://www.shutterfly.com/photo-gifts/photo-mugs

My favorite thing about the Christmas Cards there is getting to share pictures. I've started a photo album with all the cards we've received over the years. Each family has their own page and we're able to look back over the years and see how everyone has changed. I still try to make our photo cards personal by adding a quick note to the individual families. After all, many people that we send Christmas cards to is almost the only time we communicate with them throughout the year! It's nice to see when other people add something personal to theirs as well.

So, almost Merry Christmas and keep an eye out for our shutterfly Christmas Card!

I should win a prize for this!

Check out the mosquito flying across Jared's neck. Now that takes skill!