Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas!

 From our Family...

To Yours!

"He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High.  And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end."  Luke 1:32-33

A New Trick

 Over the past few days Caroline has figured out how to pull up to her feet. 

 The scene about 5 seconds after taking this picture was not pretty.  She face-planted into the floor.  Live and learn, right?

And I am just loving the imagination at this age....

It's so interesting to see what's going on in our nativity scene each day.

Our Visit with Santa

This weekend we bundled up and headed to the square to visit with Santa.

 Caroline enjoyed her dinner.  while we waited.  for an hour and a half....

 still waiting...

thankfully there were several children's choirs singing on stage 

grayson loved watching

and then it was our turn.....

 both kids did really well!

 no tears!

and all Grayson asked for was a ball! 

I think Santa can handle that!

Fun with Mimi

Last week Mimi came to stay for a few days so that I could do some last minute shopping.  This is a season in my life where it is easier to just stay home during the day.  I don't even try to run my errands and do grocery shopping with the kids in tow.  I just prefer to save myself from stress and frustration.  We get out only twice a week to visit the library and to have playgroup.  The other days we hang out at home or try to plan play dates with neighborhood friends so that we don't have to get in the car to go anywhere. 

As a result, I spend many nights and weekends back and forth in the car just to get things done.  My sweet husband is very patient with me.  

Now, all of this to say...having Mimi here was so nice!  I was able to get so much done.  She played with the kids while I did all of my running around!  Caroline's teeth decided to pop through while she was here, so our night time was not so peaceful.  Sorry Mimi!!  She doesn't normally wake up at 5am crying, but oh well, such is the life with a baby! 

Christmas Happenings

We have been counting down with our Advent Calendar.  What a fun year!!  These are just a few of the things we've been up to....

making cookies.....  (and eating lots of dough!)

 learning about the legend of the candy cane....

 Christmas lights at the Atlanta Botanical Gardens....

 they were AMAZING....

 lots of partying....

 riding on a horse-drawn carriage at our Neighborhood Christmas Party....

 playing with friends at Christmas parties...

 and some guitar playin' and dancin'...

10 more days to go!!!  What a fun time of year to celebrate the birth of our Lord and Saviour--

Jesus Christ!

8 Months

 Caroline is now 8 months old and is becoming very ACTIVE.  She has been army crawling all over the floor for the past month, so now she is starting to get on her knees. 

 She still prefers the army crawl because she gets arounds just fine.  However, she has started to realize that she can pull up on things and sit on her knees.   In her bath last night, she actually pulled up to her feet! So...the fun begins!

 She also started saying "dada".  It's more of a sound rather than an association but it sure does make her daddy feel proud.  So we'll just tickle his fancy and say that her first word was "dada"!  It's so much fun to finally hear her little talking voice!!

She also got her 2 bottom teeth--just this week!  Finally!!  Between teething, colds, and an ear infection, her night time sleep has been a little interrupted these past few months! I'll be glad when this winter season is behind us!  HAPPY 8 MONTHS BABY GIRL!   Oh and by the way, could you please slow down a little?!?  You're growing up WAY too fast!

Making Progress

 Christmas decorating definitely took a little longer this year, but it is finally done.  It seemed that as I hung one ornament on the tree, 2 or 3 were coming off!!

 We also started our advent calendar ON TIME!  I finished putting it all together on November 30!!  I have GOT to get a head start on this next year!  (I'm pretty sure I said that last year)

 Grayson has had so much fun opening a new door each day to see what activity we'll be doing.
Yesterday, we made a gingerbread train.  The ONLY part he was interested in was eating the candy!

 But in the end, he was very proud of his creation.  And he still can't  keep his hands off of it!
Tonight he will be taking a warm bath with his new gingerbread soap! It's funny how the simplest things can make a child SO excited!

 We also started our Jesse Tree readings each night.   Grayson looks forward to hanging a new ornament on his tree and then we sing Christmas hymns.  It is so important to us that Grayson understands the true meaning of Christmas, so we have been stressing these truths daily. 

Santa Is Here!

 Santa came into town on Thursday night, so we were there for all the festivities.  There were lots of children's choirs singing throughout the night, which Grayson really enjoyed.

 It was so fun to watch the expressions on Grayson's face this year as he saw Santa arrive.

Want to see the grand entrance for yourself?!? 

Watch Santa arrive at the Marietta Square!!

We will be back to sit in Santa's lap at some point.  We didn't want to wait in the 2 hour line.  I'm anxious to see how Grayson does this year. 

It has definitely been a challenge trying to decorate the house--with a crawling 8 month old and a curious 2.5 year old. 

but we are making progress.

Priceless!

 I had to share this!

Grayson's LOVE of music + a former music teacher (aka. MIMI) =  a Thanksgiving with rhythm sticks and jingle bells!! 

(Yes! Uncle Andrew is ALWAYS that crazy!)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EHKapX-EA3A


I LOVE the looks on Abby Ruth's and Caroline's faces!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aS8datXNvIQ

Our Family Thanksgiving

We spent Thanksgiving this year in Clinton with the Trammell family.

 Daddy and Grayson are ready to be outside for the campfire! 

 Caroline was recovering from an ear infection but she seemed to be feeling much better for most of the visit.

 It's funny how Abby Ruth and Caroline seem to enjoy the same toys!  Thankfully we had 2 little pans.

 Mimi pulled out the rhythm sticks for Grayson's enjoyment and the whole family joined in.  It was quite humorous to see everyone tapping their sticks to the music.  Grayson LOVED it!

 Singing with Uncle Andrew.. (still in their pajamas)

 Grayson got to spend some time with Grandmama and Daddymac--he loves it when they bring treats!

 This is during one of Grayson's naps.  We walked in and found him like this..

 apparently  he had been having some fun with Papa's antique tools--I think this was some kind of old rake or something.

Just because we never have pictures of us:

 Uncle Andrew came home with us and stayed a night before he had to drive back to Nashville.  Grayson LOVED this special time with him.  They played and read lots of books.

It was such a nice, relaxing few days with family.  

We have so much to be thankful for!