snow and ice

Addison was so excited about our TN trip this year. She couldn't stop talking about her cousins and she wanted to see snow. The first one was easy. They love her and can't wait to spend time with her. The snow wasn't happening while we were there, but we like to make dreams come true. We took a ride up to the ski resort in Gatlinburg so Addison could see snow. She didn't get to make a snow angel, but Michael did help her make a snowball.

We (meaning me) decided to take Addison ice skating. I'm no pro at ice skating so I was really nervous about skating and holding her up, but to our surprise she did really well. The whole time we were out there she kept saying, "whoa, whoa, whhhheeee". My body ached the next day, but it was worth it. She loved it!

They also had a carousel. This may be their new favorite thing to do.

I love seeing the smiles on their faces. We really had such a good time that day.

*I'm not sure what's up with all of Addison's cheesy smiles, but I'll take it. Cheesy smile is better than no smile. Trust me. There are more to come.

until next year

Zarkle hitched a ride back to the North Pole with Santa. Or maybe he's hiding in my dresser drawer until he goes back in the attic.

Using him as leverage for the past month sure was nice. He will be missed.

from our house to yours

Merry Christmas!

santa #2

Each year Santa visits the girl's school on a fire truck. The kids love it. Addison waited so patiently. When he got there she was so excited.

I thought Morgan would handle Santa a little better this time. I was completely wrong. She completely freaked out. But she looks so cute doing it.

Addison was adorable. She will sit on Santa's lap, but she gets so shy. She rubs her face and her eye the whole time. She was the first one up from her class and was less than thrilled. After watching everyone go she wanted to try again. Second time around was a little better. A small hug and a little smile.

I just love all the Santa pictures. They make me smile.

cousins

I hope my brother knows that I love him. He's been a great uncle to my girls and now he's a great father. I'm really very proud of him.

Morgan loves baby M and her uncle. This picture may not convey it, but all three of them were quite content just sitting there and chillin'.

santa

Santa made a stop at Silver Springs the other night. Baby M looked adorable meeting him for the first time. Addison is making progress. She will sit on his lap, but is still too shy to really talk to him.

Like any good parent, I forced Morgan to sit on Santa's lap. She didn't do as bad as I thought she would. At one point she even looked up at him and didn't scream. No luck at getting a picture where both of them are looking at me.

Success on my part. Overall though, I don't think either one of them were thrilled.

We'll see if we can try again.

silver springs

We took a quick trip home to my mom's this past weekend. I had a great lunch with some girlfriends and then Saturday night a bunch of us headed to Silver Springs to see the lights. It wasn't as cold as it has been and the girls really enjoyed the lights. Addison was so excited about the little ride they have there. It takes you up above the trees so you can see everything. It made my stomach turn a little, but she was in awe. Soon after that we all rode the carousel.

Feeding the giraffe was a highlight. Sadly, I didn't get my camera out fast enough. But my friend Allison got this one of my brother feeding it a graham cracker...from his mouth! Have you seen their tongues? This could have been ugly.

In total we had a group of 21. The company was great and the kids really seemed to enjoy it.

The best part of the night was the funnel cake fries. Ask Morgan. I bet she would tell you the same thing since she ate about 10 of them. Can't wait to do it again next year.

it's been awhile

My grandmother passed away January 31, 2009. That was the last time I was at the cemetery. I've been in the area and driven near the cemetery many times since then, but for some reason haven't gone in. It hasn't been a conscious decision. I think a part of me didn't want to see them both together. I think a part of me didn't want to face it. This weekend I went to visit my grandparents. I was sad and I cried, but it felt good. I know they are together again. No pain, no suffering.

They finally got to see their baby girl that they lost so long ago. When Grandma was sick she use to talk to Gwen Nora. I know she missed her. Just like I miss them.

video from santa

My mom sent me the link to this website and I love it. What's even better is that Addison loved it. Hopefully she'll stop asking me if he's real.

http://www.portablenorthpole.tv/watch/UvClHeSgme6pAFNvlvakQg

One for Morgan too.

http://www.portablenorthpole.tv/watch/9-eBvKXxeX_BQoe5m_gCLQ

I highly suggest it if you have young children.

technology

Michael and I recently got smart phones. We've been talking about it for over a year and finally pulled the trigger. It's addicting. More so for Michael than for me. Since I've been lacking in the photo department lately I will overload you with pictures recently taken with my phone.

After church on Sunday's we drive by Starbucks. I'm addicted to it like Michael is to his phone so we stopped to get my fix. Addison thinks she's such a big girl when she gets milk from Starbucks. Morgan is just along for the ride.

The girls enjoying a snack in the playroom. The table is no good unless the umbrella is up. Veteran's Day trip to Chick-fil-a. Told you she now loves the cow.

My birthday celebration. Cupcakes courtesy of a friend at work.

Thanksgiving feast at school.

Me v. Addison last night in Wii bowling. Guess who won?

The house decorated for Christmas. This took 4 days. The shopping and wrapping is taking a lot longer. One of the reasons for my lack of pictures and posts.

A little look into our everyday lives on the go.

thanksgiving

Each and everyday I am thankful for so many things. I've been blessed with so many wonderful things in my life. I have a happy and healthy family and for that I am truly grateful. This past Thanksgiving my mom and Jim spent the day with us. I cooked and put up Christmas decorations. Mom and Jim entertained the girls for most of the day. Addison decided that she needed to look pretty for dinner. She pulled out her Halloween makeup and went to town. I didn't care one bit.

I'm thankful that I get to take pictures like this.

 Addison didn't want Morgan to feel left out so she prettied her up too.

Today my brother and sis-in-law officially became the parents of baby M. They will soon have the birth certificate to prove it. They have been blessed with a beautiful baby girl. I'm thankful she's a part of our family.

We're in full Christmas mode around our house. The decorations are up and presents are being purchased. Zarkle the elf has arrived and Addison keeps asking me if he's real. Christmas books are read each night before bed. And every stuffed animal that plays Christmas music and dances is being tested. Michael and I are loving it! No, seriously. We are.

*last photo by Taryn Lewis at www.thesugartreestudios.com

a little extreme

This is a true depiction of what goes on at our house on the weekends after the girls go to bed.

On this particular Saturday night:

• Tennessee football is on the computer to the left because they suck so bad and weren't on tv.
• Some kind of political site on computer in his lap.
• Checking other football scores on the phone.
• Beer
• Who knows what is on the tv, but I'm sure it wasn't anything too important or how on earth could he keep up.
• Me? In the bedroom catching up on my dvr'd shows.

Boring and lame to some, but for us - totally AWESOME!

stats and shots, two kinds

This past Friday I took Morgan to the doctor for her 18 month well visit. Here's the stats:

Weight:   21.8 pounds / 15th percentile
Height:    33 inches / 85 percentile
Head:      18.125 inches / 35th percentile

In three months she's gained 6 ounces and grown 1.5 inches. The girl can eat so I'm really not sure where the food is going. Doc doesn't have any concerns about her weight since she's still progressing and eating a well balanced diet. She got 3 shots and it was a little rough for both of us. I think she knows they're coming now. Overall she's healthy and that's all that matters. She's just a little peanut and I'm okay with that. I think it makes her more snuggly.

And doesn't this picture just make you want to snuggle her more?

We went this past Sunday and had family pictures taken by Taryn (see her HERE). We've worked with her several times now and she knows just what to do to get the girls to cooperate. I think they are use to her and her camera too. The weather was perfect and thanks to the rubber chicken we had a good time. I can't wait to see the rest of them.

You want to see another one? Addison pulled her usual, but somehow Taryn makes it work. Doesn't she look so grown up?

If you need GREAT pictures, go see Taryn. She'll make it happen.

*done by: Taryn Lewis photography - www.thesugartreestudios.com

year and a half

Dear Morgan,

Yesterday was my birthday. It was sort of a birthday for you too. You've been on this earth and in my arms for a year and half now. I held you the other night after you got out of the bath, all wrapped up in your towel. It's one of the only times during the day that you let me cradle and rock you back and forth while signing you a song. You look up at me and you know that I am your momma. You smile behind your paci, water still on your face. I look down and thank God that he sent you to me. I used to hold a snugly baby, but now you're half as tall as me. It's hard for me to keep your feet warm because they stick out from under the towel. Some nights I get teary because you're growing so fast. All of this is short lived. A few minutes pass and then you're on the go again.

You are so full of energy. So full of life. There is not a thing in our house that goes untouched. I randomly hear the pantry door open and I know you are in the junk drawer pulling something out that you shouldn't. We've had to permanently remove the scissors from the drawer because they were your favorite thing. The scotch tape and pliers soon followed. You love to go in the bathroom and pull all of my lotions and toothpaste out of the drawer. I usually find a trail to your toys when I come home in the afternoon. If the house is quiet I know I can find you in your room. You're either sitting in the floor flipping through books, pulling all of the shoes out of your dresser, or locking yourself in your closet. Most of the time you can open the door and get out on your own, but when you get stuck I giggle a little. Watching you dance has to be one of the cutest things ever. You start breaking it down to anything that sounds close to a tune. The head bob, knee bounce and body wiggle are your signature moves.

The constant noise is both cute and a little annoying. You and Addison love to egg each other on, especially when you shouldn't be.The quiet dinners we use to have are long gone. You look up to your sister so much. You copy her movements and sounds and always want what she has. The fight over the crayons is always a favorite. I'm not sure why you have to have the one that she is coloring with when the tub of 50 is sitting right in front of you. The other night you found a marker that you know you're not allowed to have and then ran to the kitchen to check it out. I laughed at your sneakiness. Books and puzzles are all the rage right now, specifically those with animals. If you see a star or a spider you break out the hand movements used in the songs. You've recently perfected your animal sounds. The meow is definitely the cutest and the quack quack makes me smile. You stop in your tracks if you hear a dog in the distance just to imitate it. Every night when we pull in you start screaming for dada. You don't call me mama often so it makes it that more special when you do.

I still can't get over how blonde your hair is and how long and curly it is in the back. Your daddy is begging me to cut it, but I refuse. I don't want it to ever change. You are now an excellent sleeper. In the morning when you wake up you always snuggle with me or daddy for a good ten minutes before starting your day. I never have to worry about you eating enough because you love to shovel it in. I still worry about you putting whole animal cookies in your mouth, but not as much as before. I think you've become a pro at eating like this. I just make sure you have plenty of milk to wash it down. You know what you want and have a serious attitude when you don't get your way. You slap your belly and pout. Every time you trip and fall or bump your head I freak out a little. I still fear that you will have a seizure. The other night I put you to bed and for some reason I had to check on your 3 times that night. I admit I'm a little over protective of you because of everything that happen, but that's okay. I'm your mom. I'm allowed to be.

I love you more than words.

Love,
Mama

(All pictures were taken last night while eating our birthday cupcakes. Daddy was behind me making you laugh.)