christmas favorites

I have complete Christmas posts coming up soon. I just uploaded all my pictures and they are now scattered on two different computers and all out of order. It's driving the OCD part of me insane! In the meantime, some of my favorites.

The drive to Tennessee. I finally got to sit and read some of this book I've had for months.

We went to see cousin Hannah cheer during a basketball. Morgan took note of some of the poses.

The Sharp Family game night in Tennessee. If you haven't played Sequence then you should. 

Kiss face.

The ride home from Tennessee. Movie, push ups, lots of slurping, naps, more movies. Best car ride to date.

Morgan was an angel in the Christmas Eve program at church. However, she did not act like an angel.

Cookie making on Christmas Eve.

Christmas morning. I have no idea what's going on here.

Christmas night at my mom's. Morgan wore dress up clothes most of the day.

We had a lot of laughs this holiday season. Hope to have many more in 2013.

polar express party

Before school was out Addison's class had a party at. They wore their pajamas, crafted, had a pizza party, drank hot chocolate and watched The Polar Express. I missed the morning activities, but I was so happy to spend some time with her in the afternoon. She loves when I come to visit. I love it just as much.

Merry Christmas

I hope your day is filled with the Christmas spirit and lots of love.

the big guy

We dressed the girls up for church and then went straight to see Santa. I think everyone had the same idea. Lets get there when it opens at 11. We had to wait a bit, but it was worth it. These shots are the best. They're so innocent. At this moment they were happy and had no other worries. I want to bottle up these memories and keep them forever.

untitled

Tonight I'm sad. I have no words. Just tears. My heart breaks for all of those affected in the Connecticut school shooting today. Tonight I hugged my girls longer and tighter. I took this picture so I remember this moment. I gave them more kisses. I told them how much I love them. And I prayed.

decking the halls

I don't have an official after shot of the tree, but I have some cute ones of the girls decorating. I did the same thing as I did last year. I let them put on ornaments and decorations until their heart was content. Then when they went to bed I rearranged everything to my liking.

Morgan wanted all of the ornaments that she had made to be right in the front. Her favorites to look at are the ballerina I picked up at the Nutcracker last year and the Rockettes that Michael and I got on our New York City trip in 2007.

Addison's favorites are the pickle and the two Tennessee ornaments. Figures.

They both are in love with the singing stuffed animals that line the floor in front of the tv.  Morgan likes to play them all at the same time. Rudolph is our favorite. Check out this cute video of us the girls singing.

Don't be jealous of my glorious singing. I had to help them with the words a little.

an early gift from santa

When we took the girls to see Santa on Black Friday Morgan asked for a big girl bed. Who asks for that? We've been having some issues with her getting up at night and she told us that if she had a big bed like sissy she would stay in it. It wasn't as simple as just converting the crib to a full size bed. The whole room had to be painted. It wasn't the smartest idea to take on this project around the holidays. It's been 12 days since we started and the room still isn't completely put back together.

We moved almost everything out, taped, painted and painted some more. There was stuff everywhere so we banned the kids to the playroom for the weekend. It looked like this.

We told her that Santa couldn't fit the bed in his sleigh so he asked us to get it for her. My sweet baby girl now has her big girl bed. I'm happy to say that it has helped with the sleep issues and she does stay in there more, but there are still mornings where we find her in Addison's bed. Better there than in my bed.

These two had the giggles and couldn't sit still for a picture. I love how happy they look here.

Sisters and best friends.

I'm sad that the room is now lacking a space for the rocking chair. I'm not mentally ready to give it up yet. It's still sitting in the front hallway to our house. That part makes me sad.

christmas program

Morgan was pretty excited about her Christmas program at school. She had been practicing her songs for weeks. Everyone in the house heard Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer about a million times. She got up there and sang her little heart out.

Morgan is nothing like Addison when it comes to performing. She's a little shy, but she still gets up there with no hesitation. It's so funny that they are so alike and so different at the same time.

There were about 10 minutes between the time I did her hair and when the performance took place. I promise it looked cute.

Neither one of them were in a picture taking mood. This was the only one I got of them together. Typical.

After a little begging Morgan agreed to a couple.

I don't like that my hair is behind my ear, but this was the best I got.

This little girl melts my heart with her sweet smile and soft voice. I couldn't love her more.

Morgan is wearing Addison's dress from last year. Here is last year's post. A fun little trip down memory lane.

two more under my belt

I ran some more races. 

I got a phone call one night. It was my cousin's wife who saw me running on her way home from work. She asked if I wanted to do the Pumpkin Run with her around Halloween. It was a fun little run through a downtown cemetery. And when it was over we got to take home a pumpkin. This was before the race. I'm glad Lawren brought the orange and black knee highs. It turned out to be cool that morning.

After the race. It wasn't my best time, but we both ran the entire race. No stopping for a breather. I was pretty proud of that.

This past weekend Lawren and I ran the Festival of Lights 5k in San Marco. A couple of pictures before the race. I was all decked out in my jingle gear.

They had a lot of activities for the kids before the race. Both the girls got to see Santa, get their faces painted and pet some of the animals in the petting zoo area. It was nice to have kisses before the race.

San Marco is an area of town I don't know much about. The race had us going through neighborhoods with really old and really big houses and no street lights. In some places it was really dark. Most of the houses were lit up with Christmas lights and decorations so that was nice to see. Then we took a turn by the river. I wouldn't mind living in that area someday.

I ran in the hat, but it didn't last long. I got hot towards the middle. It wasn't my fastest time, but I knew it wouldn't be since I hadn't run in almost two weeks. I was able to make it through the whole thing without walking. Another plus in my book. I'm not sure, but I may be able to fit one more race in before the end of the year.

uncle jesse's house

Recently we went to my brother's house for a visit. The kids played with M all day and had a blast. While there we learned that if your butt can fit in it then you're never too old for a baby swing.

I learned that Addison and Morgan love to play school just about everywhere. This day it was in a wagon.

I learned that Morgan will wear orange and blue and still say Go Vols just to spite me. Darn her.

I learned that M gets really excited when she sees her cousins. She calls them Addy and Muno (moon-yo). Not sure where that came from but it makes me laugh every time.

I learned that it takes a little while, but eventually M wants to be my friend. And that her hair is still crazy.