New Year's Eve

It's 5:30 PM on New year's eve and I just received a text that our current house just went officially under contract!!! Yippee!!!! I think that explains why there have been no blog posts....between showing the house, Christmas, traveling after Christmas and meetings out of town for the new house, we've been burning the candle at both ends....and somewhere in the middle, too. I have terrible guilt that I have not blogged about Christmas before the new year has started. That will be my goal for tomorrow. I just wanted to make a quick post to say YAY and Happy New year!!!

The Christmas season....

Here's a quick summary with some photos of the Christmas season....cause a few photos are all I have time for!

We took Colby and Miller to the annual holiday concert at the local high school...


And they had a blast! There were tons of characters in the production: Bob the Builder, Elmo, Winnie the Pooh, Dora, and even Santa Claus. Last year when we went, Colby stood up front in front of everyone and literally tried to conduct the music the entire time. It was amazing. Naturally, as he has gotten older and more self-aware, he has become much more modest about his public displays of playing and conducting music, so this year he stayed in his isle.

But he was still VERY excited...


and Miller clapped and cheered after every single song.


Our elf "Kicks" has arrived at our house...


and every morning, he puts a treat in the advent calendar. Colby forces his eyes open at 7AM sharp each morning just to see what Kicks has delivered.


It has been FREEZING here, so I bought some mini trampolines for my little monkeys. They are loving them!


Each morning and each night, they spend some time jumping together.


Miller decided as of a few weeks ago that she would no longer be napping. She will scream at the top of her lungs if she is put in her crib for a nap, and she will do it for a very long time. (I have no idea how long because I caved after about 15 minutes) The only way we can get her into the crib in the afternoons is with toys and books, so I put her in there for an hour of "quiet time".

This is what happens when a stubborn little girl refuses to nap....but just can't fight it any longer.


And lastly, Colby and I built our very first gingerbread house together. I was actually quite impressed with myself for getting the house pieces together.....it was harder than I thought it would be! Colby loved it.


The sad part is that I'm the one who has slowly been eating the candy off....sometimes I feel like I'm not fit for motherhood.

A funny

Miller and I were sitting on the bed yesterday watching the Wiggles together. She took my hand and put my finger up to my nose. Then she put my finger up to my mouth. Then she stared at me and said with a very serious face, "Mamma, you like da boogie?"

Gross, but funny!

So sweet!

Santa Picture 2010

First, a review of previous years....

2007


2008


2009



**********************DRUMROLL********************

I guess the good news is that there's no where to go but up after this one.



(In Miller's defense, she was screaming and terrified, and I think the fingers in the nose were a defense mechanism.)

Thanksgiving

Whew! We just returned from a very fun (and slightly chaotic) visit to Tennessee for Thanksgiving with all of Lee's family: Uncle Ben and Aunt Jenny, Will, Sarah, Tommy, Nana and Granddaddy.

Colby and Miller handled the traveling very well; the highlight for Miller was definitely the "school bus" ride from the parking lot to the terminal.

Colby was still feeling good upon arrival...


While Miller caught a quick cat nap in the car.


For the few days we were there, we spent a lot of time talking and hanging out, while the kids enjoyed exploring new toys and making a mess of the playroom.

Jen and Ben totally outdid themselves on the Thanksgiving meal- there were 2 turkeys (one fried, one baked) and tons of great food.

The kids had their own table for Thanksgiving dinner...






And the adults enjoyed their own quiet table a little bit later.


Attempt at a self-timer photo


The following day, we took the kids to the Children's museum.

The hightlight for Colby was dressing up like a fireman.


Unlike her mother, Miller thoroughly enjoyed grocery shopping. There was a really cute old man working the register and checking her out.... just kidding! He wasn't that cute. Just kidding again! He wasn't really working there. Ok, I really am kidding- Granddaddy is looking as young as ever these days- totally fit and trim!


Silly girl really liked these sunglasses that she found in the car...must be Sarah's...


On the flight home, as we were landing, I told Miller to look out of the window. Everything was dark except for all of the lights, which looked orange. Miller exclaimed excitedly, "Oooohhhh! It's Halloween up in here!" Gotta love the perspective of a 2 year old.

THANK YOU Ben and Jen for your wonderful hospitality!
Nana and Granddaddy, we are looking forward to seeing you again soon!

School Pictures

Here they are....the much anticipated preschool portraits.

Miller had chapped lips and the beginning of a cold...her dad got her ready and "did" her hair because I was out of town...and she wasn't sure why she was sitting on that chair. All things considered, not too bad.


Colby's turned out great this year! My sweet and very big boy.