1st attempt at Christmas pics

If you don't get a Christmas card this year, don't be surprised.

Preston, whatever you do, don't look at Mommy.

Preston, let's both put our hands in our mouth.

Maddie: Mommy, I don't want to wear this dress anymore. I want to watch Dora!

Preston: Can I eat this dress?

Did he swallow any of his carrots??

Preston, let me check you for ticks.

DJ is really excited about his Santa / Jingle Bell collar. He also has a red light on his collar that flashes :) Poor dog. Maddie calls Santa Clause "Ho Ho", whom she has let us know scares her. We really haven't talked to her about Santa because we don't want to take away from the real reason for Christmas. I would love to hear how the rest of you handle "Santa" at your house.

Merry Christmas!!!

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Look who's sitting!

Mommy, you're not holding on!

I can do this.

Daddy, look what I can do!!

Wait...am I wearing orange and white?? Don't tell dad!

Daddy and Maddie going to Elmo Live

They had a great time.

Lunch with the girls! Maddie loves seeing Amy and Brandi. Check out Maddie's little Louis Vuitton purse. Of course it is not real, but my cousin sent it to her, and it is precious. She keeps her Dora phone and three miniature barbies in it. That's my girl!

Preston's Church Dedication

This didn't go too smoothly. Our church has a special ceremony just for the babies. They warn that it will be loud, you will definitely hear crying, and you should just overlook it since it is all about the little ones. It's hard to overlook it when it's YOUR little one making the noise. Maddie would not take her nap Sunday afternoon, and boy did we pay for it. She was tired and she wanted no part of sitting still during the ceremony. Let me also mention that this was the largest dedication ever at our church, so it took longer than ever (30+ babies). She threw herself on the floor, tried to crawl under the seats, and she tried to run away on the stage. Thankfully, there were other siblings doing the same thing, and I kept hoping that the other kids were behaving worse than mine (I know that's a terrible thought, but honestly, you've been there). I remember smiling and telling her sweetly that it will be okay, and then under my breath saying "Madaline Grace, you better cut it out right now or you will not get a cookie when we get home. Just stand still and look cute!" Poor Preston. He was totally upstaged by big sis. We did enjoy our time dedicating Preston, but I am glad that it is behind us. So for your parents who will be doing this in the future...make sure your kids get naps, and take snacks!!

I was tagged by Kandi to post the 4th picture in my 4th album and write 4 things about it.

1. This is the inside of the Tennessee Theatre in downtown Knoxville

2. My maternal grandparents won a contest and they were the 1st couple to ever be married here (in a double wedding ceremony with my grandfather's brother and his bride); everything was paid for and they won many prizes - including furniture and a honeymoon at the Howard Johnson Hotel

3. People lined the streets for blocks trying to get in to witness the wedding; there was a huge write-up in the Knoxville Journal

4. I don't know where I got this picture. You've seen my work, so you know I didn't take it!

I tag Sunny, Mary Beth, Melanie, and Emily

Marty fixed a cherry chocolate cake for my birthday. It's his own recipe, and it's amazing!!

Peek-a-boo!

Silly girl watching TV, sitting in Preston's Bumbo seat

"Mommy, I need help. I stuck!"

The last of our warm days

Taking P for a ride

Let's all ride!

Look at this big boy sitting in the stroller. He's trying to grow up too fast.

Maddie and Oli playing

I am thankful for the extended warm weather the Lord blessed us with this year.

This morning, Marty was getting in the truck when he noticed that our kids were holding hands!

I found the cutest long johns for Christmas. They go up to a size 5/6. I got matching red ones for the kids. You can find them at http://www.personalcreations.com/home.asp They have really cute things!

Here's a pic of Marty coaching the Titans from home. This morning, I was getting Maddie dressed for church. I was putting white tights on her when she noticed Marty putting white socks on. She looked up at me and said "Daddy put on tights, too." I'm still giggling.

Madison took her 1st steps with the halo on Saturday night.

Nothing but drool

Look at all the wet spots on his shirt. He has so much fun in the jumper.

Halloween

Olivia (Dora) and Maddie Grace went trick-or-treating. Maddie had total stage fright. When people opened their doors, she would hide behind my legs or tuck her head down. There were a ton of kids out and about. We had a great time.

Okay fellow Mountaineers, I broke out the overalls. I think this was the first time I wore them since our senior year. They were a little snug this time around. :)

Peter Pan and his sword

Another Fall Festival

We went to a local church tonight with our neighbors. They had a great festival. For us to live in such a small town, we have an awesome community that is focused on children. Maddie Grace wanted to try this slide. My heart was in my throat as I watched her climb. That is a tall slide! She got stuck about halfway, and thankfully Matt was as the top and able to help her the rest of the way. He also went down the slide with Olivia. Maddie loved it.

This is Maddie's bottom half coming down the slide. The look on her face was priceless, but you'll never see it. I might not have missed this once in a lifetime shot if I had a decent camera. (Rumor has it that I'm getting one for my birthday. All of my hinting might finally pay off.)

In the jump zone

Daddys love on their girls
by the bonfire

Maddie had her face painted for the first time. She chose a ladybug.

Preston tackled Maddie Grace this morning. She thought it was funny until he got a fistful of her hair!

Guess who has 2 teeth?!?

If you look real close in this first picture, you can see his two bottom teeth. They broke through last Monday. Isn't 5 months a little early for this?? I'm not ready for him to be a big boy yet.

His little cheeks stay red. He loves blowing raspberrys, so his cheeks and his shirt stay wet.

Just playing with mommy