Going to Marty's work Christmas party

Preston is really sitting up well. He likes playing the piano.

Ho ho ho

Santa came to our neighborhood today. Preston played with his beard and Maddie had a deer-in-headlights look while she was on his lap. I can't believe she actually went to him. We haven't really talked much about Santa, but she was really excited to get a cookie!

















I couldn't get her to take one step closer to the snow man. She is so funny.


P has two top teeth coming in, and he is constantly making this silly face. I have been so lucky that my kids are easy teethers.

Playing with Oli and Drew

M&M's? Nope, I haven't seen any M&M's mom.

Snow day!

Pictures from our deck this morning.

Let it snow!

It's snowing at our house. It took daddy an hour and a half to get home (normally less than 20 minutes). Maddie threw her first snowball...wearing only pjs and ballet flats. So practical!

Christmas pics - take 2

We are still without a Christmas card picture. Here are a few of today's best. (I'm doing these myself with my new camera...so I'm sure that's where the problem starts!)

Preston, don't touch my dress!

Mommy, Maddie won't let me touch her dress!

No comment needed.

Elf on the Shelf

We are lovin the elf on the shelf. Has anyone else started this tradition at their house? Maddie named our elf Ho-ho (yes, she also calls Santa Ho-ho). If you don't know what I'm talking about, check out http://www.elfontheshelf.com/

Marty and I have enjoyed looking for creative places for "Ho-ho" to sit around our house. Tonight he's hanging out above our bathtub. It's Maddie's job to find him each morning.

For the past few weeks, I have noticed that Preston's bumper is always loose and it's starting to lean in a bit. I went to check on him tonight after he went to sleep, and now I have an explanation. I feel sure this is a major SIDS violation.

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.