Thursday, December 23, 2010

Merry Christmas, Darlin'

Happy New Year too!  Ok, so I realize it's not New Year's yet, but I'm kind of hoping we'll have a baby by that point, so I'll go ahead and say it. : )  I did the majority of our Christmas shopping online this year, so our Christmas season has been full of family fun, which I have to say is definitely the way to go!!  Since our kids are still fairly young, I decided that we would wait one more year to start any of the fun things I've seen around and just stick with learning the Christmas story.  We have several nativities around the house, two of which are just for the kids.  Every day we've tried to sit down at some point or another and tell the story of Jesus' birth (the short version : ).  Some days they sit still and listen as though it's the best thing ever, and others, well other days we throw pieces and could care less what Mommy is saying!  Ha!  That's the way it goes with two little boys sometimes.  Thankfully, Daddy also has two weeks off of work, so the boys have been enjoying lots of wrestling, tower building, piggy back rides, and all the things that only Daddy does at our house.  : ) 
In keeping with tradition, we went and picked out our Christmas tree the day after Thanksgiving.  The boys actually had a lot of fun despite the sour looks on their faces.  
 Here's proof that they really did like it!
 Sawyer was quite taken with the power tools and watching them shake the tree. 
 And we had to smell the tree for some reason.
 This year we got our tree from the lot that was on the property of White House Florist.  For those of you familiar with the big white house, you probably also know the red carpet they put out at Christmas.  Well, for me that red carpet and that house hold special memories.  The big white house, and the brick one behind it, belonged to my best friend and her grandparents.  Growing up, I think I spent most of my summer by their pool every year!  We always took a picture on the front porch as a family, and then took prom pictures their as well.  My bridal portraits were even done on that front porch and around the house!  Needless to say, we had to try for a family picture on the porch.  The boys were done with picture taking by this point, but we had to try, just for old times sake.  

 Aunt D came for a visit and of course the boys convinced her to read a few books.
Plenty of blocks and tower building have been found around our house recently.

and time with Daddy
and finally the Christmas tree decorated and full of lights!  I love sitting in the dark, quiet and looking at the tree.  Apparently, so does my oldest because I find it plugged in all the time, when I didn't do it. : )  The day we decorated, we brought it in and put lights on while the boys were napping, or at least we thought they were napping.  Sawyer had apprently sneaked down the stairs to see what was up, but couldn't keep quite once he saw the lights come on.  As soon as we plugged it in to check the lights we heard, "WOW, it's amazing!!!"  It was kind of hard to be stern after that. : )
Christmas cookies at Granna's house
 Sawyer, the old pro, showing Jack the ropes
 Jack trying to "sneak" some dough. 
 After that, Granna thought it was just easier to give him a cookie than to fight about eating dough.
 Cheesing it up for the camera in our Christmas pjs
 Also, cheesing it, but not willing to look at Mommy for some reason
 And the best thing to happen so far in the lives of these two little boys is the construction of a swing set in the back yard.  Grandaddy, Josh and Daddy spent a Saturday putting it together and since that day they ask to go outside about 20 times more than they did before!  It doesn't matter that it's been freezing cold most days, they will put on hats, coats and gloves as long as they can get on that slide and swing up high!
 But of course, when it gets to cold, coming in and warming up by the fire is a pretty appealing things too!
 Doing some chalk drawing on the porch
 climbing up to slide and looking cute as can be!
 head first is always better
or just crawling up the slide the wrong way : ) 
Well, I hope you're enjoying your Christmas holidays as much as we are, and we also hope you're able to slow down and spend some time thinking about and celebrating our Savior's birth.  With out that event, we would still be lost sinners, something for which I am truly grateful!
We've also had a bunch of family Christmas get togethers, so check back later for some pictures and stories about those.  It's always a barrel of monkeys when you get a bunch of family in the same room. : )

Sunday, December 5, 2010

Splish, Splash

We were takin' a bath and havin' lots of fun in the tub!

 



Silly faces for the camera





Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Life Lately

Well, we've been enjoying the lovely weather around our house which included the SC State Fair, Halloween festivities and lots of outside time. 

 First on the list of rides was the carousel which Sawyer has been on several times.  Jack on the other hand can't stand it, so we sat on the little seat.  He wasn't thrilled, but he stayed. : )


 From there we went on to the train, which Sawyer got to ride all by himself!!  Big step for the big boy, especially since mom was a little worried he was going to jump out at some point.

 This cutie, stayed put with Daddy and watched while brother went round and round.

 Next, we had to see the animals.  Llamas, goats, cows, horses, and the list goes on and on.  Sawyer was right in the middle of it all, while Jack was a little more willing to watch from a distance.

 Of course, once Sawyer saw this roller coaster he HAD to ride it!  You can't see him because he's squashed beside daddy, but you can bet he enjoyed himself.
 And then we found Jack's favorite part (and Daddy's), the food!!  Hip Hooray for Fair food!


And just so we can remember what we looked like when our kiddos were little. : )


Our family before little miss gets here! 

 Of course what's the fair without a stop by the tractors?


 One last train ride and then on to Halloween where we continued the train theme with conductor outfits!

My camera, for some unknown reason, wasn't set right so almost all of my pictures came out fuzzy. : (  You can tell though, that someone definitely enjoyed the fun of getting candy!

  Outside fun is even better with pint size chairs and a snack outside. 
Ahh . . . this is the life! 

Monday, October 18, 2010

New Babies

This weekend, some friends of ours welcomed home their sweet little baby boy, Liam, and we are so excited for them!  This is the sixth family, within our church family and friends, who have adopted and there are several more to come!  Not only does it make me excited to see their happiness and to know, from personal experience, the awe struck wonder you feel at seeing God work such a miracle in your life, but it also makes me excited to know that there will be someone else that Sawyer can see who has a similar life story.  He won't be the only one, and there are people he can talk to or hang out with that understand.
Well, since my parents jokingly call Meg and Joe their adopted kids, then I guess I can call myself an adopted aunt, right? : )  Meg and Joe, we're so happy for y'all and we'll be praying for you as you start this awesome, challenging journey into parenthood! 

 
a sweet picture that I borrowed from http://thepittsfam.blogspot.com/

Saturday, October 9, 2010

Catching up, sort of

Since I just posted an entire blog of nothing related to my children, I figured I should throw one up with some cuteness in it.  What better way to do that then to put up some pictures that never made it to the blog in a timely fashion??  So I give to you Summer in Fall. : )
When we weren't at the pool, we spent a lot of mornings in the backyard at the water table.  Jack was content to sit and play as long as you would let him.

 Sawyer loves the water table as well, it's just that his idea of fun and Jack's are two different things. : )



 We decided to head out to the peach festival this year, and it was a great year for it!  It was probably one of the coolest on record, and even better because we found a great tree to sit under.  We tried, once again for a family picture, and well, you see what we ended up with.  Oh well, one of these days!!


Waiting for the parade to start.


 Waving at all the people going by.  He's such a good little politician.


Back to the shade and our wonderful spot!



And then we discovered that these people gave out candy!!  We had to start hiding it so they didn't both end up with upset stomachs and cavities. : )



 Finally done, and someone was super tired and ready for a nap.  He was such a trooper and we all had fun!


We all went out to Cotton Grill for mom and dad's anniversary.  My sis-in-law and me.  I'm not sure we've ever taken a picture together other than at their wedding! Ha!


All of us, some happy, and some not so happy. : )  There were a bunch of turtles swimming behind us and the boys were not interested in having their pictures taken unless they could do it while looking at them.


My brother and his beautiful new bride 


Mom and Dad, pretty sweet after 28 years of marriage


Grandaddy and his boys, still looking at those turtles


chillin' before we eat

Well, that's by no means our entire summer, but just a taste of a few things that I missed earlier.  I'll try to get another post in the next week about what we're up to these days.  Busy little bees live in my house if that gives you any idea.