One Happy Man

Lee has wanted a flat screen tv, FOREVER. Personally, it's cool, but I don't really care that much. I think it's a guy thing. We've saved for one, but something else was always more pressing and the funds went to that instead. We had hopes of getting one in the coming months, but then.....

Uncle Bobby and Karen came to the rescue! They asked if that's what we wanted for an early Christmas/graduation present and of course we said YES. We were anxiously awaiting all day for the UPS man to pull up.... finally around 6:30pm, he did.

(We were watching Alida, so she joined in all the pictures and said "Cheese!!")

Setting it up....

Will loved playing on the huge box. Actually, all the kids did. It was a nice distraction so we could mess with the tv.

When in doubt, have your 18 month old read the instruction manual for you.

We still have some more 'setting up' to do, but the kids were antsy, so we just put it on a cartoon and let them at it. It's pretty cool, I have to admit. Eventually, it will hang over the fireplace, but we need my dad to pay a visit for that one. So until then, it'll just sit on our tv stand.

In other news- I've started Christmas decorating. We were able to get some (not all) of our stuff from Karen's attic at Thanksgiving.... and I went at it. I'm still playing with a few things, but when I get them "just right" I'll post pics.

For now, here's a sneak peek at our tree... or rather 3 (thin) trees.....

In Amy's Words

Our Amy may be little in age, but she's years older in thought. She's always saying things that make us laugh, or leave us wondering.

• When we were at Uncle Bobby's cabin, she loved playing with a golden retriever named Maggie (pictured in an earlier post). Bobby had made some really great ginger snap type cookies that Amy devoured. He even gave her some to take home. The next day, she was eating one and she said, "Maggie LOVES these cookies." I said, "You were giving those cookies to Maggie?!?" She said, "Yeah, but it's ok Mom, I broke them into tiny pieces so she wouldn't choke." When I told Cindy (Bobby's wife) this- she said she had wondered how Amy could eat so many cookies! I guess they kept disappearing! 

• While at Mom's house, Amy wouldn't go to sleep. Even though she had had a big dinner, and a snack, she kept saying she was hungry. I said to Mom, "Ignore her, she's just trying to stay up late." To which, from the top of the stairs Amy said, "I am NOT tricking you. My tummy really is talking!" 

• I requested the movie Home Alone on Netflix and couldn't wait to watch it with her. I love that movie! But apparently she's too young.... all she did was ask questions the whole way through...... "Why did his parents leave him?" "Why is he making a mess?" Why is he eating pizza?" "Why is he going to the store?" "Why are those guys bad?" "What are those guys trying to do?" "Why is he running?" "Why is he in the church?" and on...... and on.... and on...... Let's just say the movie was not enjoyable to watch with Amy!

• This morning the Sleep Fairy left her some wooden cars and paints. She came into our room and said, "The fairy left me these. I thought Elves painted the toys. Am I supposed to be an Elf? I don't understand." But of course she had a blast painting them. One for her and one for Will. 

Sigh. School will be great for her! Her poor, poor teacher. 

Thanksgiving Wrap-Up

We got home to TN yesterday afternoon. What a miserable day to drive! It rained/poured the whole way. The traffic was extraordinary and it took us an extra hour because of it. Lee said that next year we are leaving a day earlier and coming home on Saturday (which was the original plan, but at the last minute we decided to stay one more night).

Lauren was kind enough to take some family pictures of us Saturday morning. Sorry, no sneak peeks- you'll have to wait for our Christmas card. But they are really good. She thinks she isn't a "photographer" but she does a great job!! That afternoon, her, Adam and the boys came over for one more visit. Jackson and Maddox came in carrying bats, so that meant some baseball fun in the front yard.

Each kid had their own bat and Adam threw the ball to them. Let me tell you- between Jackson's lightening fast speed and Maddox's ability to hit- these two boys are baseball stars in the making!

After the first swing, Amy decided it was more fun to look for bugs. That's my girl!
To Dad: Sorry about the mound of dirt dug up in your front yard!

Will absolutely loved the baseball fun. He carried his bat around and when Uncle Adam helped him hit the ball... well... he was quite excited.

Adam and Lauren had a little bat battle as well. I think Lauren won.

After that fun, they were off to find a Christmas tree. (Which they had a hard time finding, but the next day they got a great one). We lazed around one more night and took off Sunday morning when Mom and Dad went to church (we hadn't brought any church attire).

Like I said, the drive was long and at times miserable. The kids never fell asleep so took to playing with each other to occupy themselves. At least I think they were in the car... maybe we just brought home blankets instead.

The Day After Thanksgiving

We all slept in until 9 am!! I couldn't believe it! The kids NEVER sleep in! It was such a blessing too because I, for one, was so exhausted.

After a slow start, we headed to Mom and Dad's new house to check out the progress. It looks so amazing!!! I hadn't seen the completed ceilings and everything painted. Recently, Dad has been working on the hardwood flooring. Lee hadn't seen it in quite awhile. He was really amazed at all the progress and the space! It looked so tiny before, but it's really quite spacious.

part of the living room ceiling

Dad and Adam weaved some new flooring in with the old

Dad modeling his handiwork

Will just wanted to help. I'm sure if he was a bit bigger, Dad would've let him!

Karen gave Amy these devil horns, a tail and a staff. Amy thinks they are hilarious and won't stop wearing them. She wears the horns and tail and Will carries around the staff.

Playing on a package of flooring

After we got back from their house, it was nap/rest time for everyone. Will went right down. He's been off his sleep schedule the past few days and he definitely needed a nap!

That afternoon Adam and Lauren had a wedding to go to, so the boys came over to play.

Eating Pizza

Using MeMe as a jungle gym

Will loves Uncle Adam

It was another fun filled day!!

Happy Thanksgiving!

We came to my mom's house Wednesday night. Her and I stayed up until 2:30am talking. I had no idea I could stay up that late anymore! But it was lots of fun. The next morning, we were off with a busy Thanksgiving day ahead.

Our first stop was Lee's mom's house in Carrollton. We didn't stay long, as we really just loaded a bunch of Christmas stuff from her attic. Packed as much as we could, but apparently I have a lot. So we didn't get all of it. Thats ok, we'll be back. :)

From there Karen (Lee's mom) and us all headed to Lake Wedowee, to Uncle Bobby/Aunt Cindy's lake house. We hadn't see a lot of Lee's side in awhile and it was a lot of fun visiting with everyone.

Uncle Bobby wanted to have a little party with the kids. He and Amy decorated some cookies and he gave them all a little gift. Amy got a new game, Will got a firetruck, and Reeve got a musical toy.

Completed cookies

The decorators

Amy helping Reeve open his present

Cousin Chris and Uncle Walt pulled out the guitars for a small jam session. Amy was mesmerized by the guitar playing. She can't wait to play the guitar! (like Taylor Swift, of course)

Amy was also enthralled with all the dogs present. Bobby/Cindy have 1, plus a neighborhood dog was hanging out. Karen brought her's (although she stayed hidden away so she wouldn't get trampled. She's so small and the others are all huge) Chris and Michelle had their 2, and Opal and Ryan had their 1. The golden, below, is Maggie, Opal and Ryan's dog. Amy spent the entire visit feeding (oops!) and playing with all the dogs. She never even ate!

(sorry for the blur)

 Will cozied right up to Ryan, and several times plopped right into his lap.

And the three kids had fun playing together. Amy is always good with babies, but I was surprised that Will was too. Maybe he'll be ok with his new little sister or brother!

He also liked climbing onto the porch swing.

After a few hours, the kids were overly tired and overly stimulated. They crashed in the car. Which was nice since it was almost a 2 hour drive back to Mom's house.

Mom and Dad ate with Lauren's family and said they had a really fun time as well. After we got back, we went over to Adam/Lauren's house to roast marshmallows and hang out for awhile. The cousins always love to play with each other and their immediate game of hide and seek and chase proved it. We really wanted to wear our kids back out but then Lauren realized that the smores probably counteracted that. Oh well.

Here they are getting ready for smores!

I love how much they love each other!

Will doesn't have any fear yet, so we had to really watch him.
He just wanted to roast like everyone else! 

All in all- it was a very fun, albeit, exhausting Thanksgiving day. It was so much fun to see everyone and we are so Thankful for all the wonderful family that we have!

Follow- Up to the "Gobbled" Post

I just had to post this.....

In case you didn't know, Lee HATES anything mint. I mean, he despises it. He thinks mint chocolate chip ice cream should disappear from the face of the earth and the same goes for any food made with any type of mint flavor.

I forgot to warn him that the brownie left on the plate was made with mint chips. So he takes a bite and all of a sudden you hear this loud, "UGH!!!??" At this point I realize what he's eating and I said, "Oh yeah, I forgot to tell you- they are mint." To which he's still screaming, "WHO WOULD DO THIS?? DO YOU KNOW WHO DID THIS?? WHO WOULD ADD MINT TO A FUDGE BROWNIE???" And on and on. I know you had to be here to get the full effect... but it a memory worth keeping. Ah, Lee......

We've Been "Gobbled!"

Someone at church started this cute thing called "Gobbling."

You find a treat outside your door and a paper turkey. You put the turkey on your door (so others know you've already been hit) and then you give treats to 2 other families, who continue the fun. Last night, we were hit!

Half of the treats were already gone when I took this picture

At snack time, I pulled out the plate and put it in front of the kids. Will said, "WOW!" It was so cute. And we all enjoyed a little snack. We left the rest for Daddy, and for dessert tonight.

But since we are headed to Georgia tomorrow, we had to quickly come up with some treats to deliver tonight. I haven't done much grocery shopping (since we are going to be gone) so I had to get creative with what I had on-hand. I came up with fudge and mini red velvet cakes.

Right after I took this, he hit her in the head with his beater. (guess he took the name literally, haha!)
She had  red velvet batter all in her hair! She was not happy. He laughed hysterically. 

The kids thoroughly enjoyed the spoons! And I don't know what I was thinking.. chocolate and red cake batter.... they definitely needed baths afterwards! It was nice to get it out of the way though!

So tonight we'll target 2 families at church and drop off our goodies. I love a good "drop and run!" After all- it is how I broke my leg so many years ago......! (I'll never forget you Tori Bishop!!)

Amy has been going to bed really well, and the Sleep Fairy has been noticing! Since the Sleep Fairy is friends with the Tooth Fairy, they both decided that Amy should get something other than candy. So instead, Sleep Fairy has been bringing Amy art supplies! Every morning Amy gets to glue, color, glitter, sticker.... whatever! And she's in heaven! Her projects usually last all day. That's my kind of girl! :)

Smoothies and Popcorn

Tonight we had berry smoothies and popcorn for a snack. I think the kids enjoyed it.

Right before this picture... Will purposefully poured his smoothie down his shirt. Then he said, "All gone."

 But when I gave him a towel, he proceeded to clean his area. Hey- at least he cleans his messes!

A big HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Aunt Anna! Woohoo! Another year older! Some of you may know that I have Anna for daughter. Most of the time that's a good thing, once in awhile, it's a stressor. Like this morning.

Lee got Amy dressed and we were both shocked when she picked out this cute dress that someone gave her awhile ago. She danced around all morning saying how beautiful she looked. Not too long ago, I bought Amy some new church shoes. Target always has these sparkly ones and they are her favorite. But Amy doesn't really like new shoes. There's always something wrong and it's a battle to get her to wear them. These particular ones had a "crazy loop on it" (her words).

For weeks I've been trying to get her to wear these. So today, I suggested cutting the loop off. She was ok with that.

Then, tada! The new shoes were finally on!

But then she decided she didn't like her dress. And really didn't like the dress with the shoes. (sigh) So until we left for church we had the "you are wearing that" battle. She was mad at me and wouldn't let me take her picture.

Mom finally won out. After church I said, "Did anyone tell you they loved your dress?" Amy said, "Yes Mom, sometimes I don't know things."

haha. Point for Mom.

(truth is- I really wanted her to wear tights. I think it would've been SO cute with them! But the shoes and the bow were battle enough. Maybe next time! Oh- and even though the ponytail thing is cute- it's not my doing. I'm always trying to do something different with her hair, but no.... she has to have a low pony tail. And trust me- if it's not low enough- you'll know. Poor Lee tried yesterday and all he got was a bunch of tears! I definitely have my sisters child! Love you Anna, but it's TRUE!)

These were taken the other day....

Kids enjoying a movie in a fort

Will likes helping with laundry