Sittin' With Santa

Here are the pics from our visit to Santa this past Christmas.  Our Adam was all smiles, happy to see Santa, which was a first!

Reindeer antlers!  Santa is so cool!

  Not sure of what to ask for, Adam went with the example that his dad gave him a moment before.  "Tell Santa what you want for Christmas.  Books or whatever."  Good thing David didn't pick something crazy!

"Hmmm...is there anything else?"

This is as close as Caleb would get to Santa.  At least he LOOKS happy!

Look familiar?  Sometimes, you do what you gotta do.  Best part - when Adam saw this final picture he was like, "Huh? ' Cay-wub' didn't sit with Santa!"  Love these boys.

Gingerbread Fun

We have had a great time at home the past week!  The boys and I have had the chance to relax, play with all their new stuff (and old), stay in our pj's too long, cook some yummy food, and most of all just hang out together.  I have really enjoyed it, and I think that they have too.  I minimized our outings just because we are usually on the go so much.  The good news is, I didn't even go crazy!  

Here's a picture of one of our recent activities.  Props to those who make the real gingerbread men, but for our short attention spans, decorating is what really matters!  I lucked upon this cute little kit for $2.50, candy and all!  Plus the boys were able to wear their new aprons that I got them for Christmas.  They love helping in the kitchen, so I think these will get a lot of use.

One boy was pretty intent on decorating, and the other was pretty intent on eating all the candy, so we had to work quickly!

Proud of our work, and with candy to spare!

Adam decided to name him "Papaw Earl" so we did!  The real Papaw Earl got a good kick out of it!  Happy New Year everyone!

Merry Christmas!

And the angel said unto them, "Fear not; for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be for all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord." -Luke 2:10-11



What a wonderful Christmas we had this year! How nice it was to spend time with family! I love getting to see Adam learn about Christmas and start sharing family traditions, and how special for it to be Caleb's very first Christmas. We are so blessed.



This year we were able to go to the Christmas service on Thursday, the 23rd (and it was packed!). On Christmas Eve, we did some last minute things but mostly hung out at home before going to my mom's for Christmas dinner. We had a bit of a whirlwind day on Christmas day, doing our Christmas at home first thing in the morning, then breakfast and opening gifts with my parents before unloading and reloading and heading to David's parents' house that night. Today we opened gifts with them. Sheeeww! That sounds like quite a schedule! We really enjoyed our time and were reminded so many times of how blessed we are (It needed to be said again).



My grandfather (Bell) has been very ill and is in the hospital, and he was dearly missed. We were able to take Adam by the hospital to visit with him for a few minutes and hopefully that brightened his day a little bit.


Here are a few pictures from our Christmas.

Tossing out the Reindeer food on Christmas Eve

Reading a new book

Making some "sausage"

Hope your family had a Merry Christmas as well!

Caleb: 4 months old

Maybe we should say 4 1/2 months old now! Its taken me awhile to get to this...

Well, we're definitely in the Christmas season now, and the weather this year has been surprising, I'd say! Quite a bit of snow a week of below freezing temperatures. Maybe it will snow for Christmas!

I have been on a mission to get all those "things" related to Christmas finished "early" this year as I now have two boys with whom I want to enjoy all the fun things of Christmas (plus David). It will be Caleb's first Christmas, so we are getting use out of all our "Baby's First Christmas" gear, and Adam is at such a fun age. While there's still a lot that he doesn't understand, it is fun watching him as he learns and recognizes all there is to take in around the holidays. I love how excited he gets when he sees outside Christmas lights on houses while we drive in the car. At home, he also likes to instruct us to turn the lights on, as well. He has been very interested in the Christmas tree, has some favorite ornaments that he likes to locate every day, but for the most part has not bothered it much. Watching him really brings us joy.

At Caleb's 4 month checkup, he was doing great! He smiles often now, and is starting to laugh. I think he will surely be a ticklish baby. He doesn't mind tummy time, and holds his head up well. But he is surely a drooler! I had forgotten how much babies drool at this age! He likes baths and reaches to grab things now. His eyes are still an interesting dark blue/gray, which remind me of his Uncle Scotty's right now. His hair is still thick, minus the rubbed off spot in the back where he sleeps - ha! And as for sleep...well...he sleeps, just not quite as well as he used to. Most nights he'll get up once, maybe twice. I think he mostly just likes being held, but he goes back to sleep pretty easily, and wakes up happy. He sleeps in his crib, with his arms almost always above his head.

He wears 3-6 month clothes, size 2-3 diapers, weighs 16 lbs, 2 oz, and is 27 inches long. A long baby, for sure! He recently found his feet, as you can see. Plus, he is a serious thumb-sucker, which I think is especially cute.

Caleb, you are so well loved! It seems you are growing up so quickly. I realized I now carry you on my hip rather than in my arms because you now hold your head up so well. We are so thankful for you, love you, and pray for you, sweet baby.