A Father & Son Jam Session

Fifty years later I will be still staring at this picture with great love.

Home Sweet Home: Christmas Day

It's time to speed things up-to-date since I am now officially one month past Christmas in posting this.  We had a beautiful, not-white, peaceful Christmas.  This year was my mother's turn for the holiday and we got lucky she lived in the same town.  Throughout the day, we opened presents, ate good food, opened more presents over FaceTime, ate more good food, and opened more presents.  We truly had a blessed Christmas and we are so grateful for our loved ones, near and far.  


I love technology, but not as much as you, you see.
 

A customary black trash bag filled with used wrapping paper always completes the picture.

Christmas morning can be exhausting.  First world problem.

A few days before Christmas, we took the boys shopping for one another at Target.  Gavin gifted Logan his very own Lego fire truck, while Logan gifted Gavin a Captain America transformer.  They could barely keep their secrets on the way home from the store!  The picture below is the big exchange Christmas morning.  They have so much love for one another as brothers and best friends.
 

The children's organization in our church (the Primary) gifted each child their very own wooden manger early in December.  Accompanied the manger was a bag of yellow yarn and a clothespin baby Jesus.  Every good deed the child did between then and Christmas, they were suppose to place one piece of yellow yarn in their manger.  The more good deeds, the more yellow yarn, the more comfortable baby Jesus will be Christmas Eve when we place him in the manger.  Amongst all the holiday bustle, this activity was a gentle reminder of the spirt of Christmas.  
 

Time to play with our toys!
 

Fox Theater: Atlanta Ballet Nutcracker

The Friday before Christmas Sean surprised me with a sweet date.  He told me to be dressed in semi-formal and be ready by 5:00 sharp.  We were headed downtown for we do so love the city!  We have been pretty lucky this past year since my mother moved to town for she hosts a sleepover with the boys every Friday night.  We take these sleepovers thus date nights for us for granted, I know we do.  A big thank you to my mother!  Back to the date, Sean announced on the drive north we were headed to watch the Atlanta Ballet's Nutcracker.  Its the perfect compliment to the holiday season.  The performance was whimsical and magical- everything you would expected from the ballet.  Even Sean said after the show he enjoyed the story line.  What a hunk! During intermission, this huge pipe organ rose from the orchestra pit and this jolly, older man played Christmas carols for everyone's delight (seen below).

And to the boys' delight, we came home with an appropriate memento from the evening.

Some Randoms from December

Left: A new way to stay warm while eating your cereal.

Right: A roll of wrapping paper choo-choo train of boys.

One Monday night, we invited our future daughter-in-law and her family over for Family Night while we decorated sugar cookies.

Sean doing what fathers do best.  In fact, this is a daily occurrence in our house and it usually happens right before bed when we all should be calming down to sleep.

Nothing like the glow of the Christmas tree.

We discovered the boys' new favorite: Sushi.  Also one day I had an elf riding in the back of my golf cart.

The Atlanta Tabernacle: Bush in Concert

One night in early December, Sean and I brought the '90s back and saw Bush in concert.  The band had finally reunited and were the headliners for the Mistltoe Jam 2012 here in Atlanta.  The openers were probably the worst we have ever seen but that is not what we remembered most.  Every song Bush played was a favorite and well-known.  These guys have been on our bucket list to see for some time now.  We were up in the balcony comfortably in a seat on purpose since we are old and want our personal space.  Our seats paid off when Gavin Rossdale sang two chairs away from us though.  He came up for a couple songs and was just feet away.  It was pretty awesome.  Speaking of crazy, this frontman has some crazy energy.  As you can see my photo of him up close is blurry because the man never stopped moving.  He sings and plays to the microphone on stage on his tip-toes.  In fact before Bush came out, the stage crew adjusted the microphone super high and we instantly thought Gavin was a giant.  Nope, he is of normal height but just jumps up to the mic to sing and play.  His calf muscles must be enormous!  We had a great time reliving the music of our past. 

P.S. I had a dream that night where Gwen Stefani joined her husband on stage to sing a couple songs together.  I heard this dream came true...at a LA concert...just three days later.  Oh, those lucky fans.

P.P.S. Gavin Rossdale was never an influence for naming our first born Gavin.  We both just happened to like the name and we both tied it to no one in particular.

The End of November Through the Eyes of Gavin

Before I post Christmas Day and finish up the year, I forgot to post some memories from my phone.  It truly has become my second camera these days capturing all the quick moments of life.  Here are some shots taken on the last day of November by Gavin.  Sometimes he gets a hold of my phone and takes the wackiest shots and sometimes his shots are perfect.  All three shots were filtered by Instagram too.    

Recall how Sean grew out his facial hair as part of Movember.  Well, I celebrated the end of Movember by baking him a mustache cake.  The boys had fun making it with me and trying to catch all the loose chocolate sprinkles that did not stick to the frosting.  Sean brought it into work and his co-workers ate it right up.   

Through the eyes of a child.

Logan is most cuddly right after waking up from his nap, and I almost always try to stop everything I am doing to savor those few minutes until he starts going on full energy again.  Here I had just finished doing my hair.  I turned off the blow dryer and cuddled right up with Logan outside my bathroom door.  That's when Gavin took our picture.

Christmas Eve: Callaway Gardens and Christmas Pajamas

Like most everyone in his office, Sean left early from work Christmas Eve which gave us an early start on our journey south.  About one hour away in the town of Pine Mountain, Callaway Gardens hosts a 'Fantasy in Lights' Christmas light display every year.  We have heard and read great things about the trolley ride through the gardens.  It was musical, magical, and wonderful.  Just what we wanted!
 

After arriving home, the boys were so excited to open their one present.  It was a tradition from Sean's maternal grandmother to give the grandchildren pajamas every Christmas Eve.  Well this tradition has been passed down into another generation now and our boys got to open their pajamas that night.

Ask yourself if Logan looks excited.
 

Dixie Aerospace Warehouse: The Company Party

Sean's company had a few special activities last December.  They had a family fun day and an adults only dinner downtown Atlanta at a murder mystery dinner theater that night too.  They were quite good to their employees this year.  

Cookie decorating, candy cane reindeers, and reindeer food for Christmas Eve.
 

Carnival games, cotton candy, and popcorn
 

And the highlight for our boys, the bounce houses.  I love how Parker, a son of Sean's co-worker and good friend, has Gavin completely pinned sliding down.  Those two boys were having so much fun together.  Additionally, Gavin is in a "Rock On!" phase where he holds his pinkie and pointer finger in the air.  Logan has, of course, picked up on his trend at the moment too.
 

A cheesy smile from Logan while Gavin gives himself bunny ears.
 

Happiest Holidays!
 

United Methodist Preschool: Christmas Program

Gavin had his Christmas sweater on, his hair handsomely done, and his voice all warmed up for the preschool's Christmas Program.  The last day before the Holiday Break was the day of the program and the class parties.  Gavin was ready for both!  Just to the left of the seated woman Gavin stands proudly wearing his Christmas stripped sweater.

As you can imagine from his social and outgoing ways, Gavin is quite the performer.

And now to the class party, BINGO!

I pledge allegiance to the flag...

Sean had to go back to work at this point, but Grams and Logan were able to stick around.  It happened to be the director's birthday that day too!
 

Logan is so lucky he can tag along acting just like one of the students.
 

 Ms. Allagon, Gavin, and Laney (possible future daughter-in-law)

Laney, Gavin, Ms. Lloyd, and Sam

I know I have said it before and I am sure to say it again, but we have the best preschool class.   I could list all one hundred reasons, but just believe me when I say we have had a blessed year with this class.

And for the record, Gavin pined for school to start again after Christmas.  That just means Ms. Lloyd and Ms. Allagon are doing a fantastic job. 

Gingerbread House Decorating with Grams

'Tis (was) the season for fun!  Grams always has something fun or clever for the boys, and this gingerbread house decorating activity was no exception.
  

A Letter to Santa

Gavin's little hand, on behalf of both boys, got tired so I had to help in some places write the letter to Santa.  Once it was addressed they walked it right out to the mailbox.  Santa even had time this year to write the boys back and proclaim that they had made his nice list this year.  There were then cheers heard throughout the neighborhood of their excitement of being on the nice list.

To Santa, I want this for Christmas:
Jake Skull
Jake Pirate Book
Transformers
Black Walkie Talkie & Charger
Cars 2 Book
Animal Masks
Hot Wheels Track
Amy Tank and Guys
Batman Tower
Thanks, Gavin and Logan
December 2012

  

Ward Christmas Party

The PTC Ward Christmas Party was a stellar event as expected.  Those involved put so much time and hard work into the evening no wonder it is such a success.  The backdrop of Santa alone is surreal for they even haul in a fireplace.  There was even a room of nativities from all over the world set-up very similar to the Washington D.C. Temple Visitor Center.  It was a great night.

Senoia and Fayetteville, Georgia: Santa's Parade and A Walk through Bethlehem

It's not November, you say?
Then it must be December and I'm not too late to post these.

The first weekend in December is packed full of activities around our beloved Peachtree City.  We attended Santa's parade in Senoia and walked through Bethlehem all in one night.  Senoia is the backdrop for AMC's The Walking Dead so it was befitting that the Grand Marshall of the town's parade was Scott Wilson who plays Hershel Greene on the show.  We were pretty shocked to see Hershel Greene riding along first, but not so shocked to see Santa pull up the rear of the parade as it ended.
 

After a quick bite to eat, we headed to the Fayetteville Christian Church to walk through Bethlehem.  Every year they recreate the city of Jesus's birth and take you on a guided walk through various stops that Mary and Joseph would have made seeking an Inn.  The tour concludes in the manger with real animals and all.  Logan very sweetly whispered, "It's baby Jesus" as soon as he saw the real baby.  Tender moments of parenthood, people.  Oh, and in the village Gavin got to hold a baby goat!
 

More pictures from Turkey Day

More of the same but swiped off my phone.
    

Daytona Beach, Florida: Daytona Turkey Run

Instead of heading out the stores after Thanksgiving, we headed south to Daytona Beach for the annual Turkey Run car show.  No matter the age, boys sure do love their cars.  The smartest thing we did that day was to bring the wagon.  The infield of the NASCAR Daytona International Speedway is so massive and there were cars literally everywhere to see.
 

A few vehicles from Disney's Cars became a highlight for the boys.
 

And the cars whose owners let the kids climb in were always a hit!
 

 

A vendor selling car parts even gave the boys a Hot Wheel as a souvenir.