'Tis the Season...

We decided to do a Christmas craft to get in the spirit but weren't quite ready to go the route of real gingerbread, so here is our Graham Cracker House instead. Jason and Colleen were big helpers making sure there were no decorations left uneaten!

Disney Princess and Fun Dip!

Although the differences between boys and girls are not always so apparent in our two, they have been more so recently in small ways. Jason has really been a helper outside, stacking logs as Samuel uses the chainsaw, spreading pine straw, using the shovel to move out excess dirt, etc. Not to mention digging for worms, going tee tee on every bush in the yard (!), flying down the hill on his big wheel, and jumping off of anything that is high enough to be a challenge. Colleen on the other hand is very into her baby dolls, brings me her hair bow if it falls out and wants me to put it back in, loves to blow kisses and give hugs (especially to Samuel and Jason), holds up her hands to be wiped off if they are dirty, and will sit happily with her one Disney Princess book just looking at the pictures. It is great fun to watch them develop into their own unique persons.

"Reading" Disney's Cinderella with baby
Jason's first experience with Fun Dip. He was eating this while we made our Blessings Tree ornaments, at which time he said, "Write this down, 'I am thankful that God gave us candy!'"

Nap Time

No, I will not come back in there

We've been through all this before,

And I expect you to be sleeping

The next time I pass your door.

We have played all morning long,

Riding big wheels and exploring.

I've enjoyed your songs and laughter,

Now I want to hear you snoring!

Little bodies need their rest and

Yours is growing by the day,

Not to mention this is my time now

To quickly slip away.

Keep those eyes tightly shut

So as not to sneak a peak,

As I race into my bedroom

With a stolen chocolate treat.

What these brief moments will hold,

It is difficult to tell.

Be it cleaning, reading, or paying bills,

You can bet I'll do it well.

Because there will be no interruptions,

No more questions or demands.

I'll be wiping counters and potties,

Not your little bottom or hands.

It's remarkable the things

That are accomplished when alone.

I can prep for supper and make the beds,

All while talking on the phone.

Yes, I must confess my sleeping ones,

I live for this reprieve.

With the simple gift of quiet,

My stresses to relieve.

And yet still, oh blessed curse,

Have I gone and lost my brain?

For I'm missing you already,

Wondering when you'll wake again.

Don't mistake me, I can wait,

But I've discovered something true...

I AM CRAZY, like all other moms,

Just crazy about you!

Hannah Kirkland

11-12-2009

Halloween 2009

Our Church's HarvestFest theme this year was "Sports" so Jason went as an Atlanta Braves Baseball Player and Colleen was a Dublin Fighting Irish Cheerleader. Her costume is one Momma made years ago when we were little girls cheering on Daddy's team in Dublin, GA. They both had a wonderful time and got bags full of candy.

HarvestFest was scheduled for Halloween night so we got all dressed up and ready for the festivities only to arrive at Church and find that it had been rescheduled for the following day due to rain. So as not to dissappoint, we made it a fun evening by going to Fender's, a local 50's style diner. We had a great time eating Reuben Sandwiches, Patty Melts, and a Malt Milkshake. We are really enjoying small town life and the fun benefits it provides.

Colleen's First Haircut

Colleen's curly hair has become unruly as of late so I decided to shape it up a little. It was such a beautiful day so I cut it outside in the stroller. The cracker was a perfect distraction.

BEFORE

AND AFTER

"Where is Colleen?"

"There she is!"

Visits with Family

We had the pleasure of having the entire Kirkland Family stay in our home this past weekend. Joe and Abby were in town for a visit so everyone gathered at our house from Friday night to Sunday morning. Most of the time was spent playing games in the floor with the children, eating, drinking Russian Tea, and just catching up as a family. As Abby remarked a few times, it really did feel like Christmas!

Goodnight hugs with Lizzy
Hannah and Baby Josh

Cousins


Last night was Chili at Papa Ron and Nonna's house. Jason and Colleen had so much fun seeing as they both ate more "treats" than chili!

Get behind a camera and tell Colleen to "say cheese" and she hams it up.

Around the house

Jason's First Sleepover

Ty has spent the night before but he and Jason have never slept in the same bed. This time they wanted to be together and did great. What a terrific buddy.

We have been doing a lot of yard work recently and with that comes bonfires to burn trash. Nonna came over one evening and brought the ingredients for smores.

Daddy's helper

Jason is really using his imagination and enjoying some more alone playtime. He came to me this morning with this creation, to which I replied, "What a great tower." He very quickly corrected me by saying, "No, this is a Tortilla Chicken Nest." Ofcourse!

Little Pixie

Great Grandmother Kirkland

Over the past two years we have been blessed with the opportunity to have Great Grandmother Kirkland stay in our home on different occasions. She is wonderful company in the house and loves spending time with Jason and Colleen. They have both become experts at driving her power chair! And Colleen, especially loves to ride with Great Grandmother. We also do a lot of cooking together from Brunswick Stew to Chocolate Pie to Caramel Popcorn. She really is "Great".

Family Fun

Over the summer, we tried to make some family memories by doing a lot of things together and here are a few of them.

On Samuel's 3oth Birthday, the kids and I dressed up and surprised him at his work. We took his favorite dessert and enjoyed celebrating the day. The kid's signs were a hit with everyone.

Washing the car

Stone Mountain was a lot of fun. Colleen enjoyed crawling around in the Apple Barn and Jason thought the train was great.

The circus came to town.

Our final trip of the summer was to Virginia to visit with the Deagles. Much of our time was spent outside playing volleyball, swinging on the swingset, having family meals, or on the boat.
The Cousins loved playing together and it was the perfect weekend to end Summer days and welcome the Fall.

All the activity proved to be a bit much for Colleen. We found her like this during Sunday lunch in between bites of food!

The Squaters!

In the Lord's perfect timing, our house in Braselton sold and we were blessed to be able to move into Papa Ron and Nonna's basement for a few months while we searched for a new home. It later came to our attention that we were known as "The Squaters" in the Ron Riley Sunday School Class. That we were, and enjoyed every minute of it!

Moving Day

Fun visits with Ty

Lazy Sunday afternoons

There was a neighborhood playground close by and we would ride the Ranger or stroll over to play.

Snow

It was Colleen who changed the most. She explored the basement first by rolling, then sitting up, crawling, pulling up, cruising, walking, and climbing the stairs. Once climbing the stairs was mastered it was all we could do to keep her out of Molly's dog food...we weren't always successful!

The highlight of our stay was definitely The Swing. Samuel cast a fishing line (backwards!) over a high tree limb in the backyard and set up this swing for the kids. It has been improved over the months and is the thing to do for children and adults alike who visit.

Every morning, Jason and Colleen would watch "Story Keepers" together...and this was their favorite spot. I think Jason could quote the introduction by the time we moved!