Getting Ready for a New Year

Well, as usual, we are busy bees around here. We've finished up all our Christmas parties, visits, etc... as you have seen in the previous post, and we've taken all the Christmas decorations down (insert sigh of relief that this chore is done).

Kevin's cousin is getting married this weekend - yay! We are headed to B'ham for a New Year's Eve Wedding celebration! I have to go shopping to get a nice dress that will fit my 20 week pregnant body, and I'm thinking about getting Carter his first tie for the event (I don't think I will be able to resist :-) He got a haircut today in preparation for the big day, and such a big (looking) boy probably should wear a tie. Needless to say, we are looking forward to it!

NOTE: I went shopping shortly after writing this post...WORST. TRIP. EVER. Carter did not get a tie, and I did not get a dress. We both go frustrated - REALLY frustrated. He tried to escape multiple dressing rooms (while I had no clothes on - of course). He went down for a nap the SECOND we got back to the house, and I ate chocolate and drank diet coke the rest of the day to try to recover. I don't know what we will wear- I may try again later. Probably not. Honestly, there will be a beautiful bride distracting everyone's attentions anyway. Thank you, Abby!

I'm also looking forward to a new year. This year is going to bring some exciting changes to our family, and we are excited! I love starting a new year with a new, BLANK calendar! I found that VistaPring is offering FREE calendars!!! I spent some time inserting some of my favorite pictures from this year, added Bible Verse captions - to keep me focused on God's Word this year as I am planning my activities, and inserted all our family Birthdays/Holidays/Due Dates.... I can't wait for it to come in!!! I opted for the "slow" shipping, so it'll be a while before I get my hands on it (mid-Jan), but I only paid $5.67 (shipping) - only $1 more than Wal-Mart calendars - and soooooo much better!!!

(PS. Yes, that smiley face is my Due Date:-)

Christmas Came

We had a wonderful Christmas...all over the state of Alabama :-) We started out celebrating the season with our Sunday School Class. So fun to see all the kiddos starting to really play together at our socials! Also fun to get to spend time with the babies :-)

Next, we headed to Wedowee, AL where we celebrated Christmas with Kevin's extended family. We started out at Mawmaw & Pawpaw's (AKA: the Farm).

Dustin donned his Christmas Sweater t-shirt :-)

Carter got some snuggle time with Nana.

We opened lots of presents - Carter was totally spoiled by everyone involved!

This is the BEST picture I got of his Christmas outfit that I made for him.

He got a Stuffed Santa - he likes this Santa MUCH more than the real thing :-)

Peek-a-boo, Papa J!

Next we headed over to Gran & DaddyBob's (AKA: the Lake). Carter was the only Grandchild there, so the spoiling continued (who could resist?)

Playing with Daddy.

Carter is drawn to piles of presents - what can I say - who isn't?

Playing with DaddyBob.

After our wonderful weekend in Wedowee, we headed back to Huntsville. My sweet mother-in-law has been giving me Christmas dishes since we got married (for every birthday/Christmas). This Christmas, I got my 12th place setting - a complete set - woohoo!!! Soooo, I thought I'd have a 12 person dinner party. We had 5 other couples over, and had a fantastic evening with our "Huntsville Family." I cooked ham, green bean casserole, maccaroni & cheese, corn casserole, rolls, and apple pie - everything was yummy!!! Here was my table...

So pretty, thanks, Mrs. Claire!

For those wondering: the plates are scooted up so no little hands pulled them off the table!

We didn't forget about the kiddos...they had their table too!

Note: This didn't last long...

They were done and back to playing/watching cartoons in about 5 minutes flat :-)

At least they are now able to occupy each other while we eat and visit!

Over the next few days, we had fun dancing to Christmas music and checking out presents under the tree. Sorry about the non-quality of these photos - they were too cute not to share!

Pharaoh, Pharaoh?

Next, we headed down to Auburn, AL to celebrate Christmas there with our immediate families. We have never been away from home on Christmas Eve/Christmas Day, but we decided to be in Auburn this year. It was a special time with both families, and we got to spend more time than usual with both sides - a Christmas present in itself. We started at Kevin's parents' house.

Carter and his cousins are all old enough to play together now, and they have a BLAST!

Every doll house needs a boy's touch :-)

We opened gifts.

This one was a hit...

Yee-Haw!!!

Every time Carter rides his horsey, he says "NAY NAY" in his most Southern voice - melts my heart. :-)

The girls got their rides in too!

It was pretty warm, so the boys played outside.

Here are some shots Nana took, and I doctored up. They are precious!

Next we headed over to my family's home in Waverly, AL. We donned our animal hats from long, long, ago and loaded up in the back of the truck, of course, and headed over to the Tinsley's Christmas Light Extravaganza. It is in the MIDDLE. OF. NOWHERE. However, it is a Christmas Family Tradition, and it is spectacular :-)

(Note - for those of you who want to call child services: Carter rode in his carseat until we got there...)

Carter passed out Grandmama's peppermints to everyone - over and over and over again. This was literally all he wanted to do.

On Christmas morning, we opened presents. Yet again - there was no shortage of spoiling C-man. He caught on to the whole unwrapping presents this year.

Santa brought him a John Deere lawn mower.

Grandmama & Granddaddy gave him a Tonka Dump Truck - just what every little boy needs.

Again, it was warm enough for the boys to get some outside time - Waverly-Style :-)

It was a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS!