Christmas 2011

It is hard to believe that Christmas has already come and gone. We had some fun Christmas parties and wonderful time with family and friends. Aidan really enjoyed the story of Jesus this year and we even played pretend a few times - he was Baby Jesus, I was Mary, and Daddy was Joseph. He deemed Brody as Baby Moses. It was really sweet. He also really got into Santa. A big change from last year when he was scared to death of the man with the white beard.

We started off our Christmas celebration with opening presents with Gran and Papa. We then headed to Collierville (only a slight delay due to Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease), for a week at Nanny and Paw Paw's with Bethany, Liam, and Cole. In Collierville we were very busy - driving through Starry Nights, seeing Santa at The Enchanted Forest, Christmas with the Hall clan, Christmas with the Adams, Santa came while we were there, and then there was the opening of presents amongst my immediate family. We came back to Nashville Christmas evening. But the fun didn't stop there - we had breakfast with the Brasher's and then we opened presents from each other. It has been busy and exciting and the boys have lots of new toys to show for it.

After opening presents at Gran and Papa's, we went to visit Santa.

In Memphis, the boys enjoyed The Enchanted Forest. Their favorite part was the trains.

The boys settling down for a long winter's nap.

The Collierville Square was lit up for Christmas. Aidan and Liam enjoyed keeping Santa's seat warm while he was away.

The whole gang at GG's house on Christmas Eve.

The boys and their Great Grandmother, GG.

We had several people tell us that Brody and Cole look alike.

Uncle Steven and Uncle B spent the night and it was so fun all being together on Christmas morning.

Is that Aidan or Woody?

An attempted family pic.

Paw Paw read us the story of Baby Jesus. Aidan always loves a good book.

The boys played so nice together on Christmas morning.

Santa brought Aidan a bouncy ball.

Brody in front of Aunt Donna and Uncle Mike's Christmas tree.

Aidan the Fire Chief.

Halloween

This year around Halloween we had a little Curious George and The Man in the Yellow Hat hanging around our house. Aidan has loved reading and watching Curious George lately; so the custom was a success.

Aidan likes to be The Man in the Yellow Hat most any day of the week. We have worn it out to Joann's and Chick-Fil-A, to bible study, and most every afternoon at home. Sometimes we accessorize with our football helmet (another of our current favorites), sometimes not. When in character, he likes to be addressed as George, George's Daddy, or The Man in the Yellow Hat; he'll let you know.

The Pumpkin Patch

This year, the family went to Gentry's Farm with CousUncle David and Jenny to see the pumpkins and take part in all the Fall fun. It was a beautiful day and we spent 4 hours there doing every possible activity that they offered. They had tire swings, animals to see, corn in the troughs to play with, a crazy maze, a corn maze, a nature walk, a hayride, and a real pumpkin patch. The boys enjoyed being outside and taking part in all the fun (they did get tired of me taking a ton of pictures, but if they would just both look at the camera and smile at the same time I wouldn't have to try so many times).

My little pumpkins.

Check out the cowboy boots.

Enjoying the hayride. We saw 23 baby calves.

One cool dude.

9 months

Brody turned 9 months 2 weeks ago. He is weighing in on the small side, but he is healthy and strong. Pulling up and letting go to stand, crawling up the stairs, and mimicking his big brother as best as he possibly can. I can't believe 9 months have already gone by. My heart just grows more and more in love with those two boys every day.

Here are some pictures from our photo shoot courtesy of Mr. Chance.

Weekend in Collierville

The boys and I enjoyed a nice long weekend with Nanny and Paw Paw. Ole Miss had a bye week, so we got to spend the entire weekend with the grandparents just playing. The boys of course loved it. We got into town Friday afternoon. Between Friday and Monday morning, we went to pick out some pumpkins, hung out with Unlce B, Aidan went to the Friday night Collierville game with Paw Paw, had pancakes with GG, went to My Big Backyard, had lunch and dinner with Steven and Lauren, played lots of football, went to Granddaddy and Uncle Mike's to ride the golf cart and visit, ate some good cookin', and enjoyed more than one ice cream sandwich. We needed another weekend to recover from our weekend, but we had lots of fun!

Hiking Radnor

Growing up, summer was always my favorite season. Summer was a break from school, summer is beach weather, summer is sunny! Well, don't get me wrong, I still love summer. But I have a new found love for all the different seasons. With kids, each season brings new adventures. The kids are always at a different stage this season then they were at this time last year; so each time we do something it is fun to see how things have changed over just a short year. Last time we went hiking at Radnor Lake, Aidan was riding in the backpack. This year he was walking with us and enjoying nature. This weekend the weather was perfect, the leaves are just barely starting to change, and we were able to get out and enjoy a little bit of it.

Aidan loved looking for animals. He was sure he heard a goat and that there was going to be an elephant in the water.

This is what we did find:

Bambi

Birds

Owl

And look at the pretty sunset.

Aidan did a great job walking a lot of the way on his own. I was sure this would wear him out and he would go right to sleep and sleep straight through the night. Well can't blame a mom for wishful thinking. Don't these boys look like they are having fun.

Favorite Quote of the Week

I love that Aidan is picking up on EVERYTHING we say. Whether I realize it or not, he hears it all and repeats it at some point thereafter. Like they say, he is a little sponge.

Yesterday before Aidan's nap, he was eating some peanut butter, honey, and mini chocolate chips all mixed together for a snack. He finished it up and said "More chocolate". To which I replied, "If you eat some banana, I'll get you a few more chocolate chips." He ate a couple bits of his banana, then looked at me and said, "Thank you for listening, Mommy."

So sweet. He makes me smile!