Decking the Halls and Making Spirits Bright

I cannot believe Christmas has come and gone again.  One of my favorite things to do this time of year is bake and I cannot believe baby girl was big enough to help me this year.

We made homemade fudge and I let her stir the pot:

We missed decorating cookies at church since Carsyn was sick, but we decorated some at home.  (Carsyn likes a little cookie with her sprinkles).

I think I'm probably the worst when it comes to keeping up with Carsyn and Hank's elf, Noodles, but she did make Carsyn a festive breakfast one morning.

Here's just a few pictures of the house.

This was definitely the ugliest tree I've ever bought, but I tried!!

Merry Christmas!

Thank you SO much John Michael & Ramona for capturing my babies and designing the perfect card...and mailing them to Chicago :)

Christmas PJ Party

If you follow me and the lovely Meredith on IG you might have seen lots of adorable kiddos in their holiday pjs.  Here's a collage of the Watts kids (with a Maddox photo bomb).

After seeing these I realize 2 things-
1.  Hank really likes his thumb :)
2.  I might travel way too much considering 2 out of the 4 are taken on the road- The one with Maddox is from our Chicago trip and the one in the train pjs is from Gatlinburg before we rode the Polar Express.  Perhaps next year we'll stay home more...

If you don't read Meredith's blog you really should- her sweet boys will melt your heart.

I even thought of Gatlinburg

We loaded up our little family of four in the family truckster earlier this month and headed to TN.  We stayed in the same cabin as usual and the kids loved having a Christmas tree.

We visited the Aquarium and Dollywood.  Carsyn led Shane around Dollywood squealing "Look at the lights-red and green and blue!"  I think Hank really enjoyed them too.

Carsyn's favorite part of the aquarium was the penguins, but Hank thought they were boring and preferred to suck his toes.

We rode the Polar Express and went to the Christmas parade downtown (which is apparently a BIG DEAL).

Carsyn was actually pretty smitten with Santa on the Polar Express.  Too bad that hasn't lasted.

Can you tell this boy really did not enjoy the parade?  

Hank is 5 months old!

You are still quite the thumb sucker.

You like to sleep on your belly.

You love to suck your toes.

You love sitting up with your legs crossed.

You love your sissy, Carsyn.

You are enthralled by the lights on a Christmas tree.

You weigh 15 lbs 13 oz and are 25 1/2" tall.

You are still a horrible, rotten, no good napper.  Unfortunately you are not a wonderful sleeper either.  As of late you have been getting momma up once or twice at night.

You love oatmeal.  You squeal, kick, and giggle at the taste.

You love to roll. Roll, roll, roll!

You like to sleep in.  Normal getting up time is around 9:30.

You laugh a lot.  All the time.  Its so completely charming.

We LOVE you so much Hanky-boo!!

12 Years!

Twelve years...

and there's still no one I'd rather spend time with.  We celebrated our anniversary with friends at  Christmas party last night and are cuddled up at home with the munchkins today.  No place else I'd rather be.

Hey Santa!

this happened.

because this happened. (thank you Maddox)

and before that this happened.

and please note Hank loves Santa.  But, Hank pretty much loves everything :)

We are so happy visiting Santa has been checked off our holiday bucket list.

How was your visit?

Its beginning to look a lot like Christmas

Lately we have been busy, busy, busy getting in the Christmas spirit. Here's what's been going on:

Trip to the tree lot with my little elves: (please dismiss the nose boo boo on Carsyn's face- I assure you it happened due to a completely innocent Dolly Parton Christmas dance party).



Carsyn put ornaments on the tree in her room all by herself.  She is loving Christmas this year and every morning she runs to each tree asking to turn the lights on.
We read the Elf on a Shelf book to Carsyn Thanksgiving night and she aptly named her Elf, Noodles.  She loves finding her every morning!



Noodles rode in on Cinderella's carriage one morning and put a wreath on her castle the next.  She also brought Carsyn 25 books of Christmas and we have been opening one a night to read before bed.
We went to see the local Nutcracker production and Carsyn was so very excited.  She set through the entire play and kept asking for the Nutcracker to come back.

Are y'all in the Christmas spirit yet?  We've been listening to Dolly and Kenny, watching Christmas movies and decorating trees- Fa-la-la.

Little Moments

There are moments in life you know you are going to be an emotional wreck and then there are moments that sneak up on you.  You know, the ones where tears are rolling down your face and you think you must be nuts, but then again you're a mom so its ok.

Case in point; September and Carsyn's first haircut.  She just looked so big in that chair and was so brave. She didn't bat an eye or shed a tear.

And Hank-sweet baby Hank.  He's grown up so fast.  He's not my cuddly newborn anymore.  He's my little man.  Rolling over like a little champ.

 And when did I get a kid that looks too big for a stroller?? (And 2 going on 13 for that matter)

And Halloween.  Why does this little girl in a Belle dress make me weep like a baby?  She was SO excited to be Belle for the night.  She was so opinionated..refusing to wear a crown.

Our first Halloween as a family of four.  Little princess Belle and Elvis.

So, I guess that's pretty random, but that's how life seems these days.  All of these little moments are occurring and they're all jumbled up in my head.  My kids are going up.  My life is flashing by too fast. I feel like tomorrow Carsyn will be going to prom and Hank will threatening her date.  Maybe its the holiday season, but I'd love to just slow down.

The end of the season

Saturday marked the last game of the football season for the wildcats..PTL.

The hubby and I have been loyal and devout fans- cheering on the cats in the rain and God forbid-even snow, through loss after loss...after loss. This was the first time in ten years we did not go to one single game, but we tailgated at home and dressed the babes in their Saturday blue.

We watched some games at granny and papaw's.

We snuggled at home.

We smiled when there was nothing to smile about.  

Someday Commonwealth, I'll be back in my seats, hopefully cheering on the cats with my two little sidekicks and one big sidekick.  Until then I'll just be soaking up these precious moments...and hoping next season is better :)

So, how did your team do? 

Thankful..

For a happy, healthy, loving family..

For karaoke machines..

For a spirited little chick (even if she doesn't like pictures with momma)..

For an awesome mom and sister..

For a little fella who was barely a blip a year ago and tried cereal for the first time tonight..