Christmas on the Go - Roanoke, VA

The after Christmas celebration took place in Roanoke at MeMe and Peeps. We joined up with Brett, Meredith and Madison the weekend after Christmas. I think this was the first time that Mom, Meredith and I have been apart on Christmas day. Having kids of our own and work make for new family traditions. The good thing about being together after Christmas this year - we got to cheer on Tech and watch them finally win a bowl game. The weekend was full of favorites...good food, good times watching the kids play together, good cold Christmas weather, and lots of good memories to take with us.

 The perfect recipe for "One Happy MeMe" 

-a big helping of grandkids around

 Santa brought both girls a Leap Pad. They sat in the corner and played like they were little techy nerds.

 Look at all these presents!!!

 He went from not having a single truck to having enough to start a trucking company.

 What's in here...

 WIPES!! He could care less but I sure loved the gift.

 We should name them Maddington when they are with each other. You just can't separate them.

 I have a feeling the dogs were barking so they went to see who was outside. 

 Prepping for game day. We love tailgate food!

 Enjoy Meredith's hard work.

Three of the cutest little bakers!

Christmas on the GO - Ridgeland, SC

Dashing down the road

In a Mazda full of screaming kids

O the headaches mom and dad had

But what fun it is with all the Christmas cheer

(I attempted to be cute!)

First stop on the 2012 Christmas Tour was Ridgeland, SC. We spent a long weekend with the grandparents, celebrated Christmas a little early with Granny's extended family, and packed the kids full of sugar and the car full of presents. 

Ice Cream with Jelly Beans on top. Always good treats at Granny's house. 

 Patiently waiting to open presents.

 The box is as big as the boy and he loved unwrapping it

 Thanks Aunt Rhonda for the roller coaster o' fun

The kids immediately tried it out

Ridgeland had a Christmas lights display that you could walk around so we bundled up one night, took a quick walk around and finished off the evening with Dairy Queen Blizzards.

 She looks angelic

 Chomp, chomp

 My gifts under the tree

Ridgeland's finest!

Love Y'all! See you soon!!!

(I didn't get any pictures but we made a quick stop in Myrtle Beach, SC on the way home to have Christmas with Jay, Melissa, Katy, Kelly and Granny Roach.)

Christmas Time Is Here

It's the hap, happiest time of the year!

A look at what we've been doing this month...

 

 Neighborhood Supper Club Christmas Party

 Mom's Small Group Christmas Party

 Decorating a manager for baby Jesus

 Making a Christmas Tree with Icing and Fruity Pebbles

 The best part...getting all sugared up at 10am. Grayson was too busy playing to sit and make one of these tasty treats but once he saw his sister take a bite he ran straight to her and demanded she share.

 

 The Budweiser Clydesdale's came to Wilmington.

 Objects in your lens may appear smaller than they are!

 

 

 Letters to Ol' Saint Nick

 Off to the North Pole they go...

 

 

 

 Sandy the Silly Elf. Carrington starts each morning with an Elf Hunt. Some of his tricks include taking down the stockings and replacing them with underwear and diapers, climbing the Christmas tree, and swinging from the banister.

 

What the picture doesn't tell you is that I had to bribe Carrington to sit on Santa's lap and Hudson spent the first minute crying before we could calm him down. Grayson continued his tradition and will do so for many more years to come.

 

Other happenings not pictured...Wilmington Christmas Parade, making baked goodies for Carrington's teachers and our neighbors, driving around and looking at Christmas lights, learning about Jesus, his life, and his love for us! Merry Christmas!!



O Christmas Tree

Our Christmas Season started the Friday after Thanksgiving when we headed to the Christmas Tree "Farm" (a field on the side of the road with trees already cut). Carrington and Grayson ran in circles around the trees until they found the perfect one. Really, they ran in circles because they were outside and could run and scream without us catching them and making them stop. We like this little tree "farm" because the owner is super nice, local, and is trying to sell trees to provide for his young son and wife. They also have nice trees that last for a month and don't come with bugs.

 

 Standing/Sitting in front of their tree

 Old Timey Fire Truck

 Frosty and Santa

 

Then it was home to decorate the tree...

 

 Elf 1

 Elf 2

 Elf 3

A glimpse of the mess we created. It took four days to decorate the tree from top to bottom. Hence the many different outfits the kids are in.

Pride and Joy...the kids of course!

Hudson - 4 months old

The last month has been a lot of fun with Hudson. His little personality is all over the place. One minute you get a smile and coo and the next he is fussing about not being held. He enjoys rolling around on the floor and bed, and prefers to be on his belly most of the time. He recently started reaching for toys when you hold them in front of him. Once they are in his hand they go straight to his mouth for further exploration. He gets lots of entertainment from watching Carrington and Grayson play around him. At times he looks at them like they are loony. Sleeping is going great - sticking to a nap schedule during the day and sleeping 11 hours at night! Riding in the car is getting better although he still has days where he cries the entire ride. I continue to enjoy the time when I get him all to myself; we chat about how cute he is, sneak in early morning naps, and play without having to share toys. Oh, and he really enjoys sucking on his pointer and middle fingers -a lot and often!