Fun on the Home Front

While Jason, James, Heather and I celebrated Heather's and my 30th birthdays in Oxford this weekend, the kids stayed here with Gigi and Grumpy.  It looks like they had some serious fun!

They reportedly started the day at Krispy Kreme (aka "Kissme Keeme" if you're Sara) and then Hallie changed into her ballet leotard, which she wore all day long.

 They baked some heart-shaped cookies that we're still eating.

 They also went to the mall to ride the carousel and play at the toy store.

High Hopes

On the way to school.

Hallie:  When will Brooks be 1?

Mommy:  In March.

Hallie (excited):  Brooks!  Then you can walk!



No pressure, Brooks.

Thawing Out with Hot Chocolate

"Chasing" Archie in the Ice and Snow

Messing Around

On a typical weekend morning, you'll find us...

Learning to pull up on the coffee table.

 Pushing our push toy until we fall and then deciding it's not that fun after all...

 Dressing up in our new princess duds...

And interrupting our play for a photo op...

And this is all before 8:00 am!

New Years Day Dinner Party

We celebrated the New Year by hosting the Tates and the Lloyds for dinner on Saturday night.  As you can see, Archie was quite taken with Jay.

 We ate, played a game and laughed harder than I have in a long time.

Playing at Gigi's

Gigi, Grumpy, and Gray graciously hosted the kiddos while Jason and I cleaned the house a little on Saturday in preparation for having the Tates and Lloyds over for dinner.  Looks like they had fun!  (Don't mind the scratch on B's face--he decided to give himself a big red mark during his nap Saturday afternoon.)

New Years Day Girls' Lunch

Grandmother took the "big girls" to lunch on New Years Day, and we spent some fun time catching up (uninterrupted by children!) and got to see Lane a little more before she heads back to Pensacola.  What a great way to start a new year!

A Little More Christmas

Gigi graciously shared her Christmas pictures from Manly Christmas Eve and Dawson Christmas Brunch with me, and I decided I had to post a few!  So Merry Christmas, all over again!

So, first, Christmas Eve lunch with the Manlys...

 Headed into church for the Christmas Eve service...

 And Christmas Day brunch...

 (Sara is snuggled under her new soft yellow blanket that came inside her plush bumblebee from Uncle Ted and Hallie's new soft red blanket from her ladybug...they have slept with them ever since.)

 Brooks spent much of present-opening time sacked out on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

Party in Heaven

Tucking in the Girls on New Years Eve, fireworks exploding outside.

Hallie:  Mommy, I hear fireworks.

Mommy:  Yep.  They're still shooting them.

Hallie:  Who?  Jesus and God?

Mommy:  No, honey.  The people across the street.


In retrospect, I kinda like the mental image of Jesus and God shooting fireworks.  Perhaps I should've let that one slide.