Santa Claus is coming to...

KayKay and Tex's house!! We had a fabulous Santa come visit on the Saturday after Thanksgiving. Not all our friends could be there:( but we had fun with the ones that were:) Here Santa is with Caitlyn, Baylor, Caroline and Christian. The girls were sharing what was on their list...they normally want nothing to do with him, but I think the more relaxed atmosphere helped
Emmy wasn't too sure about the man in red...even with Mommy nearby she still wanted to be as far as she could get
The Essners had a great time talking to Santa too (as long as Jay didn't know he was back there)
After some pictures Santa shared some Milk and Cookies with all the kids. My husband made the most wonderful homemade hot chocolate!!! We all had a sample of it with plenty of marshmallows:)

There are more fun pictures, but this is where I have to leave you and get my booty in gear this morning. So much to do and so little time

The magic of Wii

My dad bought a Wii video game system and it has sucked us all in!!! I don't have the picture proof of my mother, but she did play:) The favorite of the boys (and Baylor) was Guitar Hero (Mim's pretty good at it too), Christian LOVED Boxing and Mom and I like to bowl.
Baylor liked to play with the guitar...she thought she was so big to do something everyone else was
Christian did so well at the boxing game! He knocked out almost every competitor and had a blast doing it! He only had to push one button on each controller so he was able to do it ALL BY HIMSELF which made it even more fun. He and Tex had fun doing this together while the women and Travis went shopping on Black Friday...Jeff had to put in his last day at Vanderbilt and joined up with everyone later.

Thanksgiving part 3

After all that food everyone needs a good snuggle
These are two of my favorite pictures of Baylor from that day. She constantly seems in awe of what is going on around her and than can flash you that beautiful smile when you least expect it

Thanksgiving part 2

Pics of all the preparations including a shot of my hubby's oh so yummy pumpkin pie:)

Thanksgiving part 1

We had Thanksgiving at my parents house with Mim and Travis. Christian had fun watching all the cooks...we decided it was a good thing Mom and Dad have such a big kitchen or their could have been some outbursts:) My dad was in charge of the Turkey, Jeff made a pumpkin pie (so yummy) and mom made everything else. Jeff was able to try his hand out at using an electric knife which is now on his Christmas list:) It took all three of these lovely men to figure out how to get the turkey out of the pan it was in and on the platter mom wanted it on:)

It is hard to get a family picture when both kids are so active...this was the best we could do
Aren't they just the cutest?!?! This was the beginning of their first holiday season as a married couple:) They are so excited about decorating their house and doing all those 'firsts' together. Mim was nice enough to help me with some of my Christmas decorating...sorry I can't return the favor.

Time with Nana and Papa

Last weekend we went to Cock of the Walk and Opryland Hotel with Jeff's family. It has kinda become our tradition. Their jobs require them to work on Thanksgiving so it is easier to do something the weekend before. We all enjoy eating some yummy catfish and than seeing all the pretty lights. We also were celebrating Uncle Jeremy's 24th birthday...Happy Birthday to one of the best Uncles around:) If you have never been to Cock of the Walk they have this enormous rocking chair that you can sit in and take pictures. I'm sure if I tried hard enough I could find pics of myself at age 10 or so on this same chair:)
Nana caught this cute picture of us on the main stair case. The kids both loved all the lights and we enjoyed spending time with Nana, Papa and Uncle Jeremy.

Thanksgiving

Ours has been a whirlwind...Check in a couple of days for multiple posts to catch you up on all the family fun. We spent time with Jeff's parents the weekend before and mine this past one. Mim and Travis were here and the whole family had a great time playing the Wii at my parents house. Christian may have a future in boxing.

Check back soon...

I'm spoiled

I will be the first to admit it. There are few things my husband (and family) say no to. Whether it is something goofy I want to do or something I've just set my heart on doing. They play along and humor me. I decided a year ago that for my 30th birthday (which will be Dec. 8th) it would be really fun to go to Disney World. I have never been this time of year and I have loved all things Disney all my life. I don't do into the depths of knowledge that some people I know do (Scott), but I just have a general appreciation and interest. I did several school projects through the years that involved it and I just enjoy being a kid:) I have only been 3 times in my 30 years but I would go a lot more if I could. This brings me to where I started...my sweet husband and family are taking me very soon!! (Christian doesn't even know it yet) I am so excited I can hardly stand it. I want to introduce my children to all the fun Disney World has in store--mix that with the Christmas season and you just about blow my mind. I know some people would rather jump off a steep cliff than go to Disney, but I love it. The best thing anyone can take away from a trip like this is memories and pictures help refresh those whenever you look back. I started asking for a new camera several months ago and tonight my hubby, parents and sister delivered the whole kit and caboodle. I am now the proud owner of a Canon Rebel XT!!! Now I just have to learn how to use it before our trip. (Call me Mary Alice) Although I am super excited, I kinda feel like a kid on Christmas morning that gets a really cool toy, but can't use it b/c Santa forgot the batteries. I have to charge this one until it's full so I can really play/learn:( My kids will get even sicker of seeing a camera in their faces while I practice! My newest toy...I will gladly take all tips from all you savvy photographers out there

Happy Anniversary

To my husband:On this day you gave me the most precious gift: Your heart and commitment to love me forever. I would not trade the last 8 years for anything!!! Thank you for making me a wife and mother. You're the best and I love you.

Please Pray

Our churchhad an incredible time of love yesterday. Two families went forward to ask for prayers for hard medical situations. Both were surrounded by many members of Otter Creek and we said a communal prayer over each family.

A little girl named Palmer and her family have recently moved to Nashville to be closer to Vandy for cancer treatments. I believe she has leukemia--she is 15 and looks like a girl full of life. Pray for her and her family as they deal with all that comes with treatment AND being in a new place.

My dear and sweet friends Hailey and Jeremy also need your prayers. Hailey has just been diagnosed with MS (Multiple Sclerosis) and has a long uncertain rode ahead of her. This disease is very individualistic in the fact you can't compare one persons symptoms and complications to another. It affects each one in different (even if sometimes similar) ways. If you don't know her very well Hailey is a very active woman that enjoys doing things for her family and friends. She has two small children, who (as any young ones are) are full of energy and will very likely be confused as to why Mommy can't always do what she used to--or just needs to rest more. Please cover this sweet family in your prayers. The Lord has a plan and we need to be ready to help carry it out even when we may not understand why.

I want to be there for my friends in whatever way they need me to be. It is hard not to what to 'fix things' even when you know they are out of your control. Please join me in praying for them whenever you can--I say multiple prayers each day when they come to mind.

What do you do

after playing really hard? You take a milk break of course!!! Christian and Baylor had been running and playing so hard for about 20 minutes and than they both came begging for milk. I gave them some and went about my business only to come around the corner to see them snuggled up together:):) It was so sweet. When you have to get your camera the moment loses a little, but they still were cute just sitting there huffing/puffing while drinking their beloved milk.

Today my sweet boy totally made my day!! On the way home we stopped at a store and while we were checking out he was standing a little ways away...he suddenly burts out "Mommy!!" and I said "What?" He replies at the top of his lungs "I love you (slight pause) very much!"

I melted and so did everyone around me...they can be so sweet when they want to be.

This week

A couple months ago I decided to start buying Christian some workbooks to practice some school stuff at home...he has loved it! We are on our second book now and I think he enjoys the accomplishment of it all. (This totally coincides with a book I've been reading called 'The Highly Sensitive Child'--which if you know my son very well it shouldn't surprise you that we think he is one) Tuesday night he wanted to work on some of it while I cooked dinner and Baylor wanted to feel like she was doing something too. Christian NEVER would have sat at the table for 20 min coloring when he was this age, but Baylor loved every minute of it. And both children love to play with The Little People Thanksgiving set they got last year. Baylor likes to make the people ride in the horsie cart, but can't figure out why more than one won't fit.
Her she is acting out what she saw brother do the other day: He was trying to make them all hide from something so today she did too. She kept saying "hi, hi", which only a mother could translate as "hide" but I know that is exactly what she was saying.

And she wanted to pose in the chair...she sees me with a camera and knows what to do:)

Happy Birthday Mim

My sister came to Nashville to celebrate her birthday. We were all sad b/c Travis is still in training and couldn't be with us. Then we got a BIG surprise...Kim's best friend Shawnda came for a visit. She called us the week before to see where Kim would be celebrating her birthday and we all made plans to surprise our sweet Mim. To say she was shocked would be an understatement:)

I tried to continue the surprises with lunch and all her kiddos she loves so much. Caitlyn and Caroline were the only ones able to join us, but we still all had a great time. Our whole family also went out to California Pizza Kitchen for dinner...YUMMY. We have all had so much fun hanging out with Mim and we'll be sad to see her go:(

I love you sweet sister...you really are the best I could have ever asked for. God has given you a heart for others and you use it unselfishly. You have such a sweet spirit and are the best aunt in the world!!! I have enjoyed watching you and Travis begin your lives together over the past few months...and who knew you would turn into 'lil miss homemaker' ?!?!?

Happy Birthday Mim...we hope it was a memorable one.



Getting chocolate kisses and playing with Mim is always fun