Merry Christmas!

We didn't get cards out this year, so sorry, we are alive and happy. The kids were very spoiled this morning.

Tad is still in school. He had a good year studying and feels like he is getting close to graduating from GaTech in 2009. We hope. He is busy with the bishopric, school and playing with the kids when he is at home.

WD is busy working fulltime at Coke, taking care of the boys, supporting her husband, planning all the ward activities, and ran 2 half marathons this year. She also took a guitar class and loves it, though has little time to play.

SM is growing so big. He is full of energy and always saying things that make us laugh. He loves to help in the kitchen and loves preschool.

GJ had a rough year with being the younger brother, breaking his leg and finally learning how to walk. He has made so much progress in the last few weeks. He has really gone from a baby to a toddler. He loves to say "no, no, no!" He is talking more and more and sure loves his mom.

We love being able to blog and keep up on so many others who do the same that are so far away. Have a wonderful holiday, and remember why we have it! We are so grateful for the Saviour.

Finally Walking

Its been a rough year for GJ. He just hit 18 months and he finally has enough courage to take some steps by himself. He is still pretty timid and slow, but for us its major progress and we can officially say he walks!

Gingerbread Houses

I can't say that they taste good, but it was nice to have all the stuff in one box and not have to buy tons of candy. A very easy family night.

Ward Party

The Ward party came and went this year. I am glad I have a lot of designated unassigned unofficial members of my committee that do a ton of the work. It was a lot of fun and there was plenty of meat!

The Best Angel Ever

Isn't she beautiful?

My tree top has sat empty. We have had our own tree every years since I have been married (this is year 6) and I haven't found the perfect tree topper. Well I had, its these angels my mom used to make by the dozens when we were little, but some how when we grew up, I think only one sister ended up with one. Well this is finally my year. I begged my mother ( have for years though). She finally said she would make me one. She could not find a lot of the supplied and had to order, so we just got it today, but it was worth the wait. She is perfect. Thanks Nana.

Hockey!

Matt got some vouchers from Turner, so last night we loaded up the whole family and headed to the Thrashers game against the Rangers. It was a great game, we only lost in overtime.

GJ has never been a big dancer, but whenever the music came on last night, he would really get into into it (with his stone cold face) and it was so cute. SM's favorite part was when the Thrashers scored, they had these birds at the top that blew fire. It was cool.

Monday again?

SM's cheek had a run in with the wall in nursery. Don't ask me why the walls are made of a material coarser than sandpaper.

Christmas Tree

Our friends go to this great farm up north, so the day after Thanksgiving, we loaded up to find our tree. We had narrowed it down to two and SM finally picked. I am glad, it barely fits in the house, goes right up to the ceiling! Here it is with the whole fam. Hauling it off to wrap it up and tie it to the van. I found out my camera can do some cool color stuff. SM not cooperating as usual. This didn't go over very well with either kid.The tractor and hayrides were at least a success. We took so long having lunch and getting home we had to take the bottom off again. I found out Peanut Butter is great for getting SAP off my hands. It is truly a magically wonderful food.

Rock On

We had a jam session a while ago and I am finally getting around to putting pictures up. We love Rockband! Come over if you want to play, we only have it for 2 more weeks!

Half Marathon photos

Can you just feel how cold I was? Matt is right to the side of me, I have no idea where Carlton was at this point. Anyone can run. You should try it.

Anyone want to come and rake? There is plenty for all.

Thanksgiving

I am thankful for a fairly stressfree Thanksgiving this year. Matt, Carlton and I woke up early and ran 13.1 miles through downtown Atlanta. It was a nice race, about 9000 people and I got 4th. Not really. It was freezing and lots of hills, but it was great! We were home by 10:30 to start cooking, but my legs were sore the rest of the day. We ate late which means you are hungrier longer, but it was so much easier to get everything done. We had made a couple pies the night before, but we were okay as we kept it small this year.I cooked my first turkey and it turned out great! Matt's Grandparents were able to come down from Madison, GA . SM keeps asking if we can haveThanksgiving again. He loves his brother (can't you tell by the chokehold of love?) Food and company was good, we played a little Wii and we finished off with Settlers (BP won)

Dur-key (turkey)

We made turkey finger puppets for FHE last night. SM named his Bacon. Wrong animal, but oh well. GJ says the word turkey so cute. He talked about turkeys all night. And my rocket is almost done. SM's is going to love it. I can't believe I have to wait a whole month till he gets it.

Getting inspired

Sat I had to go to a baby shower so SM and I went to the fabric store. That night Linny and I whipped out a quick pair of these super cute shoes and some burp rags. We made them without the batting, it makes them too think to wipe a babies face I think. I thought they turned out so cute! I have to admit, I am addicted to finding blog tutorials on line and pretending like I can sew. This is my next project. Its all cut out, I just need to make it now! I have lots of grand ideas, little time, but I am feeling inspired lately!
If you are bored, here is a great list of ideas from last year and the same site is doing another list for this year. I really want to learn to quilt and embroider. Do you want to teach me? I love the idea of a handmade Christmas. If only there was more time!
I am going to try to make these little stockings this weekend in all my time off as we don't have an Advent Calendar yet. Hopefully I can do them by December 1st!

Jumping

SM can now get in the crib, so I often find them jumping when I come to get them up in the morning.

Wordless Wednesday

Yes We Can!

We got free admissionn to a special GPB event at the Children's Museum Sat night. They had Bob the Builder there and we basically got to run around and do whatever we wanted. Plus they had free pizza and drinks. It was NOT crowded like I thought it would be and they gave away goodie bags with a cool BOB book as well. It was a great night!Who doesn't love a JD tractor?

painting. that lasted like 30 seconds. Again, his smiles are all painful these days.

Can't go wrong with trains.

or playing in the sand.

Being shy with Bob

Scoop is SM's favorite friend of Bob's.

pumpkins, just a little late.

I forgot I never posted these. We carved pumpkins the Monday before Halloween (they were still moldy by that night). SM was really into it.

If you look close, you can see pumpkin on GJ's face. He kept taking bites of the lid.Awesome shot of my armpit (thanks SM) and the caramel apples. We don't get too advanced, but we are happy.

The Saddest Shark

Happy Halloween!Well Annie was right. They put a cast on my baby anyway saying he could have a special kind of fracture. We went to the orthopedist yesterday and they said he needed one and gave me about 30 seconds to take all that in and decide on a color. He has not been too keen on it, but I am hoping he will adjust more everyday, and it is only for 3 weeks, so hopefully we can make it.

He didn't have the best time trick or treating and was not too keen on posing, but oh well.

SM smiling so hard it looks like it hurts.

Ward Fall Fest and Pumpkin Patch

This weekend was a busy one, we had my sister down, so it was fun to hang out with all 3 sisters!

My little monkey!SM the Builder, Can you fix it?

painted face (that lasted like an hour)

Standing up all by myself checking out the turkeys and chickens

mmmm, funnel cake

happy sister, not so happy kids

this is the one, mama

he loved the animals, though they scared him

but who doesn't like a nice sheep (or goat, Shawn)