The two greatest kids ever...

I know I may be a little prejudice, but I truly think I have two of the most beautiful kids (both inside and out). They both have such great personalities and so different, but I love them both so much, as does Michael, that sometimes, all I want to do is kiss them to pieces and already it seems they are growing up way to fast. I love you both, Lydia and Eli!

Christmas more!

A White Christmas! All Lydia could talk about was making a snow angel, and reindeer, and snow man... we did the first only before there was complaining of how cold it was.

Our tree on Christmas morning
Lydia and Eli with their Raggady Ann and Andy dolls from Granny (My granny)
Lydia and Eli with their train table.
Eli... still blurry eyed on Christmas morning... he bee lined for the Truck Nana (my mom) sent him.
Lydia on Christmas Morning
Gotcha! I can never get a picture of Little Mamaw smiling... I got you now though!!! LOL
Eli with his scooter

MANY Christmas parties!

Lydia and Eli opening their new Scooters from Papaw Mike and Mamaw Barbara
4 Generations, Eli, Michael, Papaw Mike, and Papaw John
Me and Eli, Lydia wouldn't sit still long enough for her picture
Eli and Daddy!
The Kiddos!
Eli Showing off his puppy sweater (He is puppy obsessed!)
Lydia was in mid-dance ... so cute!
Eli trying out the new horse from Grammy (Michael's mom)
Lydia and Grammy making dinner (Lydia looks guilty... I think it was right after her "spoon full of sugar... to make the medicine go down.. she is a recent fan of Mary Poppins!)
Lydia trying out the pony and giving her new friend a ride.

Lets just say, we had about 6 Christmas celebrations and I'm sure the kids are confused as to why Santa spreads out the Holiday cheer to so many days ;). However, that just means I have tons of pictures to share!

We made the conversion... finally

I think we have done a good job in our little monkey boy. He starting climbing out almost a year ago and we have been able to reign him in and keep him in his bed... we no more! Using a sheet over his crib worked great for a long time, until he destroyed all my extra sheets by using them as hammocks. Then I just stopped using sheets (mainly because I didn't have any more to waste on his "hammock"). He seemed to have "forgotten" how he could get out of bed on his own, but like all good things, that came to an end when he remembered what a good climber he was. So, long story short, after finding him like this (picture below) last night, I made the big leap and converted his bed to a toddler bed. He seems very pleased with his "new" bed and I will feel better knowing that he can at least get back in his bed after reading books and whatever else he does when he should be sleeping. Just another reminder that my babies are growing up.

First snow fall of the year!

What a perfect holiday weekend that wouldn't be complete without SNOW! Lydia wouldn't sit still for a picture, she was determined to catch a snowflake on her tongue. Eli, of course, wasn't that excited. He was mad about having to wear a hat and gloves, plus it was cold, all things Eli does not like.

This is Eli giving me "attitude"... so stinking cute!

Finally!

I can't even tell you how many trips we have made to the mall and look at Santa from afar. We are probably pretty good contenders to qualify as "stalkers" since all we do is watch him. However, on our trip to "Holiday on the Square" we finally did it! We visited Santa, then went for a horse drawn carriage ride, then went back to Santa. I took Eli right up and plopped him on his lap (yes, I know I probably traumatized him), but after a quick little cry, and having Lydia join him on Santa's lap, the kids actually got their picture taken. I took this picture while Lydia was busy filling Santa in on what she wants for Christmas... which just so happens to be something that doesn't exist. Santa was great too! For some reason our "Mall Santa" is a bit creepy and never encourages or even talks to the kids, but this Santa was so great. I almost wanted a turn, my list is quite long and I'm sure Santa could have helped me.

Knoxville Christmas Parade!

Initially I really wanted to go to a parade in Chattanooga, but they canceled the "big one" due to lack of sponsors. So, since Michael was gone to his military drill, we packed up and headed to Knoxville for the weekend and had lots of "holiday" stuff to do. On Friday we went o the Christmas parade, which the kids LOVED. Eli ate during the whole parade and though the parade had his undivided attention, he didn't really perk up until he saw some dogs walk by. Lydia of course was shouting "Merry Christmas" every 5 seconds to anyone that would listen and waving like a true beauty pageant winner. When I asked Lydia what her favorites part were they were "the scary guy" (AKA the Grinch.. which I agree he was scary), the fighting guys (think WWE wrestlers), and "The frog" (a mascot). Not really what I thought she would say, but ... I don't really know how to take it. If I were to ask Eli, I'm sure the answer would be the food, the food, and the doggies. Any way, below are some of the highlights of the parade.Lydia at the parade

The Beauty Pageant Wave

The "Scary guy" and he really was, he moved weird!

I know I'll get in trouble for posting this one, but I only got one of the group!

Eli and I!

This one is for Michael... it was very cool!