Stomach Bug

Well...at least it waited until after Christmas.

I went to the Y last night, ran for the 2nd time since I started exercising again.

But that good feeling didn't last long.

7pm- it hit. 

The Panda Flu.

{That's what we named it in our house- aka stomach bug- aka death}

12 SOLID hours of HELL on earth.

It was awful.

But, thank goodness for a warmer than normal day.

After some expired phenergan, a big nap and lunch {thanks mom} I turned the corner back to living.

I opened the windows.

I washed the sheets.

Cleaned the bathrooms.

Lysoled EVERYTHING.

Washed all the clothes.

And thankfully my boys seem to be safe from the bug.  

Again, thankful that it came on a random day.

I wouldn't wish that on ANYONE! 

Glad to be back among the living.

Christmas Day

Well...Santa came!

He ate his cookies and left lots of goodies!

It truly is magical to experience Christmas through a childs eyes.

The wonder and excitement as he rounded the corner to see all the gifts around the tree was tear inducing.

Absolutely pricess to see that little face!

I'm so glad we got it all on video!

He rode his 4 wheeler up and down the hall way.

It's a little tricky to push the button and steer but he's a quick learner. 

The tent was a big hit!

The 4 Wheeler was hidden under the tent for an extra surprise!

He got his first pair of cowboy boots.

He's wanted his own watch for some time now.

Anytime we bring up Santa, he says 'ho ho watch'

So, watch it was.

However, once on it was 'too tight' and wanted to take it off.

We had so much fun opening all our presents together.

I didn't know it could get much better, but having a child makes it so much better. 

After our Christmas together at home, we went to Honey & Bob's

Tradition here is sausage pinwheels.  Everyone's favorite!

Easton got his first fishing pole from Uncle Matt.

They'll have a big time with that this summer.

Honey  &Bob got Easton a ball pit with 1492 balls!

Lucky me.
I'll be fishing out balls from under the couch from here to eternity!

The important thing is, it's FUN!  And Easton loves it!

Next we went to GG & Ronnie's house!

Easton got his very first Radio Flyer Tricycle!

His little feet can almost reach the pedals.

Come Spring time I'm sure this will get lots of miles up and down the driveway!

The girls all got new Dooney's!
HOORAY!!!!!!!!

And...that picture on the right, that's my FAVORITE picture from Christmas!

We got mom this wonderfull canvas and it's amazing. 

This picture was taken on Ali's 18th Birthday with an iPhone. 

Amazing photo.  Amazing quality. 

If you're in the market for a canvas, go here! 

We had to catch a little cat nap in the car for good measure.

Hold on to the important things in life.  Right.

Last stop for the day is Granmomma's.

Easton got his first stick horse from Dude, Kathy Paige & Bret.

It took some getting used too, but he likes the little horse.

Monday, we headed to Papa's house for breakfast and gifts!

My dad made homeade biscuits that practically melted in your mouth.

DELISH!

By this time we were all completely pooped and just wanted to lay around!

Thus, the lack of pictures!

Time with family is always my favorite part of Christmas.

The to and from is a little tiring, but it's part of it.

I wish Chrismas was a week long so we could get ample time with each family, but we make the most of what we have with each one.

This year was so much fun with Easton and trying to teach him the real meaning of Christmas.

I'm hoping next year will be the year it sinks in.

I kept telling him Christmas is Jesus's Birthday.

He'd want to sing Happy Birthday.

Instead of adding in Jesus, he'd say Honey, because we'd practiced singing for Honey's birthday a few weeks ago.

So, I tried...but he still didn't quite get it.

Next year, we'll read the story of Jesus birth and learn about our nativity scene a little more.

I want him to know the true meaning behind Christmas. 

Not just gifts and Santa.  But the true gift, of Jesus. 

That is the real reason to celebrate!

Another reason to celebrate- we were ALL healthy!!!!

Praise the Lord!

2nd Christmas is one for the books!

Christmas Eve

I'm going to break up our Christmas into days.  We have so many places to visit, I want to make sure I can cover each one, as each are so special to us in their own different ways.

Up first, Christmas Eve.

Nanas.  My dad's mom.

We always go to her Christmas Eve service at her church.  She plays the piano, has for years.  It's a quick 30 minute service in a church that's over 200 years old. Wood pews, wood floors, low lighting, small, cozy.  I love it.  To me, this is the start of Christmas.  I think I've only missed once in 29 years.  It's pretty important to me.

After church we head to Nana's for dinner and presents.  It's fun to have more children now.  Mine included. Littlest cousin wasn't there, but we still had a great time.

Papa, Easton, Aunt Sharon 

Granddaddy Baker

Grandmother (Great), Easton & Ali

Looks like he's quite fond of his Nana too...like his mommy

Opening first present!  

Brooke (Cousin)  Ansley, Trace & Jackson

The 3 men of my life

Ms. Haney, Grandmother, Nana

Bill, Sharon & Victor, Nana, David & Gena, Papa

Bill, Sharon, Nana, David, Papa, Ali
Brooke, Victor, Gena, Andrew, yours truly

On the way home, we carried on one of my fondest memories.  We searched for Rudolph up in the sky.  And...believe it or not folks, we spotted him....Looked to be in Memphis or thereabouts.  

We hurried home so we could...

Sample some of the yummy icing from our cookies...ahem...set out cookies for Santa.

And read 'Twas the night before Christmas'

My mom read this book to me every Christmas.

Multiple times.

We read it twice tonight.

Little boy wanted 'more'.

I was happy to do it.

Thanks Honey for our pj's!!!!!!

I love having the same book that my mom read to me.

It's tattered and worn but that makes it all the more special.

I got a little misty eyed reading it thinking back on all those Christmas Eve's she read it to me.

Me, misty eyed.  Say it ain't so.  

My child is all nestled all snug in his bed, 

While visions of sugarplums dance in our heads.

I'm still a bit giddy thinking about the Jolly ole man with the smoke that encircled his head like a wreath and his belly that shook like a bowl full of jelly.

Ahhhh, I love Christmas.

And traditions...how 'bout those Christmas Tradition Apples???

Here's to going to bed...and quick!

Happy Christmas to all...and to all a good night.

Christmas Cookies

Our first attempt at sugar cookies together went pretty well.

Once I got over the huge mess that was in my recently cleaned kitchen.

We delivered some of our finished product to our neighbors and are snacking on the rest.

They were DELISH!

Not the prettiest cookies in the history, but they were tasty!

Opryland Hotel

Time is inching away.

Fast.

Christmas will be here before we know it.

Tonight we went to see all the pretty lights at Opryland Hotel.

To think it was underwater 18 months ago is amazing.

Boys took a little snack break.

Christie Cookie & Gelato

We walked through the 3 big conservatories/atrium's.

Easton had a wonderful time.

We didn't take the stroller. 

He discovered his love for running tonight.

He'd see a long open stretch of sidewalk or bridge and he'd turn and say 'run'

We'd give him the ok and off he went.

So much fun.

It's truly not Christmas until you go to Opryland Hotel...

and bake Sugar Cookies.

We're attempting those tomorrow!

Merry Merry!

Coloring Fun

I thought I'd get a little wrapping done.

Seeing as every present is in the front bed room, and it's a short 5 days before Christmas.

Someone had a better idea.

Insert crayons and wrapping paper.

Looks like my boys shaping up to be a lefty.

I couldn't be more thrilled!

Cause THAT... THAT, he got from his momma!