Visit with Santa

Santa sent a special invitation to Connor and Kaylee to come see him at daddy's office. Connor was very excited and eager to sit in Santa's lap. Kaylee, however, was not too sure about Santa. He was great to her from a distance but she just stared in fear/amazement when she got closer. Santa even read them some stories and gave each child a personalized ornament! What a great day Santa and his "helpers" from daddy's work provided.

Christmas Gathering

Every Christmas we get together with our friends and their families to celebrate the season. The kids draw names and exchange gifts and the adults swap cookies/desserts. We have a blast every year and as you can see we are all very blessed with our beautiful children.

Cutting Down the Tree

We started a tradition in our family last year of going and cutting down our own tree at a farm. Connor helped search for a tree and Kaylee enjoyed the wagon ride. The farm also has a hayride the kids love too! Connor was a great help to Daddy this year in sawing down the tree - what a strong boy!!!

WARNING: PLEASE DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME

I have often wondered how some of our house or at least our furniture is still intact with having such a creative, experimental child like Connor around. I thought I would just share this short video of his experiment today. Yes, I did have a feeling of what he was doing when I came around the corner so I grabbed the camera. Needless to say however, I did not think the chair experiment was going to move quite as fast as it did. It was all I could do to not burst out laughing after I told him he was never to try this again!

Ride em' cowboy!!

This is Connor riding the mechanical bull at the fall festival at Granddaddy's golf course. He was trying so hard not to fall off. Kaylee also rode the bull (or horsey) as she called it. The bull was much calmer with her on it!! They had a great time playing all the games and eating all the treats! Thanks Granddaddy for taking us all!!

Halloween Party

Last week our playgroup got together for a Halloween party. The kids enjoyed cookies, cupcakes and fun with their friends. Kaylee loves wearing her clown costume. Here are a few pictures from that day.

Crazy Kids

I just had to share these pics. Connor and Kaylee decided they were going to try to avoid going to bed by making mommy laugh at the two of them playing in the clothes basket. The two of them can be quite humorous together! The pictures of Andy and Connor need no explaining - they are just goofs!

God's Great Promise

These pictures do not even begin to the describe the rainbow that we saw from our deck last week. We have been studying Genesis in my bible study and we're talking the very same week about God's promise to his people and his sign of a rainbow. What a wonderful reminder of His faithfulness to us!!!

Pumpkin Patch

We went to the Pumpkin Patch with some friends and had a great time. Connor was all about picking a pumpkin and Kaylee enjoyed the cow train. Connor can't wait until we can cut the pumpkin so he and Daddy can roast the pumpkin seeds!

Fun Facts

Well, my friend Kelli gave my girlfriends and I an assignment to write 100 Facts about ourself and to post it on the blog to share with anyone interested. So here goes:

1. I know my Father in heaven is in control.
2. He has blessed me with a wonderful husband and 2 precious children.
3. My husband's humor still makes me laugh.
4. My children have the most contagious laugh I've ever heard.
5. I'm amazed at Connor's memory of everything.
6. I'm a huge Daddy's girl.
7. I like to play the piano though I haven't played much the past few years.
8. I was Vice President of my high school class.
9. I like to send people birthday cards on their special day.
10. I graduated from Valdosta State University.
11. I have a major in Criminal Justice and a minor in Sociology.
12. I would love to be in the FBI.
13. I have been hit by and had stitches from a golf club and golf ball.
14. I am competitive.
15. I love shopping for that special gift for others.
16. I love to play sports.
17. Basketball is my favorite.
18. I like to wear jeans, t-shirt, & tennis shoes - Be Comfortable!
19. My favorite verse is Jeremiah 29:11.
20. I enjoy serving in CBS.
21. I love the ladies who have encouraged and challenged me there.
22. The Little House on the Prairie is my all-time favorite show.
23. I have actually been to the real Little House homestead and sites.
24. I like to go on zip-lines.
25. Fall is my favorite season.
26. I love having my family over for Christmas.
27. My favorite color is green.
28. I have to wear a watch.
29. Because I don't like to be late.
30. I played intramural basketball and flag football in college.
31. I don't like to make decisions on what restaurant to go to eat.
32. I sing in the choir.
33. I love sweet tea.
34. I graduated #4 in my class.
35. I must have lost a few brain cells since then.
36. I sweat easily.
37. I have been in jail.
38. Because I worked as a probation officer of course.
39. I like gingham and polka dots.
40. I have travelled to Scotland.
41. I've been to some of the golf courses where they play the British Open.
42. Snakes freak me out!
43. I've worn contacts since the 6th grade.
44. I love fried okra and homemade mashed potatoes.
45. Casseroles are great!
46. I like to watch my husband play tennis.
47. I love my kids' nose kisses.
48. I don't like spicy food.
49. I wish someone would invent a cure for mouth ulcers.
50. I have never been skiing - I'm sure I would be called "out of control" too!
51. I love a good mystery.
52. I like homemade hot chocolate in the winter.
53. Santa leaves unwrapped gifts at our house.
54. I love going to cut down Christmas trees with my family.
55. I'm thankful for a strong Christian family.
56. I pray that I can raise my kids half as well as my parents did me.
57. I have great in-laws.
58. Everyone in my family owns a Honda.
59. I like fried bologna and cheese sandwiches - brings back childhood memories!
60. I like to play ping-pong.
61. But I'm horrible at pool.
62. I like to lay in bed and listen to the rain.
63. I am stubborn.
64. I love my brothers and sister.
65. I like to go see plays.
66. I don't eat breakfast much.
67. Motherhood has caused me to be more patient.
68. I won a tricycle race when I was little.
69. I love surprises.
70. I honeymooned in Jamaica.
71. I like to have free-throw contests, especially against Andy.
72. I've been known to be a "little" sarcastic.
73. I love the chunky thighs my babies had.
74. Lily is my favorite flower.
75. I don't really care to have a pet.
76. I like to write captions in our picture albums.
77. I'm hot-natured.
78. Integrity is very important to me.
79. I once got a peanut stuck in my ear.
80. I like scented candles
81. But not as much as my husband.
82. I prefer not to wear shoes.
83. I freckle easily.
84. I am very proud of my husband.
85. I like to rock with Kaylee.
86. And cuddle with Connor.
87. I like brain-teasers.
88. I pray my children will come to know Jesus at an early age like I did.
89. I am a better listener than a speaker.
90. I like Coke Icees.
91. I don't have a green thumb.
92. I usually have gum in my purse.
93. I love candy corn.
94. I eat it one color section at a time.
95. I cry easily.
96. My birthstone is a sapphire.
97. I had a curly haircut like Annie.
98. I like to travel with my husband.
99. I like to go to Myrtle Beach with family.
100. My assignment is finally completed - Whew!!!

The Fair

This was just too cute not to share. Kaylee trying to be big like her brother and wear his helmet.

The crew headed out to the fair on Saturday. We all had a great time, especially Connor. Kaylee, however was not too thrilled with the ferris wheel. She did love the merry-go-round or as she calls it "the horseys".

Baseball Game

Well, Connor had his 1st baseball game last night. He was excited to put on his uniform and finally play a game. He said he was tired of just practicing, and of course I reminded him that in order to learn and get better at anything you have to practice (I wonder where I learned that from?? - oh say many hours of practicing the piano or left-handed lay-ups). Anyway, he had fun and they even won the game too. I was actually surprised at how close the score was seeing that the majority of the other teams' players could catch and make contact with the pitched ball!! A little of my competitive nature did arise, but I managed to keep it to myself. I do have to say I too was excited when they won - 18 to 17.

Fun Times

Andy decided he wanted to surprise the kids with homemade smiley face pancakes for supper. For those of you wondering, I made the pancakes and Andy decorated them. The kids loved it. The look on Connor's face was great! What a great Daddy!!!

Connor and Kaylee found a new hiding place. Kaylee thought her brother was the most hilarious person ever when he would try to scare Mommy who of course was sitting with great anticipation of them coming out time after time again!!

Does anyone need their driveway mowed? Undoubtedly ours has gotten too high because Kaylee mowed this same section over and over again!

Bye Bye Baby Tooth

Another 1st has taken place in our household. Connor lost his first tooth last Thursday. Let me just remind you this is the child that despises going to the dentist - it takes me, a dental assistant, and the dentist to get Connor's check-up and he screams the whole time. So, imagine the fun Andy and I had just getting Connor to open his mouth where we could even touch that tiny tooth. Connor was so excited when the tooth came out that he said he was ready to go to bed so the tooth fairy would come! If only bedtime were that easy every night!

A few pics from the week

This week has been busy with school, baseball practice, leadership training, and more. I thought I would share a few cute pictures from the week. Connor decided to use our plastic cups to practice his stacking and arithmetic - sometimes he amazes me at the things he thinks of to do. Sometimes I'm not sure why we ever buy him toys - just give him cups, a wig, and something to jump or leap on and he's good!! These two keep us busy but oh how so often I am reminded of how blessed we are to have 2 healthy, beautiful children!

Kaylee's 2nd Birthday Party

Kaylee had her 2nd birthday party at the park on Saturday. She had a great time with family and friends. She really loved her party hat cake her Aunt Lucy made. She later said, "Cake, yummy!!" Thank you to all who came and for celebrating with us on Kaylee's special day. The pictures are from the party and also of Kaylee with her new tickle me Elmo and of course, her backpack that she is attached to. She apparently thought she was going to school like Connor.