Remembering Christmas 2009

The decorations are down and put away in the attic and my living room is not nearly as homey and cozy as it was with them up. I always hate when Christmas has to come down. I love the colors and the smells and the lights! Right now I am looking back over the last week and I have to say that this Christmas has been one of my all time favorites. Both of the kids really got into it this year and it was so much fun to watch them enjoy. We were blessed with family around us as Ryan and Emily flew in from California and Papa and Cathy were here for Christmas morning. That night, Cathy's kids and their families joined us at our house for dinner and we all had a great time.

Here is a look at our Christmas this year... in pictures!!


Christmas Eve started out well with Aunt Emily and Ethan making a Christmas Tree to hang the nativity ornaments that Adalyn got at school on. They had a great time and it turned out wonderful. We are keeping this tree to put up each year as it turned out so well! After that we went to the Christmas Eve service at Long Hollow Baptist and enjoyed the praise and worship there. We also carried on the Joki tradition of heading to Opryland to see the decorations. We even ran into Santa there!!
Once we returned home we made our reindeer food and then scattered it on the lawn so that the reindeer had something to eat while Santa left presents under our tree! We also opened our Christmas Eve presents- this year both kids got 2 presents to open- their Christmas pj's and a book about the birth of Jesus. Daddy sat down with the kids to read to them about the birth of our Saviour and to share with them the real reason we celebrate at this time of year. Then it was off to bed with the little ones!!

Christmas morning arrived and the kids were so excited to see what was left under the tree. Papa and Cathy arrived bright and early with breakfast from McD's and we all ate before we tore into our gifts! Ethan received his Nerf Gun from Santa that he forgot to mention when he saw him and Adalyn recieved a baby Elmo complete with paci and blankie from the big red guy. Ethan also got cowboy boots from Grandmas Sandy that he had to put on right away! As soon as he took them off, Adalyn was quick to grab them and take a spin around the living room with them on!!

Christmas was wonderful this year and we are so blessed to have each other and our families around us.

Happy New Year and welcome 2010- we hope this year is as good as the last!!

Christmas Wonderland

Every year we head to Bass Pro Shops to visit Santa Claus. They have the best setting for pictures, a log cabiny feel and the same Santa every year. Each year they have grown their Christmas operation and now it is a Christmas Wonderland!

Here the kids are dressed and ready to go. Notice Adalyn's wonderful smile?


Here are Ethan and Adalyn at the coloring station. It was great until Adalyn starting throwing crayons. The line for Santa was really, really long (free pictures!) so she was already starting to get bored.

Ethan playing with the remote control monster trucks. Poor little guy stood there for a long time waiting for a turn and people cutting in front of him before I told him to just ask for a turn. He needs to learn to be just a tad bit less shy!

Adalyn watching the train go by.

Me and Adalyn about half way to Santa. Can you tell the smile is disappearing? Naptime is quickly approaching at this point.

Even less of a smile...

Really not having it at this point but getting so close to Santa!!

Look we can see him!

We made it!! Adalyn was about to break out crying until Santa handed her a candy cane. Candy works with this girl every time! Ethan was sure to tell Santa his wish list, but forgot to mention he wanted a Nerf Gun. I assured him Santa would read the list he left in his stocking :)

After our visit with Santa we headed to lunch then the grocery store. Daddy bought the kids each a ring pop and then the guy at the bakery gave Adalyn a cookie and Ethan a doughnut- can we say sugar overload????


That cookie is as big as her head!!

Merry Christmas everyone :)

1 Close your eyes...

2 Think of a place...

3 Imagine you are there!

As part of Adalyn's Christmas present we took her to see her favorite character, Elmo, at Sesame Street Live Imagine 1 2 3. She loved it and couldn't tear her eyes from the stage. We had great seats on the floor not far away from the stage. She is still talking about how much fun she had at Elmo- "Elmo, Fun!" can be heard often. What a great experience for her, and for us!!

Zoo outing with Papa and Cathy

About a month ago, the kids got to spend an afternoon with Papa and Cathy at the zoo... without us! They had a great time together and Daddy and I had a nice time going to a movie and having time alone to ourselves as well. Look how much fun they had!

Potty Training

We have been working on potty training with Adalyn. I was really beginning to think that she was ready when any time she was naked (getting ready for a bath or during diaper changes) and she had to go she would cry and say she had to go. She wouldn't just pee so I thought she might be ready. So, one Saturday I decided to let her run around without pants to see how she did, she did great! She told me every time she needed to go and there were no accidents. So I decided to take the next step...

How cute is she in those big girl panties???? So we went and bought some Elmo and Princess panties and tried to let her run around in those. I put her in them and sat her on my bed to explain that she was to let me know when she had to go so we could do on the potty. She then informs me that she peed... on my bed... great start! Let's just say the panties were not a huge success. We will take baby steps and keep trudging on. I think I'll try the nakey thing again to see how that goes.

All that potty training is tiring though and Adalyn and Daddy fell asleep on the couch together. How sweet is that? :)

Drivers start your engines!

Who would have thought at 5 years old Ethan would be interested in racing. No, I don't mean watching a race- I mean actually racing! Eric has been wanting to get him into a quarter midget car since he turned 5 (the minimum age to race) and this week we were finally able to do it. Ethan did great and didn't run into a wall or onto the grass!! Not bad for his first time :) Now all he talks about is doing it again... I think we are in trouble!!

All suited up!

Getting instruction...

Ready to go!

Pushing off...

And away we go!!!

Treat or Treat...

We had such a good time on Halloween. We went to Kristy and Richie's house (Cathy's daughter and son in law) and we trick or treating in their neighborhood. Nick and Ashley, along with Preston and Teigan joined in on the fun as well. We started our evening by having pizza and snacks and then we hit the streets for some great trick 0r treating- the kids made out pretty well!! We ended the evening with hot cocoa to warm up and the straight home to bed. Here is some photographic evidence of our night, enjoy :)

Who could resist cute faces like this????

Aren't they adorable? :)

The first house! Adalyn did great, she wasn't bashful at all and said Trick or Treat and Thank you at each house.

The wagon was essential

Pooped out from all that walking!!

And Adalyn brought us home!