White Christmas

We had our first White Christmas in over 100 years!  The snow actually kept us from visiting our family in East Tennessee.  My grandmother had about 8 inches of snow at her house on Christmas day...we ended up with about 2.

It looks like powdered sugar...

It was so cold and wet.  They didn't last very long and quickly came in for some warm hot chocolate.

Merry Christmas!

We've had a wonderful year and are looking forward to 2011!

My Dancers

This month I was able to see both girls dance in their classes during Parent Watch week.  Emma is taking ballet and tap and enjoys it so much!

Allie is taking Hip Hop (that's her in the blue and white) and is having a lot of fun in that class, too!  I do not know where she gets this talent from...because it's definitely not from me.

Very First Haircut at 17 months!  Mark made me bring him in because he thought it was too long in the back.  I wasn't ready to cut it. :(  He did really well and loved sitting in the little red fire truck.

Being so patient...

All finished...

He would have sat here all afternoon!

Images of Christmas

We are officially ready for Christmas!  All of the shopping is finished and we are just simply enjoying this time of year with the kids. 

Our tree...I need to start wrapping soon!

New decorations for 2010...Max loves these!

Kitchen table decor...

Visiting with Santa at our neighborhood party...Max was so scared and I didn't want to put him through the torture again.

So sweet!

Flying High

How cool is this?!  Mark's dad and step mom flew into McCollum Airport from Arkansas for a quick visit last weekend.  One of their friends owns this plane and had business to do here and invited them to come along.  We were able to watch them land and get out...with rental cars waiting!  It was the neatest thing!

Waiting patiently for them to arrive...

More patient children...

They're here...

The girls were able to sit in the cockpit.

In front of the terminal where they landed...it was so nice!  This was definitely a fun experience for the kids.  However, there is not enough Dramamine in the world to get me on that plane!  It's all I can do to NOT throw up on a 747!

Priceless

There are no words to describe this picture.  I felt like the worst mother ever for sitting Max on Santa's lap.  He held on to me like a cat with its claws stretched out before I sat him down.  I really wanted a picture with all three of them in it...and this is what I got!  Please note that he is not wearing the cute little green Polo shirt that he had on earlier that day because he spilled water ALL over it...and while it was drying nicely on the top of the stroller, a monsoon fell from the sky and thoroughly drenched it for the night.  Hahaha!  You really can't tell anyway. :)  Never a dull moment with this bunch.

Stone Mountain Christmas

This was a trip that we will not forget!  I put it on my list of things to see and do this Christmas and was thrilled to be able to take the kids there...before we get too busy!  Some of the highlights:  sky bucket, Snow Angel, story time with Mrs. Claus, The Polar Express 3D, rainstorm, drenched stroller, raincoats, musicals, Miss Katie's for dinner, visit with Santa (that will be a later post all by itself), beautiful lights, hot chocolate, train ride at night around the mountain with a special Christmas story...to name a few.

Their first time enjoying the amazing view!

Snapping a quick shot in the lobby on top of the mountain

She couldn't wait to visit with the Snow Angel!

I love making memories with my family!

Thanksgiving

Our family gathered at my aunt and uncle's house for a wonderful Thanksgiving meal.  The food was spectacular (as usual) and I spent the majority of my time chasing Max around and keeping him from destroying everything in the house.

The entrees...yum!  We cooked the beef brisket and macaroni and cheese (Paula Deen's recipe, of course).

The delicious homemade pies...

After the feast entertainment with dinosaurs...

 Emma couldn't wait to get her hands on this!  I'm pretty sure lessons will be in her future.

Little Brother

I couldn't resist snapping this picture!  The girls LOVE to push him around in this pink baby doll stroller...and he lets them!  He is never ever going to be able to get away with anything!  His big sisters keep tabs on his EVERY move.

Almost 17 months old!

Little Pilgrim

 

 Had a fun Thanksgiving lunch with my little Pilgrim at Preschool this week.  She has so much fun in this class!

Playing "Pin the Tail on the Turkey"

Imagine It!

 

Our family enjoyed visiting Imagine It! The Children's Museum last weekend.  Emma is already talking about going back!  Here's a synopsis in pictures:

East Tennessee

I'm really looking forward to going here for Christmas.  This is where my mom's side of the family lives in East Tennessee.  The 100+ year old white house on the left is where my great grandparents lived.  My great aunt lives there now.  I can smell the wood burning stove as I type this.  My mom grew up in a home just to the left of this picture.  The house straight ahead belongs to my mom's cousin.  I've been visiting this beautiful place ever since I was a baby and look forward to it every year.  It is truly a peaceful place.

Cheese!

I love when he smiles for the camera now!  He is growing like a weed and weighs almost 28 lbs!  I can hardly keep up with him.  He can usually be found standing on EVERY piece of furniture in my house.  I am so not used to this...the girls were much more reserved!  He loves to tell me "stop" and "no".

Halloween

Candy Corn Witch, Charlie Brown, and My Little Pony had a fabulous time trick or treating last night!  We had our families over for some fun Halloween snacks:  English muffin pizza mummies, hot dog mummies, Halloween themed cupcakes, and lots of candy.  

Getting ready to head to the party down the street...

They both had to have THESE costumes!

He was more interested in the leaf!

The goodies...

The drinks...

Allie's closest friends...