Big Christmas

We had a really great Christmas. We spent it here in Oxford with my family and then traveled the day after to Alabama to visit Joel's family. Here are a few highlights from all our fun.

Coop getting under the tree to find an early present.

Looking guilty

Carter's new favorite game

They got to open a Christmas Eve "Eve" present :)

We started a new tradition this year. We went to Bottletree Bakery for breakfast. It's a great way to start the Christmas festivities....sugar and caffeine. Carter loved his chocolate milk.

Coop ate his normal baby food with a smile.

A smooch for Mama

My Cookey

They opened their presents from BB and Pawpaw on Christmas Eve. They are two spoiled little grandsons. They got so many fun toys and books from their BB and Pawpaw.

Coop woke up from his nap to a pile of presents just for him.

Pawpaw helping Carter. These two had a blast together running around the house laughing and trying to scare one another. Let's just say they played so hard that they both slept that night.

Trying to figure it all out

Deep concentration

Family pic

They woke up Christmas morning to a big green tractor (Carter had been asking for one for months! He couldn't wait for Santa to bring him one.), a play cube, and a guitar.

Carter feeling very cool. He seemed a little hesitant on Christmas Day, but today he was riding it like he'd had it for weeks. He is a pro already :)

They had such a fun Christmas Eve and Christmas morning. They have plenty to play with for the next several months!

The best part of Christmas morning was waking up to an unexpected white Christmas!

It was beautiful.

After we had a monkey bread breakfast, we headed to Hernando. Here are Carter, Elizabeth, and Anne Mitchell digging into a present.

BB and Mills

Mills and me...these were Carter's first Christmas PJs.

PawPaw and Joel

Reid, our brother-in-law, has a great set of drums at his house. He played them for Carter, and Carter was loving it.

The Cavnar's cat is the sweetest cat ever. It tolerated Carter picking it up and dragging it around the whole time we were there. He had so much fun playing with a cat that didn't run from him.

Anna Kate and Carter

Coop and Julie...Julie hadn't showered yet that morning, so I cut her head off in the picture upon her request :)

Caroline's self portrait

Coop pulling up just a few minutes ago! He is nine months now.....too old!!!

The only downer about the Christmas holidays was that Joel, Carter and I all got the stomach bug at the Cavnar's house. AWFUL!!! Then we passed it on to Caroline and Andrew. We felt terrible for bringing the bug to them! But even in the midst of sickness, we had a pretty good visit. Wish they lived closer!

Such a great Christmas...looking forward to a great New Year!

Around the House

It's been cold lately, so we've been inside a lot. Not near as fun as being outside, but we've made the most of it. Here are some fun pictures from all our indoor fun :)

Isn't Coop festive in his Rudolph outfit? The scratches on his forehead are from trying to scratch his excema in his scalp while he sleeps :(

Such a sweet picture. Carter loves his DaDa.

Little Santa 

Carter trying to decide which book to read. Let's just say that if he's illiterate one day, it won't be for lack of resources.

Happy Boy

This picture makes me laugh.

Coop makes this face ALL THE TIME lately. I love it! He scrunches up his nose....I think it's hilarious.

Here it is again.

Up on all fours!

Feeding himself....so big.

Typical Carter. Eating popcorn, drinking milk, and making a silly face.

Very Energetic

This little guy is FULL of energy. So much so that he doesn't even need a nap anymore!!! He usually wakes up about 7:00ish and goes down for the night between 6:30 and 7:00pm. If he sleeps at all during the day, he can't fall asleep until 9:00 or later. Crazy! He is just growing up on me. Most kids don't drop their naps until 3 years old....not my little energetic kiddo :) He is perfectly happy without one at twenty seven months. I still make him have "rest time" just so I have a break. I have to admit that I like it because I have BOTH of my kids in bed by 7:00!!!! What a lovely thing!

Matching PJs

Joel came to visit Carter at his preschool Christmas party. Carter's class was supposed to sing "We wish you a Merry Christmas" on stage, but only about half the kids would get up there....Carter would not :) Are you surprised? (nor would he wear his santa hat his teachers gave him....oh well.)

Carter worked very hard yesterday afternoon lining all his cars, airplanes, helicopters, etc.. up in a row. He was extremely proud of himself after getting them all lined up. It's the simple things that entertain them.

Admiring his work

Carter LOVES waking Coop up from his naps. When I say it's time to get Coop up, he darts up the stairs laughing with excitement, barrels through the door, and dives into the crib. Poor Coop....he is such a trooper. Can you imagine being woke up by an abusive two year old and not even having the ability to escape?! Ha! It makes me smile because Carter is so excited to see him. They roll around and laugh until Coop has had enough, and that's when I come to the rescue. Sweet memories for a mommy.

Tried to get a pic of Coop's four big teeth...only got two :) He is getting two more right now, and he is not happy about it!