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!

Just another week in Paradise

Two posts in a row, I've pictured Coop's buns....I must think they are cute or something :) Clearly, my children are not malnourished. This is right after his bath...He is so mobile and wiggly now that I can hardly get him dressed before he rolls over and crawls away! Watch out, Coop is on the move!

Carter's "silly face"...he also has a surprise face and an evil eye face. Love this kiddo. He has been making me laugh hysterically lately. Since the thumb left our lives, his speech has improved like you wouldn't believe. He is talking up a storm and SO CLEARLY. I can't get over some of the things he says. He is like a little parrot.

Can I brag on him for a minute? He is such a happy kid. I prayed during my pregnancies that my kids would be happy kids, and I have to say that God clearly answered that prayer. I absolutely love listening to them giggle and laugh. Carter has been so obedient lately!!! Don't get me wrong...he's two...he has his moments and definitely pushes his limits at times, but overall, he is super sweet, and he wants to please. He responds to discipline so well. I am very proud of him! Can you tell? Besides being so good, he is so darn fun! (and handsome, I must say) I think I'll keep him around :)

How could you not love that little stinker?!

All ready for church

Look at my little Coop. I think everytime I write about Coop, I talk about how easy he is. It's because he is SO EASY. Once again, God answered my prayer...he is so happy and content to just sit and play. Look at his four teeth. He is starting to look like a little boy and not a baby :(

Gotta love a whisk for 30 minutes of entertainment.

BB comes EVERY WEEK to love on my babies (and me!). We were in Chick-fil-A last week, and someone told her that she truly has a ministry by coming to help me. I second that with an AMEN! What would we do without our BB? She comes loaded with candy in her purse...Carter goes digging immediately upon her arrival. She hugs and kisses all over the boys, feeds them, plays with them, babysits them so I can run errands, folds my laundry, unloads my dishwasher, brings lots of adult conversation to me :), and so much more! We love you, BB! Thanks for all you do for us.

Side note: I took a meal to a girl in Oxford Sunday who has really been through a lot in her life. She lost a child ten days into his life, and she also had a premature baby who had lots of complications and still has an upcoming surgery. Talking with her was such an encouragement. She has such a strong faith in the midst of her trials. I can't imagine what she's been through, but her joy was what struck me. She was so happy and yet so honest. She wasn't in denial at all. We were talking about trials in life, and she said something that stuck with me. She said that it doesn't matter how big or small your trial may seem; it's big to God. What an encouraging thing to say! My trials are big to God. And so are yours.

Splish Splash

Coop hasn't been able to play in the tub much like most little babies because of his excema, but today I decided to let him splash around for a little while. He loved it. He kept kicking his little fat legs with excitement.

Something so cute about a baby bootie :)

Side note not relating to Coop's bath:

I feel so blessed this Advent season. Christmas is so much fun with kids. Just watching my boys marvel at the Christmas tree this past week has been fun to watch. Carter is always pointing to things around town saying, "LIGHTS!" He also says, "Merry Christmas" and "Happy Birthday, Jesus!" He is into the Christmas season this year for sure.

I know I have said this before on here, but having kids is simply the best. I have felt very overwhelmed lately with trying to balance all my responsibilites, but I wouldn't trade it for the world.

As you know, we have recently weened Carter from the thumb which has been quite stressful trying to get his sleep straightened out. Besides that, I am really trying to be consistent with discipline, keep Coop fed and rested, keep a clean house, keep food in the pantry and on the table...ahhhhh! So much responsibility! I often feel helpless. But I am thankful for the feeling because it has truly brought my dependence on God to a whole new level. Having these two little lives under my care has been the biggest tool of sanctification EVER EVER EVER! God has humbled me and humbled me by showing me everyday that I desperately need His help to do a good job at this whole mom thing. So all that to say, I am thankful lately for my babies and how God has used them to change me into a softer, better person. In the words of Elisabeth Elliot, "I don't want to miss one lesson."

God Bless you this Advent season! Emmanuel has come, He has saved us, and He will come again!

Tis the season

For Christmas clothes and Christmas PJs!!!

All ready for church in his snowman outfit

Dinner in our new Christmas PJs that BB and Pawpaw gave us.

I actually got them together for a picture!

Don't you just want to squeeze him?

Not a Christmas outfit, but one of my favorites....Carter wore this outfit at least 50 times.

And then there is always the no clothes option....very popular at our house before bed time :) Little boys love to run around with no clothes on.

My chunky monkey :)