Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

I haven't blogged in a while, and truthfully?...it's because something's gotta give at this time of year. We have been doing so many really fun things since I last blogged, and I would love to get on here and document them, but I haven't. We had Thanksgiving and Christmas festivities with lots of picutres...The boys are doing and saying such precious things, but they are also 3 and 1...bottom line... 

I. have. no. extra. time. 

 I wanted to get on here and post this last post - probably for the year...maybe for a long time... Maybe the holidays are making me all sentimental, or maybe just overwhelmed...or a little of both, but I'm thinking about buying some journals and shutting down the blog. I am trying to simplify in the hustle and bustle - trying to notice things that are unneccesary... I can just jot down their stats and the cute things they say in a journal (much faster than blogging)... and {BAM} it's already there for them to have in the future... Old school, but simplified.... sounds nice (and, let's face it...you could all keep up with me from facebook/instagram/etc...!). The truth is that my blog just makes me feel a little behind all the time, and I don't like that feeling. I also never do anything with the posts... I have also thought about putting the effort I used to give to blogging into a yearly photo book and update it (like a blog) but then have it printed at the end of the year...I think that would be a better use of my "computer efforts..." 

Ok, I didn't mean to make this into "Late night thoughts from Carrie on blogging and time..." - all that to say - I'll be back later (probably next year) to let you know my decision on all of this...so here you go,

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, from my family to yours!!!

Christmas in March!!!

That's right, I'm posting about Christmas - because I haven't done it yet (other than a few things in Miles's 8 Month Post). I told you "Merry Christmas" in this post and that I would post more in January....scratch that....make that MARCH!!! I am an embarrassment to blogging... This is probably when I should ignore that I haven't covered it and move on, but in the name of "memory preservation," I would like to have this post in writing!

So put on your Santa hats and ring those jingle bells - think Christmas with me for a moment :) We had a wonderful Christmas. We had fun introducing Miles to all our traditions during his very first Christmas season! 

Santa "Taus" sat on Carter's lap a lot and asked him what he wanted for Christmas. His reply was almost always cookies or pizza! We tried to make ate a fruit loop chain for our playroom tree...you can see what Carter's plans were for those fruit loops. We enjoyed a cookie decorating party at a friend's house - Carter had the same plans for those cookies! He may just be my little sugar plum fairy toddler.

We made salt dough ornaments to preserve those precious handprints! This did not go as smoothly as the pictures make it seem I can assure you :)

Every year, we go to a tree farm and cut our tree. Carter really enjoyed looking at the trees, riding the "train," and getting to ride the pony. What a treat each year!

Miles was napping when we decorated the tree, but he got to hang his first Christmas ornament, and he loved laying under the tree watching the ornaments and lights! 

These are/may become some Christmas traditions... We open a St. Nick present to the family (something we will all enjoy together) on the day that we decorate our tree. This year, the boys got a Little People Manger Scene that they could play with. We also went to the Christmas parade with friends, and we got to go see Carter's Christmas play at school. He did fairly well considering he is 2 :)

We went to Santa's Village with Kevin's Parents. The boys did FANTASTIC with Santa, and we had a really good time! 

Carter LOVED the characters that walked around greeting people. He wanted to Hug and "Tiss" all of them...not sure if this made them uncomfortable - their faces were masked :) We thought it was adorable...we also need to teach him not to "tiss" strangers :)

On Christmas Eve, we ate (what else?) - Homemade PIZZA! I couldn't resist....it's what Carter asked Santa for ALL season :) The boys woke up on Christmas morning, and enjoyed their gifts from Santa, then we opened the wrapped presents. We love being at home on Christmas morning!

A few favorites: Miles loved having a "botdee" of his own, and he got really excited about his lady bug toy. Carter got some big boy undies (we still have not potty trained though) and a motorcycle! 

Christmas Day afternoon, we headed down to Auburn to spend time with family for a week! We enjoyed visiting and exchanging gifts with my sisters, brother-in-law and parents in Waverly! My bro-in-law was about to deploy, so we soaked up time with him. 

Then we headed to Nana and Papa J's where we spent time with Kevin's family and the cousins!!! This year, we all bundled up and went to Calloway Gardens for the lights. I love doing this. Kevin and I always went to see these when we were dating. Such a fun place :) We danced and played with cousins, opened up presents, and Kevin's brother and his wife announced that their new baby due in May was a BOY! What a fun announcement - a little boy cousin. 

We had a fantastic Christmas. This post is long overdue, but for those of you who got all the way through it - it's now over! You can go back to being ready for Spring :) 

Merry Christmas!

I really have no idea if I'll have any time to post many stories or pictures during this Christmas season - it's pretty full. I need to post Miles's 7th month post - yes, he's 7 months already, but I'm not sure when I'll be getting to that. All of that to say, I wanted to blog and tell all of you who read this blog that I hope you have a very Merry Christmas!!! May God's gift of salvation through the life, death and resurrection of his precious baby boy, Jesus bring you true joy throughout this season and into the new year! 

Also, a little spoiler picture from Santa's village, and the FIRST picture we've ever been able to get of Carter and Santa together! I'm not sure Carter knows exactly who Santa is...I think he thinks he's the clown from Jesus's birthday party, and he asked him for...cookies :) I love 2 year olds! I'll post more when I have time (it might be January)! 

Christmas Came

We had a wonderful Christmas...all over the state of Alabama :-) We started out celebrating the season with our Sunday School Class. So fun to see all the kiddos starting to really play together at our socials! Also fun to get to spend time with the babies :-)

Next, we headed to Wedowee, AL where we celebrated Christmas with Kevin's extended family. We started out at Mawmaw & Pawpaw's (AKA: the Farm).

Dustin donned his Christmas Sweater t-shirt :-)

Carter got some snuggle time with Nana.

We opened lots of presents - Carter was totally spoiled by everyone involved!

This is the BEST picture I got of his Christmas outfit that I made for him.

He got a Stuffed Santa - he likes this Santa MUCH more than the real thing :-)

Peek-a-boo, Papa J!

Next we headed over to Gran & DaddyBob's (AKA: the Lake). Carter was the only Grandchild there, so the spoiling continued (who could resist?)

Playing with Daddy.

Carter is drawn to piles of presents - what can I say - who isn't?

Playing with DaddyBob.

After our wonderful weekend in Wedowee, we headed back to Huntsville. My sweet mother-in-law has been giving me Christmas dishes since we got married (for every birthday/Christmas). This Christmas, I got my 12th place setting - a complete set - woohoo!!! Soooo, I thought I'd have a 12 person dinner party. We had 5 other couples over, and had a fantastic evening with our "Huntsville Family." I cooked ham, green bean casserole, maccaroni & cheese, corn casserole, rolls, and apple pie - everything was yummy!!! Here was my table...

So pretty, thanks, Mrs. Claire!

For those wondering: the plates are scooted up so no little hands pulled them off the table!

We didn't forget about the kiddos...they had their table too!

Note: This didn't last long...

They were done and back to playing/watching cartoons in about 5 minutes flat :-)

At least they are now able to occupy each other while we eat and visit!

Over the next few days, we had fun dancing to Christmas music and checking out presents under the tree. Sorry about the non-quality of these photos - they were too cute not to share!

Pharaoh, Pharaoh?

Next, we headed down to Auburn, AL to celebrate Christmas there with our immediate families. We have never been away from home on Christmas Eve/Christmas Day, but we decided to be in Auburn this year. It was a special time with both families, and we got to spend more time than usual with both sides - a Christmas present in itself. We started at Kevin's parents' house.

Carter and his cousins are all old enough to play together now, and they have a BLAST!

Every doll house needs a boy's touch :-)

We opened gifts.

This one was a hit...

Yee-Haw!!!

Every time Carter rides his horsey, he says "NAY NAY" in his most Southern voice - melts my heart. :-)

The girls got their rides in too!

It was pretty warm, so the boys played outside.

Here are some shots Nana took, and I doctored up. They are precious!

Next we headed over to my family's home in Waverly, AL. We donned our animal hats from long, long, ago and loaded up in the back of the truck, of course, and headed over to the Tinsley's Christmas Light Extravaganza. It is in the MIDDLE. OF. NOWHERE. However, it is a Christmas Family Tradition, and it is spectacular :-)

(Note - for those of you who want to call child services: Carter rode in his carseat until we got there...)

Carter passed out Grandmama's peppermints to everyone - over and over and over again. This was literally all he wanted to do.

On Christmas morning, we opened presents. Yet again - there was no shortage of spoiling C-man. He caught on to the whole unwrapping presents this year.

Santa brought him a John Deere lawn mower.

Grandmama & Granddaddy gave him a Tonka Dump Truck - just what every little boy needs.

Again, it was warm enough for the boys to get some outside time - Waverly-Style :-)

It was a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS!