Thursday, December 30, 2010

Jingle Bells

Summer loves to dance to the song Jingle Bells. According to Summer no dance is complete without a spin. I turned on the music on the computer and grabbed my camera. She spun as fast as she could then flopped on the floor. Too cute.

Wednesday, December 29, 2010

My Christmas Angels

These two little ones have brought me nothing but happiness this past year. I think they had a very Merry Christmas. They were given matching Christmas pajamas this year. If that's not cute I don't know what is.

Christmas Morning





We had a really fun Christmas Day. I am still sorting through all of our photos. The first picture was taken right as David and I were heading upstairs to bed.  It was way past midnight Christmas morning. Summer came running into our room in the morning yelling, "It's Christmas, it's Christmas!" Forrest was no where in sight. We tiptoed into his room and Summer was so sweet waiting for him to open his eyes. The minute we said "It's Christmas!" He jumped out of his bed in less than a second. We made them wait at the top of the stairs for the traditional Christmas picture. They then ran downstairs and headed straight for their toys. Summer wanted the "Just Like Me" American Girl doll and Forrest wanted Madge the truck (from Thomas the Train) and the talking Woody doll from Toy Story 3. I think the morning was a success. It was so much fun to watch their excitement.

Monday, December 27, 2010

A Miracle

Here are Summer and Forrest standing by the window watching the snowflakes on the day after Christmas.
A Christmas miracle.

Sunday, December 26, 2010

Christmas Eve

On Christmas Eve we went to our church for the traditional Christmas Eve Pageant. We sang a few Christmas songs. A favorite is the Jingle Bells. We got home, put the kids in their christmas pajamas and hopped onto the desk chair. David turned on the computer so we could track where Santa was. It showed a live feed of Santa and his sleigh being pulled by reindeer through the sky. The kids were in complete awe. As we were tucking them into the bed the tracking system showed that Santa was coming our way flying west across the Atlantic Ocean. We told them he was almost to North Carolina and that they better hurry and get to sleep so he didn't have to pass our house (he can only stop if they're asleep). I wish I could use this tactic every night. They were in bed and fast asleep in minutes.

Thursday, December 23, 2010

Home

I had a party at our home last night. I turned on the Christmas tree lights. It looked so pretty that tonight after dinner Summer asked if I would turn them on because it made it feel more like Christmas. I want to capture the home that my kids will always think of as theirs. I took these pictures on a whim tonight just as I was about to unplug the lights because it looked so pretty and I wanted to capture it for me. I want to remember that when I took these pictures I had my 2 little kids upstairs fast asleep in their beds.  This is the home we are raising our children in and the home they will always remember. That to me makes it special.

Just 2 more sleeps!

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Countdown

It is official. Just 3 days until Christmas. My kids ask me every day how many more days until christmas. I found this cute advent calendar that I hang in my kitchen window. Each morning we turn over a card and they can see exactly how many more days until the big day. I gave the kids a chocolate advent calendar but on december 2nd I came downstairs to find Summer and Forrest with all 24 doors open on their calendars and all of the chocolates gone. No self control. And you know who they blamed? Collie. You can't eat these cards so i think we're safe.

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Happy

This boy makes me happy. This is my view of Forrest most of the day. I can't stand how big he is getting. Such a big boy these days. Being surrounded by little kids all day everyday is tiring but so rewarding. Little things like saying I love you with their chubby little hands and standing on the beach with my boy's arms hugging tightly around my legs are exactly the things I never, ever want to forget.

Sunday, December 19, 2010

The Golden Knights

Here is my Forrest admiring his trophy. He spent the majority of his weekends this fall on the soccer field. He played on our community's Golden Knights soccer team and loved every minute of it. No scores were kept and everyone played for fun. His soccer team had their closing ceremony yesterday and gave each player their own trophy. I am so happy that he has found a sport he loves.

Friday, December 17, 2010

Little Reindeers

Summer is very fortunate to have such a sweet and fun group of girlfriends (Laney, Bree and Nami). I love these girls. Yesterday they had their class Christmas party. Summer and her classmates did fun projects with their parents complete with their reindeer antlers and sweatshirts painted as reindeers. Super low-key and super cute. I love this girl so much. I can't believe she is half way through Kindergarten. I am so grateful I am able to be at all of her functions. I love you, sweet Summer.

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Pictures with Santa

Starting with Summer's first Christmas, I have gone to the mall and stood in line to get my kids' pictures with Santa. For four years, I have failed at this attempt. When Summer was little she would always be so excited in the line and then as soon as we would get to the front of the line, sheer terror would overcome her. I would put my screaming child on Santa's lap and then say, "Just take the picture!" Maybe I am sick but I would think that the screaming child on Santa's lap would be a classic shot. I am happy to report that this year I can finally start this tradition. Summer thinks it is hilarious now. I put their picture with Santa in a silver frame and I can't wait to see our collection grow. Until I can find a front entry table, the kitchen window is the perfect spot to display their picture with Santa.

p.s. How cute is that little deaf elf we named Collie? He reports back to Santa each night if they have been good or bad. I find him all over our house at different places every day... I think my kids love him, too.

Sunday, December 12, 2010

The Abominable Snow Monster

We have been watching a lot of Christmas movies around here. A favorite is Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer. Forrest LOVES the Snow Monster. I called for Summer to run upstairs this morning while Forrest was in the shower. I had used David's shaving cream to make him into the Abominable Snow Monster. None of us could stop laughing.

Saturday, December 11, 2010

Good Morning

This morning I found my two kids wrapped in a quilt on the sofa watching a Christmas movie. That sofa location is their favorite TV viewing spot. They were snuggled up together in their pajamas (how funny is forrest's bed-head) and it really was so cute. I love these two and I am so glad they have each other.

Friday, December 10, 2010

Christmas Trees

We made our yearly trek to the local Christmas tree lot this evening. The kids were beyond excited. We have gone to the same one for the past 3 years. Summer and Forrest have the routine down now. They play hide-and-seek in the rows of trees, look for candy canes and I of course always make them pose for pictures. We found a perfect tree and let the kids stay up way too late decorating it. I love these little kids. Those smiles are so sweet. I love that they were smiling at their Daddy who was making them laugh for me while I took the picture.

Thursday, December 2, 2010

Gingerbread Houses

Forrest's Chalet

Summer's Candy Store

Jack's what-is-left-of Santa's House

Peyton's Toy Store
One of the fun things the cousins did was to make gingerbread houses. I had lots of frosting and candy decorations on hand.

Tuesday, November 30, 2010

I'm Thankful For...

How cute is this print by Laura George?
When I ran across this print the other day it actually reminded me of Summer and Forrest's sweet prayers they say before bed. They literally ramble off everything they can possibly think of each night that they are thankful for. The things they whisper are usually the simple things that I take for granted each day. I am thankful for my little ones who remind me daily to be thankful (especially for the little things).

Monday, November 29, 2010

Happy (belated) Thanksgiving

We had a fun Thanksgiving week at Kure Beach. Here's my Forrest in his Indian costume he made in preschool. He loved having Grandma and Baba at his school for his Thanksgiving program. We spent Thanksgiving at a rental house right on the beach and Forrest made sure that I packed this for the big day.  The week was spent playing with cousins, swimming, sleeping in, eating and lots of lounging. Perfect.

Friday, November 26, 2010

Jump!

There's nothing like cousins. Here my kids are with my sister in law's two kids, Jack and Peyton. I really wish they lived closer. My cute kids were actually trying to jump as high as their cousins. They begged me to take pictures again and again until I could catch them jumping higher. I don't blame them.

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Happy Birthday to my David





Today is my David's birthday. The big 4-7! Happy birthday to my best friend, the best daddy to our children, the smartest, funniest, most caring person I know. The best decision I ever made was choosing to share my life with YOU. You make me want to be better and do better. I love you forever. 
Happy Birthday!

Friday, November 19, 2010

Look Who is Writing!



There's a new writer in town...
In keeping up with her K curriculum, my Summer started writing on her own just a few days before Halloween. Here she is sitting in her desk feeling very independent. She keeps her own diary. I couldn't look at her without smiling. There is something so sweet about watching your child write her first words. Summer just writes now like it's no big deal. I happen to think it's a big deal and very, very sweet. The cutest thing was that you could tell she felt as proud as she looked. She's a keeper.

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Risk Takers

"There is no greater risk than matrimony.
But there is nothing happier than a happy marriage."
-Benjamin Disraeli, 1870

I love David. The best part however is that I really, really like him too. I'm glad we took the risk.

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

All Boy




My Forrest is all boy and I love it. We took the kids to the Touch-A-Truck event in town recently. Any vehicle you can imagine was sitting right there on that parking lot... ambulances, helicopters, tow trucks, racing cars, 16 wheelers, firetrucks, tractors, and construction trucks. And get this, any of these you could touch. Sit in the driver's seat? Honk the horn? Climb the firetruck ladder? Swing on the tow belt? Sure, why not! Imagine the squealing and laughter coming from this boy. He felt really grown up.
It is amazing how your heart's ability to love just multiplies. The love I have for him is indescribable. I grew up with only a sister. Often I rely on David for his expertise in the boyhood field. I quickly learned what boys are like. To wane through the world of toys designed specifically for boys is no easy feat. His top three favorites are legos, trains and trucks. Yes, there are days when Forrest plays with his sister dressing up and hosting tea parties. So that's all right.
Forrest is a sweet, sweet boy. I really love this boy. Having Forrest in my life is a blessing. I love being his mama. He makes me smile and laugh every day. When i asked him how he liked it he said, "Mommy, thumbs up!" So I guess it was a success.

Saturday, November 6, 2010

Pink Ruffles... Again

Summer came home from school one day last week and started screaming... Screaming with excitement. I ordered her this knitted sweater with pink ruffles the week before when it had gotten chilly. It was just too cute. I showed her the picture of it online and told her it would be delivered to our doorstep. I kid you not she has asked me 3 times a day for the last week if she could check out porch for the package. Today was the day! She put it on and then ran upstairs to get her outfit to match it, complete with the pink flower headband. Seeing Summer's excitement over these pink ruffles is so cute. Here she is counting the ruffles. And in case you're wondering, there are fifty-three ruffles. That's a lot. A girl can never have too many pink ruffles.

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

My Girl

This girl is all mine. And I wouldn't have it any other way.

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Happy Halloween

Last week was one of those crazy weeks I can remember. To say the word crazy is an understatement. Let me explain. I have always wanted to read the book, "I was a really cool mom before I had kids". It rings so true to me. I had a vision of myself being so organized and put together and that is just not the case for me a lot of days. Halloween, for example... Even just a few days ago I had a vision of what I wanted to get done. The perfect Halloween. Carved pumpkins sitting on the front porch, all of the Halloween decorations up, the kids' costumes picked out and the basket of candy ready to pass out. None of these happened until the day of Halloween! I was out of commission with a broken computer (now back in business with a new one). And I was in the middle of painting the family room. We went to the pumpkin patch earlier in the day where the kids picked their pumpkins. We pulled over at the grocery store on the way home from church to pick up the bags of candy. After lunch Summer and Forrest carved the jack-o-laterns with David while I painted. David and I were so tired that evening and it sounds silly but I really had to "rally" to get the energy to dress everyone up and head on out. however the minute we saw their little faces light up when we hit the streets it was all worth it. David and I looked at each other and smiled. Totally worth it. Before heading out, we went around to the backyard to take some pictures before it got too dark, I made the kids stand still in their costumes... because any "good" mom would have a picture of her kids' Halloween every year. I took the kids up and down our neighborhood streets while David passed out candy. They each filled their plastic pumpkins to the brim with candy. David and I woke up the next morning to both of them sitting on the floor with their pumpkin buckets in their laps chomping away. If you are not having candy for breakfast on November 1st then I just don't know if we can be friends. It's a must. The end to a very fun Halloween. I know the kids are already looking forward to next year... We will carve the pumpkins earlier next year and I think it is time for me to surrender to the myth of "perfection" in this art of motherhood.

Monday, November 1, 2010

Forrest the Firefighter



Summer the Witch



Thursday, October 28, 2010

For Hope

Happy Birthday, Sis.

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Forrest the Pumpkin

This is Forrest sitting in the stroller Halloween 2007. It is just too darn cute. This is still how I picture Forrest in my mind. They really do grow up too fast.