Baby Jackson

I got to meet Jackson for the first time today. Evie and I drove up to Johnson City so I could see the little guy and go to lunch with Amanda. He is such a sweet little boy!

Amanda and Jackson (5 months old)

Here we go again

Same old story, different kid. Andrew hasn't been sleeping at night unless Mommy is holding him and he developed a cough that sounded a little different than a common cold, so off we went to the pediatrician today. He was diagnosed with bronchiolitis and put on breathing treatments. He has a fever, so this was definitely caused by a virus. However, the big question will be does bronchiolitis trigger asthma or does a predisposition to asthma make you susceptible to bronchiolitis? I guess only time will tell for the little guy. He has been very brave for his breathing treatments, but I am hoping this will be the only time he needs a nebulizer.

The day after Christmas

We weren't sure what we were going to tell the kids about Santa this year, but we shouldn't have worried about it. We didn't say a word and they knew all about Santa from watching Mickey Mouse and How the Grinch Stole Christmas. Santa came to our house on Christmas night because he knew we weren't home on Christmas Eve. The kids were thrilled to find presents under the tree when they woke up.

Evie in her Sleeping Beauty dress

Matching cups!

A tent!

Christmas Day

As always, we started Christmas with breakfast at Mamaw and Papaw's house. The kids were so excited to see everyone and open presents. Then we loaded up the car and headed home. After a brief stop to unload the car we went to Granny Ani's for even more excitement and presents. We were all worn out by the end of the day.

So excited for ChristmasLook, we're a present too!
Andrew loves his pat, pat rocket
Christmas is exhausting

Christmas Eve

Auntie Laura had us over again for breakfast (thanks for all the cooking and hosting)! We ate with Papaw Rick and opened more presents. Afterwards we headed to Mimi's for lunch. Phil and I got the kids settled and then went to Olive Garden for a peaceful lunch on our own. The kids had a good time doing crafts and playing with Mimi!

Evie loved her princess shirt from Auntie Laura

Andrew and Papaw Rick playing with blocks

The tree Evie and Mimi made

Two days before Christmas

We went to Auntie Laura's and Uncle Jeremiah's house for dinner, presents, and a trip to Bristol Motor Speedway to see the Christmas lights. At the bottom are a couple of videos from the Speedway in Lights.

I don't think Evie had enough presents to open...

Andrew loved his Thomas book from Mimi

The view from the driver's seat with 8 people in the Pilot on the way to BMS

Merry Christmas

Today we light the Christ candle

JOY TO THE WORLD!

68"Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has come and has redeemed his people. 69He has raised up a horn[a] of salvation for us in the house of his servant David. ~ Luke 1:68-69

Fourth Sunday in Advent

Today we light the Love candle

1After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi[a] from the east came to Jerusalem 2and asked, "Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east[b] and have come to worship him." 3When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. 4When he had called together all the people's chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Christ[c] was to be born. 5"In Bethlehem in Judea," they replied, "for this is what the prophet has written: 6" 'But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will be the shepherd of my people Israel.'[d]" 7Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. 8He sent them to Bethlehem and said, "Go and make a careful search for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him." 9After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east[e] went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. 11On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh. 12And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route. ~ Matthew 2:1-12

Christmas Dinner

Tonight we had Christmas dinner with Nana, Papa, and Granny Ani. The kids had a great time and loved their gifts! Evie spent last night with Nana and Papa so Mommy and Daddy could take Andrew to Children's hospital for a CT scan. She enjoyed helping Nana bake a cake and cupcakes, but she was worn out by the time we left tonight. Andrew loved his new Little People garage and Evie's reaction to her princess outfit was priceless!

Evie waited all day to open this!

Andrew opening his garage

Ana got a new outfit for Christmas

Daddy opening his remote control helicopter and Evie in her princess dress

Evie's "glass slippers"

I have discovered...

An awesome website! Baby Cheapskate is updated almost daily with great deals on items for babies and kids. This week's deals include diapers, formula, batteries, and coats. I love a good bargain and this takes all the work out of finding them!

A day at home

We have been so busy lately, and I know we are going to be very busy over the next week, so we decided to just stay home and rest on this cold December day (it dropped from 75 and sunny to 25 and windy in 5 days!). The kids made a huge mess with all their toys, but had a great day of imaginative play.

Andrew's train that doubles as a bus

Evie's "cake" she decorated

The fire pit

My Christmas card board is almost full. Thanks to everyone for the cards, we have truly enjoyed them all!

Third Sunday in Advent

Today we light the Joy candle

8And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ[a] the Lord. 12This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." 13Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 14"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests." 15When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about." 16So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told. ~ Luke 2:8-20

The Santa Express

We took the kids on the Santa Express this morning. They were so excited they could hardly wait! We got to ride behind a real steam locomotive, eat cookies, and see Santa!

Engine #203 "Lindy"

Evie talking to Santa

Evie and Andrew in the Intrepid coach car

Is it really December???

After preschool today we stopped by the playground and played for an hour. I just can't believe it is sunny and seventy-five in the middle of December!

Impromptu Nativity

Nana, Mommy, and Andrew got to go see Evie in the preschool nativity this morning. Her class dressed up as wise folk. The preschool kids got to participate in a 15 minute long worship service learning about the story of Jesus' birth.

Evie with her class in the sanctuary

Evie visiting baby Jesus

Andrew in front of the Christmas tree--He wasn't crazy about sitting still through the program

Second Sunday in Advent

Today we light the Peace Candle

1In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2(This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3And everyone went to his own town to register. 4So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.~Luke 2:1-7

Sunday School Christmas Party

Eating lunch with our friends (Thanks Mrs.Dawn and Mr.Bill for the yummy ham!)

Evie and Kaitlyn showing each other what they got

Andrew was so tired by the time we got to the presents

Andrew's 1st Haircut

Andrew got his first real haircut today. Mommy snuck up behind him and trimmed the back a couple of months ago, but he needed an all over trim. He was such a big boy and sat very still on Mommy's lap while he got it cut. It didn't hurt that he got to eat a lollipop the whole time!

Fun First Friday

Ms. Jennifer and Ms.Pat have started a new play time at church for the preschoolers. Today there were stations to paint wrapping paper, dress up for a Nativity, color a donkey mask, and toss a bean bag into a Christmas tree. Evie painted while Andrew played with the bean bags. Evie dressed up as an angel and a cow, but Andrew would only wear the wise men beads. We also had music time, but my kids just wanted to dance and spin around instead of listening to the instructions. I'm sure they would tell you they had a great time, but I think in the future only one child at a time will get to go. It is really hard to take both of them somewhere at this point.

Evie as an angel

Andrew with the jingle bells during music

Dancing around instead of doing the motions during music

Ms. Jennifer and her daughter Meg "rocking the baby" during music

Christmas Card Craft

I wanted to share a neat craft that my MOPS group did this week. We made french memo boards to hang Christmas cards on. We simply wrapped a foam board with wrapping paper just like we would wrap a present, then glued the ribbons on diagonally. We didn't use rulers, but just went by sight on where to place the ribbons and hot glued the ends onto the back of the board. The "buttons" at the intersections are push pins with pom poms glued on top. I think they turned out very cute and will be a great way to showcase Christmas cards.

First Sunday in Advent

Today we lit the HOPE candle as we began celebrating the Advent season

2The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned. 3 You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy; they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest, as men rejoice when dividing the plunder. 4 For as in the day of Midian's defeat, you have shattered the yoke that burdens them, the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor. 5 Every warrior's boot used in battle and every garment rolled in blood will be destined for burning, will be fuel for the fire.
6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. ~Isaiah 9:2-6