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

Fun Day

Evie and Andrew got new snowmen hates from Nana last week. They both love them, but Andrew has become attached to his. He insisted on wearing it to bed last night, and I assumed I would be digging it out of the covers this morning. He toddled down the hall with it still on his head when he woke up!



We met our friends at the Events at Sherlake this morning for a playdate and had a great time. The kids hesitated for a few minutes before playing on the inflatables, but about an hour into they were full speed ahead on everything. Mommy had to try out a few things before they were convinced it was okay. I also had to help the little ones on the climbing wall, so I got my exercise today too!

Andrew on the big slide

Dancing together

Evie encouraging Ross up the wall

Evie was so strong to pull herself up

Cinderella

Nana took Evie and Mommy to see Cinderella at the Oak Ridge playhouse on Saturday. We had a great time! Evie was such a good girl and we were very impressed with the production.

Evie got all dressed up to see Cinderella

Waiting for the show to begin

Happy Thanksgiving

We had a very busy Thanksgiving weekend. We had lunch at Kevin and Teresa's house and then headed to Uncle Beaver and Aunt Donna's for supper. Lots of yummy food! My family's dinner was cancelled because my aunts and uncles had a stomach virus (not what you want on Thankgiving!) We went and stayed a couple of nights with my grandparents anyway just to visit. Andrew has had a nasty cold and didn't feel well on Friday and Saturday, so hopefully he is on his way to being better. That makes for a long trip with a cranky toddler.

Andrew had a great time drilling on everything and everybody

Cousin Seth is old enough to play now

Evie with Aunt Shawn (and Andrew)

Playing in the field at Mamaw's house

Fantasy of Trees

We went to the Fantasy of Trees this morning with Nana and Papa. The kids had a great time and I am happy to report no one ran off this year!

Evie's artwork

In Sunday School today Evie made a life size drawing of herself. She wanted me to hang it up, but the only place it would fit is hanging on top of her baby quilt. Mrs. Martha did a great job helping Evie draw her clothes. She wore a pink and brown plaid skirt today with a pink shirt that had a heart on it.

O' Christmas Tree

We put up our Christmas tree last night and decorated it this morning. This is definitely the earliest I have ever had a tree up, but we are so busy over the next few weekends that it was now or never. We didn't put the tree up last year because there was no way to keep a 2 year old and a 1 year old out of it. I hope I don't regret putting it up this year, but so far the only problem has been Andrew wanting to bulldoze the bottom branches.

Helping Mommy put up the tree

The bulldozer and the tree

Andrew putting ornaments on the little tree

Evie decorating the big tree

What we do all week...

Since Andrew was diagnosed with a wheat and corn allergy last week, we have been having lots of rice. Yummy but messy (notice the rice stuck to his forehead)!

He loves walking around in other people's shoes!

Evie doesn't take a nap, so this is a rare event anyway, but how do you fall asleep with a bucket in your hand?!

Christmas card reject picture! They were too fascinated with the tree to look at the camera. I put up our small tree to take pictures of the kids for the family Christmas card. They loved the tree so much we had to leave it up, but I told them we couldn't put ornaments on it until after Thanksgiving.

Tennessee Homecoming

Phil and I went to UT's homecoming game yesterday. We had a great time! Thanks to Nana and Papa for inviting us and to Mimi for watching the children! Nana and I are trying to talk Phil into marching with the alumni band next year, so maybe if we all encourage him he will do it ;)

The Power T from our viewpoint

Shopping

Evie and I went day after Halloween shopping today while Andrew was at preschool. I got their costumes for next year along with Evie's Christmas present and a dress up outfit to play in. We got some awesome deals!

Evie flying in her Tinkerbell outfit ($3 at Marshall's~marked down from $25)

Sleeping Beauty/Briar Rose/Aurora is Evie's favorite princess. She fell in love with this dress a few weeks ago while we were at the mall shopping. It was marked down from ridiculous to $23 today, so I got it and it is now wrapped up for Christmas.