Christmas Card 2010

If you got our card you know the one we chose was an outside shot. But I couldn't help but post some of my favorites from our attempt at a decent family shot. We were beyond short on time and luckily Walgreen's was able to bail us out since I waited to late to do anything else! Next year I will do better- at least that is what I keep telling myself. Although our cards were not my favorite this year, I just couldn't not send them. O- and if you are looking for a trick to keep your kids into picture taking we have found it! A couple of years ago Brian got a remote for our camera to use when taking a group picture. We let the kids use it and they LOVED it! If you look closely K is holding it-we later told them to try to hide it when holding it.

I loved this picture but we could not use it b/c of Millie!



Another favorite but JW's head is cut out.

JW now has the remote and had us all laughing!

After Brian and I were done the kids just wanted to pose and take their picture with the remote! We will definitely be using this trick in the future.

Pink Pig and Santa

Since we were not sure when we would be moving I went ahead and made our annual appointment to see Santa at Phipps. We left after lunch to head to Atlanta. Since the Pink Pig closed early the night we went last year we headed there first this year. The kids enjoyed it even with the blow freezing temps!



Here is the gang with Santa. Unfortunately R got a little upset so we had to pull out the ol' paci. After that he was content to just sit with Santa. Which was great b/c I did not have to join them on Santa's lap. This was JW's first year to really chat with Santa about his list. As we were leaving, the parking lot was tricky due to all the ice. We made it home with no problems but saw a lot of pile ups due to the bad weather.

Termites and a Christmas Party

When we moved in there were huge window treatments in several rooms that we took down shortly after moving in. While taking down one of these we found termite damage. So the last week before Christmas break we had someone come out and fix the damage. And of course the damage was worst than they originally thought and took them longer than expected. We can't complain though b/c our termite bond covered it all!



JW had a great time at his class Christmas party. I must say I still miss buddies at Cannon. And poor K missed her party and the last 3 days of school due to a fever.

Our New Backyard

One word to describe our new backyard- LEAVES! O my heavens are the leaves out of control. Brian is even at the point of paying someone to help, and if you know Brian it must be a lot of leaves. Before we left Brian tried again to clean things up- and the kids had a blast! Since we don't always get snow here in the south we settle for playing in the leaves even in December. Brian raked a huge pile that they loved blowing through.

Here is sweet R trying to help Daddy with his huge chore!

After the bikes they moved on to sliding down into the leaves. Check out R's expression! All and all the backyard is great we just will have to have a better plan for all the leaves next year!

R Update

This little guy is doing great! We had an MRI done in September that was a bit of a scheduling night mare but all and all went fine. R did have a reaction after the MRI which kept us at the hospital for an extra 3 hours. Two weeks later the Neurosurgeon went over the results with us. R still has room where the stenosis is located so no surgery at this time. He also said that R's lower spine looks more like an average sized baby's spine as far as the room around the spine. We will continue with our yearly MRI unless we see any signs that there may be problems.

This December we met with our Ortho. and ENT doctors. They took x-rays at the ortho appointment and said he looked great. That he still has a curve in his spine when sitting but straightens his spine nicely when standing/walking. At the ENT we had to unclog one of his tubes. R was not a fan! Unfortunatley, the dr. said it looked as though he might soon lose one of his tubes. Since his body grows so much slower than an average baby it will more than likely take his body years before his ears will be slanted enough to drain properly on thier own. So, we need them to stay in as long as possible- especially through the cold/flu season. The more times someone has tubes the more scare tissue can build up and cause hearing loss.

All and all we are doing great and just enjoying our happy little guy! Hetill is not saying many words so I think speech therapy is in our future. He babbles just not many words.

JW's Christmas Pagaent

On Monday, JW had is Christmas pageant at his school. He is directly below the star. I had the wrong lens so the shot is not the best. Also I could not record and take pics at the same time, so this was taken before they sang.



R did great and was very quiet through the whole show.

Afterwards, we had a nice brunch with his class.

JW and his new friends!

Trimming the Tree

The kids were so excited to get the tree and decorate it. Since it was a bit late we had the kids bathe and put on their pj's first.


They had a wonderful time and wanted every ornament in the box to be on the tree! JW liked coming to get the ornaments from me but quickly passed them to Brian to hang!

JW put the star on our tree this year. If you notice it was a little lopsided!

Thanksgivign 2010

Both Brian's parents and mine were so much help during the move. To be unsettled with 3 small children is not fun and does not bring out the best in me. But we made it through and the house is much better with each day.

Since we moved so close to Thanksgiving we asked if our families could come to us. Brian's parents were already there, mine came in Wednesday night, and Unca B and Auntie M arrived Thursday morning.



Poppy taking a quick mid morning snooze!

K had asked if I could paint her nails for the big day. Here she is so proud!

This part of the crew before dinner. We failed to get a group shot but it was a really nice day. Thanks to everyone for coming it made it a lot easier on the us this year. O- and we got left with all the leftovers which was awesome!

New House

We moved in on Thursday and Saturday we had an engagement party to attend for one of oldest and dearest friend Mallory and her man Joel. Not a great picture but it is the best we have. We had a great time but were so tired!



Here K is ready to go to school!

And later JW headed out for school. We are definitely back in Alabama. JW had to wear his team shirt- and no that don;t mean any team. They mean Auburn or Alabama. K cam home the first day and said that someone asked her who she rooted for! Seriously, she is only 5! But I must say that she promptly replied Auburn and Michigan!!! O was her Daddy proud of her!

The kids are loving their new classes and have really handled the whole move wonderfully. Brian and I feel so relieved that they seem to be adjusting and enjoying their new schools and friends.

The Move

We do not have many pictures of the crazy week but all and all it went well. They were supposed to pack us Monday and Tuesday but they brought us a bigger crew and they knocked it out in a day. Which was great b/c that allowed the boys, myself, Kathy and Lauren to head to Decatur for art class and lunch one last time.

The kids did fine, not perfect but we survived.




Here is JW getting to honk the horn in the big moving truck.

And then there was none! Tutu had taken the kids back to their house while Brian and I wrapped up at the old house.

Can you tell how exhausted we are! After we finished there we headed to Birmingham so that we would be ready for the movers at the new house the next morning. Tutu, the kids, and Millie headed over the next afternoon.

JW Singing

The Sunday before we moved JW was able to perform with his class in church. The pictures pretty much sum it up with no words.