Magical Pop

Give him a challenge and he will get it done.  If you don't already know, Caroline is not a napper.  I'm happy if we get a combined total of an hour of naptime throughout the day.  He got her to take good naps not once, but twice on his couch.

 And this guy had a full day of jumping on his blowy beds and no nap for 2 days. 

He was a much easier challenge.  Unfortunately I couldn't get the camera out in time but dad managed to sneak a little nap in with Grady about 2 minutes after this shot was taken.

Day 2 of Bobber snoozing on the couch

Attempt At A Christmas Card Picture

Here are a few of the ones that were cute but not Christmas card material. Oh Jacksonville, how I love you and your warm weather! And green grass year round...I'll take it!

Thanksgiving Day

Of course the train around the tree was a big hit.  Caroline was mesmerized and could have probably sat there for hours watching it go around and around.

 Mr. Whites made his grand appearance Thanksgiving morning.

Gigi has softened up my dad in ways I never thought possible.  He has a dog.  And a cat.  In the house.  CRAZY!

Caroline and Rocky loved each other, he couldn't get enough sweet baby kisses and she didn't mind one bit.

The family arrived and Grady took everyone's hands and led them straight into the blowy bed room.

Little Miss Amelia learning how cool blowy beds are.  She is going to be a big sister next Spring!  Her little brother is due on Caroline's first birthday.

 Grady brought out his treasure chest of candy that Grandy bought him before we left.  Amelia was introduced to smarties...sorry Natalie and Halston!

Gigi and her beautiful grandbaby.

The Blowy Bed Room

We made our annual trek down to Jacksonville for Thanksgiving last week and look what was there to greet us when we arrived...the blowy bed room! (better known as Pop and Gigi's theater room)

Thanks to a surprise overnight visit from Halston and Natalie's entire youth group, Pop and Gigi now have more air mattresses than any one person will probably own in their lifetime.

Taking a break to catch some cartoons.

And he's off again.

Who needs a trampoline when you have your own padded room?

The Cake Monster

We all had the pleasure of celebrating Anne's birthday with her a few weekends ago.  Grady was on his best behavior all night...until the cake came out.

 Happy Birthday to you...

 Happy Birthday to you...

Grady looks like a monkey...

And acts like one too!

(check out the look on my face as I watch my child devour cake like the little boy from A Christmas Story)

First Weekend Away

I made it a full 7 months before leaving my sweet girl for a night.  As much as I knew I would miss our littlest one (and the big guy too), I could not wait to get out of town and to a hotel for a few nights.  No dishes to wash, laundry to do, house to clean, little mouths that want to eat around the clock, temper tantrums, screaming at the sight of me leaving the room.  Long story short, a peaceful, relaxing weekend.  By Saturday morning I was bored out of my mind.  Dale was occupied with wedding duties all weekend so I was left on my own for the most part.  I did Christmas shopping, walked around every mall and shop I could find, an even called my poor dad just to talk 3 different times before lunchtime.

Grady and Caroline had a fun filled weekend with Nana and Grandy which culminated in the 2 grandmothers jumping on the opportunity to get pictures of the grandchildren together.  Here are a few good ones:

 My smiley, happy girl.

 One of the token cheesy Christmas shots they always make you take, even after you insist that you are not there to buy Christmas pictures.

 Yes, I would love some milk said the bottomless pit.  (I heard she also ate a whole cup of ice cream after they left)

Funny brother.  He can make her laugh and grab her attention like no one else.

Not my little baby anymore...

And this is when Caroline let them know that she was done. Check out those sad eyes with circles underneath. The girl needs her beauty sleep!

While the kids were busy being spoiled, we got to see a miracle happen right in front of us.  Robby McNair finally got married.  I think pigs flew by the window of the church.  I never, ever thought I would see the day.  Even his poor mom was celebrating after the vows were all said and done.

Dancing with my handsome husband.  But the best part of the night was when Robby finally convinced Dale to liven up the party with his now infamous shirtless dance.

And I was the lucky girl that got to take this guy home at the end of the night.

The Big Costume Reveal

Drumroll please.....

Grady chose Max.  The whole family dressed as superheroes was tempting him but in the end he went with his favorite book character from "Where The Wild Things Are"

 And Caroline had no say in it, she was a lobster in a pot.  And I must say she was the sweetest lobster I have ever seen.

 Bad daddy!  You left your Peter Pan tights at home on purpose didn't you?

 Our lobster lasted about 10 minutes in her pot.

Nana trying out Max's crown.  

"There's an eye in my face"

Until next Halloween...