Christmas 2009

I was looking back at the number of posts over each of the last few years and 2009 was a big drop - almost 20% less than prior years. So here are a few last things in 2009... I'm trying to bump up my stats before the end of the year! but seriously...

we had a fantastic Christmas this year. Both kids were giddy with anticipation of the big guy's arrival, and even remembered that Baby Jesus kid too. We didn't go to Christmas Eve Mass because we didn't want to fight the crowds, so we relaxed with BeeBe & PopPop and read some Christmas stories before their bedtime. After the grown-ups enjoyed a dinner of crunchy dijon salmon, the best broccoli of your life and carrot souffle, Santa got his work done and all were sound asleep.

Until 5am! That's when Miles woke, though we convinced him to read in his room until 5:45 when he came in our room to watch Phineas & Ferb. Finally (lol) Audrey woke at 6:30 and we bombarded the living room. They were so excited, but they took their time getting through all the wrapped gifts. Miles had only asked Santa for 2 things, and he sat right down to play with the BatCave. After Beebe made some panacotta French Toast we headed off to Christmas Mass. It was attended as well as a regular Sunday, but there was no nursery! Usually we drop Audrey off and Miles sits nicely with us, but this time he felt the need to entertain her the whole time. Argh! We survived and made it home to enjoy the day. I worked on Boeuf Bourguignon for dinner, yum! and we watched some Christmas movies.

Hope everyone had a wonderful New Years Eve tonight! We celebrated last night at The Avett Brothers concert. It was fantastic, though they have obviously been around a while and we're just now learning of them. The crowd was crazy! They are playing 3 nights in a row (here, Asheville & Atlanta) and it seemed that most of the people were going to all of them. What made the night even better was our free babysitter. We're worked out a swap with our neighbors so we can each get at least one night out a month. I think that will be a good resolution for the year - more date nights.

Happy 2010 to all!

and Miles's show

Finally, here is the abridged version of Miles's Christmas program. The PreK class did a show about the animals who were there for the first Christmas. Miles was a camel. I've edited out everything except his parts, but basically the animals are talking about baby Jesus as they follow the star. Enjoy! ( and check out his ownership ofthe mike during the song)

the week before Christmas in photos

So it's Christmas Eve and we have done so much that I need to blog about! But instead I'll just show you the fun in photos. Last weekend we went to Nashville to celebrate Aunt Elizabeth's birthday and also exchange presents with everyone there.

Kate and Audrey wore their matching dresses (thanks, Aunt Elizabeth!). Audrey was enamored with cousin Kate!Miles & Kate had lots of fun opening presents and playing together.Here are YaYa & B with their grand kids. Not the most cooperative bunch!Aunt Elizabeth celebrated her 29th birthday!
Since we were halfway to Memphis, Mimi & PawPaw came to Nashville to see us and drop off Christmas presents. We had a really fun breakfast!
Then we came back home and a few days later BeeBe & PopPop came to visit for Christmas. They're having lots of laughs and snuggles.
We've also had lots of visitors at out bird feeder by the kitchen window. It makes for lively mealtimes.
We finally went to see Santa on Christmas Eve Eve. Thank you, PopPop, for waiting in the 1hr 40min (!) line while we ate Chick Fil A. After lunch everyone was excited and ready to see Santa.

But then we got there and we weren't all that excited anymore. It was pretty close to naptime, too! But Miles took care of telling Santa what Audrey wanted too.
And today we made cookies for Santa. Miles is an enthusiastic sprinkler!
Now the children are tucked in their beds, and we're having dinner before Santa comes! And then we get to celebrate baby Jesus's birthday.

.:: ~ Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night ~ ::.

Audrey's debut

Audrey's stage debut was a little rougher than Miles's. She held it together, barely...


Miles's show to come....

Rock 'n Roll Girl

Updated: I just realized that by linking from Facebook, any of you who weren't on FB can't see this!! Sorry, I was trying to use that host site. Here it is again from YouTube.

Audrey is a little rocker. In the car she asks for "Geen Day, peez?" The other day she was rocking and singing along and I caught her... for a while.

A Christmas dress

Not to turn this into the "All About Audrey" blog (though one day that will probably exist!), but look at her cute new dress! Aunt Elizabeth made it for her, and cousin Kate has a matching one. They'll be so cute together at Aunt Elizabeth's birthday party. Thank you so much!

it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

Yippeee!! Snow!! The first snow of the season fell today and it was a pretty good one. We woke to a light cover on the grass, but it continued to fall and cover everything except the roads. Since Miles had a birthday party to attend this morning, we headed out while it was falling right after breakfast. While it did snow last winter, this was the first time for Audrey to get out in it. She looked like the Stay Puft Man in her pink snowsuit. I picked up rain boots for both of them at Target yesterday and hers were a little big. The worst part for her was the mittens, so after a few photos, Wayne took her inside.
Miles and I stayed out a little longer so we could work on a snowman - his first ever! We've had snow every year but it's never been nice & sticky like today's. It was a wee-snowman but it still counts. We had to defend it from Chelsea, she thought we were making a toy for her. Miles later added a second carrot in the bottom part of the snowman.... you know, his bellybutton.
This year the excitement level has ramped up over years past. We're having lots of fun playing Christmas music all day long and adding decorations around the house. They've enjoyed "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" and I've been recording all the Christmas shows for them. We may have to slow up in watching some of them. Audrey tried to take a lesson from Buddy the Elf....
Merry Christmas everyone!

Over the river & throught the woods....

We had a fun trip around the state visiting family for Thanksgiving this year. We started with a few days in Memphis and had 2 Turkey dinners. Although by the looks of these pictures we lived in fast food joints. Here's Miles with PawPaw in the "classic" McD's in Cordova.And with PopPop after a play land lunch at Chick-fil-A. Even Audrey made it up through the steps and down the slide.We were so excited to see our Great Grandmas!
And Aunt Megan! oh , and Uncle Kyle too. Kyle's really glad Miles is entering the age of Legos.... man those things took over Kyle's room when he was a kid. We loved seeing their new house. I got some house envy seeing their awesome back yard and attic (!). And we got to meet their new doggie, Molly. Such a cutie.
Then is was on to Nashville for Thanksgiving day. This was the first year we made a point to watch some of the parade, and I think the kids liked it. Cousins Kate & Evan came over to play and eat.
Although they look enthusiastic, I don't think the boys ate much besides turkey. Miles wouldn't even try the cranberries, sweet potatoes or pears. I tried to explain that it was dessert for lunch, but he didn't care.
Audrey refused to eat at all, until Kate came along and fed her. They were both in heaven. Audrey being fed by her big cousin, and Kate having a real live baby to feed.
Now we're home and ready for Christmas! We've got the tree up and some decorations in some other rooms. Our Elf from the North Pole (named Broderick) showed up yesterday after a rough morning. Santa thought he should come keep an eye on things. Miles wrote his very first letter to Santa and Broderick took it back to the North Pole. This morning Miles woke up to a letter back from Santa and a candy cane! Miles asked for two things, a Bat Cave and the Robin Hood movie. I think Santa will be able to make him happy on Christmas morning!