Merry Christmas from the Keys

Now this should have been our Christmas card!

The Nutcracker has been an awesome experience! Lillee was an angel and a soldier this year. Wow - these moms are serious and intense. I'm so proud of myself and my bun making skills this year. I've always struggled to get it just as tight and slick as Patsy Ramsey could but this year my little Jon Benet looked perfect! I can't tell you how many times we've squeezed in and out of these tights! Lillee did a superb job dancing. I read something in the program and felt sad I didn't think of it. It complimented the dancer and said she had the strength of a soldier and the grace of an angel. How fitting. Lillee is a strong minded, independent little girl. I continue to pray for her grace and kindness as well. I hope she will continue this love of dance she has right now.

These two girls are loving the rehearsals, the yummy food they get catered with and mostly some down time with their DS. Elle was sick and Lillee was beside herself with someone to chat it up with. Fortunately, they get to hang out at school as well since they are in the same class.

Here's sweet Bethany. She has on her maid costume but there were many other costumes she put on. She did an awesome job and is such a role model to those young girls. Lillee thinks she hung the moon. What a great girl with such potential. I can't wait to see where she turns up!

Our own Key "nut" cracker! He keeps us on our toes! I will do some more month by month pics soon!

I'm not sure whose outfit this was but if you read this and it was yours, please comment so we'll know where to return it!

This picture was taken right before he got on top of the table to enjoy himself a clementine.

Turkey Day 2010

This was Scott's first turkey on the egg. It was yummy! A little cajun style with a bit of a kick to it.
My secret recipe pumpkin pie! WINK WINK!!! Mr. Jenkins, thank you!

Baxter went down to my parent's house the Friday before Thanksgiving. He stayed through Tuesday and my mom came and brought him back. In the middle of Lillee running back and forth to Nutcracker we had a really nice meal and time together. Complete with SWEET TEA!

I made a yummy little cranberry gelatin mold. It was a different as it had horseradish in it! I thought it was a good combination with the spicy turkey.

This little turkey enjoyed himself. He and Lillee both ask for a leg!

Before lunch we watched the parade on TV. How awesome would that be to actually be in NY! We'll definitely have to work that into our traditions one year. Maybe when Ben is 10??

This is how Ben enjoyed the parade.

For about 1 1/2 hours he was glued to the sofa!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING 2010

Christmas Card Time

Shhhh....this picture has a special meaning! Baxter was two years old when Lillee was in PreK. She would ride the bus home an awaiting little brother and Mary. Mary would say how great Bax had been all day til she got home and started whispering in his ear!!! Hence, we still talk about words like provoke and "rile" him up!
Cindy Stansberry braved these kids and came to take our Christmas card picture. We were supposed to go over to a place in Jackson but I thought our house would be just fine. There are no manicured lawns and gardens like her other beautiful locations but it all turned out okay. By the time we were finished and now seeing these pics, there may not even be a picture Christmas card! It's exhausting work!
Lillee had to have a hat to cover up the haircut! Baxter was running through the yard before the shoot, fell and got a hole in his pants! Character, character I kept reminding myself.

I love this picture of Lillee.....

and definitely this one!

Two sweet boys.

Cindy really did a great job capturing Ben's serious side! He looks just like my dad I think.

Random Weekend Pics

I really need to post pic from the mountains but since I know how long it will take to upload the pics I'm procrastinating like crazy. Then, I'm already thinking about Advent and the pics I'll have to take. Maybe I'll charge up one of those smaller cameras for those pics. We are working on computer/monitor issues so hopefully our solution will make blogging a bit easier for me.
Nutcracker is coming quick and Thanksgiving break for the kids. Mom is coming next week for reinforcement thankfully. Along with bus week and providing the letter "O" snack and seeing the dentist I decided it was time to have these wirey gray hairs colored so it's off to Atlanta for me in the morning. It's been a realllllyyyy long day with Ben attached at hip because he can't breathe through his nose. Bless him. I'm also planning for Thanksgiving. It's only us and my parents but thorough planning is always good. And Christmas shopping. Online, of course.
14 months. There's been a little runny nose and irritability. Maybe we'll check ears soon. Since Ben went to stay with nana and papa he suddenly likes to get up and come to our bed?? Well, that's fine with me as long as everyone is sleeping. It is nice for him to be a little more adaptable to different places! This was on my bed one morning for a nap. He's not too bad of a fighter if he's really tired.

Lillee had parent watch week at dance. Scott and I tag teamed so of course he brought the camera which I had forgotten. Nutcracker is coming up so they're working really hard. I hope she will stick with dance and keep loving it.

Then there's this little devil. Every time I look up he is sitting on something really high. The pics are blurry because I'm always scared he's going to go head first any minute. Also, these pics really prove why mommy is always so tired! There's never a dull moment.
WHO ME?
These apples from the mountains are so yummy I'd probably climb a table to get to them too.
While Scott was watching the GA/AU game Saturday night I started a small fire for s'mores. It was a little late for finding sticks so we settled for white painted coat hangers. Oops. I don't think it will hurt.

Ben's Dedication

Joshua 1:9

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.

Sweet Ben, You were dedicated at church Sunday, October 31, 2010. It was a beautiful day. Rev. Hambric Brooks did your dedication while our church family looked on and promised, with your dad and I to raise you, support you and love you all the days of your life. We love you so much and want you to know we will bring you up in a loving, Christian home teaching you morals, values and life lessons. You are a gift to us and to your big sister and big brother. You have taught us patience and quietness (well, not really a lot of quietness) but the silence that comes with listening to what God has in store for our family.

We had a row of chairs filled for church. Our sweet friends came to celebrate and have a big lunch prepared by nana. It was really funny to have nana and papa here with the Longs. Wes and Sandra may want us to change our will after seeing all three in action! I think we only had two when they signed up for that duty!

Sweet Presseley loves the little house. She looks a little sleepy here. Maybe into the witch's brew?
I can tell you two children who were NOT SLEEPY! After an hour in the basement they (Kyendria) decided it was time for some fresh air. These two ran nonstop around the yard while she timed them on her phone. Average about 12 -15 seconds per lap around! These are two sweet spirited children.

This picture melts my heart and makes me want to cry! Sweet Ben with sweet poppy. Several people comment that Ben looks like my dad? Right now it's looking like he's not too happy with the beard. Ben loves his Poppy. Who wouldn't love someone that picks you up when you come to him with arms outstretched? Who wouldn't love someone that takes you on walks at a moments notice anytime you want! I'm sure Poppy is spoiling him this weekend with lots of stroller/wagon rides around the neighborhood. What a special bond for these two.

Spooky Holiday

Halloween 2010. We had a Captain Jack Sparrow, a girl pirate and a dinosaur. A very cute dinosaur! Here's Jack with his little cupcake sifting through their candy!

Captain Jack was extremely pleased with his hair. Here's a boy who really appreciates a good braid. He fell and cut his chin earlier last week. He didn't need stitches but it did end up getting infected so he looked like a true baseball player with a dip in! It is much better!

Nana and Papa came and enjoyed the festivities!

Here's the little pumpkin decked out and happy to be on the hayride! We are blessed beyond measure to share such fun times with great friends.

Wow - sums up the night right here!

Pretty pic - oh wait, you can't see the tuft of hair!