Christmas with Nanny and Pappi

Colin's mom and dad came last week to spend a few days with us prior to Christmas. Because they are going to be on a cruise over Christmas, sowe did our Christmas with them on Wed. night. Nanny slaved all day in the kitchen cooking us a wonderful Christmas dinner. Ethan and I have both been recovering from colds and he was napping on the coach, when dinner was ready we made him sit at the table. What a mistake that was, he took one bite of his food and threw up every where!!!! Needles to say he also caught the stomach flu. We salvaged most of the dinner and Ethan felt much better after that. Here are some pictures of Nanny and Pappi with Belle and Ethan opening presents. Oh I have to say that Belle carried that princess bag around for days trying to open it. I am not sure which she like more the presents or the bag.

Christmas Programs

On Tuesday night we had Ethan's Christmas program at his school followed by Belle's yesterday. Ethan's school sang an assortment of Christmas songs and played Bells. They where all so cute up on stage. Belle's school allowed the kids to dress up from characters from the nativity scene. Belle went as Mary. It was so cute seeing all the kids dressed up in their costumes.

Too Cute not to Post

Mom came down to help with the outside decorations and got these great shots of Belle and Ethan playing in my tree. It was so cold that day, you can tell Ethan is freezing in one of the pictures.

Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree

I can not believe that its that time of year again. It just seems like a blink of the eye that we where celebrating Christmas last year. Our Christmas traditions start the day after Thanksgiving. All the ladies in my family hit the stores running as so as they open. Its a frenzy of shopping for a few hours to settle down to a nice breakfast.

Then a very tied mommy comes home and we put up and decorate our Christmas Tree at home. Its my favorite time of the year to see the kids so excited. We usually have a fire, listen to Christmas music and roast marshmallows. Belle did the honor this year of putting our star on the tree. Then once the tree is up our elf named "sweetie" arrives at the front door. He is sent from Santa each year after Thanksgiving to watch over the kids and report back to Santa. He returns home on Christmas eve.

Now if I can just keep my cats out of my tree!!!!

Kids, Dogs and Camers Do NOT Mix!!!

Oh what an afternoon! I set off to take the kids down to my mom's house to use her dog Georgia to get some great fall shots and make a few Christmas gifts. Can we say Disaster!!! Looking back at the photos now I find it very humorous, that I couldn't even make the dog listen. As you can see in the some of the photos of the kids faces how this was going. Mom and I did manage to get a few shots but not many. Here is my attempt to make two tired kids and a dog sit for pictures!!! Now I know why I hire people to take pictures of my kids. :)

Halloween Fun

What a great night we had with our family and friends. Belle was so cute in her cat costume and Ethan stole the show in his Scooby costume. They both had so much fun getting loads of candy!! I have to say I have never seen Ethan so excited, he ran from house to house always head of the girls. He did loose steam towards the end but he enjoyed passing out the candy just as much.

Photo Session at Memaw's

I meet a new photographer down at my mom's for a photo session today. She was so great but Belle was so tired and not feeling up to it. Ethan on the other had was full of smiles for the camera. When mom got home she got a few more pictures of the kids (of course Belle was all smiles then). I can not wait to see our photo session but until then here are a few of my favorites from my moms camera.

Ethan's Fall Field Trip to Country Gardens

The week had been so crazy I was out of town over the weekend and then helped at Belle's school on the Monday and Tuesday. I turn up on Wednesday like normal to drop Ethan off, I was so looking forward to a day of rest (I was practically in my PJ's). Both his teachers come out to the carpool lane and say Ethan's not supposed to be at school today. I really though they where joking until they kindly reminded me today was Ethan's field trip. I felt so silly!!!

It ended up being a great morning! We walked around the gardens and the weather was so nice and cool. We planted pansies smelled herbs and flowers. Feed the horse, goats and chickens (one chicken got Ethan good). We ended the morning with a hay ride through the pasture and snack in the green house. It ended up being a perfect day!

Spirit Week at Belle's School

This week was spirit week at Belles school. On Tuesday they where allowed to dress up as what you want to be "when you grow up". Belle wanted to go as a vet. Thank goodness it was near Halloween and we where able to find a vet costume for her. On Wednesday the dressed up as their favorite story book character she went as Sleeping Beauty. Thursday was your favorite sports team. I really wanted a England or Man U outfit for her but they where all to small so we settled for a cute GA Cheerleader. On Friday it was where purple and gold! It was cute to see Belle and all the other kids in costumes for a few days.

Ethan's Play Date at the Zoo

Our friend was furload one day of the month so she is using that one day to do something fun with her daughter. She invited a few friends to tag along for a playdate in the Zoo. Here are some really cute shots of Ethan and his friends as they enjoyed themselves at the zoo.

Isabel's First Day of School

Its so hard to believe that Belle started Kindergarten today. Its so amazing how fast the last five years have flown by. I am so grateful that Belle is only in a half day kindergarten and I am able to send more time with her. We think she looks so adorable in her uniform.