Trip Down Memory Lane

I was recently looking at some baby pictures of Jake and thought how much he has changed from that chubby baby to my big boy! Thought we should see a Christmas picture from each year.

Aquarium Trip

I know its awful I have never taken my kids to this amazing Aquarium we have in Atlanta. I believe its the biggest in the country. Well Brian took the week off for the most part and we thought the Aquarium would be a great way to spend the day.


I must say the fascination kids have with fish and water is fun to watch. Julianna just stared at the exhibits and Jake ran from window to window always saying "what's next?" They were so good and enjoyed looking at all the different colored fish. They touched anything the caretakers would allow...lots of things I might not touch myself. But they loved it!


We finished the outing off with the new dolphin exhibit. Now, never in a million years did I think our "spirited" Julianna would sit through this show. I was hesitant to buy the tickets but Brian insisted. I constantly underestimate my kids. Once the show star neither child moved, I am pretty sure they were breathing but they were completely captivated. I was amazed and thrilled that I could actually enjoy the show too!


I can't wait to go back! I really want to take Julianna by herself. She was so content to just look at the fish. Needless to say on the way out we upgraded our tickets to passes!

Christmas 2011

Christmas was amazing this year! It is so much fun now that Jake "gets it." A couple weeks ago our Elf on the Shelf joined us. I told Jake we needed to name our elf and he looked at Julianna's hair bow and said "how about Bow?" Brian was thrilled thinking it was for Bo Jackson...not so much. So, Bow it was and every morning the first thing out of their mouths was "where's Bow?" Bow has gone back to the North Pole and they still ask about him. I for one am glad, it was tough to remind Bow to find a new perch every evening.

I did my annual cookie bake again this year. I made 7 different kinds of cookies and passed them out to friend and teachers. Jake helped quite a bit and was very proud to decorate the sugar cookies...yes LOTS of colored sugar on top (and all over the floor) but who cares? It's Christmas!


Finally Christmas Eve rolled around (Jake asked every day if it was Christmas morning). We had a quiet day and then went to church. We go to the kids service so we aren't a disturbance. They enjoyed the music and standing up to sing songs. I tried to get a cute picture of the two of them when we got home. I try to do that alot...works about 10% of the time.


I was expecting a 5am wake up call but our kids (unfortunately thanks to some very runny noses) slept until after 7:00! I actually had to wake Julianna up because there was no stopping Jake. Santa came and brought Jake new drums (yes Brian and I are crazy for allowing Santa to do this) and Julianna a kitchen.




We spent the morning opening the mountain of presents under our tree (I tend to go overboard and this year was no exception!). Jake and Julianna LOVE to Skype so both sets of grandparents got to see them open their gifts. Such fun to watch the kids show off their presents. My mom likes to send some funny gifts so she bought some Christmas marshmallows. Wouldn't you know Julianna's favorite things that morning were her very own Cinderella Tervis tumbler and the bag of marshmallows.


Over the years we have started new traditions. Brian started cooking this unbelieveable breakfast...Captain Crunch French Toast (courtesy of his favorite show Diners, Drive-ins and Dives). And this year we decided to go out for Christmas dinner. Yes, I thought it was a little sinful but secretly was thrilled! No dishes to clean or pots to put away. There was already plenty of mess in the house! We went to this fabulous little Italian place and let me tell you were not the only ones to buck tradition!

What a wonderful Christmas we had this year! We are truly blessed to have Jake and Julianna (not to mention our newest addition coming in March). They give us so much joy and happiness! I hope that all of you had a very Merry Christmas and have a safe and Happy New Year!

Christmas Fun

It has definitely been an eventful week for us. We stayed home this year for Thanksgiving and Brian cooked a delicious Thanksgiving feast...I just had to bake the pies! On Friday my brother flew in to see the kids and go to the Auburn game. Jake and Julianna showed him our new house and their new swing set. They loved playing with Uncle Johnny.


Tuesday Jake finally talked me into getting the Christmas stuff out and decorate the house. Brian got a Santa snuggie last year as a gag gift and Jake and Julianna tried it on. Jake thought it was hilarious. He was very excited to get out house ready for Santa. When we were finished he proclaimed our house to be "beautiful." We just needed to get a tree.


So off to Home Depot we went. I know we should get an artificial tree (more economical) but I just love the smell of a fresh Christmas tree. It just fills up the house. Of course its hard for a 3 year old to wait a whole day before getting to put ornaments on the tree. So Wednesday we spent the evening trimming the tree. The kids loved to grab ornaments and take them to the tree for Daddy to hang. They had a great time.


Today was a big day! We got to see Santa at the mall. Yes I am one of those crazy moms who makes an appointment (in October!) to see Santa. But it is very organized and the wait is maybe 5-10 minutes. Just seems the way to go. Jake is finally old enough to "get it." He tells me all about Santa and his reindeer. Multiple times he has told me that I need to clean the chimney so Santa doesn't get dirty.


When we arrived at the mall Jake made his Christmas list to show Santa and patiently waited to sit on Santa's knee. He hopped right up there. Julianna was not as thrilled to be there but at least there were no tears this year. On the way out they were each given a candy cane. Julianna gobbled hers down of course.


It has been a great start to our holiday season. I can't wait for Christmas morning this year!