New Year. New Blog.

I've decided to move our blog to a new site.  It's called Remembering the Little Things, and you can access it here.  I've actually had the site for quite some time and since we've started a new year, I thought it would be a good idea to start our new blog.  I have several reasons for doing this, but none of which would probably mean much to anyone else.  It just makes life easier for me! Don't worry, there won't be any password requirements, so this change will only require you to change your settings once.  I hope you'll move with us!

Our Vacation

I finally posted all of the pictures from our Smoky Mountain vacation with Pop and Mimi, but it ended up appearing earlier in the month.  If you are interested in reading about our trip, click here, here and here!

Favorite Christmas Pictures

I thought the best way to wrap up our Christmas celebrations would be to post a few of my favorite pictures.  We were blessed beyond words this Christmas be being able to spend lots of time with our family...one of God's many gifts to us.

Now, we're ready to start a new year!

Christmas in Philly

Once we returned home from celebrating Christmas in Louisiana, we stayed at home for a few days to play with our new toys.  After the new began to wear off, we packed up and headed to Philadelphia to visit my side of the family for the holidays.  Caroline couldnt' wait to get there so that she could get her hands around her favorite baby cousin, Katelyn.

We celebrated New Year's Eve with Nana, Pop Buddy, Mommaw, Pappaw Bill and KK's family.  Caroline helped get Katelyn dressed and then they danced with each other.

Of course it wouldn't be a party without our traditional Christmas punch.

Since we hadn't exchanged presents yet, the kids were more than ready to open the presents that had been under Mommaw's tree since Thanksgiving.

Caroline was thrilled when she received her own digital camera that takes real pictures.  I better watch out, because it looks like she is going to become the new "queen photographer" in our family.

Will was so excited when he saw what Pop Buddy had waiting for him outside.  He fixed up another little ride for Trouble...this time it was a Hummer.

We decided instead of buying Katelyn a few toys, we would give her a big pink bucket full of some of the toys we had outgrown.  She seemed to especially love her new bumbo seat.

I couldn't wait for Mommaw to open the present I made for her...a handmade apron to use when she eats her meals. 

 

On New Year's Day, we went to Pop and Mimi's house for a big New Year's Day brunch with the Deweese family.

Will thought he was too cool when he put on his new orange vest that Uncle Randy helped pick out for him.

Lane decided she needed to get some baby love too and was just precious when she got a chance to hold Katelyn.

They say every family has someone that is a little crazy...thankfully Kevin fills that position in our family.

Of course the day would not be complete without a ride on Pop's new wagon that Molly Girl pulls with ease.

Once all the extended family had left, it was time to relax and celebrate the holiday with Pop, Mimi and Uncle Austin. 

We also managed to open the last presents of the season, as if we weren't already spoiled enough!  Anyway, I had to prepare Caroline that this would be it.  There would be no more presents to open after this and that she was so blessed to have received so many fun things.  Frankly, I think she enjoyed opening the boxes just as much as seeing what was inside. 

Will was glad to try on his new riding hat courtesy of Aunt KK.  She figured he needed it since he has already had his first fall off a horse!

But perhaps my favorite memory of the day was the excitement will displayed when he opened his present from Pop and Mimi...a truck with a four-wheeler in the back that pulled a trailer full of horses!  He couldn't believe his eyes...a box full of all of his favorite things!  I guess that explains all of the screams to his Daddy, "open it, Daddy...open it!"

Louisiana Christmas

After we played most of the day with the goodies Santa left us, we packed up and headed to Louisiana to have Christmas with Matt's family.

When we arrived, we were greeted by some very excited grandparents and aunt and a Christmas dinner feast served on fine china!  Can I tell you how good it was to have a delicious dinner hot and ready for you when you arrive somewhere?  Of course, the kids didn't' savor one single bite because they were ready to open presents.

After all the presents were open, Caroline enjoyed a good game of Candyland with Aunt Erin,

 

while Will was ready to try out his new scooter, which he pronounces as "cooter".

 

On Saturday, we played alot and then headed to Uncle Roy and Aunt Charlotte's house to have Christmas with Mamaw Kat's side of the family.

Mamaw Elsie played Santa Claus and the kids opened a few more presents.

This year, the favorite toy seemed to be Jenna's new baby doll she got from Santa Claus that drinks milk and wets her pants.  Even the boys liked playing with this doll.  Perhaps it had something to do with her bowel habits!  I'm keeping my fingers crossed that Caroline doesn't request one because I am ready to be out of the diaper stage!

After everyone had opened their presents and ate to their heart was content, the big kids decided to play a friendly game of Rook.

It was the first time Matt and I had ever played, but we caught on quickly thanks to the help of Aunt Erin who found a way to remind Matt of which card was the best.

Matt was over the moon when he declared he was going to "shoot the moon" and actually did.

While we were busy playing the game, Will made sure Mamaw Elsie was entertained.

Since their parents were preoccupied, Caroline and Jenna locked themselves in the bathroom so they could play alone.

And of course before we left we made certain to take the obligatory great grandkids Christmas picture.

On Sunday evening, we packed up once again and headed to Uncle Richard and Aunt Clay's house to have Christmas with Pappaw's side of the family.

Caroline was glad to see baby Carter and quickly realized that he wasn't much of a baby anymore.

It happened to be Kramer's birthday, and he had plenty of help blowing out his candles.

  Since most of the kids are boys, Caroline is quick to find Mary Clare so they can play together.

For some reason, I didn't take many pictures that night.  Perhaps it had something to do with trying to keep up with my kids in the big crowd.  Anyway, the highlight of the evening was when Sandy and D.J. shared their slide show from their recent trip to Africa to visit Alison and her family.  Pictures from their safari were unbelievable!  Matt and I are ready to go see it for ourselves if our house in Alabama would ever sell.  We missed Alison's family this Christmas, but were so glad to see them in the slide show!

 On Monday, we relaxed most of the day before heading back home.  We had a great Louisiana Christmas and are so thankful for being able to spend time with our family.