Christmas Past and Christmas Present

I was going through pictures on my computer to upload to Snapfish to make Christmas gifts when I ran across the first picture we have of Braden during his first Christmas. Here are his Christmas pics from past 3 years. Sniff! Sniff!

Christmas 2007

Christmas 2008

Christmas 2009

All Aboard

Saturday morning we headed up to Chattanooga to take Braden on the Polar Express train ride. We took him last year, but he wasn't as crazy about trains as he is this year. Saturday morning he was up before 7 am and I went in to get him he said, "I'm ready to go on the choo choo train!"

When we arrived at the Chattanooga Choo Choo Braden got so excited to see all of the train cars. Side note- I booked our trip over 2 months ago and when I booked it I reserved a train car suite for the night. Brad wanted me to call and confirm our reservations last Monday and when I did I booked it for the 22nd instead of the 21st and all of the train cars were booked for the 22nd. Needless to say there was LOTS of crying on my part and Brad tried every angle to get it fixed...he even offered to sleep on the floor when we got there on Saturday since they had one available, but it only had a queen and no daybed for Braden. I will be SO glad when this pregnancy brain goes away!

The Chattanooga Choo Choo had so much to do that we know we want to take the boys back again. We visited with Santa in the lobby, made a stop by the Elf workshop, and ate a pizza dinner on one of the train cars before heading off to the Polar Express train ride.

I booked a 7:30 train ride and in retrospect I would definitely book the 5:30 one instead. He was so excited that he didn't nap and when we go there we had a while to board the train which is very hard for a 2 year old to do....especially when he was SOOOOO excited!




This year his excitement level was a new high. Last year I was way more excited than Braden, but this year he was jumping up and down and participating in everything- all the songs, the story, dancing and seeing Santa. It definitely made the trip worth it!

Making a List...Checking it Twice

On top of an already hectic holiday season, we're having a baby due 2 days after Christmas! While we are super excited about Parker's arrival, I also feel extremely overwhelmed by my VERY LARGE to do list! My wonderful husband has been helping me a lot with the everyday chores that need to get done around the house and I truly appreciate it. He also went ahead and put up our Christmas tree. Yes, I know it is REALLY early and our usual tradition is to put it up Thanksgiving night, but the thought of putting it up after a huge meal and in anticipation of shopping the next day made me exhausted. So this was our only free weekend and as good a time as any to get it done. However, it WILL BE DOWN THE MORNING OF THE 26th!

I am posting my to do list in hopes that it will keep me motivated to get everything done....plus I have really bad pregnancy brain this time around and checklists have become my friend!

• have the carpets in all the bedrooms cleaned- COMPLETE
• buy, paint, and put up Parker's initials in his room- COMPLETE
• order my breast pump accessories- COMPLETE
• finish washing and putting away Parker's clothes, blankets, etc.- COMPLETE
• get Parker's bedding ready- COMPLETE
• set up the co sleeper in our bedroom- COMPLETE
• get the bouncy seat and other various baby items down from the attic- COMPLETE
• finish my thank you cards from my school shower- COMPLETE
• take pictures and order our Christmas cards- COMPLETE
• take Braden to Chattanooga to ride the Polar Express next weekend- COMPLETE
• take Parker's blanket to get embroidered- COMPLETE
• get my winter coat dry cleaned-COMPLETE
• finish putting away shower gifts- COMPLETE
• Christmas shop- COMPLETE
• wrap Christmas gifts- COMPLETE
• take down our scarecrow outside and put out pine straw- COMPLETE
• take down glass doors in the bedroom and put up our new doors- COMPLETE
• paint Braden's train table and frames
• finish my parent/teacher conferences- IN PROCESS- 1 left!!!
• write my long term sub plans- COMPLETE
• prepare for our field trip on Tuesday- COMPLETE
• order Braden's birthday invitations- COMPLETE
• get everything prepared for Braden while I'm at the hospital- COMPLETE
• take Braden to see Santa- COMPLETE
• bake Happy Birthday Jesus cupcakes
• pack my suitcase for the hospital- COMPLETE

I'm sure that I am leaving several things, if not a couple out. I am just praying for peace that I don't go into a panic mode. It's hard being a control freak and then having no control and feeling overwhelmed. However, I have an awesome family who loves me and that I can count on to help. So thank you in advance to Brad and my parents for enduring the break down that is sure to happen in the next few weeks and picking up the pieces! I love you guys!

Halloween 2009

I know that I really late with this post, but I swear I am so exhausted that at this point I am proud of myself for getting it done.

Halloween day was extra busy due to the GA/FL game. My brother and Erica, along with my cousins came over to watch them game and I made some pregame goodies to snack on. By the time the game was over, the rest of my family was here to celebrate Halloween.

All of the boys were SUPER excited this year, since they actually understood they were going to get candy! We feasted on our traditional chili, rice, hot dogs and all the fixins'. By the time we ate dinner the boys were racing to get into their costumes and ready to get out the door. I didn't get eh best pictures this year since the weather was yucky, but it did clear off enough for us to hit a few houses.

Braden ran up to each house yelling, "Trick or Treat! Happy Halloween!" At one house the lady gave him a coupon for a frosty. After she put it in his bag, he kept standing there with his bag open staring at her. So I prompted him by saying, "What do you say Braden?" fully expecting him to say "Thank you." Instead he said, "I'd like some candy please!" It was priceless!

Getting together with my family at Halloween was a tradition that I treasured when I was little and I feel so blessed that we have been able to continue this tradition with my whole family as we have grown. I hope that Braden will enjoy the years to come as much I have in the past.

5 Little Pumpkins

Jesus Loves the Little Children