Random

Can you tell who just woke from their nap?
Emma loves to show her belly button, so I guess Connell wanted to do what Emma does!

Sweeties.

Rainy days...

Emma got this adorable raincoat for her b'day so we love when it occasionally rains!

It's Beginning to Look Like Christmas!

It's become our "tradition" to return from Memphis on Saturday after Thanksgiving so we can begin working on our Christmas decorations! Connell was so excited and has been asking to put up the tree for a month now. Our outdoor decor team!

this boy LOOOOOves his daddy!
Emma meets the Little People of our Nativity set

Daddy's helpers

oh goodness...

Taking his job seriously...

love how he decorates...all in a row! Very organized!

uh oh!

Baby Jesus!

( Funny story...shortly after we set up the nativity set, I couldn't find Baby Jesus. Me: Connell, where's Jesus? C: He's in the refrigerator. He's cold so I'll go get him now. )

Emma's breakfast buddies!

More pictures to come of the "finished" decor!

A Thankful Weekend

We made our trip to Memphis/Olive Branch to be with our families for the Thanksgiving holiday. Lots of family, friends and food! We have so much to be thankful for...I wish we could try harder to keep a thankful spirit every day of the year.

This is a great one, and would be GREATER if Emma was looking! Oh well! Papa, Emma, Meme & Meemom (at Meemom's house for lunch)Now she's decided to look at the camera! That evening, we went to visit with the O'Leary side of the family. Here is Emma with her other Great-Grandmother, "Great Mom". Can you tell that Connell has been into some type of chocolate dessert?!Turkey time! Emma thinks it's silly!This was after leaving Meme & Papa's Friday morning after lots of play time. Making icing for cupcakes - we accidentally destroyed my Mom's mixer. oops! Sorry Grandma!Daddy making his yummy carrots! We tried a few new recipes this year. Everything was delish! Yep, she wore the turkey dress Thurs and Fri! Gotta make the most of the turkey dress...can't really wear it any other time! Big thanks for Rachel (& Mallory) for letting Emma borrow it!loving the turkeyMy Mom and Dad I don't think Connell ate much turkey. He told me "the turkey doesn't want me to eat him." My adorable godson, GusFriends that are like family, Abby and her boyfriend Mark

Now we know why Emma always wants to hang with Grandpa (wink wink)!

licking the icing!

Emma and Aunt Katie

This was the funniest thing ever! All 3 kids became the clean-up crew! Hilarious!

It was a great and busy weekend. We headed home on Saturday afternoon so we could get started on the next big thing: DECORATING for Christmas!

A Shower for Katie (& Tanner)!

This past weekend, I helped host a shower for my sweet friend Katie and her baby boy (expected early in Jan) Tanner. I have grown to be friends with Katie (who I met through my friend, Shannon) and we are just so thrilled for Katie and Chris and can't wait to meet and HOLD little Tanner!
Here are a few pictures from this special event!

Shannon made this sweet banner for Tanner! (hey, that rhymes!) I know it's a picture of a picture, but it is so pretty! Cupcakes! What's a shower without 'em?! The mama-to-be about to open gifts!Someone knitted the cutest little hats for Tanner...one looks like a blueberry muffin! :) So happy for you, Katie! Our prayers are with you and your growing family!

Santa!!!

At the beginning of November, a shop nearby always has their Christmas openhouse and they have a photographer taking pictures of kids and Santa. And really, I think he's THE Santa! He is amazing and precious and I wish I could have him come spend Christmas at our house! :)
See for yourself...

When did our baby boy get so big? This is precious!

Well, I guess I should have not had great expectations for Emma this year. Afterall, when Connell was around this age that she is now, he didn't sit on Santa's lap either. So while it won't be our Christmas card this year, it's still cute, tears and all!

Might I add that I NEVER sat on santa's lap when I was a little girl. EVER.

Still looking at these pictures wondering how a year can go by so fast???

I can't help but look at these little ones from last year and say a short prayer "God, in the midst of the laundry, runny noses, dirty diapers, discipline problems, etc etc etc, PLEASE help me to enjoy & savor every moment with these children.

I am seeing everyday, they are growing too fast."