Braden's first Christmas and the rest of December...

We had a fabulous Christmas holiday and it was so much fun this year with our family of 4! I loved having 4 stockings hung on the mantle, it looked so complete. We have been so blessed this year and it was great to reflect on everything that we have gained. Santa was so good to both of the boys and Piper kept busy all season getting into mischief as usual. Piper is our (elf on the shelf) and was caught swinging on the chandelier, eating out of a bag of marshmallows in the kitchen, playing with Braden's baby toys, and snacking on popcorn and watching movies just to name a few. Connor must have been a very good boy this year for Piper to have given Santa such a good report...he got lots of great things!

We did something new this year with the Thompson's and went to a cabin in Sevierville (just outside of Dollywood) and had a great time with the entire Thompson clan. Every family had a bedroom and went to Dollywood one night, had our traditional "breakfast" for Christmas dinner, and much more. It was a great time!

Connor and Braden made Nonna and Grannie stepping stones with their footprints and names for Christmas. They are so special and I know they will treasure them. We had them made at Precious Prints here in Franklin and I totally recommend it to anyone with little ones. They also make ceramics and customize it to your child.

This was Braden's first Christmas and I think he managed to sleep through every major event. Lol! Every time we opened presents...Braden...asleep. I think he did enjoy the excitement though. Santa brought him lots of clothes (most of which were too small, so he left receipts so Mama could exchange them for a size 12 months). Yes, you heard me correctly. My then 4 month old was moving into 12 month clothes. Santa brought him 9 month...who knew. He also got a ball pit, which Connor really liked. I just hope that Connor doesn't pop it before Braden can actually play in it. Ha!

The entire month of December is usually a blur for me. I am sorry to say that this year was no exception and seemed to go by even faster with two kids, rather than one. I love that time of year so much and I hate that it has to pass me by so quickly. I am usually so tired from all of the birthdays and Christmas festivities that I don't even get to enjoy the time I am in. I hope for things to be different next year, but who am I kidding. It is only going to get busier. Can't wait to see what next year brings...to think that Braden will be walking and talking is just crazy! It is going to be so much fun!

Connor helping Mommy with Christmas cookies. We do this every year and I love the time we spend together!

Connor's note from Santa. I think he really liked the cookies!

My little elf.

Notice Piper sitting on the chalk board.

Connor was so out of character on Christmas Eve. Come to find out...he was worried that Santa was going to pass by our house if we didn't get home. Poor little guy!

I loved their matching PJ's.

This is my cousin's little girl Lucy. They were so sweet together. I can't wait to see them next year.

My favorite things under the tree!

Our family Christmas with the Thompson's in Pigeon Forge

Connor, Paisley and Braden (love this picture!)

The ice skating fiasco...lets just say Connor never stepped foot on the ice. LOL

Braden and I were the spectators...

He looks like he is up to something...naughty Santa.

Our visit with Santa...both boys did great! No tears or frowns :))

Breakfast with Santa

Connor's birthday...we went to Peekaboo Playtown. His favorite!

Braden and Daddy at Peekaboo Playtown.

I am now the proud owner of a MacBook!

I say this because it should help me to be able to post on here more often now. Yes, it will still be a struggle to keep up with everything and blog too, but with this new computer it should help things a lot. Our old Toshiba PC finally bit the dust. Brad was able to remove the hard drive and put all of our old pictures on here, which was a relief. I had them all backed up except for the ones from this past Christmas. I am loving the Mac so far. It is amazing how much you can get done on a computer that isn't crashing all the time! Stay tuned for more posts...

It's been a while!

I know it has been a LONGGGGG time since my last post as my husband reminds me all the time. Again, with Facebook being so easily accessible on my phone and it being much quicker for me to make short posts, I easily forget about my blog. I plan to get caught up on the blog this week!

First I want to ask everyone to please read a new blog created by our friends, Jessie and BJ. Their son, Thatcher was born about a month before Braden. Jessie and I being coworkers at the time, went through our pregnancies together. We talked every day about our pregnancy symptoms, the joys of motherhood (she has another daughter Amelia), and the hardships of being a working Mom. She works just under Brad and we have been on work trips together, etc. Lots of good times. Her son Thatcher was diagnosed with a rare liver disease at 2 months old. It is called biliary atresia and while I don't know as much about it as obviously she can explain on her blog...in a nutshell...he was born with a "dud liver" (Jessie's words from her blog). He is in need of a liver transplant and will most likely be getting one in a matter of weeks from his Mama and our friend Jessie being the living donor. Because Vanderbilt no longer does liver transplants, they will have to travel to Pittsburgh for the surgery. Please take a little time to read their precious story and pray for them! They have faith that He is in total control of the situation and will carry them through. They know your prayers are what gets them through these difficult times. Thank you blogger friends!

Here is the link to Thatcher's story... and I have also added it to the top of my blog so that you can check back often for updates. Thanks!

Happy 4th Birthday to Connor!!!

I can't believe that my baby boy is 4! My how big he has gotten! We had a blast celebrating him yesterday. We asked him what he wanted to do and his choice was to go to Peekaboo Playtown. We usually always go to Chuck E's but not this year. He loved the new things they have added since we were there last. I know we will be going back very soon. We went to lunch afterwards and he got a big bowl of ice cream for his birthday dessert. They couldn't have brought him anything better...he loves ice cream!

Happy Birthday to my sweet son! I have loved every minute of these last four years and can't wait to share each and every moment of the years to come.

I love you,

Mommy

Mommy and Daddy gave him a Bible with pictures in it. He has a Bible but wanted one that was more like a storybook. We got The Beginner's Bible and he loves it!

A visit to see Santa...

This year we went to a local church and had breakfast with Santa! This is the first year that Connor has actually been excited to see him...really understanding what it means to see him and tell him his Christmas list! It sure is going to be a fun Christmas morning this year! I wasn't sure what Braden would do, but he didn't seem to mind sitting on his lap one bit. I expect that we will probably have the crying baby pic next year. LOL! We were very impressed by this Santa. They even announced his departure so that the kids could watch him drive away in his red Mercedes convertible complete with a "S Clause" license plate. Connor said he was driving to a remote location to get his sleigh. Well, not exactly in his own words but you get the idea. Ha!

This was the picture of Connor telling him what he wanted. (A remote control monster truck)

Sweet Braden waiting in line to see Santa...

...and pretty excited about it, I might add!

...and Connor is SUPER excited to finally get to see him. We waited a little late this year.

Eating pancakes and sausage. Mmmm..

...and we even got to see a friend or two! (Connor and his friend Micheal who went to Ms. Betty's together)

Have a Holly JOLLY Christmas!

December Snow!

Just like everyone else in TN, we got our first snow two weeks before Christmas! Connor had a ball playing in it, even though it wasn't very good snow for snowballs or a snowman. We still had fun!

Connor and Braden at 3 months

Here are the comparisons between Connor and Braden. I think that if Braden was a little slimmer or Connor had been a little plumper they would have been more similar! LOL!

Connor at 3 months

Braden at 3 months

Connor

Braden

Connor

Braden