Couch Cuddling

Bree and Hunter Calvert got a little cozy on the couch during a playdate between Christmas and the New Year

Hunter must have been hungry???

Avery and Wade had to join in the cuddlefest too!

John Henry Starr V

December 16, 2010

6lb, 8oz

19 inchesJay & Amanda welcomed baby John Henry just in time for Christmas! We visited just after all the family had gone home, holidays were coming to a close, and they were discovering what their new "real" life is like. They make a great team and seem to be taking all the changes in stride :)

John Henry was still so new and delicate I couldn't bear to mess with him too much. But don't worry, I will go hassle him for fun pictures soon enough....

Mae Carter Perkins

September 15, 2010

7lb 70z

19 inches

Isn't she gorgeous? This bright window and Mae's smiles were calling my name...and I had to take a few pictures of the little princess.

Polly & Forrest are great first time parents enjoying all the "stuff" that comes along with loving these little people! They live in Nashville and were home for Christmas, so I had to jump at the chance to meet Miss Mae. Mamas and the babies...Bree and Mae are already acting like typical girls...fighting over something silly. "Mom, she stole my pacifier", "Mom, she's touching me", "Mom, she stole my boyfriend!"

Snow Fun!

It took about a day for Wade to come out of his train coma to realize there was snow outside after Christmas. But when he finally did, he loved playing with our neighbors Peyton and Jordan. They are older girls that tolerate the annoyances of a toddler boy quite well. He follows them around like a little puppy and they seem to be okay with it. Everyday Wade wants to go outside and see them.

Carter Blake Whitson

November 11, 2010

8lb 2oz

21 1/2 inches

Jennifer and Beau welcomed their sweet baby boy, Blake, back in November. I finally got a chance to meet him over Christmas! Jennifer went to high school with Beau and I (my Beau not her's) but lives in Birmingham now. So her trips home are very busy with family and friends. I just loved holding him all wrapped up and cozy. I already miss the swaddling days :)

Bree was very glad to meet such a handsome younger man!

Whoa there Bree! You're getting a little close don't you think??? Sit up like a lady.

Me & Bree, Jennifer & Blake

We wish you lived closer so we could see you all the time, but we'll take the playdates whenever we can get them!

Enzo's Crab Christmas

The day after Christmas, my family gathered at Enzo's for his Crab Christmas. After parties of finger foods and traditional Christmas meals, our crab leg dinner is a highlight!

We gave Grandpa Enzo his own GREEN EGG!Sheesha and her nieces

Wade and Lauren get so giddy around each other and have a blast just running in circles chasing each other

People think they're twins, I can see why!

Diane's son, Phil, and wife Casey were in town from San Francisco with their son Tripp. Tripp is almost 1 and fit right in with the crazy kids.

CRAB TIME! I have a guilty confession....I haven't cracked my own crab in 2 years. Last year I was still pretty newly pregnant and the whole concept made me want me to vomit, and this year Beau just kept cracking and graciously sharing. I never even picked up a cracker :) I will let you know if I can make it 3 years in a row!

The 7 kiddos

The CRAZY 8 (Tripp's on Wyatt's lap)

Merry Christmas to all...

and to all a GOOD NIGHT!

Christmas Day!

What a DAY!!! We had the most amazing Christmas by ourselves and with family...then the snow was the ICING on the cake (or maybe the powdered sugar?)

We woke up at a normal 8am time (thankfully, because mommy & daddy were tired!). I got the kids coming down the stairs on video, and Wade was so excited that Santa ACTUALLY came! We dug right into stockings and even the smallest toy or train was fun for him. Cali and Orwell must've been good this year too, because Santa brought them new collars, stuffed toys and rawhides.
Then we started on Wade's presents from Santa, which Santa wraps, and he really enjoyed ripping into the packages. Santa didn't quite know how do do gifts for Wade this year....lots of small? one big one?...so he went somewhere inbetween. Little did Santa know...he could've just got one cool train and called it a day! Flashback to last year :)

Bree was also happy with her crawly snail from Santa... And a little elephant lovie like her big one...

It was great for all of us to have exciting new toys to work into the play rotation!

Then the Benich/Dickens crew came by for more Christmas morning festivities. Rowan and Ellis were such good sports to come visit on Christmas knowing Santa had left their toys back in Charleston for their return on the 26th. What torture! He did however drop off a few fun things at our house for them...

Orwell and Ellis - a match made in heaven Lots of cousin love!

Dede made Beau (and Nicci) a very special present this year. She kept, organized, laminated, and then scrapbooked all of their childhood artwork! The books are unbelieveable keepsakes and amazing to look at. My hubby was multitalented from a very young age...must have been the Montessori school :)

After Santa, presents, and an early breakfast at our house we went to Nathan and Michelle's for more of the same! Nonna's crepes are a Christmas morning traditional and they're always a crowd favorite.

All the kids were proud of their Santa toys...trains for Wade

Wii games for Wyatt...

Nonna made the grandkids these special ornaments. Each one is personalized with their initial and a message on the back.

I gave Nonna & G.G. the idea of play food and kitchen supplies for Wade since he loves them at their house. Unfortunately, Wade was not so excited to open "food" instead of trains. Colt did get trains and he was trying to swap gifts the rest of the time. Whoops! Sorry Nonna, you're on your own for ideas next time :)

We've been laughing at this picture because Nonna thought Beau was yawning (quite a big yawn), but if you look at the pictures before and after it...he's throwing wrapping paper back and forth with someone trying to catch it in his mouth!

Then when we got home it was snowing! What a Christmas treat. Me and my little snow angel...

Wade wanted nothing to do with the snow because we had his trains set up and ready to go...

Christmas dinner at our house with Poppa and Dede. Even Bree made it to the table.

The "sharks" are circling ready for a feeding frenzy...poor Bree's swimming and I don't think her "cage" is shark proof :)