ALL TOGETHER AGAIN

Around 5am the day after Christmas, Kelly started his 12 hour drive to Jacksonville to pick up the kids. Around 5am on the 27th, he loaded the fantastic four into the car and made the trek back to M-town. I can only imagine driving for 24 hours...12 of it with 4 kids in the back of the car. I am amazed every time he does this. He never complains, he just does. He pushes himself as far as he can go to be able to spend the maximum amount of time he can with the kids. I am so proud of him for his relentless determination to be a constant presence in their lives. What a man I have.

While Kelly was driving his 24 hour trip, I was busy preparing for the kids big Christmas celebration. I had the house all decorated, their rooms ready, all the gifts wrapped, and dinner in the oven. (macaroni and cheese, broccoli casserole, bread and tenderloin). When the kids finally arrived on the 27th, my whole family came over. Maci and Trevor (my brother's niece and nephew) came too. The kids ripped through their presents in record time, despite that Jude had removed all the name tags and we didn't know whose present was whose. Silly bug.

Bryce w/ all my gift trim...bows and bells.

Rece was Santa and handed out all the goods

Kami in hello kitty heaven

Kyky ripping the paper!

Jude playing with his toy from Granny K & Grandpa

Leading up to the kids visit, I had pipe dreams of doing all kinds of things. Anyone who knows me well, knows I love nothing more than to PLAN! But, as fate would have it, I caught a terrible cold virus. I kept trying to get up and do as much as possible and Kelly kept telling me to sit or lay down. I was a snotty mess. However, we still hit the town for as many Memphis Christmas activities as we could. On the 28th, we went to Snowy Nights at Botanic Gardens. It was my first time going to Snowy Nights, and I have to say it was super cute! They had a snow pit, snow machine, life-size light bright wall, and tons of Christmas lights.

B & R in the snow pit

Cutest snowman ever....wait it's a snow-girl. Opps!

standing under the snow machine!

Kelly had the week off, but on Wednesday he had to go into work. My sweet mom took a vacation day to come watch Jude and I took all the big kids to see Yogi Bear 3D.

We also took everyone to Starry Nights, which is a drive thru Christmas light show at Shelby Farms. I have been going to Starry Nights since I was a kid, so it was nice to carry on the tradition. The Memphis Zoo (awesome zoo), opened an ice skating rink. The kids loved it! Kelly not so much. He is no Scott Hamilton. Kam held tight to her Daddy or big brother the whole time. But, Kyle was cracking me up...he would bust so hard and just get right back up. He was soaked when we finished and we had to run to the car, so he wouldn't turn into an 3 foot ice cube.

Yes...I know...they really are that CUTE!

Couple skate (Daddy & his girl)

The best part of the trip was an activity I had not planned. The boys received remote control cars, so we took them outside in our cove to give them a test drive. As they were playing, Kelly decided to take the training wheels off Kyle's Go-Go Diego bike. He helped Kyle onto the bike, gave him a few instructions, a push, and our sweet Kyky was off! No training wheels! You could not wipe the smile off Kyle's face. He was so proud of himself...and we were so proud of him! It was one of those special moments I will never forget.

Action shot & YES, we made a ramp!

The cheering section

Such focus

Look at that smile...pure joy

Goodbyes are always the hardest, and we hated to see the fantastic four go back to Florida. Counting down the days until we are all together again! Remember to hug your loved ones tight...Love to all. ~ Anna

A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS

We woke up early Christmas morning.... I was so excited and anxious to see Jude's face when he saw that Santa came and delivered TOYS! (although he is pretty terrified of the man in the red suit)

The goods

I picked him up out of his crib and told him that it was Christmas. I carried him down the stairs, pointing to the tree, and the little guy didn't even let out his standard "yayyy!" He was so confused. Poor baby just wanted his normal routine, to get his milk, and cuddle with me on the chair. It is true...love conquers all...even a bunch of toys on Christmas morning! We finally coaxed Jude into playing with his new toys and he was happy testing out his new slide and hammer. We then enjoyed a yummy breakfast casserole and headed over to Papa John's house to open more presents!

Later that night, we went over to my brother's house for Christmas dinner. My sweet sister-in-law had her whole family there for Christmas. I love houses full of family...which is a good thing because our family is pretty big! My favorite part of the night was watching the kids play Dance Jam 2. That game is A-W-E-S-O-M-E! Ya'll have to check it out. If I had a few spiked egg nogs, I might have broke it down there in the living room too. Jude had a blast dancing....kicking his leg up in the air...spinning in circles...and pretending that a cell phone was a Wii controller. He had everyone in the house laughing. Such a stinker! Awesome Christmas! Next post- Christmas visit with the fantastic four! xoxo~ Anna

Jude shaking a leg

'TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS

We had such a wonderful holiday! We spent Christmas Eve this year with my mom aka Mimi aka Grandma Margie. Earlier in the week, Kelly and I had watched Giada's Home for the Holidays on Food Network (huge nerds). Love Giada, but how does she stay so super skinny making all that food!?! I prefer a chubby chef. Skinny chefs can't be trusted...right? Well, we decided that we would be serving Giada's Ministrone soup. It was delish and made the house smell amazing. We served it with bread, wine, and some Applewood smoked cheddar cheese.

Jude and his Mimi

I love traditions! I am very sentimental and love anything I can plan or organize. So, I am always starting new traditions for our family. This year, I decided to start a tradition for Jude where he makes ornaments to give to loved ones. I bought some glass ball ornaments, white paint, and an orange paint pen. And on Christmas Eve, we put Jude's handprints on the ornaments and made little snowmen out of his finger prints. Needless to say dipping Jude's hands in paint and trying to get him to grab the ball proved to be challenging. The white paint everywhere was enough to give my "neat freak" husband heart palpitations. But, I think they turned out cute! They weren't perfect, but the imperfections and smears is what gives the ornaments character and heart. ;)

We continued the tradition of letting Jude open 1 present on Christmas Eve. He opened a present from Mimi. The gift was a couple books and a Mickey Mouse. Jude is currently under the mouse's spell. He is obsessed with Mick-ky (how he pronounces it)

Finally, what would Christmas Eve be without cookies for Santa? I would like to say that I am a master baker, but I am clearly not. I tried to use some cookie cutters and they turned into big blobs! But, I semi-redeemed myself by using the cookie cutter to sculpt said blobs.

Blobby mess

Semi-redemption, that's a snowman people ;)

All and all, we had a wonderful Christmas Eve filled with laughter, chaos and love. I wouldn't have it any other way! Next post~ Christmas!

THE SWEETEST WORDS

What a great way to start the month of December! December 1st started off as a perfectly normal day. Jude woke up, I changed his diaper, we went downstairs, and as always we cuddled on the chair under a blanket, as my sweet baby drank his milk. Mornings with Jude are so special. He is always in a cuddly mood and so happy to see me. He loves to get "cozy coz" with his momma when he first wakes up. But, this particular morning was extra special. I whispered that I loved him in his little ear for the millionth time and WHALLA......he said it back!!! I looked around with my mouth open....thinking did anyone hear that? (I was alone) I said it again....and again I heard "I wuv you!" Jude had a big smile on his face like he was so very proud of himself. My eyes immediately started watering. His very first sentence! He told me he loved me! I pulled out my phone to record him saying it, because I had no eye witnesses. I psycho called my husband, Kelly, but no answer, so I text him the exciting news. I sat there with Jude, tears streaming down my face, hugging him thinking...I am the luckiest girl in the world.

Later, when Kelly was able to get a break from work and call me back. I just teared up and said "thank you." I am so blessed to have a husband who works crazy long hours and bears so much pressure to support a larger than average family. We may not have everything we want....but we have everything we need. Love is such an amazing gift.

Since the great day of December 1st, Jude has been on an "I wuv you" holdout. Or maybe he is just scared he will make mommy cry again. But since then, I have watched the below video at least 50+ times. You may not get the giddy joy I get from watching....but you will no doubt be left with a huge grin on your face. Enjoy!