The Most Wonderful Time of The Year

I think every day with family is a wonderful time.  We have taken this season captive and squeezed in as much family fun as possible.  We have been the Griswolds this year, without the tacky sweaters or intrusive cousin Eddy.  We have incorporated many Christmas traditions that were age appropriate, including Christmas caroling in our neighborhood.  The kids loved it!!!  It was very similar to trick-or-treating; run to the house, ring the bell and shout out "Jesus Loves You."  And then we would sing!  We were out about an hour, just long enough to get cold and need some hot cocoa to warm us up afterwards and what a great way to spend the last night with our dear neighbors before they moved out.  

Christmas eve was the first time in 12 years we were not with my parents, so there was an adjustment for us.  With fewer people to open gifts, we had the kids to bed only a little bit off schedule. 

  But we were able to squeeze in "The Night Before Christmas" and putting out reindeer feed for Rudolph and cookies for the Big Man.  It must have worked because he came to visit us!!

Siena has been talking about a "bigger deer" for nearly two months and Santa heard her plea because he delivered.  Tears of joy filled her eyes when she saw him and hauled him off to her bedroom.  In her mind, Christmas was done because the best gift had come. So far, Rudolph continues to follow Siena EVERYWHERE and rides in the car with us.  He is a larger than life friend that makes our little girl grin. 

We stayed in our pjs as long as possible on Christmas morning playing with toys, drinking coffee and listening to Christmas music.  Carson was very thrilled to have things with four wheels and "borrow" anything his sister received.  What fun to see them interact!

The other present that Siena truly enjoyed was her doctor kit.  Everyone that possibly could got a physical from Dr. Siena.  I think everyone is healthy according to her records but she is on call if that ever changes. 

 We had a very festive and fun Christmas evening with Uncle Dave and Lashon and the Hamricks.  What a fun family tradition that was started when we were two young married couples with family in different states.  Together we now have 6 children who cherish time together both on Christmas and throughout the year.  

We have enjoyed a magnificent year full of firsts and agains.  Raising children doesn't call for many exciting stories to share with those we meet, but their little lives make up our own and bring us joy we never thought possible.  Wishing you and yours a very Happy New Year!!!  

'Tis The Season

While everyone is hustling and bustling this holiday season, our household has been peaceful and reflective.  We are purposeful doing less and experiencing more activities with joy and hope during the month of December.  That said, our decorations were a little late going up due to the late Thanksgiving and that's okay.  Put with some excellent and excited helpers, the tree was decorated in no time. 

Peppermint hot chocolate with whipped cream was a nice reward after a hard day of decorating and Christmas music.  

Siena is at the right age to help out with Christmas cookies.  The previous years have not been as fun filled for Mommy, but this year had more laughter and fewer tears.  The only draw back is with participation in food projects equals more interest in eating the cookies!!! 

 We typically have friends stopping by to play so this week we had a princess party with Tinkerbell and Cinderella.  Carson may not have had a dress of his own but he enjoyed the extra company and the accessories. 

 It has been colder and wetter than usual this Christmas season, but no snow that has stuck (we had a little ice last week).  So Kurt pulled out the sled and we had our Tennessee version of sledding, through the leaves.  The kids had fun yelling "Faster Daddy Faster!!" and Daddy got a work out.  

And what Christmas season would be complete without a trip to visit Santa Claus?  It went as expected;  Siena was so excited to see the big man in red and give her request for a "bigger deer" and Carson was just plain scared.  But rest assured that he was fine 30 seconds later when he got to play in the indoor playground.  We wish all of you a joyful and peaceful time leading up to the day of our Savior's birth.  We are so blessed to share this time with our precious children and pass down to them our traditions and stories that they will some day share with their families.  Merry Christmas to y'all!!  

Halloween Fun

There is a nip in the air when fall blows through Tennessee, even if it doesn't happen until the last week of October.  And so much is happening to remind us of the beauty of the season.  The leaves have just started to turn, the mums are in bloom and every where you go, you can smell firewood burning.

 We celebrated our church's annual Hoedown with our small group friends tailgating and enjoying the bouncy houses and puppet show.  We are so blessed to have amazing friends to share these special moments with and great kids to watch our little ones play with.   

 Someone stopped me this week and told me to enjoy Halloween while my kids were so little and boy did we!  We made carmel fondue for our apples after dinner (Messy but soooo good) before hitting the picturesque Main Street of Murfreesboro to go trick-or-treating in our new wagon.  As you can see, Cinderella and Tigger were eager to make the rounds.  Both were great sports and endured many trips up and down sidewalks to shout the common phrase...."SNACKS!!!"  Yup, Siena pulled that one out on her own. 

 And what good parent wouldn't let their kid's sample the candy BEFORE bed?!  They were just too cute to say no to and they did burn a lot of energy running from door to door.  

 But we didn't let the kids have all the fun.  We hosted our annual Halloween party but this year it was a murder mystery set in the 1930s in a ritzy hotel in Colorado.  Kurt played the victim very well and I was the 'hostess with the mostess.'  It's a lot of work but every year we have so much fun.

 Here's hoping your Halloween was just as sweet as ours.  

Happy Birthday Siena

We began the month of September with a birthday and we ended the month with a birthday.

We celebrated the official day at the zoo and by a God appointment, we shared the gorgeous day with our family from Tennessee, the Hamricks.  We saw the new kangaroo exhibit, enjoyed a picnic lunch and even rode on the carousel.  We stayed well into the afternoon so naps just had to wait until the next day.   Besides, we had a new bicycle to ride.  Siena upgrade to a 14" girlie bike, helmet included.  We have tried out the road ways in the subdivision.  Watch out world - she has conquered 4 wheels (no key included).  We took our first family bike ride this weekend and thanks to the Hydrick family, even Milo and Carson were pulled along in a bicycle cart.  The small things bring us so much joy. 

Another highlight to the week was to have Papa and Gama Gashaw in town to visit AND they brought Sebastian.  I really can't think of anything better in a child's eyes than to spend a few days with your cousin.  On second thought, maybe....

 ICE CREAM!!!

We ended birthday week with an ice cream party with awesome friends who didn't mind the sprinkling rain or scheduled activities.  Smiles and laughter were the product of a soccer ball, a wagon, a Power Wheels car and an abundance of sugar.  Princess Siena enjoyed her special day and was very proud to wear her tiara and ice cream dress (Courtesy of Jennifer Shannon).

Year One

365 days + have passed since our baby boy entered this world, alleviating the burden that Siena was forced to carry as "the only child."  'Where has the time gone?' is the typical response.  The truth is that we all have the same amount of time.  All of us have lived 365 days, but babies, children for that matter, change so quickly.  As adults, we rarely change and are usually proud of that fact.  I bet when you look back over all the things you have done in a year, you will be fairly surprised.  You may not have gotten your first tooth, but I hope you have made some improvements from where you were last September.  

 So to celebrate the actual day of his arrival, we had a family day at the park where Carson got to participate with a peanut butter and jelly sandwich (look how he handles it like a pro) and climb on the playground equipment like a big kid.  The weather was perfect enough that Siena and Kurt flew a kite. Another childhood memory for the summer.

But then we had the PARTY!!!!  Don't we all look forward to an occasion to get together with friends and celebrate the blessings in our lives?!  We are so fortunate to have the most amazing small group anyone could ever ask for.  Not only did they shower Carson with love on his birthday, but they had enough love to share with his friend, Allison, who was born the day after Carson.  We had a joint circus themed party for our adorable toddlers.  

 Yes, those are bruises on Carson's forehead.  No, we do not beat him.  He just accelerates at a quicker pace than the wall, floor, door, toys, sister, etc.

 The birthday hats stayed on long enough for a picture!!!!!

You can witness the progression of caution with the new sweet delicious cupcake to the loss of shame where all fingers are in the mouth to the pure joy of annihilating the cake.  Clean up on aisle 13 please.

365 days later and too numerous lessons to count.  But I can tell you that the heart DOES expand and make room for more love when you think you couldn't possible love anyone else more.  I can tell you your oldest WILL survive and their better qualities will shine through, evidentially.  I can tell you that everyone, including Milo, adapts to the change of a new person and before long, you wonder how you ever lived without them.  

August in Tennessee

I have gotten behind on my blog posts with the daily demands of the family.  Now with Carson grunting his needs, I am sprinting through most days with little room for down time.  I find myself jealous of anyone who can find time for a hobby that isn't domestic oriented (cooking, laundry, coupon clipping, napping), but I also know that my kids are only little for a season and they won't always need me.  So until then, they are my life and the New York Time best seller will have to wait a few more years.  If it's any good, it will still be there in 5 years. 

Carson is more active these days and grows to be large part of Siena's world.  They play together and take turns destroying each other's rooms.  Carson is quite an eater and can usually finish Siena's food for her, but there are days he stumps his folks by throwing food which Milo quickly inhales.  When Carson's hands aren't full with the vacuum attachments or pot lids, he is pounding on something and growling.  

Siena is beginning to enjoy dress up, girlie shoes, skirts and princess things.  Although her umbrella and boots are for practical use in our wet climate, she deems them as play toys.  In the past month, she has started singing songs to herself, her favorite one being, "Away in a Manger."  She is quick to lend a helping hand and to let us know where Milo & Carson are into.  Her manners continue to improve and I am so proud to call her my little girl.  And with a new milestone being met every day it seems, Carson keeps us beaming with joy.

What Do You Do With Your Time?

Many times people question what I do at home with two little ones all day.  Sometimes, I wonder the same thing!  And then I look back at my days, my children's attachment to me, their constant needs (drinks, snacks, tissues, a hand to hold, a hug, discipline, love, attention) and pictures, I know EXACTLY what I do with my days -- I cherish my kids and the stage they are in at this moment.  Not every moment is easy but they won't always need me so these days are worth the small things. 

School has started in Middle Tennessee (yes, already!) and Siena has caught the bug.  Here she is playing school with her kindergarten friend, Lainey.  We have a few style issues to work on before she sets out for school herself but luckily we have a few years.  She has also spent quite a bit of time with our next door neighbor, Maria, playing grocery store and babies here at home.

Carson is on the move -- both in cars and walking by himself.  He is unsure on his feet so he prefers to crawl but several times throughout the day, we will catch him take several steps by himself.  Don't believe us? - His forehead is a showcase of 'I did it myself' awards!

Uncle Dave likes to come over on Saturday morning for pancakes and to play with the kids.  They look up to him and remember their times together.  Out of nowhere, Siena will ask about Dave and his truck.  How much fun it is to see MY playmate from childhood and to re-live all those fun experiences with my little ones twenty years later.  

Sports are fundamental in this family and Carson is already excited about it.  He loves playing in the yard, getting dirty, and working on his intimidating growls.  Mommy also gets attacked if she is not careful whether sitting on the floor or standing while doing dishes.  Before long he will have conquered the takedown.  

And my kids love each other.  The joy it brings to my heart to see them play together is indescribable.  Siena loves to greet Carson in the morning or after a nap and his response is a toothy grin and a giggle. I pray our little sunshines have brightened your day. 

The Legacy We Leave Behind

What do you wish for your children?  To have a better life than you; to have more stuff than you did; to have a higher education?  We have made it a priority in our home to build the family unit through QUALITY time together and through experiences.  I doubt they will remember everything we have done together, but hopefully the entire experience will result in happy, healthy, content children who have a positive outlook on life due to their solid foundation.

We have had a fun summer thus far and made the most of every day.  Carson had his first swimming experience on a beautiful Saturday morning, and Siena was incredibly proud of herself for using a lifesaver that allowed her to swim independently.  Both were so glad Daddy was there to watch over them, as well as a nervous mommy.

One evening we sat outside and roasted marshmallows in the dusk of a summer evening while Siena chased fireflies.  Do you remember doing that as a child?  How fundamental to enjoy nature and the discovery of how different every part is, including those six legged creatures we call bugs.  As you can see she had a ball!!!

Carson is well on his way to walking through assistance, standing, surfing around objects and being a dare devil.  He is quite curious and enjoys BANGING on all objects and yelling to accompany his master percussion work.

We LOVE living in middle Tennessee where fresh produce is abundant in the summer.  We enjoyed a trip to the strawberry farm in April and we visited the blueberry farm in June.  Siena was a great helper and sampled the berries to make sure they were ready for harvest.  Good thing we didn't have to weigh her for the berries we picked.  But is there anything that shouts summer louder than picking your own berries for homemade blueberry pie with ice cream?!

Our location also puts so many things within a day's drive so we made an impromptu trip to the Georgia Aquarium at the beginning of the month.  Both kids were in awe of the wonders the sea provide for us and thanks to Disney Pixar, most of those sea creatures were quickly recognized as 'Nemo', 'Dorie' and 'Gill'.  The Georgia Aquarium also had a fantastic dolphin show set to theatrics and music, equivalent to that of Sea World. 

And yes, we do stay at home.  Especially with a toddler whose primary joy in life is to crawl and explore, hanging around the house is a big part of our day.  Our hope is that you find some place new to explore this summer and create your own summer adventure, even if it's only in your backyard and share it with someone you love.