Get ready, it’s a l-o-n-g post.

Christmas Cookie Extravaganza

Our Christmas celebrations began with making cookies with Anna Kate and Amy. The kiddos sure had fun!

They quickly discovered that eating the dough and the sprinkles was way more fun. It reminded me of when we were kids. We always made Christmas cookies with Aunt Donna – some of my favorite Christmas memories. Anyway, she always told us not to eat the cookie dough. Then she would turn around to do something and we’d always sneak bites. Something I always thought I had gotten away with until adulthood! This picture is Reed after I “caught” him eating some cookie dough after I told him not to eat it.

Anna Kate and her Mommy decorating cookies or eating sprinkles.

They seem to be sharing a really funny secret here. One of my favorites.

Sweet hugs. Amy and I always joke that we’ll have some really good photos for their wedding slideshow!

Showing off the goods.They may be a few sprinkles short, missing a point on a star, or have a few bite marks, but they were made with love!

Christmas with the Hollis family

The weekend before Christmas we headed to Clarksville to celebrate Christmas with Michael’s family. Saturday morning, on a suggestion from Grumpy, we all headed to the Customs House Museum in Downtown Clarksville, to see their model train display. Even though the trains weren’t running that day, Reed still REALLY enjoyed looking at them. He could make one of them run himself, and he watched it over and over until it was time to go. Can’t wait to take him back one day when they are running!

Saturday evening we went to the annual Dirty Santa party, this year with a twist – Jody’s 50th surprise party in the mix! Even Santa made an appearance, and all the kiddos told him what they wanted for Christmas. Reed loved Santa and even gave him a hug. I was super-surprised he even sat in his lap, but he did without any hesitation!

Molly really liked Santa, too. She kept her eyes on him the whole time trying to figure him out. She even cried when he left.

On Sunday we opened presents with the family. All the kiddos:

Molly particularly enjoyed the wrapping:

I had made Caleb and Lane superhero capes … I think they liked them! I sure enjoyed watching them fly around with them on!

Cheerios

You might remember me blogging about the first time I gave Reed Cheerios, here. Now it’s Molly’s turn. And I think, just maybe, that she liked them. Really liked them. See for yourself.

Christmas at Home

We had so much fun this year! Reed understood a little more about what was going on, and we got to start a few traditions of our own. When I asked Reed what sort of snack he wanted to leave for Santa, explaining that Santa needed snacks to help give him energy to deliver all the presents, he decided to give Santa ‘monster cookies’ (Sesame Street Cookie monster cookies). Then he decided that those monster cookies were his and he didn’t really want to share them with Santa. So he decided we’d leave Santa some ‘ABCDs’ (Alphabit cereal). Then at the last minute he decided he would indeed share his monster cookies with Santa, so we threw in a couple of those as well.

This is Reed when he first came down on Christmas morning. He was so excited! He couldn’t decide what to do first!

He quickly decided he wanted to check out his new ‘ridecycle” and hopped on. He loves the bell it has on it!

I thought Molly wouldn’t be that interested this year. Well I was wrong! She loved opening her present! And she was even more excited when she saw it was a baby doll, just like Anna Kate’s doll! Molly has always loved Anna Kate’s doll Lily, so of course, that’s just what we had to get her for Christmas!

Molly even (accidentally) matched her new baby doll!

After we opened presents just our family, my extended family came over for brunch and more presents. I’ll have to depend on Aunt Lala to help out with pictures in that department – I dropped the ball on getting photos myself!  That afternoon we headed to my folks for the first (will be) annual Nash Family 12k Race. We had t-shirts and everything. Very official! Photos to come. Then a bit later my Mom’s family came over and we celebrated Christmas with everyone, including some fun home movies from when we were kids. Even Reed enjoyed them! We were jumping on the trampoline in the movie, and Reed jumped right along with us!

After Christmas

Yesterday afternoon we headed outside to clean my car and let Reed play with some of his new items. It was pretty cold, so we all bundled up.

Michael says she looks like the kid from The Christmas Story but I don’t care.I think she’s adorable. And she stayed warm and happy.

While I was finishing up cleaning my car, Reed decided to wash his too. He kept asking me to spray more windex on his car so he could scrub it. Reminds me of a certain Papa T who also likes to wash his new vehicles every day.

Did you make it to the end? I warned you it was long! My New Year’s resolution – blog more and stay up to date! This is my version of a scrapbook, so I need to make sure to not have anymore blanks in it! Didn’t get your fill of photos? Not to worry, there are many more! Check out the album here.

on December 28th, 2009 | 3 Comments »

So I’m typically not that emotional or sentimental. But getting rid of Reed’s crib and putting in his big boy bed almost made me cry. It didn’t hit me until we were putting the sheets on his new bed and he was climbing in it – my baby boy is not a baby anymore! We’re starting a new chapter in his life. Out with the baby – in with the big boy. So far, so good. He seems to be asleep and hasn’t even flinched over the change. He just wanted to make sure that MingMing and Zazzy (stuffed friends) got to also make the transition to the new bed. Once he knew they could come along, he was on board. Keeping our fingers crossed that he does well all night! Wish us luck!

And a few pictures of Molly – well because she’s just so cute! This was the first time we gave Molly table food. Sweet potatoes … she seemed to enjoy playing in them more than eating them!

on December 11th, 2009 | 2 Comments »

We spent the last weekend in Gatlinburg with Michael’s family. It was nice to see everyone and have the kiddos get to all play together.

Lane was such a sweetie. Caught him staring and smiling at Molly. He was so sweet to her!

Cousins …

on November 16th, 2009 | 1 Comment »

Tonight Reed was being especially ornery. If I heard his new word “mine!” one more time today I would scream. He put his dinner in his hair. Stuck his hand in his soup and mixed in around. Needless to say it was time to put the kids in bed and regain some sanity. While Michael and I were cleaning up the kitchen Reed had already gone upstairs to get ready for his bath. Knowing it had gotten all too quiet upstairs, I headed up to see what he was into now. And this is what I found. Sweet little boy had redeemed himself. Was sitting quietly in his chair reading his Thomas book, turning the pages so sweetly.

Molly has graduated to the big tub for her baths, and loves them as much as Reed does!

on November 9th, 2009 | 3 Comments »

The week before Halloween we finally got a chance to go to Mayfield Farms. We headed up with buddies Jackson, Ada and Anna Kate. They had a blast! I’m sure we looked like the paparazzi with all of us snapping pictures the whole time!

Right when we got there, Reed (and Anna Kate quickly followed) climbed the fence watching the donkeys.

Reed loved climbing the mountain of tires.

On the hayride to the pumpkin patch, we attempted to get a photo of all of the kiddos. While we managed to snag a few, none of them were smiling. Oh well. While Reed doesn’t seem that thrilled about sitting by the girls, Jackson is playing quite the ladies man!

Reed and Anna Kate searching for the perfect pumpkin to take home.

It was such a beautiful day to go, even if it was a bit muddy!

Another attempt at a group picture.

Reed found his perfect pumpkin, and tried so hard to carry it all by himself.

Jackson has always loved Molly. He made sure she was okay the whole day. Love his face here! He’ so proud!

Sweet goats.Well, sort of. Don’t ask Ashley.

The goats sure knew what came out of that ‘candy’ machine!

Molly loved sitting in the grass!

For more pictures of the day, checkout the album to the right.

on November 9th, 2009 | 1 Comment »

We carved our pumpkin on Halloween morning. Reed wanted a ghost in his pumpkin, so we tried our hand at it.

I think it turned out okay! Reed sure is proud of it!

Then we headed to Granna and Papa’s for dinner and headed off to trick-or-treat at a few family member’s houses.

Reed loved his treats from granna – cheese its and bubble bath along with a few other goodies. And he learned a new word, just in time – thank you!

on November 8th, 2009 | No Comments »

So I know I just posted about 10 minutes ago – but in the meantime, Molly sat up on her own! So now, I’m blogging again. Check out this strong little girl – sitting up at 4 1/2 months!

And to see Reed sitting up for the first time check out this post – so fun to compare the pictures between them! Now off to find the johnny-jump up! =)

on August 9th, 2009 | 3 Comments »

Reed helping us unroll a new rug.

Helping Michael flatten it out.

Molly sucking her fingers – she’s also started sucking her thumb…

Sweet smiles…

“Kaki” and Molly.

on August 9th, 2009 | No Comments »

Molly is growing so fast! I cannot believe it has already been four months! Time sure does fly. She went for her four month checkup today. She’s in the 25% for height and weight. And otherwise is doing great! The doctor said she’s already close to getting teeth. Crazy! She did awesome with her shots, too, only crying for a second. Unlike some very vocal child down the hall.

Reed also did really well at the doc, even though it wasn’t his appointment. He really was on his best behavior. He charmed the nurses as usual and got a sticker when we left because he did so well.

As I type, Reed is napping and Molly is taking full advantage. She’s rolling/scooting all over the floor, and laughing at me every time I look at her. She’s very proud of her new found ability to move around!

Reed has also been helping me cook lately. I heard recently that dogs need tasks. I decided that my child, in fact, needed tasks as well. And so I’ve been letting him help me with chores. He really loves helping me cook, and has done really well following the rules.

He’s also gotten a new cell phone (Michael’s old one, minus the battery). He thinks he is big time with this, and walks around the house talking on it. He says, “Hi Nana. Hi Nana. O-oo-oh. Bye Nana.” Or Daddy. Or Papa. Or “ama”. And he’s so serious about it.

We’ve also started potty training. He’s doing okay, but mostly likes to sit and read.

Molly has also discovered herself in a mirror on her activity mat. I’ll catch her looking and talking to herself all the time.

on August 4th, 2009 | 3 Comments »

granna and papa t came to visit us at chattanooga market and molly sure did enjoy papa!

watching the homerun derby

fourth of july – was hoping for smiles, but it was a bit past naptime

and the first time molly slept on her back was today. she tuckered out playing with the mesh on the playpen. and the other one is reed when he was about molly’s age. i think they get this from their daddy.

on July 16th, 2009 | 3 Comments »