Christmas 2009

Merry Christmas from

The Smith's!

This is going to be a rather long post but there are lots of pictures of my cuties...so hopefully you won't mind!

I guess we will start our Christmas journey with visiting Santa Clause at the mall. Taylor was so so excited to meet Santa Clause and tell him what she wanted.

She said she was going to hop right up on his lap and touch his beard and tell him she wanted a baby with a paci in it's mouth.

This little fella was pretty excited too. We only waited in line about 30 mins or so, not too bad for the mall Santa!

When the time came to actually see Santa though...Taylor had a melt down and climbed up me and clung to my shirt and screamed and cried. Liam on the other hand walked right up to Santa and sat on his lap and said..."choo-choo!" It was really cute. So in order to get a picture of Taylor with Santa...I once again had to be in the picture. Me and Santa are getting to be great friends (I had to be in the picture last year too!) After we left the Santa line Taylor got very upset because she realized she forgot to tell Santa what she wanted. She said we needed to go back! Excuse me?? I don't think so! I told her we would not be standing in that line again (which now looked like it was about an hour wait!). I told her we would just have to write Santa a letter to tell him what she wanted! She was ok with that.

Here is Taylor on Wednesday before Christmas helping me make Christmas cookies for Santa. She was soooo excited to help this year! She wanted to do all the rolling and cutting for the cookies. She didn't do too bad actually! She was so cute the whole time we were making them.

Cookies for Santa! (before baking!)

Taylor and Liam on Christmas Eve. This Christmas was so much fun because Taylor definitely knew what was going on and even Liam understood that something was different about this day! I so look forward to future Christmases and all the joy that these two will bring me and Will!

I will forever be a Christmas Eve tradition in my family that we go out to eat on Christmas Eve with everybody. This year we went to Connor's and it was very very yummy! The kids were as well behaved as they could be and it was an overall great lunch! This is the whole crew after we ate!

All the kids in front of the Christmas tree at Connor's. They truly are stair-steps! They love each other so much and enjoy getting together and playing. Most of the time they make the biggest mess, but they have so much fun!

Our 2 sassy little girls! Abigail loves to pose like this and has tried to teach Taylor how it's done!

After eating we all met at the movie theater and watched the new chipmunks movie. Taylor really enjoyed it. Liam took a nap during the first 1/2 of the movie and then sat and watched the rest of it for the most part. It was a really cute movie!

Here we are keeping up another Christmas Eve tradition I grew up with...every Christmas Eve you get to open one present, and it is always new pajamas! Here is Taylor ripping in to hers!

Liam too! They were so excited to get Minnie and Mickey pajamas...and Mommy was excited that they only cost me $3 a piece the day after Thanksgiving! Yeah for good deals!

It is getting harder and harder to get a picture of these 2 with both of them looking and smiling! This is the best we got on this one!

Here they are getting ready to go to sleep and leaving cookies out for Santa. We watched Elf while they were settling down and sitting with us on the couch. We love the movie and decided last year we would make watching it on Christmas Eve one of our traditions! They didn't go to sleep too late...but it wasn't early either! Especially considering that Santa and Mrs. Clause had to put together a train table and train set after the kids went to sleep! They were up pretty late!

But this reaction was worth every minute of lost sleep! Liam ran into the den to see his new train set. He didn't want anything to do with any other presents after he saw this. He was not interested in opening anything! He just kept say "train! train!" It was the cutest!

Taylor got a baby with a paci in it's mouth just like she wanted. She also got a new purse that she has carried everywhere with her since! She loved her presents!

Here she is opeing a barbie...her first! She opened it and said..."I've always wanted one of these!" It was so cute!

Here she is with a "T" in pink and green stripes that she will one day get to put on her wall in her very own bedroom. We pray that day will be soon!

Here is Liam finally being pursuaded to open a present. He got a new blanket, a play camera, and a medical kit. He loved everything...but he especially loved the train table!

Our Christmas didn't stop there by any means...but I don't have very many pictures of the rest of our adventures! We had a pretty quiet morning playing with new presents and getting dressed. We ate lunch with Nonnie and Poppy and Tim and Amber. It was a great lunch! Then we all just rested and Liam took a nap. Will and Taylor went to Oakdale to visit with his mom. When they got back we woke Liam up and went over to my Nanny's house for just a little bit. Then we headed back over to the house to have Christmas with the whole clan! The kids opened tons of presents from Nonnie and Poppy and got spoiled to the core like always! Then all the adults got to open some presents and munch on goodies the rest of the night. We even played a pretty fun new game that had us laughing all night!

The next day we had Christmas at Will's mom's house with his brother and sister and families. We again had a great lunch and then opened more presents. Taylor got a dress-up trunk full of dress-up clothes and Liam got a big bus to push around and a play cash register. Then they spent the afternoon playing with cousins.

Later that evening we went to one of Will's friends from high school's house and visited with old friends. Some of them have moved out of state now and since they were in for Christmas we all got together. And most of them have kids now so all the kids got to play together. It was a fun time with again, lots of food! We were out pretty late and the kids were tired but it was fun!

The next morning we started out at Sunday School and church and had a great service. Then we went to Lila's house for Christmas with her. She had barbecue and all the fixins that went with that and then we opened up a few more gifts! She is always so good to us and the kids and we love her dearly!

Even after all these Christmases...we still have one more to go on Saturday. We will have Christmas at Will's mammaw and papaw's house with all his aunts and uncles and cousins. We always have a great time with all of them so we are looking forward to it!

The Lord has blessed us with lots of great family and friends and for that we thank Him. It has been a wonderful Christmas season this year. Above all we have tried to teach our kids that while it is fun to see what Santa brings us and to exchange presents with the ones we love...Jesus is the real reason we celebrate Christmas. Taylor has really started to understand about Jesus' birthday this year and we have enjoyed answering her questions. We don't mind if our kids believe in Santa Clause while they are little as long as that is not what consumes their minds during the season. We want them to enjoy the magic of Christmas but also know that the birth of our Savior is the most important thing of all!

10 years ago today

10 years ago today Will and I went out on our first date. I honestly cannot believe it has been that long ago! I can still remember it like it was yesterday.

Will came to pick me up at the house and he had to come in and meet momma and daddy because they honestly had no idea who he was. And since I was only 15, they didn't want their little baby girl going out with just anyone! So they had to question him about everything from where he lived to who his grandparents were. But I am glad that my parents were so concerned! Makes you feel loved!

But anyways...after the interrogation we went to the Oakdale/Rockwood basketball game in Rockwood to watch our friend Monica Foley play. Then after the game we stopped by McDonalds to eat supper. (and I just put two and two together today and realized that that building isn't there anymore since they built a new McDonalds...but the location is still the same!). It was a perfectly simple night that changed my life forever!

Will, I love you so much and I am glad that we have so many memories together. It is hard to believe that we have been together 10 years already. I am so glad that I got to grow up with you right next to me. Who knew that 10 years from that night we would be happily married with 2 of the most wonderful, beautiful kids in the whole world. I couldn't ask for a better life right now. God has blessed us more than we ever deserve. I can't wait to see what all our future holds. You are amazing and I love you more and more each day!

Contest

Kelly over at Kelly's Korner is having a contest today and you will never guess what it is for...

a new computer!

If you would like to enter this contest too...just click the link to Kelly's Korner from my blog and follow her link to her review page! And if you have a blog and blog about the contest like I am...you can get another entry!

18 Months already?

In case you don't already know...I love this little boy a whole bunch! And he is 18 months old today!

He is just the sweetest little boy and I could squeeze him and love on him all day long! I love you so much Liam! What are you up to these days?

You are the most amazing little boy. You are really starting to show your personality these days. You want to make sure everybody knows that just because you are the littlest one in this family doesn't mean you won't get what you want!

You are a great sleeper. You usually go to sleep around 9:30 or 10 (unless you got up early for school that day and then you go to sleep at about 8:30 or 9). You sleep through the night and don't wake up until around 8:30. We recently put a pillow in your crib and you just love sleeping on it. I find you cuddled up with it most of the time when I check on you. You like to be rocked at night, but you usually go to sleep on your own in your crib.

You are learning new words everyday it seems like. You can say Momma, Da-Da, Sis-sis, Pop-pop, ball, bus, bite, eat, bye-bye, truck (with great emphasis on the "ck" part!), NO (that is your favorite word), nana (for banana), T (for Tim), wa-wa (for water)...and probably many others but that is all I can think of right now.

You love to play with your toys...but Taylor's toys are pretty fun for you too! You like cars and trucks and throwing ball, but there is just something about a baby doll that you just love. You like to rock the baby and feed the baby a bottle. It makes me smile and know that you are going to be a wonderful Daddy someday.

You like to play outside more than anything. You love to help Daddy with whatever he is getting into out there. You just run around the yard like you own the place! Daddy loves you to help him too. I know he is looking forward to the day when you can help him fix stuff and he can teach you all that he knows. I look forward to that day too.

You go to "school" 2 days a week while Mommy is in class and you do so good there. You don't cry anymore when I drop you off and I know it is because you love your teacher and your friends. They say that you are such a good boy during the day. They say that you listen and eat good and even take really good naps. I even asked them one day how they got you to go to sleep for your nap and they said they just tell you it is nap time and you go to your cot, lay down, cover up, and go to sleep. Mommy is jealous! I love that you are learning new things at your school and that you are being taken good care of while I am away.

You love your Poppy and everything that he does. You especially love eating off of his plate (even if you just got done eating supper!). When Poppy goes outside...you want to be right there beside him watching what he does.

You are the best eating kid I have ever seen! You love food and aren't too picky. You love macaroni, peas, mashed potatoes, chicken nuggets, hamburger, any kind of beans, hot dogs, dumplings, biscuits or bread of any kind, and corn. There isn't much that you won't eat...especially if you have ranch dressing to dip it in! (your sister taught you that!)

You are the most affectionant little boy too. You love to grab Mommy's face and give kisses and then hugs. You never fail to tell someone bye-bye when you are leaving and you have even been known to give the little girls in the nursery hugs and kisses. :) So watch out Daddies...Liam knows what he wants!

I can't believe that you are 18 months already. It seems like just yesterday I was holding you in my arms in the hospital. You were our surprise little blessing...but now I don't know what I would do without you. You are growing up so fast. I love watching you do new things everyday (like learning to jump off the couch...thanks to Taylor!) and I love seeing the world through your eyes sometimes. You get so excited over the simplest things and I love that about you. You are my loud, rambunctious little boy and I am loving every minute of being your Mommy! Always remember that Jesus loves you!

Happy 3rd Birthday Taylor!

Today is a very special day. Today our little princess turns 3 years old! I cannot believe that she is that old already!

Taylor,

It seems like just yesterday that you were born and I couldn't believe how beautiful you were. You immediately became my little princess! I didn't understand a mother's love until you came into this world...and now, I don't know how I would live without you! We had the greatest time on the days I didn't have to work...we went everywhere together. I taught you to love to shop early!! I never would have admitted it...but when I found out I was pregnant with you...I always hoped you would be a girl. And when I found out you were a girl...I was so thankful and excited. You made my dream come true of having a little girl.

You were such a good baby. You ate good from the start, you slept good (on your belly of course!), and you made me and Daddy a family. We loved you and spoiled you so much!

And of course...you had this man wrapped around your little finger from the very beginning. He was the first one to see your little head and he cried like a baby :) Your Daddy would do anything for you, and he tries to make sure you have the best of everything. He melts when you tell him you love him...and he loves your hugs and kisses!


And now look at you! You are such a big girl! What are you up to these days?


You love to play pretend. Mostly with your baby dolls. You name them, and love on them, and even discipline them! It is so funny to watch. You love those babies like they were your own. It makes me happy to see you playing like that!


You also love to sing. It seems like you are always singing a little song. Whether you made it up, or learned it at church or school. Your favorite songs right now are Jesus Loves Me, The Wheels on the Bus, The BIBLE, If your Happy and you know it...and so many more!


You talk a lot! Nonnie says that I talked early and often...so I guess I am getting paid back for that now! You talk from the time you wake up until you go to sleep at night...and sometimes you even talk in your sleep! You have talked so clearly for a while now and I just love to hear some of the things that come out of your mouth! Never a dull moment around you!


You were potty trained this past March. You were such a big girl about it! You decided that you wanted to use the potty...and you did. You rarely have accidents anymore and you don't even wear a diaper for naptime anymore. You do still need a diaper during bedtime...but we are working on that!


You are such a great big sister to Liam. You are his little Momma most of the time. You make sure he has everything that he needs and tell me when he does something wrong. I love that you two play so good together...most of the time!


You got your ears pierced yesterday and were such a big girl about it! You sat so still and only cried for a few minutes after it was done! Then you got a sucker and we went to Build-a-bear and you made a new friend...which you named "Bradley" even though it is a girl bear :)


You are so smart for a 3 year old! Or at least I think so! You have been able to count to 12 for a very long time now. You know your ABC's and you learned to count to 6 in Spanish! You can even draw and recognize a "T" and you always make sure that I know that is what your name starts with! I love that you love to learn. And you love to read books. We always read a book together 2 or 3 times in a row, and then you read it to me and it amazes me at how much of the book you remember...usually word for word! I hope you always love to read and learn!

You brighten my days in so many ways. Sometimes we butt heads during the day because you are so independent and know just what you want and need, no matter what Mommy thinks! But you are precious and I love you so much!

I can't believe how grown up you are. I am learning to savor every moment because it has gone by way too fast. You truly aren't a baby anymore. You are my big girl and are learning new and exciting things everyday!

I love you sweet girl! I pray everyday that you will continue to learn about God and follow him in everything you do. You love church and your friends there and I pray that never changes.

Happy Birthday little princess! I hope you enjoy everything about your day!

Happy Halloween 2009

Is this not the cutest Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse you have ever seen?

We had a great Halloween and enjoyed visiting with lots of family and friends. We started off our night getting goodies from Nonnie and Poppy. The kids enjoyed opening their cards and seeing their candy that Nonnie got them. But then we quickly got in the van and headed on our way.

Our first stop was Grandma's house. They loved the gummies they got from her and had one pack eat before we even got to the next house! Then we stopped at Sandra and Bunt's house, then Candy and Reggie's (they weren't home but had goodies set out on the front porch!), and then Darlene's house. Darlene had chips, juice boxes and peanut M&M's (Liam's favorite!).

Next we headed back down the mountain to Hidden Acres where a lot of our friends were. The whole way there the kids were eating candy non-stop! I actually worried about their little bellies hurting! We stopped at Debbie and Mike's house first and Jessica and John T were there too. They had lots of great Halloween goodies that we endulged on! Then we went to another house that had a "haunted sidewalk" and the kids didn't know what to think of that! Then we headed on to Henson and Elaine's house where we saw Isabel, Levi, and Jenna! Some of the kids best friends!

Next we stopped at Sonic and as you can see...they were giving the kids free ice cream cones! Liam was very excited about this! Amber wanted to show off the dogs and her neices and nephews to the people she worked with. Sadly...I didn't get a picture of the dogs all night. I don't know why...I guess I just never took a picture of them. (sorry Amber!)

The next stop was Mason and Joyce Goodman's house. They always enjoy seeing the kids and the kids love to run all over their house! While we were there Liam saw that they had bananas in a bowl and he just had to have one! Then Mason needed one and Taylor too. So I feel bad that they were taking all the bananas...but glad they would rather eat a banana than all that candy they had!


Our last stop was Lila's house and it was so late that she thought we might not be coming! But we would never think about not going to her house! She had goodies for the kids and had given them cards. The kids ran all over her house until they were finally exhausted and ready to go home!

When we got home the kids crashed from their sugar rush and finally fell asleep while me and Will watched the ballgame that we recorded.

It was a great Halloween. It was the first holiday that Taylor has actually realized what was going on. She was so excited to say "Trick or Treat" at all the houses and she kept yelling "Happy Halloween!" I thought the kids would be uncooperative and not wear their costumes...Liam especially...but they did great and had a great time. I can't wait to spend all these other holidays with them and see the joy through their eyes. It is like getting to relive your childhood all over again. And I am loving every minute of it!

Sewing Project

While I would love to take credit for this cute cute little dress...I really had only a little part to do with it! I am trying to learn to sew but I have little patience with myself so most of the time I just find simple projects for me and my mom to do together. I found a pattern for this cute "pillowcase dress" online and went the other day and bought the materials... 1/2 yards of fabric and 2 yard of ribbon! That was it! This cute little dress cost me less than $5. And it only took me and momma about an hour to make it. I did most of the ironing of the fabric while she sewed it. I was pretty excited about it! Isn't it cute? Taylor was really excited about wearing it. And I hope to be able to make her a Thanksgiving one and Christmas one!