Twenty twelve

It has been an amazing year.  

Just a year ago:

 Caroline has gone from a baby to a little girl before our eyes.  She learned to walk this year and now is pretty quick on her feet.  2012 brought a ton of new words and sayings ("Aww man!" to "I love you, Wells").  She's full of spunk and is learning to share with new friends at preschool.  She smiles, blows kisses, and LOVES Barney.  She has been a joy to watch this year.

Wells has had a big year too.  He learned to swim this summer.  Since school started this fall, he's learned to write his name and draw stick figures.  He has the cutest group of tight-knit friends who love to play outside & ride bikes and scooters.  He is still so silly and loves to laugh.  He's turning into such a thoughtful little guy, a quality that I love about him.

I am so thankful for the year we've had and look forward to 2013.

Happy 2012 and cheers to 2013!

Merry merry

Joy to the world, the Lord is come!

What a wonderful Christmas. 

We are so very blessed.

Caroline's Christmas

Big brother has had a lot going on this Christmas.  He is the perfect age for the magic of it all - he understands the story of Jesus, and of course loves Santa and the gifts.

Miss Caroline is not quite old enough yet - but she sure has been a trooper.  She's gone to all the events, and sat on Santa's lap even though she is not his # 1 fan.

Here are a few of my favorite Caroline Christmas pics :)

Jingle bells at her school party

With her friend Anna before we went caroling!

Eating her favorite food, "roni"

Making spirits bright on Christmas and always

Here Comes Santa Claus...Right Down Santa Claus Lane

We started off today knowing it was a big Santa day!  So fun...

First in Gastonia for a visit with Grandaddy and Kacky.  Here's W and S.

Of course Caroline wanted nothing to do with it.  But this sneaky Santa came up with an idea...

To come up behind us at the table to get what I'm sure is our ONLY pic of an unknowing Caroline smiling with S. 

She's just saying cheese for her Dad (no idea Santa is behind her!)

Then to our friends, the Whites, for what is always an amazing Cookies & Milk party. 

W making his own batch of reindeer food

With Santa - if this guy doesn't know what Wells wants by now, we are in trouble.  He's been told repeatedly!

You Better Not Cry...

Oh my goodness.  Caroline sees Santa 2012:


I know I should not think this is funny.  I love you, sweet Caroline.  It's more the calm, content (almost smug) look on your brother's face (and Santa's for that matter) that makes me laugh.  Only one (maybe 2) more times I will subject you to this...

On a postive note, you do love your new gold shoes!!  They look great and you are so happy to wear them!!

Santa Supper

We went to MPCC to see Santa again this year.  Because it was overcast and raining, Santa arrived via fire truck (instead of his usual helicopter entrance).

W sat with him and told him what he wanted (Big Wheels Jeep and some other smaller items).  Caroline will undoubtedly hate Santa.  Lucky for her, she was eating macaroni & cheese with GG this time:

But there are plenty more Santa opportunties.  I'm definitely making her sit with him at least once!

It's Beginning to Look a Lot like Christmas

We had a great holiday weekend, filled with parties and fun.  But it was esp fun for the kiddos since friends Liza & Charlie were in town:

The littles, Charlie & Caroline

Pony rides

First Santa sighting - W was a little nervous so we just gave a quick high five.  He'll be an old pro at this before Christmas comes...

Santa train

Trimming the Tree

The finished product:

And the little elves who helped me:

O Christmas Tree

After Thanksgiving we went to pick out our tree:

More to come of the finished product!

We are Thankful

We are thankful.  This Thanksgiving Day and every day. 

• For friends:

Helping me set the table for Thanksgiving playgroup.

These mini Pilgrims and Indian princesses are all so dear to me (and W).


And here's the Thanksgiving Program at CCK.  My dad reminded me when he came to watch how lucky Matt & I felt when Wells got into this program 4 years ago.  It's been a great place and he's blessed to go to such a great school and be surrounded by fantastic teachers and good friends.

• For family:

This is Matt's ultimate blended family (plus spouses/significant others like me) gathered together for a pre-Thanksgiving dinner.  I see the fun they all have together and thank God for the unexpected relationships in life. 

Caroline and Ollie (and a little bit of W in the background).  Way to go teammates - these are the cutest cousins.

I am of course thankful for these two sweet turkeys.  Plus my husband and my wonderful extended family (I can't imagine for one second how we could do this without their grandparents?!?).

Wells actually chose and and led our blessing at Thanksgiving dinner this year.  It pretty much sums up my sentiments:

Thank you God for happy hearts,
for rain and sunny weather.

Thank you for the food we eat
and that we're all together.

Amen.