big snow.

Or should I say, big ice? A couple of weeks ago, Atlanta got slammed by one of the worst winter storms I can ever remember. When I saw someone on the news ice skating down Peachtree Street, I knew it was bad. Day one of being housebound was not so bad. We enjoyed each other's company, spent most of the day sitting in front of the fire, drinking hot chocolate, and delighting in the fact that both Taylor and I got to lay out of work for a day. (It's rare for both of us to be off work on the same day.) Day 2 wasn't so bad either. But by the end of Day 2, I started to worry a little. We weren't running out of bread and milk. No, we had plenty of food to fill our bellies. It was much, much worse. We were running out of diapers. Aaaaahhhhh! I sent Taylor and P on a very important mission. A mission to get diapers at the grocery store. A mission on foot.


I'm just kidding. I wouldn't send my sweet two year old to the grocery store that is approximately three miles away in freezing cold temperatures. But I did send my husband. And I was nice and let him take the car. (I think this picture was actually taken when P threatened to walk to Beme's house, since we couldn't get there by car.)

On the southside, we didn't get much snow. We got mainly rain that froze at least an inch thick on the roadways. See?


Not the best conditions for driving, but awesome conditions for sledding.








Even Emma Kate and I got in on the sledding action.


Our view on the way back up the hill....


Poor Taylor had to pull us all back up in the sled because the road was too icy to walk on. I definitely didn't want to bust it with sweet EK in the Baby Bjorn. My neighbors may have called Child Services on me.

The sledding didn't phase EK at all. She slept right through it. (I really need to invest in a cuter hat before the next snow storm. Don't laugh, please.)


P had a blast playing in the ice. I really didn't mind it either since it gave us an excuse to spend a little time together at home as a family.

sunshine.

She is my sunshine, my only sunshine. She makes me happy when skies are gray.

rainy day project.

It's a cold, rainy, and dreary day here in Georgia. It's 1:30pm and we're all still in our pajamas, cuddled up next to the fire space heater, enjoying each other's company. I love days like these. Nowhere to go. Nowhere to be. Our only care in the world is trying to decide which old movie cartoon to watch next.

We got a little tired of looking out the window only to see a rain-coated blur. So we dressed up the view a little bit.


Make your own rainy day/Valentine's Day stained "glass" thingy.....all you need is old crayons, waxed paper, and a pencil sharpener. Check out the "how to" here.

baby talk.

This video was taken about three weeks ago....she's using some consonants now. I just love all of her little facial expressions.

best friends.

EK and the elephant....


....they are on a first name basis. They're best friends, actually. They talk and laugh for hours everyday.


EK has found her first BFF. So cute.

mini macaulay.

A man at the Farmer's Market told me that P resembles Macaulay Culkin. I didn't see it at all, until I found this picture on my hard drive....


Totally his long lost twin, right? Macaulay, circa 1990'ish...."ahhhhhhhhh!!!"

christmas card: final cut.

The final picture....


And the final product....


I was pleased, considering it is nearly impossible to get two kids under three posed, looking at the camera, and not throwing up gang signs (EK). If I ever get around to it, I'll post some of the outtakes....HILARIOUS! They made me work for this one.

happy birthday, jesus.

On Christmas Day, we all celebrated the true reason for the season....Jesus' birthday. The kids were so sweet....

christmas: part 2.

Round 2.

Christmas morning everyone came over to eat breakfast with us and watch P and EK open presents. Santa was very good to P this year. Somehow, I always fail to take any pictures Christmas morning. I would much rather be in on the action than be stuck in the background snapping pictures. I always regret this later. I did manage a few pics of Tonka Chuck and some good ol' Hungry, Hungry Hippos action. Someone even took a picture of me and EK. Not sure who, but great job Mystery Photographer Person. I'm never in pictures.












Round 3.

My extended family, including cousins, aunts, and uncles, came over for Christmas dinner. Thanks to these brave souls for driving in the snowy weather from North Georgia. Otherwise, we would be eating leftovers through Valentine's Day. This was the first Christmas since Rachel went to heaven, so we were definitely missing her. Although, I did feel her presence the entire evening. She wouldn't ever miss our annual Christmas shindig.

We ate a ton, sang Happy Birthday to Jesus, ate some more, played our traditional White Elephant game, laughed until we cried, presented Jenny with her very first teacher sweater, and enjoyed every second of our fellowship. At the end of the day, I was left with a full heart, pudgy belly, and a shake weight.













It was a fabulous Christmas....best one yet. I'm sure they'll just get better every year. I just love the Holidays and spending time with my family.

the rice christmas.

Round 1

We headed over to my in-laws' house on Christmas Eve to celebrate Christmas with them. Let's just say that Beme and Grandaddy spoil our babies. We'll probably still be unloading presents from the car next Christmas.

EK had a great time opening presents snoozing while we opened her presents. She did stay awake for a little while....long enough to charm us with her sweet, precious smile.




Playing on the playground that Grandaddy built. He loves the see saw! And, yes, P and Beme had on matching sweaters. (Not planned, I promise.)



Opening presents....


P got a ton of cool stuff, his favorite being a drum set and a guitar. I'll try to post a video of P jammin' out.

three months.

At three months, she has discovered her hands. She chews and bites on her fingers. She searches frantically for her thumb and you would think she won the lottery when she finds it. An instant calmness overcomes her when that tiny thumb pops in her mouth. She could care less about her pacifier, although mama and daddy are forcing it on her. (My theory, a pacifier can be taken away from a child. A thumb cannot. Therefore, I am pro-paci.) She can roll from her tummy to her back, probably only because she hates tummy time. She started rolling around 10-11 weeks. We trick her into tummy time. For example, if she is on her tummy on one of our chests, she is fine. On the floor, not so much. She is growing very fond of her big brother. And big brother is extremely fond of her. I love my sweet, little family.

I love this girl more and more with each month that passes. She is our little sunshine. Always in a happy mood. Smiling all the time. She even started laughing this week at mama's little game of patty cake. I'm glad I can be her source of entertainment. Before long, she'll be slamming her bedroom door in my face and telling me to leave her alone. I wish she would stay my little baby forever.