Chef's in the making

So, we didn't really have many traditions when it came to Christmas and we were actually pretty unconventional in the way we celebrated growing up. Not that his was a bad thing or made it any less special but I just really want my boys to grow up with traditions and have certain special memories to share with their own kids own day! All that said, we decided to bake cookies on Christmas Eve and let the boys do the decorating. Two broken eggs, 3 icings, 2 food colorings and numerous sprinkles later..... the boys had their masterpieces! They were so proud of their work and couldn't wait to eat them-share them with Santa!

 !

I also thought it would be fun to have a new tradition of making homemade pizza's on Christmas Eve. It's the one thing both of my boys love to eat and it's super easy to make so they loved it! Carter was way more into it since Andrew steers clear of things that may get him messy. In his words "that's just the way God made me"!

Early Family Christmas

Aunt Adrienne, Uncle Charlie and McKenzie came to Chattanooga to celebrate Christmas with us and pick up Merrick. They spent the day here while we ate, opened presents, went on a Gator ride up to our land and played!

They really do love each other, even though they don't always act like it! 

tearing into their presents

 and he's out!

 So while on the Gator, I usually want Chad to dodge the mud but not my sister! She wanted to go full force through all of it.... good thing I was sandwiched in the middle of them so I stayed fairly clean. Adrienne kept asking me if she has something on her face and I of course, told her NO!

 Chad didn't realize he was supposed to leave McKenzie in the picture!

Boys Only!

My sister let Mimi bring Merrick on to Chattanooga a day earlier than the rest so we could have a boys only sleepover night! I didn't really get to spend much time with him but he entertained my boys the entire time. Between dart guns and cell phones they wanted nothing to do with me..... until I pulled out the fondue!

Pretending to be "dead"

Fondue

 Poor Carter has such a rough life

Carter "riding" Merrick

 2 years old and already begs for my iphone, how can I resist this cute face though?!?!

A Little Bit of This...

 Here's what we've been up to in some phone pics
Now that Carty has given up naps, we never know where we'll find him slumped over!

Winter scene pictures from school

Watching the Lookout Valley Christmas Parade with the Watson girls! It was a pleasant surprise, the kids loved the free candy being thrown out and all the police cars, fire trucks, etc!

 Boys are just a different breed than girls!

 Just thought this sun flare was cool!

 
 Eating dinner at Kanpai with the boys. It was like a real date for us, the boys were entertained and we had a nice quiet dinner!

 Carty pretending to be Michael Phelps with Kate and Megs gymnastics medals

 Chad and I took the boys to ride on the North Pole limited with Santa. Last year it was just Andrew and I so I was so happy to all go as a family this year. The boys loved it and were content being served Yoo Hoo's and gingerbread cookies while listening to Christmas stories and carols! I was a little nervous about being stuck on a train with a 2 year old for an hour but he was so quiet and still, must have been the fear of the 7 foot Santa on the train with us!

That's My Boy!!!

This past Sunday at church, Andrew performed in the children's choir. Hearing those sweet little voices singing praises to our Lord, and seeing my sweet boy up there was a moment I'll never forget. He has given it all at the practices and really took this seriously and did his best! I told him on the way there, "Andrew, you know this isn't just about singing so Mommy and Daddy can be taking pictures and watch you up there." He said "I know, I'm using my voice that God gave me to glorify him." Now that's music to a momma's ears!

Yes, that's our sweet neighbor-friend, Carly next to him!

The boys were looking in my special keepsake box with my granddaddy's things. There's one of his old watches in there and Andrew wanted to wear it. Rather than leaving it in a box for the rest of my life, I thought I should let my boys enjoy it. He had been wearing it all week and asked me if he could wear it to the performance so "Grandaddy could be there with him." He fidgeted with it the whole time and it was such a sweet reminder of all of our family who couldn't be there that would have loved to!

 My amazing friend, Leanne, visited our church just so she could watch Andrew! Her parents were in town with her sister and little brother, so they ALL came!!! We took up a whole church pew with this sweet family that was there to support our boy! Thank you Massee family, we really do love you guys!