Christmas Part I: The days following Christmas

On Thursday Micah, Tricia, and Sara James came to celebrate with us, followed shortly by my Dad (Pops) and his wife Carol (Nana). We got to celebrate Christmas morning for the second time in a week which Carver thought was the greatest thing. Thankfully by this Christmas morning he felt back to normal and full of energy. He paused for a few minutes to snuggle with his cousin Sara James and play Memory with Aunt Tricia.
I don't think any one has beaten him yet!

Pops enjoys breakfast with his girls...

and then heads out for a little outside time.

Christmas Part II: Christmas Morning

The four days prior to Christmas brought a yucky virus to Carver. He managed to rally for Christmas morning, but crashed shortly after. I don't believe that he picked up a single toy all day. The poor little fella just felt awful and kept a very high fever for days. Besides the virus (and subsequent ear infections for both he and Springer) we had a wonderful holiday. G's mom joined us for close to a week and G and I enjoyed knowing that we were staying put for the entire Christmas season. It's a first for us and one that we have greatly appreciated.
Springer and Lulu the lamb

Carver and Curious George

Springer models her present from Nona

Christmas evening

 

Christmas Part 3

Two Saturdays before Christmas we headed to Atlanta to celebrate Christmas with my mom's family. Carver and Springer had a ball playing with their cousin Sara James and their second cousins, Madison and Isabella. Granny tries to gather all of her 'greats'-not an easy task!

The Smith, Rotondi, Hunsucker, Carver & Hiatt clan

Carver's big surprise from Granny!

Testing out his new wheels...

 

Christmas Kisses!

As I tried for the perfect Christmas card shot, I happened to get an adorable series of Carver kissing Springer. I think these shots capture their pure delight in one another.
These are sweet days....may they last a long, long time.

 

Still Here!

Sorry to be away so long; we've had, of all things, camera problems. I am sure it's due in some part to some very little fingers messing with it. Anyway, there have been no pictures around here lately. We have been busy, though, with lots of decorating, shopping and parties. Carver has become very excited about presents (both giving and receiving) and just this morning asked if Santa would still be able to come if we didn't get snow (we had been listening to the very warm weather report on the radio and I think he became concerned!). I assured him that Santa could come in spite of any weather conditions and I think that relieved his mind. Springer loves the tree and all the lights. So far we haven't lost any, but there are several that she really has her sights on. She is talking so much these days and is quite full of herself and all that she's able to do on her own. I promise to post more pictures just as soon as our camera issue is solved. Until then, enjoy the season!

'Tis the Season

Christmas is by far my favorite time of year, but I just can't get into it prior to Thanksgiving. It all gets so lumped together and I feel like we miss out on the fall celebrations by rushing Christmas. Anyway, all that to say we are now officially ready for the season! Uptown decorates to the nines each Christmas and it's become our family tradition to go uptown on the day after Thanksgiving. Carver and Springer loved all the trees, lights, toy soldiers and reindeer. G's family typically spends Thanksgiving with us and joins in this little jaunt. They were not able to come this year and were dearly missed! Carver's pants had matching toy soldiers...he thought that was quite cool!


Springer loved the 'balls' (one of her most favorite words!)

 

Happy Thanksgiving!

We spent a wonderful evening with two sets of friends and are stuffed to the brim with G's famous fried turkey and all the fixings. The kids enjoyed playing with their friends and were worn out by the time we got home tonight. At Springer's bed time we sing the song Goodnight, Sweetheart complete with "ba-ba-du-bum-bum"; as soon as she finished her dinner she began singing that part of the song to herself! We end this evening with full bellies and hearts full of thanks; we have been blessed much. Happy Thanksgiving!

Carver & Wesley

Carver, Jack & Ellie

Springer & Walker navigate sharing a wagon and her baby!

 

Caroline's Wedding!

Thanks to Micah and Tricia, G and I were able to sneak away for a wonderfully long weekend at the Four Seasons in celebration of my dear college roommate's (all 4 years!) wedding. We had a terrific time, caught up with great friends and stayed up until the wee hours of the morning enjoying the festivities. Caroline was beautiful and she and Matt are relaxing in Hawaii this evening. Congratulations, Lou!


the three suitemates: me, Caroline and Elizabeth

 

Thank you, Micah & Tricia!

Micah & Tricia, Thanks so, so much for keeping Carver and Springer so that we could get a weekend away to enjoy the wedding festivities. I know they had a ball; Carver has talked and talked about all y'all did together. Thank you for loving them so well. I am so thankful for you three. I hope you got a nap this afternoon! 

A quick, funny story...

So Carver's reading has really taken off of late. Letters and words have always come quickly for him and he's become really good at picking out words on signs we pass on the street or in stores. This has all been quite fun...until yesterday afternoon. The children and I were in Marshalls...long line...very crowded...merchandise all around us...we're just waiting. At the end of the line I noticed a very large display of 'Playboy' merchandise-clocks, I think. Well, as we neared the display Carver suddenly noticed two words he could read and began shouting (truly, shouting) "Mommy, 'Playboy', ' Playboy'. 'Playboy'!" He really must have shouted this 4 times. I am sure I turned a million shades of red as I tried to quiet him, praise him for his good reading and then loudly proclaimed, "Yes, Carver that is a compound word, like we've been talking about-very good reading! (the truth, but in hindsight it sounds pretty desperate!)" That boy keeps me on my toes!

Happy Halloween!

the ONLY picture (of a dozen) where Springer wasn't trying to escape!

Our little bunny

Buzz Lightyear
When Carver's costume arrived he put it on and said, "Mama, now I don't have to PLAY Buzz Lightyear, I AM Buzz Lightyear!" And that he has been-for two days now!

A very tired bunny and Buzz Lightyear are sound asleep after a fun filled round through the neighborhood. After a Halloween dinner of monster burgers and slime (green milk) we headed out for trick or treating. Springer bounced along in the wagon and Carver literrally ran down the sidewalks for blocks! He should sleep well tonight! G and I have tried to perform our parental duty of candy tasting. I'll be the one running blocks tomorrow!

Happy Halloween; we hope your day was filled with as many smiles and laughter as ours!

 

Last One!

As soon as I posted I realized this one didn't attach. It's too cute to miss, I think!

 

Hawaii Part II

Carver as a pineapple at the Dole Plantation. They also have the most delicious pineapple ice cream in the world!

Springer enjoying the train ride through the plantation.

The whole gang; including our family, G's sister's family, and Lola's family! How did we all fit?!

As Carver would say "my cousins" : Josh, Molly, Maggie & Jack. He loved his time with them!