Jolly Ol' St. Nick

The children and I made a quick jaunt to see Santa while attempting some Christmas shopping.  They were not shy a bit and willfully jumped up to sit in his lap. 

There wasn't a lot of conversation between them, just mainly a fascination with his "scratchy little beard." Love these two! 

A Little B-ball

Who would have thought our lipstick-loving, big hairbow wearing girlie girl...

would have a love for this? 

And moves like this? 

I can't tear her away from the driveway for supper these days.  Sweet girl. 

Uncle Daniel Tied the Knot!

We traveled to Alabama the first weekend in November to celebrate Daniel and Rachel's nuptials.  What a wonderful addition sweet Rachel is to our family.  

Here are a few shots from their rehearsal dinner...

Some from the wedding...

What a memorable weekend it proved to be!  It was so neat to see the Lord's faithfulness as He provided Daniel with his perfect match.   Congratulations to you both! 

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Lately...

Picking out our pumpkins this fall, giving William a birthday hug, excited to greet Aunt Marian, and Maggie's lucky day...the single stroller had a flat. 

Enjoying tailgating at the USC v. Georgia game.  

Fun days with my sweet girl. 

Election Day 2012

No we didn't get another puppy, but we really want one now. 

Going to see Faith cheer at the Ben Lippen football game. 

Turkey Day pictures. 

Coldest day this fall and the children pull out their pool floats...it may be awhile kiddos. 

The Fair This Fall

Yep, it's the last week in November and I'm playing catch up October pictures.  Better late than never documented right? 

The state fair this year was almost a no go, but on the last day it was in town we made the decision not to miss out.  Our sweet Suggie treated our crew to an afternoon full of smiles, fun rides, and delicious corn dogs. It was a great day.  

I am so excited that the children are getting to the ages where we can do fun activities like this.  Lucy Mills was the exact height to ride, but she stuck with McClain for the most part and they had a ball "driving." 

Every time they passed by us while on the ride their hands would wave as fast as they could.  The sound of "heyyyy Mommy! Hey Geeee!"  coupled with shrieks of laughter put smiles on all of our faces. 

I think Daddy had a pretty fun time too.  He was such a sport to jump on board with the kids on their first ride. 

So much fun.

You can't beat the corn dogs at the fair...or a spot in the shade next to Shuggs. 

Seeing the farm animals was a treat, albeit a smelly one. :) 

Checking out the gamecock.  ;)

What a great memory the fair was this year! Mom, thank you for not only treating us but going with us and enjoying the day.  We loved every minute. 

Little House In the Big Woods

There is this little place where we like to escape.

To leave everything behind but the bare necessities.

And soak in the simple beauty that awaits for us in the country.

Where little girls are free to run to their hearts content.  

And boys can engage in a good 'ol game of catch.

Where we have the time to just sit awhile.  And just be.



Where loyal pups can breathe in the great outdoors.

 The serene sunsets seem to make time stand still.  In that simple moment all seems right in the world.

The sun rise beholds such splendor and my eyes don't ever want to miss another majestic moment.  

What a gentle reminder to appreciate the simple and the lovely.

It's ours for the taking. 

He's All B.O.Y.

Oh buddy there are no words to describe just how precious you are to this little family.

In mere months you have gone from being my precious baby on the beach, breathing in the bigness of this world...

to a little boy.

A boy who can't just walk down the stairs but jumps every single one.  A boy who is obsessed with fastening buckles on and off, who takes at least one shoe off everywhere we go, and who likes to make noise in any way possible.

You live and breathe anything Elmo, you follow your sister around everywhere she goes and you want to be just like her.  You wrestle with Daddy but still snuggle and kiss Mommy.  In fact when I lay you in your crib at night we say I love you back and forth several times as I walk out the door.  It seems as though neither one of us want to be the last one saying those sweet, three, life-giving words.

Since Lucy Mills started preschool this year you and I have had some special days together, just the two of us.  This is the first time I've really ever had regular, built in time with just you and I soak it up.  Whether we are running errands, attending story time at the library, or playing at the park our moments together are special and full of smiles.

My sweet son, how did God see me worthy of not only having you in my life, but having you be one of the loves of my life?

Pumpkin Patch 2012

The children and I made a precious memory this week.

We joined some sweet friends who also attend Lucy Mills' preschool and visited a nearby pumpkin patch.  The girls played so well together and Lucy Mills really looks up to the "big girls." {Who are 4 mind you.}

The girls all have little brothers who turn 2 in December along with McClain.  Yay for Super Buddy having other...well, buddies.

The kiddos enjoyed a hay ride, feeding the billy goats, picking out their very own pumpkins, eating homemade cookies, having story time, and running wild on the playground.  I couldn't have hand-picked a better fall activity for us.

This will surely be an annual tradition for our crew.

The cool, crisp air was refreshing for our souls.

The freedom for little boys to run wide open on a piece of southern soil to their hearts content was joy, pure joy.

Some days the constant hustle combined with the monotonous tasks that fall under the umbrella of being wife and mom cloud the happiness that my heart longs to take captive.

But not this day.

This day was for making memories.  This day was a perfect fall day with my two precious pumpkins.