Thanksgiving Feast

Lauren and Connor had the cutest Thanksgiving feasts at their schools. I just can't tell you enough how thankful I am to be home with the kiddos. I love that I don't get to miss a thing. They grow so fast and I love that I can experience their childhood at school.

The K and 1st grade classes have a feast together at SMCS. They walk to a church and use their big reception hall for the event. I helped serve the food and this cute girl was so happy that Mama was there.

Connor's feast was a couple of days later so we used Lauren's fun Indian shirt she made :) Connor loved it and thought it was hilarious that I painted his face for the event.

A few of Connor's classmates. How precious are they? Connor goes to a new Preschool on Signal Mountain so it's small and quaint.

Gaylord Nashville

We love to make a trip to the Gaylord Resort every holiday season. In the past, we've gone to the one in Dallas but now we usually just head to the one in Nashville. Nashville is only 2 hours away so it's not that far. It's so beautifully decorated for Christmas and there are so many activities for kids.

This sweet girl is the easiest to take pictures of. She loves it and poses non-stop. My kind of picture subject ;)

We quickly got in line to see Santa. The line was taking sweet forever to actually purchase a picture and Connor's eyes were closed in 2/3 that the lady took so a cell phone picture had to do!

Lauren loved decorating a gingerbread house when we went to Gaylord in Dallas. This time we got 3 cookies and that worked out perfectly. Connor had his own messy space and cookie all to himself. That works the best for my messy little dude!

Daddy helped make the icing outline...

My little cooking girl. She would have stayed for hours.

Gingy! We simply love Gingy. Lauren even has a cute Gingy puppet. When you buy a gingerbread house or cookies to decorate, you get to meet Gingy and take your own pictures.

We then migrated outside to roast marshmallows. We've had such a warm spell here in town. When we got to the Gaylord, it was quite warm. We then went outside and all of the a sudden, the wind and cold weather came out of nowhere. We quickly roasted and headed on to our next stop.

We wrapped up the awesome day by seeing How the Grinch Stole Christmas musical. We love Nashville and love the shows there. This girl is my show partner :) We brought the boys too but we were in our little slice of heaven.

Happy Birthday Connor David!

Our precious Connor turned 4 years old on December 2nd, 2015. I just can not believe that my baby is 4. It seems like yesterday that we heard "It's a Boy!" after I had this sweet thing.We always have a family celebration during Thanksgiving break when we head to Atlanta. My mom always orders him a great cake and he gets to open presents galore. Sweet boy. 

I dont think he can get any sweeter. He always says things like "Oh, this is for me?" He gets so excited for every little thing. I would clone him if I could ;)

Todd was out of town on his birthday but I made sure to decorate the table for my boy. He is really into Paw Patrol so we had a fun Paw Patrol theme. 

I like to take each kiddo to the toy store on their birthday so they can pick out a fun present. Connor and I found this awesome Build-A-Road car track and it's the best present. It's the neatest car track that comes apart easily. He loves it and this will totally be my "go to" gift for any boys.

Todd ended up being able to fly in late in the afternoon on his actual birthday so we went to dinner and to Bruisters. We sure do love Bruisters ice cream! Lauren and Connor both love their little ice cream cups with the dinosaur cookie.

I would do anything to turn back time to hold him again as a baby!

He had so much fun opening presents that came in the mail from family. He saw this little John Deere play set at Toys R Us one day and wanted it so badly. Uncle Jim and Aunt Lindsay to the rescue.

He had his friend birthday party about a week after his actual birthday. All of his precious Preschool buddies headed to the school playground after school one day. It was the perfect set up with a fenced playground, picnic table, and toys. 

We love you so so much, Connor David. You have completed our little family and I still can't believe that I have a son. I never knew how much I needed a little boy.You are the best, most tender hearted son. We love you so much!

Mama

Connor's First Movie

Our sweet Connor went to see his first movie yesterday. We took the kids to see the Minion movie and they thought it was hilarious. He did so well. I was honestly shocked. I thought for sure he would be all over the place. Our little man is growing up. :(

American Girl

Little Lauren always gets a new American Girl doll for her birthday each year. At age 5, she got Saige. At 6 she got Isabelle and now at 7, she got Grace Thomas. It's a fun little tradition. Her birthday isn't until Oct. 29 but this was the only weekend we would be near a store. We enjoyed a fun girls day and shopped until she was quite content.

Hot chocolate treat

The coolest dessert ever. She decorated her own cupcake and a cupcake for Grace.

Saige needed a new hair do!

Oh I'm obsessed. Cutest girl ever.

Apple Picking 2015

We made our annual trek to an apple orchard last week. We sure do love some apple picking. Last year we went to SkyTop Orchard in the Asheville area but this year we went to Ellijay,GA. 

There is a highway in Ellijay that is apple barn after apple barn. We found 2 places that we wanted to pick our own apples at. BJ Reece was one of them. They also had tons of activities for the kids like pony rides and a petting zoo.

This girl loves a slushie!

I lost count on how many apples Connor ate. He would pick one and immediately eat it.

She told me that her favorite way to pick is on her Daddy's shoulders.

1st Grade!

My sweet little Lauren is now a first grader. I can't believe it. I started this blog before she was even born and now she's almost 7. Someone please make her stop growing up. 

She seems so grown up to me. Lauren loves school. She is definitely a social child. When I ask about her day, her favorite time is always recess. It's never anything academic. She does take after her Mama afterall. I wasn't voted Miss Congeniality for nothing in Phi Mu. Give me a social event over studying and I'm golden.

She does do well at school though. She is acing her spelling tests and catches on quickly. 

Lauren is still my tiny tiny thing. At almost 7, she is just now wearing size 5s. She's tiny and spunky :)

We are so so thankful for the priveldge of sending her to a fantastic private school. I look for certain things in schools and this totally fit us. She loves being in a school house, hiking in the woods, eating outside, having access to the cutest deck, etc. Her school is an amazing amazing place and we are so happy that she got a spot there.

We love you sweet girl and know you'll rock 1st grade! In the meantime your Momma will be begging for time to slow down.