Christmas lights in Winchester

Isn't she cute?:) Saturday night, we ventured "over the mountain" for a fun-filled night. We started by driving all the way back to Charles Town, West VA to visit our favorite ice cream place in the whole world- Cone Zone. It's a little "hut" that sells the best ice cream- and wouldn't ya know even though it was supposed to be OPEN, there was a sign that said, "We'll be back at 5:30." We were supposed to be in Winchester by 6:00, so we couldn't wait. I can't tell you how much I was craving me some Cone Zone... who just steps out when they are supposed to be open... Only in West VA... it just made me sooo frustrated and glad we moved... but I still want some Cone Zone:) We then made our way to Winchester for a Festival of Lights. It's this park that's filled with Christmas lights. You get to walk through it, and also sit on Santa's lap in a log cabin... cheap and a great night out- I highly reccomend it. We met up with the Fletcher family, Brad and Jenny, and Jack and Jill (Jenny's sister) and their kids Katie and Nathan. Katie is the love of Chris's life, so he was so excited:) It was freezing, but we all had a great time- even Brendan and Richard who were both missing the Cowboys game- way to take one for the team guys- too bad they didn't win- haha:)


Do you notice how Chris has a red nose on- He was infatuated with Brad's get-up. He thought Brad was the coolest thing ever- oh and Brad wore this earlier in the morning when he ran a 5K- And Brad, if you're reading this, I've been meaning to ask you- why did you run a 5K- isn't that a walk in the park for you? Brad runs marathons, and yes, I'm writing that to brag... I'd love to run a half-marathon... but a 10K is a challenge for me, so the fact that I have a cousin that regularly runs marathons is quite impressive to me:)

While we were there, Brad pointed out a train in the park that was covered in Christmas lights and said he proposed to Jenny on the train- I had no idea! So, of course, I had to pull out my camera and take some pics- gotta love two people truly in love:) Awwww, gay:)

Blog slacker...

I never thought I would be a blog slacker... I actually enjoy writing them:) But... things have been so busy these past few days- nothing too exciting or important- just finishing up Christmas shopping, visiting Santa, wrapping presents, visiting Santa, going to Chris's school program (where he was quite the little star if I do say so myself), visiting Santa... I never thought I would say it, but I'm getting tired of visits with the guy in the red suit. At first, I was feeling like quite the slacker mom since we didn't make it to the mall to see Santa... but I feel like we've sat on Santa's lap a million times this month- The kids love him, but quite frankly, I'm all Santa'd out! Although- I really don't know what I'm going to do after this month is over- Santa (like in years past) has been the ultimate discipline tool- If Chris isn't cooperating, all I have to do is say, "I hope Ho-Ho isn't watching, or I think he's looking in the window, or Do I need to call Santa?" and he suddenly starts to listen- It works like a charm every time:) Chris has been so sweet- he has told every Santa that all he wants is a Nintendo DS for his Daddy... let's see if his Daddy gets one:)

He made the front page...

I'm not sure how long it will be up... but check this out!!!!
http://www.smithmountaineagle.com/

Tis the season,

for family get togethers- and if anyone knows my family, you'll know that we have about fifty of them:) We started the holiday season off with a party at Brad and Jenny's house- we had a wonderful time, and the kids were so good- thank goodness because Brad and Jenny's house is just gorgeous--- I will be copying several decorating ideas. It was a great night, except for the food- not good for the diet... I think it was the chicken dip that sent me over the edge... or maybe it was the bacon covered weenies, or the sugar cookies, or the nacho dip... or maybe it was the cupcakes... I guess you get the point. Then, on Sunday, we had the famous Ruritan Club dinner. My grandfather is a member, and every year of my life, I've attended this dinner... it's one of those things you have to do- a family tradition. The kids got to see Santa again- and this Santa hands out gifts...




Teenagers suddenly want to sit on Santa's lap for free movie tickets...


And when the twenty-somethings hear free movie tickets...


And when all the babies are by Santa... my 84 year-old grandmother doesn't quit the tradition... the apple doesn't fall far from the tree:)

Christmas cards... take 15

We have tried EVERYTHING, and I mean everything to get a cute picture of all four grandchildren for my mom's family Christmas card. We had a photo shoot at Sarah's house, I've had my camera out at every family get together, and this weekend we even had my Dad surprise the kids by dressing up as Santa Clause in an attempt to get a good picture. Let's just say we've given up on getting all four in good moods and looking at the camera at the same time- and we're using individual pictures. It wasn't all a loss though- when the kids saw "Ho-Ho," visit Nona and Papa's, their expressions and reactions were priceless- something we'll never forget. For the first time ever, Christopher was nervous... and Mage reported loud and clear he wants a dog. It was one of those precious moments:)

Speaking of Christmas cards, I'd love to say that mine are in the mail... but that would be a lie. Brendan and I had to cut back on things, and that was one of them- but we wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year- and I promise to get pictures out of the kids soon:)

Hey Daddy~

Now that we're Redskin season ticket holders, are you going to be a fan??? Thanks Lauren and Kev for the shirt:)

It's soooo easy

to photograph people when they are beautiful- especially on the inside and out:) I love you Todd and Sarah!

Blast from the past part 2

One of my favorite moments ever- FOUR generations:)

Addison- let's just say that you have grown into your looks- But mommy thought you were the most beautiful baby ever:)

They loved each other from the start

Look at all that dark hair!

Blast from the past

As I was looking for pictures of Todd and Sarah, I came across soooooo many pictures that I haven't looked at in forever. It made me realize how fast time goes! I think every week I'm going to do a blast from the past and post old pictures- They bring back such good memories... make me laugh, cry, and relive some of those precious moments. I hope you enjoy them:)

Doing the fair circuit... look at that blonde hair

Why did I dress you in that?

Little Irish boy

Was Chris really ever that little!

My brother thinks he's as cool as me...

For those of you that read my blog- make sure you check out my brother's blog, too. He likes to copy me- read the top part of his blog- ummmm... can we say word for word as my first post:) I love you, Toddie... His boys are the cutest, and my sister-in-law is awesome, so you don't want to miss out on their adventures:) If you know Todd, you know he'll make it interesting- but I would only believe half of it:) www.tsmj-thepearson4.blogspot.com

Toys, toys, and more toys

This week, Brendan and I have been trying to get our basement back- it was overtaken by toys a long time ago! We've been sorting through them, donating them, and trying to organize the basement better and it's definately been a chore. In our old house, we LIVED in the basement, but since we've moved, we hardly ever spend time downstairs. Since it's been so cold, we've been trying to play more~ so we've set up different "areas"- the dress-up area, the kitchen, the craft and train table area, the toy area, and the "big boy" area:) My dad is also coming over today to install a chalkboard- it was Chris's 3rd birthday present... just a little late:) Thanks Dad:) I'm so proud of my new storage unit- its was the McCullers' old entertainment center and I painted it and added bins-- now I just need to add a few more and have Brendan help put the t.v. in the big spot so Chris can play his games. I'll take more pictures when we're completely done...

AND... don't ya know that after all of our labor and hard work- yesterday we spent HOURS playing upstairs as usual in the family room. We made a toy house out of a cardboard box. The house then became the barn and I had to feed the kids- Addie was a horse and liked to eat out of my hand... and Chris said he was a pecan (what that is, I don't know) and liked to bite my hand- typical boy:) Who needs toys when you have a cardboard box:)

We're ready for Christmas:)

The tree is up, the stockings are hung, and I'm already done with my Christmas shopping- woo hoo! This past weekend, I started a new tradition- and Elvis the Elf visited at nighttime and the kids got a small present early... Here are some pictures of the kids in their Christmas jammies:)

Every day is a blessing

Having kids has been such a lifechanging experience~ Staying at home can be challenging, but just when I'm at my wit's end, my kids never cease to amaze me. Of course, I'm like every other mommy and think that my kids are the cutest, coolest, and sweetest things on earth... and every day, they do things to crack me up- that's one reason I love this blog- I forget so many things- the little stories that are sweet... so I hope to share some of them with you... and have them blogged so I can look back and remember, too:)

Addison~ My little table dancer- should I be worried? I ran upstairs to grab some laundry- When I left, Addie and Chris were sharing a super pretzel (one of Chris's favorites) at the kitchen table... When I came back downstairs- she was dancing on the table... at least it's now and not when she's a teenager! For those of you that don't know- Addison can talk like a 3 year old... and she's just now 18 months. She also acts like a 3 year old... This weekend, I was busy fixing food for our Tech football game get together (how about them hokies!?)... and she was at the table with her Daddy. Addie LOVES to be with me- nonstop- she likes to be carried around and attached to my hip. Since I was by the hot stove, I wasn't carrying her... And she kept saying, "Mommy, mommy, mommy, mommy... " Brendan looked at her and said, "Addie- how many times are you gonna say mommy." She looked right at him, rolled her eyes, and said, "Shelley, shelley, shelley, shelley, shelley." Priceless:)

Christopher~ Chris can be the sweetest little boy ever... he has his moments, but then there are times of pure innocence where you just can't get enough of him. Chris and I usually take an afternoon nap together while Addie is down for the count. We were laying down cuddling and I said to him, "Chris, I love you so much I could cry." He really didn't get it, so I had to go into the whole explanation about how sometimes you cry when you are happy. I told him how when he was born, I was so happy I cried. He then wanted to know what happened to him when he was born. I told him how he came out of mommy, the nurses cleaned him off, and then mommy held him and was sooo happy. He wanted to know why the nurses cleaned him off, and I told him that babies are yucky when they first come out of mommy's- and he looked so confused. He looked at me and said, "but what about my toy- my toy was clean." At this point, I was also confused- and he said, "You know- the toy Addie brought me, the airplane, it was clean." Hilarious~ we had bought a toy for him when Addie was born and told him that Addie brought it to him. Soooo... he thought it really came from my belly and just didn't get why it wasn't dirty.

You know your family loves you when...

a UVA grad sports a Tech hat and admits that Tech is THE UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA. O.k... maybe she didn't go that far- but she did give in to Chris and wear the hat:) Gramma Kathy and Sara stopped by tonight for an unexpected visit, and the kids had a ball with them- and Mommy enjoyed the company, too!

A new family tradition...

Throughout the year, Uncle Bruce and Aunt Denise send our children packages of the neatest things- special autographed books, things from their adventures to Charleston, the list goes on and on... This year, for Christmas, they sent an advent calendar- Every day, the kids get to open a door, and there are small wooden pieces that Uncle Bruce and Aunt Denise collected all year long. Let me just say- the kids LOVE it... Chris loves the suspense of it and gets that it's a "countdown." Addie just loves to play with it all day long- I think Santa should bring her a box with doors to open and shut and call it a day- She'd be in heaven:) Chris is very particular and likes to open just one door- but Addie loves to sneak and open them all:) This will be something that we all look forward to for years to come!