Merry Christmas!

It is not quite Christmas yet. However, Bill and I are so thankful for the gifts we have already received. We have a wonderful family and many wonderful friends near and far. There are no words to show the appreciation we feel for the love and support you have given us this year.

The best gift we received this year was Michael. We are very blessed to have him in our lives. He is such an amazing, loving, and happy little boy. He has a way to bring a smile to your face. It is also really incredible how well he fits in our family. Although our wait was long, it proves that God's timing is perfect.

I will more than likely not be posting until after the New Year. Bill, Michael, and I would like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Getting ready for Christmas

The past few weeks we have been doing a lot to get ready for our first Christmas with Michael. We made and decorated gingerbread houses at church. We have also decorated the inside of our house and put our tree up. We decided to put a small tree on a table this year for two reasons. First, we thought it would be safer for our rambunctious little boy. Second, we will be headed to New Hampshire to visit Gamma and Papa after Christmas, so the tree will not take much time to take down when we get home.

This past Saturday we had breakfast with Santa at Michael's day care. We were not sure what Michael would think of the jolly old elf. However, we were pleasantly surprised. We let him approach old St. Nick on his own terms. We put him down and he walked right up to him and held his arms out for Santa to pick him up. He sat on his lap and babbled to him a bit. He made the sign for cookie (his favorite sign). We are guessing that he asked Santa for lots of cookies. Then, he smiled really big for his photo op.

We are really looking forward to Michael's first Christmas with us. Here are a few pictures. Check back in a few days for his Christmas pictures and his picture with Santa.

Our Gingerbread House

Decorating Our Tree

Hanging Ornaments with Baba

"Oooooooo" (said with a high pitched squeal of joy)

A Christmas Kiss for Mama

(no mistletoe required)


Our Tree Before the Finishing Touches

Thanksgiving Trip

We took Michael to Alabama for a long Thanksgiving week. The Friday before Thanksgiving, we stopped at Karl & Kim's (Bill's cousin) house for a couple of nights. We had a lot of fun with them. Michael really enjoyed playing the banjo with Karl.

We headed to Alabama on Sunday. While in Alabama, Michael got to meet his great grandparents and his many aunts, uncles, and cousins. He also got to meet a few of his Mama's friend from home including his Aunt Gennifer (Mama's lifelong friend).

Michael enjoyed most of his trip, excluding the 12 hour car ride home strapped in a car seat. Who could blame him?? While in Alabama, we successfully weaned him from the bottle. He is now on a diet of "real" (solid) foods. He has not had baby food or the bottle for over a week. YAY!! It is amazing how much this little boy can eat! To say the least, he had a wonderful appetite while we were gone.

Michael also loved riding the tractor, staying up late, and being spoiled rotten.

Here are a few pictures from our trip:

First Thanksgiving

I really like this eating thing.

Riding the tractor with Papa

Driving a tractor is very serious business

Michael's new buddy.... Papaw

Playing the banjo with Karl Michael & Uncle Doyle

Taking Pictures with Aunt Mary

Papaw, Mamaw, Gamma, Papa, Mama, & Michael

(4 generations)

Matt & Michael

Swinging with Uncle Tim & Aunt Mimi