Getting chatty

Ben has been slow to talk but just in the past month, his speech is exploding! Here are some of his favorite words/expressions.

Jeep = beep
Blanket = nah nah
Pacifier = sassy
Yes ma'am = yes mum
iPad = hi pap
Mary Beth = eth
Tractor = tahtoo
Truck = tuck
Barn = buhn
Horse = nay
Sheep = heeps
Cow = tows
Queenkie = teetee
Cute = toot
Okay = tay
Cookie = tootie
Myself = seff
Sleepy = seepy


Words he says perfectly:
Mine
Oh no!
Wow
Hold me
House
Home
Poop/toot
Puppy
Duck

Ben did you poop? = no...toot!

Christmas!

Our church had an amazing event for our community called Hope for Christmas.  We had enough Christmas meals for around 350 families.

This is a shot of some of the toys and games that were collected for the event.  The families were able to choose two new gifts for each of their kids.

Part of my role in the event was to get donors and we had our larger donors on the back of the volunteer t-shirts.  It was super busy getting ready for the event but it was totally worth it when I got to meet the families that were participating.  Such a great day!

Traditional day after thanksgiving hunt for the perfect tree.

We went to a farm in Hahira this year and it was awesome, they had tons of trees to choose from.  

The kids loved running wild through the rows of trees.

I absolutely loved our tree this year.  Dan worked so hard getting it to stand up straight and he even bungeed it to the wall to keep it from falling over.  We have learned that lesson the hard way in past years!  Please note the one foot on the mantle trying to keep his balance.  Oh the things he does to make his wife happy!

The Little People Nativity was a huge hit again this year.

I took this photo right before we started taking the ornaments off.  The star at the top had fallen to the side so it was time to take it down.

Ben rocking his new bike helmet.

Queenkie planned tons of crafts for the girls and MB was in heaven!

Yaga saying the blessing at the kids table.

They are eating in their great, great grandmother's bedroom.  Growing up, this is the exact same table and room that me, my brother and cousins used to eat at while staying with my grandparents.  We were promoted to the grown up room after we had kids.  I love that my children get to have this experience now.  

Stocking digging.  Ben really enjoyed Christmas this year and said WOW at every gift.  He was terrified at the thought of Santa coming to our house so we didn't dare mention him very often.  He loved Bubba the elf though and the kids loved looking for him every morning.  

Christmas morning!

We went to visit Dan's grandmother later Christmas morning and decided to have a spontaneous lunch at Waffle House.  Surprisingly, all of the workers were in great moods and it was a great time.

It's hard to beat waffles and bacon for lunch!

G looking pretty in her Christmas vest.

Christmas night at mimi and papa's house.  We had so much fun with playing with cousins!

Another amazing Christmas with family.  We are so blessed!!!

What Happens When Your Four Year Old Does Her Own Hair

Halloween

(Yes, I do realize Christmas is next week and I am posting about Halloween.  Just trying to get caught up.)  Our neighborhood goes all out for Halloween and it is always packed with tons of kids.  This year, our small group came over to our house for a fun night.  The kids had so much fun together, it was absolutely chaos but oh so fun!

 My mom gave MB a dress up Minnie Mouse costume for her birthday this summer and ever since, she has wanted to be Minnie for Halloween.  

Ben was able to wear the park ranger outfit that my in-laws purchased out west about five years ago.  

They were adorable!

Jake, Ariel, Minnie, Belle and Park Ranger

The whole crew.

So excited about the candy!

Field Trip

The kids went on their first field trip together and they loved it!  They looked so cute in their matching shirts.  This was the first school event that I wasn't able to participate in.  Thankfully, our wonderful babysitter was able to go and Dan met them at the garden to tour the grounds with them.  They had a fun day!

Pumpkin Patch Fun With Cousins!

Breakfast on the Beach with Ben

Ben is an early riser these days so in an effort to not wake up everyone in the condo, I took him to the beach as the sun was rising.  We left his pants at home, took some of yaga's homemade cinnamon rolls with us and headed out for some mommy and son time.  It was so peaceful and I couldn't help but snap a ton of pictures on my phone.  I couldn't narrow them down so you get to see all of them!  More beach photos to come soon.