Deck the house with big ol' smiles

Nothing brings out the holiday spirit in me like the smiles on my boys' faces on their way downstairs the morning of Christmas. I know this has only happened a few times, but it's amazing and exciting for all of us.

They couldn't unwrap everything fast enough!

New hats on, reading their personalized CARS 2 books, sitting on Daddie's lap, what could be better?!?

Nekoh must have been a nice enough boy this year to get a few bags of bones! The neighbors even brought him a big bone for xmas...seeing as their 5 month old pup always finds her way into our yard and steals his toys! Too cute!

Happy Christmas to all!

The last days of Mr BB, 2011

The last few days of having Mr BB around were, as expected, eventful. He was busy emptying our cabinets of dishes as a silly farce...

And then on his last night, he gathered his buddies, dressed up in Halloween costumes and went trick-or-treating! The boys just thought it was hilarious...and that the candy was for them. Of course!

By the way, last night we packed up Mr BB, sleeping bag and all, and put him outside so he could magically go back to the North Pole to tell Santa how good the boys were this year. It couldn't have been a more bittersweet moment than when the boys were almost in tears that he was leaving because they were going to miss him sooooo much! It was quite heartbreaking!

Traveling Elf

Mr BB spent the night with the boys at Jammy/Grandy's house and turned the place upside down...literally!

Then, he stayed at Nana's house last night and tried to get dressed up in Poppa's ties! Or maybe he tried to tie Poppa up and got tangled up himself. Silly, Mr BB!!

Gooo Dawgs, Sic' em!

Tuesday morning all three 2-legged boys were donned in red and black and headed to A-town to stay with Jammy and Grandy and go to a UGA basketball game. Todd said they all had so much fun and from the smiles on their faces, it's apparent.

Hit me

Last night Mr BB and his friends were in the throws of a friendly game of go-fish when Nolan came downstairs. At least it looked friendly...they were all smiling!

Magical Lights

Sunday we took a Griswold family trip up to Lake Lanier Islands to Oooo and Ahhhh at the lights display. There were several displays that were impressive and the whole thing, collectively, was cool to see. However, it was a bit on the expensive side and kinda cheesy touristy. They did have a big shop that had decently priced christmas items in and the kids could sign up to sit on Santa's lap. But then they had a big carnival next to it. Not sure where that fit in, but the boys didn't seem to mind and had fun looking all around.

The cool part was that they had these really big open fires outside and someone was walking around selling marshmallows on sticks that you could roast!

Tasty Treats

While we were in Athens over the weekend, Mr BB left the boys some gingerbread houses to decorate!

Good thing Mr BB wanted Jammy to make the houses with the boys. From the looks of it, the houses were a hit! Apparently, it was a huge mess, but TONS of fun!!

Make yourself comfy!

The other night Mr BB must have not preferred his candy cane striped sleeping bag, because he hauled the boys' bean bags all the way up the stairs.

Gold-Fishin'

Maybe it was too easy to just open the bag of goldfish and munch away...maybe the goldfish come to life when we go to sleep...maybe Mr BB just likes to do things the crazy way!

Streamer Surprise

The boys woke up to this scenario this morning and now won't let us take it down. Good job, Mr Bellybutton Boogers!

Table Shenanagins

Nolan: Mommie, Daddie you HAVE to come downstairs and see what Mr Bellybutton Boogers did! It's SOO COOOL!!

Happy Birthday, Ryan!

With all the craziness going on this time of year, I forgot to post a note about Ryan's 11th birthday! We celebrated, family-style, on Sunday night with the kids running around Dawn's house trying to find an elusive Ryan playing hide-and-seek. We hope he had a great bday. Love ya, nephew!!

Elfin' Fun!

Mr Bellybutton Boogers has been hard at work all weekend trying to make the adult's lives crazy, but making the kids laugh like crazy. First, he gathered all of his animal buddies and had a marshmallow fight in the kitchen. Thankfully, it was confined to the table.

This morning Mr BB must have been playing with the boys' cars and then realized he could make sure they are minding their parents. The boys had to keep asking what the message said, and after about the 3rd time, we think they got it.

SANTA! We know him!

This past weekend was SUPER busy. First, a visit to see Santa at our friend's house to tell him what we want for xmas. The boys are still working out their shy-bugs and Santa had to keep asking them to repeat themselves. Finally, Reed got out that he wants Transformers, Power Rangers, and Start Wars Legos. It's so funny to see that they want the same things Todd and other "boys" his age wanted when they were kids. Thanks, Santa!

Aerial Footage

I know you can't see the dark spot at the top of the flagpole, but it is in fact, Nolan. He shimmied up this net of danger in under a minute and couldn't have been prouder of himself! He IS the spunky one, right?

Number 2 bites the dust!

Last Thursday, Reed pulled tooth #2 straight out! Now, he can whistle through the teeth...and whistle he does...all day long! He's so proud of his gummy area. It's funny to watch him inspect it in the mirror. 4 years old and lost a tooth, pretty sure this means chest hair at age 8! Slow down, little man :o(

Mirror Images

Mr BB thought the boys would enjoy their morning news...written on their mirror!!

Bathroom Antics

Thanks to Mr BB, we got to clean up the bathroom mess he made. Crazy elf!

Happy 69th Birthday, Grandy!

We hope Grandy had a great birthday today. Reed and Nolan seemed to be confused on hold old (or young) he is. At first, it was 39, then it was 90. I'm not sure what the age ended up being in their minds, but they got to sing the Happy Birthday song and wish him well. We love you, Grandy!!

There's a new fairy in our lives...

The Tooth Fairy! Reed pulled out his tooth today at school. Holy cow! His first tooth!!! He was so excited and apparently, his teacher told him about this fairy that comes to your house, takes your old teeth, and leaves money!?! I should have asked her for a few bucks! Ha, just kidding and Reed is happy that his old tooth is going to someone else that needs it...and he's getting money!

Stinky shoe sneak!

Eeeew, Mr Bellybutton decided it was funny to take every last pair of the boys' shoes this morning and hide them under the tree. Well, he didn't do that great of a job hiding them, but the boys still got a kick out of it!

The, the, the...THE GRINCH!

First of all, thank you to the Halloran's for such an awesome Christmas gift of taking all of us to see the Grinch. This was the first REAL play the boys have seen and they were into it the whole time! Nolan kept asking, "mommie, is he a nice guy now?" It wasn't until the end of the play I could finally answer "YES, Nolan, now the Grinch is nice!" Lindara said Reed kept mumbling "I don't like the green guy" over and over again. We'll have to do more of these in the future! So fun!!

Herb, clean up on isle 4!

Mr Bellybutton Boogers is at it again. He took all the couch cusions off and stacked them high so he could see the angel on the tree...or so he said!

NFL Experience

Last weekend the boys, Jammy/Grandy and Ryan all headed downtown Atlanta to the NFL experience at the World Congress Center. They boys were so excited to ride MARTA on the way to the big city...they were all smiles!

This is where they got to run and dive onto the blue mat while trying to catch a football. Here's Reed in action-

The boys were all over Ryan and wanted to be wherever he was at all times. And, Ryan was incredibly helpful, curteous, and sweet...what happened to him!?!

PLINKO!

Seriously, Mr BB?

This morning we woke up to this. Our elf strikes again! Who does he think is going to clean up this mess? Well, ateast I got to clean out a few of their drawers and pass them along to the 3rd amigo...you're welcome, Charlie! Or I should say, thank you for taking them, Charlie!

Snow Boogers

So, Mr Bellybutton Boogers must've been upset that we didn't tuck him into his special sleeping bag last night. We didn't get home until after 10:30 from the most AMAZING play at the Fox, The Grinch Who Stole Christmas. It was an awesome evening and the whole Halloran/McLure/Goodloe gang was there. But, apparently, we still should have found the time to tuck the little rascal into his sleeping quarters, because he goes and does this!!!

We got ELFED!

Night one and so far Mr Bellybutton has been kind to the household. He strung up two strands of lights in the boys' bedroom while they slept. Nolan had no clue what had happened and Reed just kept looking at it to make sure he wasn't dreaming. Then, for few minutes Reed kept saying "Mommie, look what Daddie did!" We had to explain to him that Mr Bellyboo did it because he wanted to make their room more festive. We'll see what he has in store for us the rest of the month!

'Tis the Season...for Elves!

This morning, for the very first time, I'd like to introduce you to Mr. Bellybutton Boogers. Our resident elf has arrived in style (note the box behind him) with his own sleeping bag and letter of intent. He has instructed the boys to love on him and play with him during the day, but he needs to be tucked into his special sleeping bag at night so he can see how they've been all day (and possibly get into some mischief). On December 24th, he'll report to Santa whether our house is worthy of gifts this year, or if Santa should skip it altogether.

Here we are reading the letter together. The boys could hardly stand still they were so excited!

We'll see just how effective this guest is in our presence. I suspect the boys will be on their best behaviour...or ELSE!

Ain't he cute? Can we keep him?

Nolan was nestled all snug in his bed,
with visions of Santa running through his head.

Nekoh was upset that his bed had been taken,
He didn't complain once he got a piece of bacon!

Reed was in the other room, snoring like a song,
Which was probably why the twins were getting along!

Christmas is coming, they'd better be good.
Or Jolly Old St Nick will skip our neighborhood!

Do you like ha-ka-tooey with syrup?

A few days ago, Thanksgiving night to be exact, the boys and I slept at the Goodloe's house because Dawn and I were going black friday shopping and Todd had to work, so Burke was going to watch all 6 kids. A few hours into our spending frenzy, I get this picture of the kids making pancakes. Where's Nolan you ask? Sitting off to the side because this was the 2nd batch of pancake batter they had to make because he SPIT in the first one. Wha?!?! Really?!?! Oye vay, it's going to be a loooooooong next 14 years!

Dawn got the steal of the day! These fabulous sunglasses that were so deeply discounted she knocked the lenses right out. Who says you can't get good glasses these days was crazy, they are totally stylish!

Veggie Turkey Masterpiece

I felt I had to throw a tiny nod to my inner vegetarian side of Thanksgiving. A few years ago, this would have been the only turkey I would have eaten on the holiday, but thanks to yummy swine, bovine, and chicken wings, I'm back and lovin' every animal I've devoured.

Thanksgiving 2011

Phew! Thanksgiving has come and gone (all too fast) and our bellies are full and we are so lucky to have such a great, wide varietal family to spend it with. We started the day off at Linda and Arvis', and every year they really out do themselves! It was a nice quiet afternoon, visiting and playing in the yard...

And then it was off to my parents house. I think by the following picture, Poppa had "retired" for the night, we watched a play (of some kind) and I'm still not sure what it was about or if it has even ended yet.

This little birdie apparently has NOT had enough pie. Feed that kid!

There's really no explaination for this photo. Somehow the shirts come off and the dancing begins. Thank turkeyness it was the little kids and none of the adults felt the need to participate. Uh-oh, bad visual!! Thanks to everyone who made Thanksgiving 2011 so memorable and special to all of us. We really had a great time!