Good-bye 2008, Hello 2009!!

We are gearing up to spend New Years Eve out at Gray Center, which we do most every year. Buddy and i starting going out there beginging in 1999 to celebrate the millenium and its become our usual event to celebrate New Years. This year we're not having to take all the food so I am super happy about that...its just a lot of work to get us all somewhere for one night AND have to pack food and all the other stuff that goes with it...so, we're just loading up on drinks...beer, champagne, bloody mary and mimosas, water and diet coke...I think we'll be be good!!

A quick word about my personal goal for 2009...to CONQUER SPIN CLASS. Yes, it may sound silly, but I have determined that this is my secret to lose those last baby pounds (2 years later!). So, I'm going to get those padded shorts so my bum won't be too mad at me come next week!

Hope you and yours have a wonderful night ringing in the new year, whether you are snuggled up at home or rocking at a bar!! SEE YOU IN 2009!!

Whit & Aiden's boot trade

Whit & Aiden traded boots the other night...Whit is wearing Aiden's new Cars rubber boots and Aiden is wearing Whit's cowboy boots...It was NOT a pretty picture when Aiden had to leave and take those boots off!!!

Aiden about to give Whit a hug

Christmas in Bovina

We went to Bovina to have Christmas dinner with the Kitchen side of the family...I only got a few photos that day. Here are Whit and Olivia playing with their new Jack in the Box toys...only Olivia did NOT want to play with hers...she wanted the one Whit had!
Olivia and Whit (second cousins)

Unce Nate and Whit

Christmas morning at Nana and Pops house

Here are a couple of photos from Christmas morning at Nana and Pops...Whit loaded up on more wonderful toys from Nana, Pops, Aunt Sarah and Uncle Nate...he got a drum, a horn, a large Cars coloring book, crayons, markers, a beautiful table and chairs set, a MS State sweatshirt and socks (I know, but his Nana and Pops are big State fans, so I'm okay with it!!), black Converse shoes, a monogrammed pillow, 2 books, a football and I'm sure I'm leaving a few things out, but that's what I can remember right now!! He loaded up!!
Buddy got a leather jacket from Mom and Dad and I got some work out clothes, Williams Sonoma soap and loation set and some of my china.
We had a great time opening presents then watching Whit play with all of his new stuff! After eating brunch, we chilled out a little bit before going to Bovina to see the Kitchens family.

Playing his new drum

And his horn thing...i don't really know what its called...a whistle, or piccolo or something along those lines.

CHRISTMAS MORNING!!

Here are some photos from our Christmas morning...Santa was very nice to all of us this year...Whit got a guitar, a choo-choo track and several choo-choos to play with, a new back-pack, a Diego plate/bowl/spoon set, Cars coloring book and markers, Hot Wheels and Diego slippers. Daddy got a new saw, new shoes, a Dallas Cowboys cell phone cover and a writing journal. Mommy got a Trio gift certificate, Aveda products, Bobbi Brown lip gloss and shimmer brick, a Love My Baby necklace and a BabyFace Design calender! We feel so blessed to have had such a wonderful Christmas.

Rise and Shine!!

Choo-Choo!!

Taking a quick break from playing with his new toys.

Back to the choo-choos...his FAVORITE new toy

Pics with Pops and Nana after Christmas Eve service

Visiting Grandmother Kitchens

We went to Vicksburg last week to visit Grandmother Kitchens (my mother's mother). Alicia, Olivia and Aunt Linda came too so Whit and Olivia kept us entertained!

Whit and Grandmother Kitchens
The three granddaughters...Alicia with Olivia, Leahbeth with Whit, Grandmother Kitchens, Sarah

Whit and Olivia

WORN OUT!! It was SO hot in her room and these guys were running around like crazy and started sweating.

Sarah and Nate's House Blessing

Sarah and Nate had a house blessing and thank you dinner for those who helped them with their house...here are some pictures from the night...

Lydia, Riley, Mary Elizabeth and Lauren
Craig, Alicia and Olivia Arseneau (my cousins who live in Colorado)

Enjoying the yummy dinner that Nate prepared

Blessing the office/study

Blesing the Living room

Christmas with the Alfords

My dad with his brothers, sister and mother...
L to R: David, Grif (Pops), Whit, Grandmother Doris, Claudia, Andy
The five granddaughters with Grandmother Doris...
L to R: Leahbeth, Sarah, Jessie, Grandmother Doris, Laura and Ashley

The WHOLE Alford crew...

back row, L to R: Deborah, Carolyn, Laura, Claudie, Jessie, Andy, Nate

on couch, L to R: Grif, Grandmother Doris, Sarah, Leabeth, Whit, Ashley

floor: Buddy and David

The Alfords, Turpins and Ballards with Grandmother Doris

Pops and Whit playing

Random stuff...

Here is Whit brushing his hair with my powder brush
and combing his hair with my eyelash brush!

Sarah & Kristi...apparently this is the ONLY picture I took at our dinner at Walkers.

Sarah and Whit riding the cars in Canton...also one of the only pictures I took that night!

Settling Down & Climbing Over

We are settling down a little bit over at the Turpin house...well, just from all the parties and family gatherings really...Whit is still keeping us on our toes. Guess what new task he learned to do yesterday...CLIMBING OUT OF HIS CRIB!!!! Yes, he climbed out once at naptime and then three times at bedtime. So here we go...what do we do?? He's getting out by putting a foot on the armrest of the chair that is right next to his crib...he pushes himself up and then flops headfirst into the chair. (its one of those upholstered gliders) So, he's not falling to the ground, but if i moved the chair away would he still figure out how to get over the rail? would he try it if the chair was not close by? if he did, he would hit the floor?? WHAT TO DO??!! I guess we will just figure it out day by day! His crib is not a "convertible" crib...we figured we would need a crib for a second baby so we didn't do the convertible thing. My goal is to make the office WHit's "big boy room"...that way he will have lots of room for his toys, etc and then his old room would be a nursery for baby # 2 WHENEVER THAT IS...NO BABY ON THE WAY JUST YET! (just to be clear!!) But what am i going to do with all this stuff in our office??

well, mom and whit are back from the park, so its time for lunch and naps...

Just Thursday...

Whit's fever has gone away, thank goodness! We went to the gym this morning, which I desperately needed, as did Whit...there were 6 or 7 little boys all under 3 in the nursery so he had a great time.

We are heading to Mom and Dad's this afternoon and then we are all going to see the Christmas lights in Canton. I think Whit will enjoy seeing the lights and riding the carousel and minature train. Since its like 70 degrees today I don't think we will have to worry about bundling up too much. Whit hates wearing his hat anyway!

Not much else to write about right now...i just love spending the holidays with my family. This is definately what the holidays are about...cherishing those you love and being thankful for what you have. Its a joyous season that is not about the shopping rush or sales frenzies...its about celebrating the birth of Jesus and knowing that he is our Light.
Merry Christmas!!

Just Tuesday...

Today Whit has a little fever. It started up last night and so we're home-bound today! I normally go to the gym and take him so he can play with the other kids but not with a fever! He's been good though, we played a little with his shape sorter and he watched my vacuum the living room. What gets me through these sick days are his naps!! Luckily when he's sick, he takes extra long naps...this one is going over 3 hours! What an angel. While he's been sleeping I've dyed a dress for my last order of the year (well, last order to FILL anyway before the holidays), made some graham crisps to take to the staff at his Mothers Morning Out, worked on Catechesis stuff, read some more of Twilight and folded some laundry!

In other news, I'm going to be looking for some part time work come January. My payroll work is going to end in February so I'm thinking of getting a job at a store somewhere around Jackson...something fun I think! I think I will enjoy doing something for a little while that gets me around people but isn't stressful or long hours. We are going to try to keep Whit at MMO because I know he needs the socialization and I know he loves it. If anyone knows of anything opening up, please let me know...or if you know of anyone that needs someone to work from home, i'm your gal!!

This weekend is going to be jam packed...we have two things on Friday night that I think we can make it to, a Christmas party dinner with some of my friends since high school, a family dinner at my parents house and the house blessing of my sister and brother-in-laws house!! well, that spreads on into Monday, but still...4 nights in a row! Whew...
But then it will be CHRISTMAS!! I can't wait to see what Whit thinks this year...I've gotten him just a few small things so far. I think Buddy and I will pick out one or two larger things this weekend maybe. But i think he'll love the small happies i've picked up...like an Elmo mini-lunchbox with animal crackers and a Diego plate and bowl set. I will be sure to take LOTS of pictures on Christmas morning.
Well, that's all for now, Whit's stirring in his room, so my free time is over.
Happy Tuesday!

Christmas Fest at the Ag Museum

We took Whit to the Ag Museum last Friday night for their Christmas Fest...a free night to enjoy the museum, a Christmas village, freebies like candy canes, bells and coloring books, carousel rides and pics with Santa!! Kathryn and Aiden came along and those boys had so much fun, especially watching the train exhibit.

Here they are ready to go!
Aiden waiting for the train to come around.

Kathryn and Whit on the carousel...this is the first time he's ever riden a carousel and not cried...he really enjoyed it this time!

Me and Aiden on the carousel...he didn't want to ride on the horse so he sat in my lap on one of the seats.

Trying to get a picture with Santa...the boys DID NOT want to get down so we just all got in the picture!

Oh, Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree

Whit has had a good time looking at all of the ornaments on our Christmas tree this year. He especially likes to find all the balls on the tree and say "a ball!!" It makes me smile.

Our tree is the same one we used last year...becuase we have such a small space in our living room, plus an almost 2 year old, plus 3 dogs, plus 1 cat (i know, we have too many animals!) i decided to go with a 4 foot artificial tree that we place on a table in the living room...we really have NO WHERE to move any furniture to put a full sized tree, so this works well. The animals aren't going to knock it over or break any ornaments and Whit is hopefully not going to! So, one day when we have a bigger house we will go back to a real tree...i miss the smell of a real tree!!

SNOW!!! (sort of!)

We had snow last week! I think it actually lasted maybe 1 hour, but still, it was snow! Whit and I went out to play in it for a few minutes. He liked feeling it on his face and hands. I got a couple of shots of him enjoying it.

Cookie Decorating Play Date

We had some friends over today for a Christmas cookie decorating play date...the kids had SO much fun and i think the mommas did too! Whit tried out the cookies before everyone got there just to make sure they were good...I think he gave it a thumbs up!

Finger lickin' good!
yummm, sugar icing...

good stuff

Kamp, Whit & Lacy

Lacy & Kamp showing off their KnitWhits Christmas shirts. (Their mom had them monogrammed at Bridgettes in Fondren)