Glad Tidings

We hope you have the most wonderful, joy-filled Christmas ever. 

I KNOW HIM!!

Hudson has been so excited about Santa this year, even though he really doesn't know who he is or what he's about. ;-) He just knows he's a cool Christmas-time friend and he wears a cool hat.

Last time Hudson visited Santa, he was 8 months old, and it went a little something like this.....

Smashing success!!

Well, we skipped Santa last year for fear he'd react the same way and also because the line to see him was a mile long...in 30 degree weather...outside. Um, no thanks.

This year, we went on a Tuesday night, it was around 55 degrees and we had a blast! 

Our visit with Santa went much better....

Santa himself was much better this year, too, might I add!! He was awesome with Hudson.

We left the twins with my mom so we could have a fun night with just the big boy. He loved it, and so did we! It'll be fun taking the whole gang next year. Fun....insane..whatever. ;)

Waiting to see the big man.

I have to say that this is THE sweetest, smartest boy in the world. As hard as I try, I can't figure out how I got so blessed to be his momma. He's the light of my life!

Hudson took us for a sleigh ride. ;)

And we even stole one of the elves. HA!

And can I just say...what an ill-fitting coat!! Sheesh! Makes my butt look like it's all the way across the village with the reindeer. :)

It's hard to believe Christmas is just a few days away now. I hate when it flies by like that, but doesn't it always? It's gone before you know it. Boo. Just makes me cherish the time with family and friends even more. 

I've so enjoyed seeing Hudson get so excited this year. I wouldn't trade that joy for anything. 

There's nothing better than experiencing things through a child's eyes. 

A Colorful Christmas

Last year, I linked up to Kelly's Korner for the Christmas Tour of Homes. She's having the link-up again today so I had to participate! I love seeing how everyone decorates their home for Christmas!

We're in a different house this year so my decorations look very different as well. I also went with a multi-colored theme with pretty much everything and am LOVING it! Just so fun and happy.

 Let the tour commence.

I saw these little decorative sticks in Hobby Lobby and had to have them!! Luckily, I got them at 1/2 off, since they're regularly $24!! I just stuck them in my pots on the front porch for an extra touch.

This picture was clearly taken before I did the wreaths.

Notice my lovely assistant holding the door open for me. ;-)

We decided to forgo the real tree this year. We have enough to take care of this year and I don't have time to worry about watering a tree. Our artificial tree went kaput so we had to buy a new one. I like it so much better than our old one, though. Our entryway is nice and big so it's the perfect spot for the tree.

I love these fun ornaments, from Hobby Lobby.

Looking into the dining room from foyer.

JOY letters are from Target. Had to have 'em.

Some of my favorite decorations are these deer.

Just like last year, I just used layers of different fabrics for a tree skirt. So simple and if you get the fabric when it's on sale, it can be a lot cheaper than buying a $60 tree skirt!

We've got ourselves a FULL mantle, people!! And trust me...it's full and complete! ;-)

Silver pop-up trees from Target. I just covered a few small boxes with fabric to add a colorful touch.

On the butler's pantry, I displayed our Puckett tray. I got it from Christmas Village in Birmingham a few years ago. It still really irks me that they put an apostrophe, but whatever.
I'm a self-admitted grammar/spelling/punctuation snob.

I hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas!! 

I can't wait to check out all the other decorations from the link-up!

Thanks for stopping by. Happy Friday!

3 Months

The twins are 3 months old, as of yesterday. Craziness, huh? Isn't it so weird that while it doesn't seem like they could possibly already be 3 months, it also feels like they've been here forever? 

Life's strange like that.

It wasn't easy doing the monthly pictures with just one baby, but add another baby to the mix? Ha! You just snap away and hope they come out decent. 

Every now and then, some caption-worthy shots come out. ;)

It's amazing to see how much they've changed and grown.

Here are a few things about the babes at 3 months:

- Just started wearing size 2 diapers

- In very few 0-3 month clothes, Raegan is mostly in 3 months and 3-6 months. Grayson is smaller so 0-3 months fits him, for the most part. Not sure about their heights/weights. We go to the doc in Jan. for the 4 month checkup.

- Sleep 9-10 hours at night!! What?!?!?! This is HUGE! Hudson didn't do this until he was several months old. They've been doing it for a couple weeks or more, consistently. Grayson may wake up once, around 3 or 4, every few nights but Raegan has consistently been sleeping from about 9pm-6 or 7am for a while now. It's ah-mazing! She takes after her momma's love of sleep.

- Eat 4.5-5 oz every 3-4 hours.

- They both have great head/neck control. Tummy time isn't the most fun thing in the world but they're warming up to it. 

- Both of their eyes have darkened. Raegan's are very much dark brown and Grayson's are almost fully brown.

- They smile and coo all the time.

- They still love their swings.

- Grayson lights up when he sees people, especially me, right now. 

- Big brother, Hudson, loves them so much. He'll come give them a hug and a kiss out of nowhere and loves helping with them. So thankful he loves them so much! I can't wait to see the great friends they all become.

And now I leave you with ridiculously precious pictures. :)

LOVE THEM!!

Hudson had to join in. ;-)

We are so thankful for these 3 healthy, happy babies. 

Our family is wonderfully complete and life couldn't be better. 

13,7,3

Today is a special day, for a few reasons.

It happens to be our 7th wedding anniversary, as well as the 13th anniversary of our first date. Yes, we were babies when we started dating, and just a mere 22 when we married.

This was a little over a year before we married. Babies, I tell ya!

December 9, 2006.

We didn't know what would lie ahead, but we vowed to love each other through each and every trial and tribulation, victory and celebration. And we have. 7 years of marriage have brought with them many smiles, as well as some tears. I can say without hesitation that this man has stood by me through all of those moments. He's my rock. He'd say he's the blessed one, by I tend to think it's me who's blessed more than I deserve. He loves me unconditionally, even when I'm not the easiest person to love....especially before my morning coffee. 

It's been an amazing ride, and I can't wait to see what the next 7 years have in store.

 The two young babies who married all those years ago have become a party of five. And although I never would've dreamt it in a million years, I'm grateful for every moment, every laugh, every tear, every success, every failure, every memory we've made...for they have all led us to the place we are today. 

And I happen to think that place is pretty awesome, and I wouldn't trade it for a single thing, or want to share it with anyone else.

Thank you for loving me and for doing life with me. I promise to love you all the days of my life.

So, what's the 3?

It only seems fitting that on our anniversary, we also celebrate the 3 month birthday of these precious miracles. 

I can't even fathom how they're already 3 months old, 1/4 of the way through their first year....but like they say...it flies by. And before we know it, they'll be 2.5 year old toddlers singing their ABCs 731 times a day and bossing everyone around...even their stuffed animals.....and when that's the case, our current 2.5 year old will be a Kindergartener...waaaahhhhh!!!!! Stop this growing up nonsense!

I'll do their 3 month update in a separate post in the next couple days.

Happy Monday!!