Laughter...

I have been playing around with some digital scrapbooking again. I took this picture of Kate today and decided to scrap it. Let me know what you think.

Oh, Happy New Years to you all!!

Meeting Mercer...

Bryan's brother, Alden, & family live in Clearwater, FL. I think that's near Tampa. Anyways, my point is that they live far, far away (Shrek2 reference). And with our two little ones (especially Aaron), it's too painful to even think about driving down to see them. We have been wanting to visit them, especially since they had their very first little one this year...a baby boy named Mercer. So....we were very excited to find out that they were actually going to visit us in December. Woohoo! We finally got a chance to meet this cute little Mercer, face-to-face. Here are some snapshots for our brief visit:

Isn't he adorable? I think he looks like Laura AND Alden. A great combination.

I can't tell if Aaron is trying to hug Mercer or choke him.

Here is a proud uncle with his nephew. Oh so cute!!

Kate got to have some bonding time with her Aunt Laura. Laura knows how to french braid and EVERYTHING! She is a very fun aunt to have around.

Mercer REALLY liked our Christmas tree. We had a hard time keeping him out of our office and his hands off the lights!

Here is a picture of Kate and Aaron after receiving their DVDs from Laura & Alden. I think they were a little excited?

Here's a cute shot of Alden & Laura with the cousins together at last!

Aaron's wondering if his head size is going to be like his Daddy's.

We tried so hard to get a picture of Kate & Mercer in front of the tree, with Santa hats...and this is what we got! But you can tell that Kate LOVED Mercer. She really enjoyed helping him out and playing with him. She did mention, however, that he does cry a lot. Ahhh...how quickly we forget. You too, sweet heart, you too.

Moments To Treasure...

Every year, the Wake County Public Schools produce a performing arts "extravaganza"...Pieces of Gold. The show is something that is worked on throughout the year and then held in the spring. According to the Wake Ed website, more than 800 students from different schools across Wake County will be participating this year.

I had never heard of this event until I got a call several weeks ago from Kate's music teacher. He wanted to know if Kate would be interested in a minor acting role for their Pieces Of Gold tryout. Basically, Kate would have a couple of lines, helping introduce the actual "performance"...a song and dance performed by the school's 4th & 5th grade chorus. REALLY? I mean, how cool. Of course, Kate was interested! She was smiling from ear to ear.

He sent us her lines and we immediately got to work memorizing them...she only had one week and one final rehearsal before TRYOUTS. That's right....the schools actually have to audition to be in the showcase. Yikes. I was a bit nervous, but Kate (not really understanding what was going on) was as cool as a cucumber.

So, we headed downtown to Daniels Middle School on December 10th for the tryouts. They were all so cute, dressed in their official school t-shirts and sweatshirts. But wait a minute...we found out right before they were to go on stage that they aren't supposed to wear anything with their school's name on it. What to do? Turn those shirts inside out! A sight to behold for sure. Never fear...it didn't seem to bother any of the kids and the performance turned out GREAT.

I was so proud of my little girl. I have to remember that not every kid would be able to get up on that big stage and belt out those lines...perfectly. She used just the right expression and got several laughs from the audience that day. Definitely a moment to treasure. Here are a couple of pictures from the event:

She looks so big, doesn't she? Watch out world, here she comes!

I love you, Kate! I was so excited for you and just thrilled
with the excellent performance you gave!

After the tryouts, Kate & I spent the rest of the evening on a "mommy/daughter" date. We went to the mall, ate Chickfila, picked out a treat at the Hello Kitty store and then off to the nail salon. What a fun night...celebrating Kate's audition and just spending time together.

I found out the next day that Kate's school WAS selected for the POG March Showcase. They were one of 32 schools (out of 70 that auditioned) to make it! Congrats all you Crocs out there!

A Pretty Face...

So...I left my son alone for a few minutes, thinking that he was happily eating away at his strawberry and raspberry yogurt. I come back to find it all over his face. He just looks at me with a self-satisfied grin and says, "Look at my perty makeup!".

Kate & TJ's Duet

The L'Italiens (our neighbors) have an awesome Christmas party every year! They decorate VERY CHRISTMASY, with tons of lights displayed on the lawn. Santa always comes to the party to visit with the kids. And for us bigger kids, there is plenty of food and drinks to be merry about! However, my VERY favorite part of the party is...singing Christmas carols! Shocker, I know. This year, they asked Kate to sing a duet with their son, Tyler. They practiced a couple of times before the big night...and let me tell you, they were both old pros. No warming up necessary, and away they sang, "Have a holly jolly Christmas..."

"Kiss her once for me!"


Here's the view from the L'Italien's front porch!

And here is a view of their house from the street. I wasn't even able to get the other side of the driveway...it has plenty of lights too! What a fun house to enjoy every Christmas. We love just being able to walk down the street and see such festive lights. Thanks Dave & Anita!

Baby, It's Cold Outside!

This year, I thought that Kate and Aaron were old enough to sit through and enjoy a Christmas parade. Since the Raleigh parade was WAY too early and too cold for us, we decided to go to the Hillsborough Christmas Parade instead. It worked out great because it started in the afternoon, and while it was cold outside, it wasn't intolerable.

Okay, so many of you may know that Hillsborough is MY hometown. That's right, it's the place where I grew up, where I went to school, where I learned how to dance, where I went "cruising" in my best friend's convertible, and where I hung out with my friends after the football games at the McDonalds & Pizza Hut. I loved growing up in a small town.

It's been awhile since I've visited downtown Hillsborough, and I noticed that some things had changed. They had some new stores, restaurants & a new grocery store. It was so cute! The Weaver Street Market was the happening place the day of the parade...they were selling (selling out) of HOT CHOCOLATE! We stood in line for quite a long time but finally left with hot chocolate in hand.

We met my mom, my sister and her kids near the Courthouse so that we could watch the parade together. We had the kids all bundled up so they could enjoy the parade.

Kate was really excited to go to a parade. We told her that this was actually the second time she had been to the Hillsborough Parade, but that she was too young to remember the first time. Weird...I think I was actually wearing that same jacket and scarf the other time we went. Might be time for a wardrobe change, huh?

We knew Aaron wasn't going to sit still for the entire parade, so we chose a spot that backed up to a big grassy area. Thankfully, Aaron was able to run and play until the parade started.

It's almost time. I think we might hear the fire trucks...

I remember how much fun it was to sit on Daddy's shoulders...don't you? Aaron had a great view of the parade from there.

A nice couple let our girls sit right in front of their chairs...that way they could be closer to the parade and to the CANDY that would be thrown!

We were surprised to see a familiar face on the first fire truck. Christy Daniels (relative on my mom's side) was throwing out candy to all the kids. She definitely threw several pieces towards our girls...thanks Christy!

Some of the entries to the parade were pretty boring. Really. There were some where people were just walking, holding a sign. Maybe not even holding a sign. But I did like this old car...love the flames on the side!

So glad that Kate got to share this with her cousins.

I thought this was a pretty cool entry. The Faulkner's have been around a long time...they are THE NAME and THE STUDIO for those interested in taking dance lessons. This foursome was showcasing the "clogging" classes (I think). Pretty sure that I went to school with the guy...he was very intense and the most talented out of the group.

I really didn't even want to put this one in my blog, but hey...I can at least give a shout out to these people's creativity, right?

I think I marched in my middle school band...in this same parade...and I remember playing "Jolly Old Saint Nicholas". Wow...that was a long time ago. I loved seeing all the different ways that the band members "festified" themselves. How cute are those antlers and the mismatched socks. Love it!

I thought this was such a cute banner for the Girl Scouts...how adorable are those faces??

Another cool lookin' automobile Love how they have the horns and the wreath on the front.

Just love this photo of Kate. I love her little freckles and upturned nose. She's my serious little girl!

You think Aaron was excited to see this big truck? He loved all the big vehicles in the parade!

My kids love dogs (okay, Kate loves them from a distance). All the girls "awww"ed at this entry.

I think by this time, Aaron was losing interest. So, what's a Daddy to do?

We loved all the marching bands, but I found a special place in my heart for this group.

And especially this man. Loved him!

Guess who's coming folks? Kate's awfully excited! Mom was too...but only because it meant that the end was in sight and she could finally warm her now frozen fingers! Woohoo!

Santa Claus is comin' to town. Love the horse drawn carriage. Very colonial.

One sleepy little fellow who was tuckered out from the excitement of attending his first parade.

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree...

We celebrated Kate's last day of school (track-out) by picking out our Christmas tree. This year, we bought from a new place...Shepherd's Way. They were so nice, and the prices were really good. We found our tree in a matter of minutes (that NEVER happens).

A cute shot of Kate in front of the winning tree. Notice the heating pad around her neck? Kate had pulled a neck muscle that morning, and although the pad was no longer warm, she refused to take it off for the rest of the day.

I did convince her to take it off long enough for this shot. Shepherd's Way had a cute sleigh set up where you could pose for pictures. I liked this one so much it ended up being our Christmas card photo.

While the menfolk were loading the tree on top of our mini-van, a nice lady came out and asked me if the kids could have treats. SMART lady. I am always impressed when people ask the parents first. Of course, I said yes! Kate and Aaron loved eating their candy canes during the ride home.

Here is MY manly-man getting the tree off the van. I am so blessed to have someone who can do all the manual labor!! I can't even imagine me trying to get this thing in the house and in the stand! Thanks, baby.

While I am sure that we will inevitably switch to artificial, I am also thankful to have a hubby that agrees with me--fresh trees are the best! I love going each year to find that special one, and then bringing it home to decorate. I love the smell each and every morning...I walk into the room and just smell...Christmas!

Round and Round...

Aaron had been asking for a few weeks to go to his favorite mall...Northgate in Durham, N.C. Just a word of warning for all you shoppers out there...this is not a shopper's mall! I think they have a Children's Place and a Macy's? But other than that....nothing. However, this mall is a great place for kids.

We finally went a few weeks back, and Aaron had a blast! His Nanay and Papa surprised him by joining us that day. And his Aunt Kekey met us at the Chick-fila for lunch. Here's a brief recap in pictures:

One of Aaron's favorite things to do there? Ride the "hobby hos-es". This time, he picked the reindeer to ride on...very appropriate for December. Look at that grin. He was excited.

And they're OFF! Papa agreed to ride with him, and I'm wonderin' if he regretted that decision. These hos-es can fly! It's a lot different to "ride" versus "stand". I think Papa may have gotten a bit woozy by the end of the ride. Aaron, of course, wanted to go again. We distracted him by mentioning his other favorite ride...

The choo-choo train! I thought I had gotten out of riding the train this time...come'on Nanay...don't you want to go with him?
No such luck! This train is fun for kids, but a little "tight" for us adults. At least Aaron was all smiles and enjoyed the new Christmas scenery they had out for us "passengers" to admire.

A stop at Hungate's...the train table is smack-dab front & center, you can't miss it (and of course, they know that kids WON'T). So, Aaron enjoyed the trains while Nanay & Papa did a good job of entertaining (okay, maybe scaring) him with puppets.

Nanay and Papa also treated Aaron to a couple of rides in those 'quarter' machines. He's sayin', "check me out ladies...look at my new convertible". Oh goodness, I'm not ready for that yet.

Here's one for Pop...a ride on the three-wheeler. Maybe one day he will get to ride the four-wheeler at the deer camp. Ahem...I'm not quite ready for that one either.

I think the verdict is still out on the cow. Aaron loves the chicken nuggets, but I had to do a lot of talkin' to get him to pose with the cow.

And if you think it was hard getting him to pose with the cow...hmmm...that was a piece of cake compared to Santa. He really didn't want to see him AT ALL. But he did sit there for about a second...which is why this photo is blurry. You get the picture, right?

All in all, a fun day for Aaron and for Mommy. We promised that next time, his big sister would get to go. She hated missing out on all the fun (but someone has to get an education in this house). Thanks Nanay & Papa (and Kekey) for making the trip a treat for us.