Sledding Madness!

Daddy and Whit crush the sled hill!

Christmas from my phone!

Well I just love looking at a Christmas picture outside where Whitty doesn't have on a full snowsuit. This is outside Nonna and Poppa's house. It was so fun to run outside with a fleece on.

 Nonna did the Griswald thing with Whitty and plugged in their ONE tree they lit up in the yard. Too funny. 

 And look who is passing out free snuggles again...yep...baby Madden is!

 Sitting with Poppa. These boys are gonna love their Poppa something fierce. I am so excited my parents try to be such a big part of their life. It is so important to me.

 And then there was Kane trying to juggle both boys...hehehehe. Get it Kane!

 We went outside to sprinkle our REINDEER dust so that Santa would know right where to go. Whitty loved doing this. It was full of oatmeal and confetti. 

 This was dad's favorite position to be in with Madden. He just assumed sit there for 8 days holding him.

 Doesn't this just tug at your heartstrings?

 After Christmas everyone came up including Aunt Eva...Uncle Greg...Josh...and Nannie...so Dad and I got out Gwyneth Paltrow's cookbook and made up some Buttermilk pancakes with toppings. Everyone loved them. 

 

And then we went bowling! Whitty loves bowling...but he did discover the ARCADE this time and wanted to go hang out in there!

This guy whooped me....then I whooped him!

Bowling wears you out...so sometimes you konk out with Poppa while watching Mater Tales on TV.

 And my hubs and I even got to get out on a date with Tina and Kane! I feel fortunate that Nonna and Poppa let us escape for a bit.

 We went to Dyrons and had some good ole southern dishes!

 Jordy had his first shrimp and grits platter and LOVED it.

 Tina and I did some quick shopping and got Whitty all situated for the wedding in the Spring. Doesn't he look dapper? He was pretty into it. 

 I thought he would fight me on it...but he didn't!

 Meanwhile!

 And then we were home!

Christmas trip...in parts

This year we decided to fly to Alabama. We haven't flown over Christmas break in years. Can you believe this anxiety ridden mama flew on an
Airplane? Apparently I hate flying now which sucks because you have to fly to get anywhere. But I managed to do it with the two kids and hubs support. Don't I look happy to you? More importantly the little three-year-old. Isn't happy at all...he's sick and his ears are popping on the descent...meanwhile Madden Kane is out like a light.


But we did arrive without any glitches on Christmas Eve. Below is a picture of Christmas morning. This past summer when we were in Alabama Whitty left his Elmo on the airplane. And jolly old St. Nicholas brought it back.


He brought some other things too.


Whitty liked to help everybody else open their pressies too.


And there was lots of out-of-control behavior


I would say that Whitty was really into Christmas this year...and he understood what was happening.


It was so fun to be in Alabama for Christmas. I loved watching Whitty interact with all of my family.





These two definitely bonded.


These boys love their poppa.








Someone was a little bummed when there were no more presents to open.


I was thrilled to move on.


Candy land was a huge hit this year.


Madden snuggled with just about every family member.


Nonna and Poppa's tree





I found this in my mom's room. My cousin Whitney makes them... aren't they cool?


And there's Madden again doing some snuggles.



And some smiles.





More snuggles...this is one snugly child.





This is the man himself...the man we named Madden after.





And poppa did some feeding too.


Playtime.


Check this picture out. Look at those clef chins. Wow.i just hope madden is every bit like my dad. I would be one lucky mommy.


How special is this to meet your great grandma and be held by her.








Even uncle Greg got in on the action.





These two love birds are getting married and we loved having Aunt Tina around this time.











Baby Madden got a new hat for Christmas. Doesn't he look so sporty?





This sure is a special picture. Nannie with the three boys.





Brothers...





The day we are supposed to leave our plane had mechanical issues... We would've missed our connection And it would've been one long day... So the Griffins made a decision and we stayed for two more days. That meant for New Year's we were in Alabama.











Everyone was pretty excited about that.








We made a great dinner for everyone surf and turf with a yummy salad... And a delicious cheese plate with some wine. We are great visit to Alabama... it was so fun to be with family this Christmas. I'm so grateful to have such a great family to spend holidays with.