Christmas 2008!

Well, we had a very enjoyable Christmas week, even though it was a little different than we had originally planned. Poor little Parker came down with a horrible cold and ear infection the weekend before we had planned to leave to drive up to Mima and Papaw's in North Carolina, and I ended up with a sinus infection- yuck. Our little Subaru was also broken into that weekend right in front of our house, so we felt really nervous about leaving the house vacant, especially since we had planned to take Lennox with us. We decided it best to stay home, let little P's antibiotics take action, and enjoy a quiet Christmas at home.

Although everybody was sick on my birthday, I still had a nice day and got a couple of really great gifts! Chris bought me an AWESOME new digital camcorder, which I am so excited about. This means as soon as I figure out how to do it, I can start adding video clips to my blog! How exciting!!! I also got a beautiful turquoise and saphire ring from my mom and dad- it is really unique and I've already gotten many compliments on it! Thank you, thank you for the gifts and love! :)

On Christmas day we got up and ate a good breakfast, sipped coffee, and opened the presents that Pete and Sue (my brother and sister-in-law) sent us from California. Because Chris and I had already exchanged gifts early, and I had given Peanut his new shoes early, we're sure glad we got that great box full of presents to open on Christmas morning! Thanks Pete and Sue- we love you!

Later that night we visited a few friends, went to bed, and got up the next morning and drove to Ashville, NC where we stayed at Chris' aunt and uncle's house and saw many members of Chris' family: Uncle Chip, aunt Melanie, cousins Sonny, Chelsea, Candace, Keith, Uncle Eric, Mima, Papaw, and of course little Matthew. Matthew is Parker's second cousin and is about to turn 4. He and Parker had a BLAST playing together, and spent hours jumping on the air mattress we slept on. It was so cute and funny. I can only imagine how much fun they'll have together next year.

We're home now, and doing some relaxing. I'm out at the office today getting things in order for our new students to arrive on Sunday. Parker is back up to full speed and feeling much better. The only bad thing about the medicine he's been taking is that it has been really hard on his stomach, and he consequently has his first case of diaper rash. I feel so bad for his little bottom, but we went out and got ourselves some Bourdeaux's Butt Paste, and are hoping it will clear up quickly. It certainly hasn't stopped him from running around (yes, he's running now- unbelievable!) and being the funniest, cutest thing ever.

We are now looking forward to a visit from Grandma and Grandpa next week, at which time we will celebrate Christmas number 3, complete with a visit from Santa, stockings, and our famous Christmas tree pastry! Yummm!

Have a wonderful New Year's Eve! Be safe and have fun! (I will undoubtedly be in bed asleep before the peach drops in Atlanta, so toast one for me!)

Love,
Laura and fam

Class #2 complete!

I am SO relieved to report that I have survived another class, and even earned a 93%! Hooray! I am just giddy that I don't have to start the next one (Accounting... help, Tessa!) until January 7th. I plan on reading the entire Twilight series between now and then since I have time to read for pleasure. Now I can relax (sort of)and enjoy the holidays!

Speaking of holidays, I never gave much of a Thanksgiving report! We had a great time with Mima, Papa, Grammy, Adele,Cousins Joyce, Cliff, Claire, James, Emily and Abby! The food was fantastic and the kids had lots of fun playing together. Parker even gave little Abby a big smooch! Kissing is his new obsession. This past weekend he repeatedly kissed our 18 month old neighbor, Holland, to which she responded "Oh no, Oh no, Oh no."

Our ride home from Thanksgiving weekend, however, was not so fantastic. It took us over 8 hours, 3 of which Parker was VERY upset. The trip was especially trying since Chris, Parker, Lennox and I were all packed into my little ole Subaru and none of us had much personal space. We all felt better after a stop at Outback Steakhouse. Even Lennox, who got the scraps! Although I'm excited to go back to Mima and Papa's for Christmas, I am not excited at all about taking that drive again. Boo.

Parker can now walk across his room on his own!!! He continues to be a real clown. Deborah had a cold last week, and when he came home he kept picking up his wet wipes and pretending to blow his nose in them like he had seen her do with tissues all day. He also does this really funny fake laugh when he is around a group of people who are laughing about something. It is SO funny (I wish you could hear it because talking about it just doesn't do it justice.)

Well, I've got a busy Thursday and Friday at work, and then a roaming Christmas party to host on Saturday, so I'd better run. Have a great Thursday!

Love,
Laura

More fun pics...

Here are a few more random pics including: Parker's first taste of chocolate (fudge sundae sauce- he wouldn't give me the spoon back!), Parker in the waiting room at the Children's Hospital awaiting his x-ray results- as you can see, he wasn't worried, Parker in Mima and Papa's yard wearing his new fuzzy coat, and Parker passed out on his favorite pillow- Grandma. Enjoy! :)

Catching up to do!

Sorry for the lapse of posts... I don't even know what happened to November. I blinked and it was over. Here we are a couple of weeks out from Christmas, and I feel like Halloween was last week! Oh no! Let me start by catching you all up on some photos, and then later today I will write a little post about Thanksgiving in North Carolina. A couple are of Parker and his first birthday cake. Can you tell he was exhausted by the time we got to cake time? Thanks to Mima for getting these pictures off of my camera and into the hands of friends and family!