Have yourself a Merry little Christmas

We had a wonderful Christmas weekend with family.

We began the weekend with Christmas cookie making.  I got a wonderful recipe from my pastry chef sister and they turned out superb.  It was the first time I've ever made home made sugar cookies and royal icing I'm embarrassed to say.
Isaac loved every minute.

But I think he enjoyed eating them more than the making part.

Of course, one football fan wanted to get his creativity flowing...

On Christmas Eve Steven put together Isaac's presents under the Christmas tree ready for little hands in the morning.
We knew the tool bench would be a perfect choice for little buddy...

And Mrs. Claus picked out this little train set.  He's obsessed with Chuggington these days.

This was the first Christmas that we have stayed home on Christmas morning and we've been married 7.5 years.  As much as we loved spending the night with family on Christmas Eve in years past it was definitely time to do our own thing now that Isaac is getting older and we have Savannah too.  Throughout the weekend Steven and I continued to say how special it was to be home this year.

Three years old is the perfect age for finding Christmas presents under the tree.  Well, he's almost three.
The morning started off with Daddy videoing the whole thing while Mommy had the camera ready.

Here he comes, looking a little confused...

And walking right by his tool bench looking very shy and apparently with his finger up his nose.

He quickly got over his timidness and Steven showed him how to work the tools.

Oh, yes little Savannah was there too and enjoying the Christmas activities from the comfort of her jumparoo.

She enjoyed her new presents as well.

The teething ring was a favorite.

Just because we stayed home Christmas morning doesn't mean we didn't see our families on Christmas day.  Around 8:30 we headed to Sylacauga to continue the celebration with Steven's family.

Cousin Rowen was excited for present opening.  Can you tell?

Papa Spray and Savannah.  Two matching heads. ;)

Speaking of matching...the cousin boys received matching jackets.

Steven's grandmother, Gaga.

Steven relaxin'...

Aunt Kelly with the baby girl...

CC and her grand babies...

And an attempt at a cousin picture...

It was a great morning and afternoon with the Sprayberry's! 

Later that afternoon we traveled on to Auburn to visit my side of the family on Christmas.
We enjoyed having most of the family home but missed Carla, J.B., and Owen.

Aunt Katie was back from the Kanakuk Institute and enjoyed hugging on her niece and nephew.

Although it's always hard to get a picture of Isaac as he's constantly running around.

CoCo enjoyed time with her granddaughter.

We enjoyed a scrumptious feast cooked by CoCo and fellowshipping with family friends over dinner that night.

And just enjoyed being together...

Well, that's about all the pictures I took this Christmas weekend.  As much as I enjoy taking pictures it's just nice not to have to keep the camera strapped to my hip all the time.  I've got babies for that. ;)

All in all, it was a memorable Christmas.  Most of all we want to teach our children about the true meaning of Christmas.  It's so hard to get caught up in the world day after day and easy to follow the main stream.  It's funny, because we really haven't talked about Santa much this season but when Steven asked Isaac did he know what Christmas was on Christmas Eve, Isaac replied, "Santa?"  Hah.  It's amazing how much kids pick up on.  Of course, he is only three but we do look forward to stressing the story of our Savior today and always to our kids and praying they realize that the gospel is the GREATEST Christmas present they could ever receive.

This was our last Christmas day with both sides of the family now that we'll be moving a little farther away. So, we soaked in every moment.  However, we also look forward to the future and starting traditions with our own family next year! 

I hope everyone had a Christ filled Christmas and enjoyed celebrating our beautiful Savior's birth with family and friends!

A Christmas visit to the grandparents

T-minus 3 days until Christmas.

We made a quick trip to Auburn on Tuesday to go with my parents to Callaway Garden's Fantasy in Lights.  I grew up going to Callaway during Christmas every year.  I don't know if I would recommend anyone going there without kids--they've raise the price so for the money it's not worth it (oh please, Callaway don't sue me) but with a child it's...magical.  Isaac loved it!  You can choose to drive your car through the lighted path or take a trolley.  We chose the car this year because of rain and six month olds.  It was sprinkling most the night, however, there was a moment when the rain ceased and my dad, Isaac, and Steven jumped into the back cab of my dad's truck for an added experience.

We were also joined by my sister Camille and brother Cameron and soon to be sister in law Rachel.
Despite the rain it was a beautiful light filled night.

After the light show we all ate a scrumptious meal at Cracker Barrell, one of my faves, and enjoyed the dry weather in the warmth of my parent's home.

Mom had the place decked out for Christmas.

I love the way the Christmas tree lights were glistening in Savannah's eyes.

And we finished the night by getting two tired kiddos ready for beddy bye.

The next day we packed up our belongings and headed to Sylacauga where we spent one night with Steven's parents.

I can't believe I didn't get one picture of the kiddos with CC or Papa Spray, but we'll make up for it at Christmas. :)

Isaac did enjoy working out with his daddy in Papa Spray's weight room one afternoon.

And a mighty fine job he did.

And speaking of mighty fine.  I sneaked a few pics of the hubs working out, however, to my dismay he caught me and forcefully stated "you delete that now and do not put it on that blog of yours."
Well, I didn't delete it Steven and I've kept it for safe keeping.  But I did promise not to show him off on the blog.
So, I guess I'll just have to sneak this little picture on here.

He didn't say I couldn't put a picture of the two of us together. ;)

I'm off to wrap some presents.  Toodles for now.  And no Isaac, I'm not talking about Toodles on Mickey Mouse Club House.

Why, momma, why???

I knew the time would come but maybe I wasn't prepared for it like I thought I would be.
The season of "why's."
Well, to be honest, it's not all about asking why something is the way it is...it's more the continual question asking and constant talking that really takes place in our household these days.

 Constant.  Talking.

We will be driving throughout town and you can hear him from the back saying, "what dat, momma, what dat??"  And sometimes I find myself saying, I just don't know Isaac.  But this usually doesn't suffice him.
If we pass a wooded area in the car you can hear him say, "Momma? Isaac get lost in woods, and I say 'where my mommy' and my mommy say 'where my isaac'...and on and on he goes.  I really don't know what goes on in his 2.5 year old brain.

So, this post is dedicated to my little man.  And I thought I would jot down a few things that Isaac says all the time so I can remember them for the sake of his rehearsal dinner, or something like that.

These days he's very curious about the particular sex of something.
"Momma? is that a giggle or a boy?"
"Momma, is Percy a giggle?"
"Is Toby a boy?"

"Momma?  Do you have a wee wee?"

I'm not prepared for this, I think.

He loves to make 'coffee' for me every day by taking out every measuring spoon I own and pretending to brew me a perfect batch.

"You like some coffee?" He asks.

And I usually respond the same way every time and sip my coffee and exclaim, 'Isaac! this is the most delicious coffee I have ever put in my mouth!!'  And then we take another swig together.

If you're ever in need for a pick-me-up...Isaac's imaginary coffee is the best in town I assure you.

The other day we were reading a book and there was a picture of a cactus in a desert.  I pointed out the cactus to him and he responded with, 'Momma, I kinda don't like cactin.  Cactin kinda carey.' (That's 'scary' in toddler language.)

If I come home from the grocery store or any store for that matter while Steven has been watching the kids, Isaac asks, 'Momma, what you got for me?'

Multiple times a day he will ask me for chocolate.  "I neeeed chock-it," he tells me.

Don't we all, little buddy, don't we all.
Lately, I've seen him crawl around on the floor making high pitched moaning noises and carrying things in his mouth.
He says he's a baby.

Whenever I put on a dress he tells me to dance.
"Momma, why you look so cute?  Dance momma, dance."
And then I have to twirl for a moment so my dress will puff up just so.

If I say to him that we are going anywhere...school, bible study, church, etc.  he responds with "Let's do dat.  Dat be fun, momma."

Oh this boy.

He keeps me laughing....oh, and talking.
As much as I enjoy a good quiet drive from time to time, I am loving the many questions I get from my soon to be three year old in the back seat.  And the many questions I get everywhere we go.

And not to mention, one little giggle is constantly entertained by him.

And speaking of giggles, Savannah is doing great as well.  Thankfully she can't ask questions yet.
Yet.

She would much rather chew on her doll.

Poor thing has been sick the entire week with a bad bad cold.

Thankfully she's still smiling and jumping.

That's all for now.  I hope everyone is enjoying their Christmas week!
I better put my camera away before flying bunnies come after me.  Dat be fun, let's do dat.