More Battleship Fun

Here's Noah in front of several of the missiles?


Noah "steering" the battleship

John getting ready to defend
But seriously some of the guys pictures on the boat looked John's age- can you imagine sending your husband or brother off to fight in WWII (which is where this battleship did most of its defending)?
We are truly BLESSED to have our FREEDOM


My handsome boys

Battleships are for Boys

Nathan has wanted to go to the USS Alabama for years. We finally made it the day after Christmas. The weather was perfect and it was not too crowded. I enjoyed learning about it for awhile but I think I've had my fill of battleships for the rest of my life :) My mom volunteered to stay home and keep Ava which was good since there was a lot of ladder climbing and stepping over things. Thanks Mimi!

Grandpa, Noah, Nathan & John


Noah demonstrating how they slept

There was even a prison on board- I guess with that much testosterone in one place it was needed


This one's for Grandpa- they are in the boiler part of the engine room I think

Twas the Night Before Christmas

We went to Christmas Eve service at my parent's church and both kids did very well through the service. Then we went back and had Christmas dinner with my parents, Nona, & Aunt Lynn, Uncle Mike, Kelly and Benton. We exchanged gifts and had a practice round for Christmas morning. It is truly a blessing to be with family at Christmas.

Christmas in Lights

This year we made it to Bellingrath Gardens in Mobile to see the Christmas in Lights with Mimi, Grandpa & Uncle John. We missed going last year because Ava had RSV and Noah was sick as well. We waited in line about 30 minutes to get our tickets but it was worth it! These pictures don't even do it justice- it was so beautiful and fun to watch the kids reactions to all the lights and displays. It reminded me of the lights they have at Callaway Gardens in Georgia. It is a driving tour instead of a walking tour and we went on New Years Eve when Noah was 11 months old. We let him out of the car seat so he could see the lights better (you only go about 5 mph) and he just cooed and made the sweetest baby noises. One of my favorite memories of Noah as a baby. If you are ever in the area around the holidays don't miss the lights at Bellingrath!

This is taken in front of a huge field- it was our favorite part-really beautiful.


Under the Sea- I think this was Noah's favorite other than the trains


Grandpa pretending to be asleep

Chugga Chugga

Choo-Choo!
Noah loves trains so my mom found this cute train cake pan and set a date with Noah to chug up some fun. Here's Noah with Mimi in front of the train cake they decorated together. The track is made of licorice and the wheels are lifesavers. I think Noah had as much fun eating the candy as he did decorating. Isn't it cute?


Noah playing with Grandpa's train under the tree. I cannot count the times I found Noah on the floor doing exactly this.

What a Difference a Year Makes

Christmas 2007


Christmas 2008

Christmas 2007

Christmas 2008

We Wish You a Merry Christmas

These pictures were made after church last Sunday.
Below are Noah & Ava's cousins Claire and Lydia.


Don't they look precious in all their Christmas outfits?

We love Aunt Rachael!

This is Nathan's sister- Rachael. We had a great time visiting with her & Lydia over Christmas. Noah absolutely adores her- she is always doing super fun things for the kids. Isn't she beautiful?!

15 Months Already

Ava turned 15 months old last Saturday the 20th. We have been out of town and I have so much to update. We were trying to get out of town when I took this picture so it's not that great, but I just wanted to continue to try to document Ava once a month in her chair. Ava's really learning and doing more everyday. Here's what she can do:
~point to your eye, ear, nose, mouth, & hair
~recognize several animals and make their sound (cat, dog, sheep, horse, cow, monkey, bear)
~say several new words: cheese, choo choo train, baby jesus, i know there are several more... i'll have to think about it
~shake her head up & down for "yes" (she's been doing "no" for awhile now)
~the sweet child still LOVES to dance and has several new moves some resembling head banging
~still sleeps with her paci & blankie
~will only drink her milk out of a specific cup
~she is getting much faster- almost running
~she LOVES all shoes but especially her squeaky shoes
~she is babbling and making the sweetest baby talk all the time
~she knows how to push her hair out of her face
~she loves dogs and cats and likes to pet them and sometimes even (almost) kiss them

I know this is boring to most of you but I'm just trying to document this for myself to remember these days before they pass by too quickly. Ava is at such a cute, sweet age and we are having so much fun!

We love Christmas lights!

Last year we rode around with our friends Tami & Stephen to look at Christmas lights and we had so much fun we decided to do it again this year.

Here's a pre-ride pic in front of the tree with the matching Christmas shirts.
Not the best smiles- but hey they are both looking the same direction.


Don't we look excited?!

Baby Henry joined in on the action this year- except he was asleep before we left the neighborhood!

Isn't this house great?

Sugar High

Nathan & baby Will making each other laugh


The Martins- look at those blue eyes!


Mary Caroline- doesn't this picture say it all?
holding 2 cookies! :)
isn't her dress precious?

Alex & Noah actually cooperating for a picture under the Christmas tree

More Party Pics

Drew, Mandy & Melissa


Vienne holding baby Henry

my sweet and talented friend Tami with her baby Henry


Ava- in the middle of chowing down on a huge cookie- with cute little Tripp

Holiday Cookie Exchange

So yesterday I hosted a holiday cookie exchange at my house. Everyone brought yummy holiday goodies like buckeyes, double chocolate chews, no bake peanut butter cookies, double doozies, and sugar cookies to name a few. We tasted a little bit of everything and then boxed up a variety of all the goodies to take home. The kids- all under 4 years old, I think- outnumbered the adults and they all seemed to really have fun tasting the sweets and surprisingly they all played really well together. I enjoyed getting to visit with everyone and hold some sweet babies. I only wish I could make it an annual tradition! Thanks to all you mommies that slaved in the kitchen to bring a special goody to share with us!

Look at all the sweets!


Laura Claire and Will- both 6 months old

Abby and Ethan playing in Noah's closet

Drew was so sweet to stop playing and smile for me :)