Christmas PJs

What's Christmas morning with out Christmas PJs? I remember always sporting my red flannel Christmas gown on Christmas Eve, and so while searching online, I came across these too adorable, smocked infant's "old man" pajamas. Too tempting! It makes me want to whip up a batch of cookies for Santa and some hot cocoa!

Zoo Trip

It was such a beautiful day today, so, we decided to head to the zoo after Mills woke up from his morning nap. We had other plans for the week, but there were a few changes of plans and my car need an unexpected visit to the shop...go figure. My "vacation" has turned into "vacation at home."

The weather was perfect today. Not too hot, and not too chilly. So, we loaded up in E's truck and headed out. We figured that since it was the middle of the week, and none of the schools were on fall break, that it would not be crowded...well, every senior citizen in the state of TN was there in their wheel chairs. It must have been retirement/nursing home day-ha! but...it was fine. At least it wasn't "free day." You could drag me there for a million dollars on a Tuesday afternoon. We made our way around to see ALL of the exhibits and Mills had a great time. Of course it wore him out, and he fell asleep on the way home. This mama almost did, as well.

Mills and daddy looking at the leopard

Mills reaching for the leopard

Checking out the funny penguins!


This goat decided to be a little extra friendly.

Happy Birthday Erik!

Today is E's 33rd birthday! We have had a very lazy day today after complete and utter exhaustion from yesterday's many events, so we spent his birthday here at home as a family, lazying the day away. Happy Birthday Erik/Daddy! We love you TONS!

Super Mills

Our friends, the Dawsons bought Mills these awesome PJs and I couldn't wait til' he could eventually wear them! He looks so stinkin' cute in them. So, I just had to take a few pictures. My favorite part, the cape!

River Camp 2010

This weekend, was the first annual "river camp" (as I called it). Erik and our friend Chris, his son, Gunner..along with a friend, loaded up, headed down to the river to hunt, eat, shoot skeet, etc. A great time for father-son bonding, our Mills was too young to stay in 50 degree weather in a camper, but you can bet your life that Erik is itching to take him next year. We wanted Mills to participate the best way he could, so yesterday Sherry, Mills, and I met the guys down there for lunch...steak and potatoes = YUMMY!! We shot a while, rode the 4-wheeler etc. Mills had a ball. I think that yesterday was the dirtiest that child has ever been, but I did not care. That's what boys do. Right? I kept looking at his fingernails thinking, "How in the world am I going to get those clean?" Gross! It was extremely dusty, since it has not rained in weeks, and at one point, Mills decided he would literally lay down and roll.

Riding with Daddy on the 4-wheeler. Erik said that as they rode the trails, Mills would raise his arms and say, "Yaaaaaay!'

Will, Gunner, and Chris shooting skeet

Mills was loving the steps on the camper

He found the box!

As I was taking pictures, Erik decided to lay his gun down on Mills' lap for a pic...no need to worry! Daddy was RIGHT beside him and the gun is UNLOADED!- ha!

What?

Happy 1st Birthday Lainey Drew!

Today, our niece and Mills' cousin Lainey, is one year old! Time has flown and I can't believe that our babies have reached their 1st birthdays.

Tonight, we celebrated with Lainey's family and friends at her very 1st party. Hamburgers, hot dogs, and all of the goods. Happy Birthday Lainey!!! We sure enjoyed your awesome party!

Heritage Day Children's Parade 2010

Every September, our town celebrates "Heritage Day," a festival of arts and crafts, food, a Civil War encampment, and entertainment...fun for all! There is even a bank robbery reenactment.

Each year, the day begins with a children's parade around 9:00am. There is always a theme, and the kids have a wonderful time dressing up and riding on their very own floats, trikes, or walking.

This years theme was "Follow the Yellow Brick Road" from the Wizard of Oz, of course. It was such a fun theme. I have been looking forward to the day when we would eventually have our very own participant. Mills does not own a Wizard of Oz costume, but thanks to Emily and Jonah, who graciously let us borrow one, Mills instantly became the Tin Man. We are VERY appreciative!!!

I got a late start on our float, but began whipping up ideas about a week and a half ago. I am famous for cooking up ideas that are way far beyond possible. My mind tends to over cook at times. I knew what I wanted to do, so I began searching our closets, the attic, and my HUGE box of scrap booking and craft supplies in the attic. I found more things than I ever thought we had up there, which was great, because it meant for a very uncostly project. It is amazing what you can do with a little bit of foam board, construction paper, glitter, Christmas tree cotton, and paint that we at one time used on a wall somewhere or another. The only thing that I really invested in was a small tin man heart, an axe and these...

our wicked witch legs. I intended on making them, but as I looked at the price, there was no way that I could have made them as cheap as I bought them. They just arrived yesterday, and I was sweating bullets waiting on Mr. UPS to arrive. Nothing could be placed on the wagon until those legs made their showing! So this afternoon, I began putting the project together. Thank you inventor of "Gorilla glue" and duct tape! HA!

Mills' simple "over the rainbow" made of foam board, tempera paint, and glitter and a touch of shimmery cotton.

I used a rectangle sponge and yellow paint outlined with gold highlights for Mills' yellow brick road. You can't see the detail in this picture, but the one below, shows it much better...

What's the Wizard of Oz without a tornado? So, I made a tornado. Again, foam board and paint attached by a spring on the roof of Auntie Em's house.

Sweet Jonah in his awesome Cowardly Lion costume

Mary Claire & Faith as Dorothy and Sam Harris the Cowardly Lion

The Lollipop Guild

The Lullaby League

Ding-Dong the Witch is Dead!

Imagination Library

We ♥ Dolly Parton's Imagination Library. I look forward to each month, when Mills gets a new book. They're not just any old book. In fact they're awesome hard back books! Some of them that he has received, have actually been on my book wish list for him, and so I hesitate to buy books just in case he should receive a duplicate. Reading is very important to me. I try to read to him every night. We usually do a Bible story, and a regular book, before singing a few songs and saying our night prayers. We already need to build book shelves!

Today, Mills received book #12. He has been getting the books for a year, and will continue to get a book every month until he is 5...for FREE, but this one has to be one of my favorites....


All of Baby Nose to Toes, has got to be one of the cutest ways for Mills to learn his eyes, ears, etc. Tonight we read it and he actually paid attention to me. If you don't own this book, I highly recommend it. Love, love, love it!

Mills, You are 13 Months Old Today!

I can't believe how much you've changed in the past month. You are becoming quite the "little boy." You will still be our baby, even until you are old and married. Here's what you've been up to the past month!

1.Walking? No, you're running....everywhere!

2. You are talking ALOT more, but we still have no idea what you're saying unless it's "Daddy," "Mama" (which I never hear unless you want something), and just a few weeks ago, you said "Ohjee" when Joey walked into the room. You love to talk with your hands!!

3. You have learned you're shape sorter like a pro, and clap for yourself, and raise your hands and say "yay!"

4. Your favorite word: "HEY!" You say it to everyone in Walmart and every time our phone rings, you put your hand to your ear and say, "Hey!" You LOVE a telephone.

5. Today, I pointed to my nose and said, "Mommy's nose." You pointed to your nose and said....something, but I don't know what it was. You are starting to mimick us more and more each day. It's so fun!

6. Your favorite food: ANYTHING that doesn't eat you first. Just this weekend, you ate a whole kids cheeseburger and green beans at Marlo's and will eat 3 pieces of pizza if I would let you. We stop at two!

7. You love your milk and we are so thankful!

8. You love to have your teeth brushed, but I think it's more of a love for the toothpaste than anything.

9. Sleeping: You love a nap. You are a wonderful sleeper and are extremely easy to put down. No fussing at all. THANK YOU!

10. Teeth: 6 teeth...as far as we know. You don't like us to look.

I'm sure that next month, we'll have a lot to add to this list. Keep growing precious boy...but not too fast!