A Nashville Christmas

This weekend we went to Nashville to celebrate Christmas with my family, my mom's birthday, check out Sarah & Doug's new house, and go to Leah's Christmas show (she's a professional ballroom dancer). We had an awesome time and Sarah & Doug's house is awesome. Leah did fabulous in her show, and it was fun to go to the show. We also went to the Opryland Hotel to check out the Christmas lights, and it was gorgeous.It was good to see all my family for Christmas. Today we head out for Louisville to spend Christmas with Jay's family, we are so excited to see them. It's been a while.

2:09

I'm a little late on this, but 2 weekends ago Jay & I ran the St. Jude Half Marathon here in Memphis. My dad and 3 of my sisters ran the race too. It was a great experience and a lot of fun to do it with family & friends. We put together a team and raised a little over $3000 for the children at St. Jude's. We love St. Jude's and the children there are heroes everyday. It felt so great to do something for them. I finished the race at 2hrs and 9mins (hence the title), and Jay finished a few minutes after me. I am really proud of my time. We trained really good for the race, but it was still a killer run. We could not move the rest of the day.AND it was FREEZING COLD!!! Thanks everyone who was a part of the team, helped raise money, trained with us, and cheered us on. We love you. I don't know if any of these pictures will show up b/c they're kind of blurry. They are of us before the race with friends & my family who ran, then one of me with Addisyn & Bradley right after the run (I'm amazed I could even walk), and my favorite picture of Janna & Canella (my sisters) right after their race. This picture cracks me up, but I am so proud of them for doing it & I love them.

Boys!

So Bradley totally grossed me out today. Addisyn had gone to the bathroom, luckily to do #1, and while she was in there the doorbell rang. I took Bradley with me to answer & it was the mailman. I needed to sign for something so I set Bradley down. Next thing I know I here Addisyn saying "Eeww Bradley that's gross". I take off running to see what it is & he is splashing in the toilet with Addisyn's pee in it and to top if off he had his toothbrush in his hand swirling it around in the pee & putting it in his mouth. I scream, that's all I could do. I mean it literally was 3 seconds from the time I put him down, signed my name, and shut the door. How did he get their so fast and WHEN & HOW did he get his toothbrush?!! I did my best to thoroughly clean his mouth and hands, but still pee got in there I know it. I never had to worry about these things with Addisyn. She was curious about stuff but if I ever said something was gross or dirty she didn't ever touch it again. The bathroom is Bradley's favorite place to play. He's always in there trying to get into the toilet, throwing things in, playing with tissue, and just hanging out. I don't know how many times I've told him gross, nasty; but it does no good. This has to be a boy thing. He sure is cute and can melt my heart in a second, I just wish he wouldn't be so fascinated with the bathroom:)

So far behind

Well we've been so busy and I am so far behind in updating this thing. We had a great Thanksgiving Holiday with my family and December is taking off in full swing getting ready for Christmas with the Stubbs'. My whole fam was able to be there, which is rare. We got to go see my sister Canella , who's a senior, in her high school play and play basketball, held Turkey bowl games ourself, shopped, stuffed ourselves, and decorated for Christmas.
A box is all they need

Decorating the tree

Canella listening to her coach

All the fam at Canella's play, minus Leah

The best mom in the world

That's me! Well to day Addisyn told me "I have made you a trophy because you're the best mom in the world, even if she has to get on to me sometimes I am the best mom ever." I wanted to cry she is so sweet. Then she hands me this "trophy" (a post it note with a face glued on it taped to a can of Ro-tel). I really did start to cry then because it was so precious. She said she couldn't find any wood in our house so she opted for something else. She is so funny - a can of Ro-tel. She was so proud of herself. I love her so much, especially for the cute things she does. The picture really doesn't do it any justice.

Our Little Ballerina

Addisyn has totally loved her dance class. Monday night they had a little showcase performance to help get them ready for their recital in Feb. She was so excited to be in a "show". If she can perform in front of people she's all for it. Thanks Grandma Sandy for making the cute tutu for her; she wears it all the time, and it worked great for her show. The pictures are of her with her teacher, Miss Kim, who's great and her good friend Sami.

Fun outside

So we have had great weather here lately and we've taken full advantage of it before it gets too cold. We have a ton of trees in our yard that shed leaves constantly. We had fun playing while working in the yard yesterday. I couldn't believe how big some of the leaves were off this one tree.

Hang on - I know this is long

Last week was super crazy and busy, but we had a blast. Jay had to speak to some MBA and Honor Program's classes at the University of Alabama. The kids and I went with him, and stayed with my sisters Lauren & Janna. This is a recap of our week.
Tuesday: My Aunt Dena is the Head of the Radiology dept. at the Univ. so we stopped by her office and visited with her as well. Addisyn loved going to college. Aunt Dena interrupted a couple of classes to introduce some students to us, and of course Addisyn asked them could she sing for them. Sometimes I wonder who's child this is b/c I'm so not like that, but then again her father is Jay. Everyone loved her and Bradley, and Aunt Dena let them get one too many things out of the vending machines. That night we met up with cousins and trick or treated on Sorority Row as a Princess and Prince Charming. Addisyn got her face painted and loved trick or treating.

Wednesday: We went to my sister Lauren's school and visited her class. She teaches kindergarten. Addisyn fit right in. She was not hesitant about anything. She jumped right into doing school stuff, and of course she sang, danced, recited nursery rhymes, counted, and read a story to the kids. They would all clap for her, and she would ask "What do you want me to do now?"

Thursday: We went to my parent's house and rested.
Friday: We went and visited my mom's class (she teaches 1st grade), and watched the Homecoming Parade for the high school. Once again Addisyn loved being at school. She told me "Mom this is where you should bring me all the time. It's the greatest place on earth." We'll see if she feels that way in a few years. That night we took the kids trick or treating in my parent's neighborhood. I dressed Bradley up as a pirate this time b/c he hated his prince costume. They were so cute. I laughed all night at Bradley with the beard and mustache. After a couple of houses Addisyn & Bradley were thru and headed home b/c Addisyn loved handing out the candy better than trick or treating herself. Addisyn & Bradley with Judson, a junior on the high school football team & who I use to babysit
Saturday: We headed back to T-town for Bama's homecoming game. Jay got skybox tickets from his boss so we took my fam with us. It was a great day.

John & Sasha's Wedding

Congratulation John and Sasha!!!!

Addisyn with John & Sasha and her cousins
The flower girls
Jay & I
My sisters & I
My sisters & I partying with the band

This past weekend my cousin John got married to a wonderful girl, Sasha. We are so happy to have her in the family. Addisyn was a flower girl and she loved everything about it: planning, rehearsing, getting dressed up, the wedding, and the reception. She talks alot here lately about getting married and weddings. Jay has a heart attack everytime, and he has told her she has to be 25. Anyways the wedding was beautiful, the reception was awesome, and it was great to spend time with so much family. My cousin had this amazing band, and we all stayed out partying till midnight. Some friends of ours kept Bradley, and my mom & dad took Addi home at 8, so Jay & I lived it up. We got up on stage sang with the band, danced like we were young, and just had a blast. Addisyn even got on stage and sang before she left. We definitely felt the aftermath of partying all night yesterday, but it was totally worth it. The fun we had and the memories we made, we'll remember forever. Thanks John & Sasha for an awesome time Saturday. We love you and wish you the best.

She's so funny

Today I found Addisyn sweeping the floor. When I asked her what she was doing. She said "Getting tougher, mom". It was so funny because she said it like I should have known that - duh mom!

Pumpkin Time

Monday night we went with a group of friends and took the kids to a Pumpkin Farm outside Collierville. It was so much fun. They take you on a hayride to the pumpkin patch and you get to pick your own pumpkin right off the vine. I thought that was so cool. Then when we got back we built a bonfire and had smores. It was perfect weather and so enjoyable. I forgot to take any good pictures of us roasting the marshmellows, but these are pictures of the kids the next day. Addisyn insisted on washing the pumpkins because they were dirty. I just realized her hair is getting really long, and Braley's too. They may be getting haircuts soon.

This past weekend we had a great trip to Tuscaloosa for the Bama/Kentucky game. It was so great to be back and remember the fun times we had. Jay & I took Addisyn around showing her where we used to live before we were married, after we got married, and where we went on dates. She was soo into it, sometimes I forget that she is only 4. She's so smart and grown up. WE got to visit with alot of our friends, but not everyone. I love gameday's in Tuscaloosa. The atmosphere, fans, and football. All of my family was there so we had a great time with them as well. WE also celebrated Addisyn & Bradley's birthday's with my sisters since they were not able to come to Collierville. It seriously was like Christmas. They They have had so many "parties" I can't even count them all. Oh well!

Happy Birthday Addisyn!

So we have been having a birthday extravaganza for the past week. Addisyn is 4 years old today, but we had a party for her last Saturday with friendsb/c we will be in Tuscaloosa for the Bama game this weekend. It was a blast. She wanted a princess party so we went all out. The kids all came dressed in their princess party clothes, we painted their nails, and made tiaras. We also rented a castle moon bounce with slide for the party, and my sister rented a pony for the party. We decorated the gate and whole backyard making it look like a castle, and then finished the party off with a castle cake (made by me). It was so much fun to do, and I appreciate my family and Jay's mom's help in setting it up. Last night we had some friends from out of town come and spend the night on their way thru, and it was fun having them here for Addisyn's birthday today. This morning I surprised Addisyn by taking her to a spa/salon for little girls. They did her hair like a princess, put make up on her, and gave her a manicure. She thought she was so grown up and loved every minute of it. She is such a sweet and loveable little girl. I can't believe 4 years have gone by so fast. I love you Addisyn!

Addisyn & Bradley riding the pony
Addisyn sliding down the slide
Getting her nails done

The castle entrance
Princess Addisyn on her pony
Her cake
Addisyn with ther friends
The castle moon bounce