Christmas Cheer

1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate? Hot Chocolate with LOTS of marshmallows!
2. Does Santa wrap the presents or just set them under the tree? Sets them up in the living room in a specific spot.
3. Colored or white lights on the tree/house? Both-we put up more than one tree. The fun trees in the living room and breakfast room have HUGE, old-fashioned colored lights and the formal tree in the dining room have white lights.
4. Do you hang mistletoe? Yes
5. When do you put up your decorations? I begin the day after Thanksgiving-it takes about three days to finish.
6. What is your favorite holiday dish? Too many to choose from!
7. Favorite Holiday memory as a child? Hearing bells outside my window as I lied awake in bed
8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? The only truth I know about Santa is that he visits me every year!
9. Do you open gifts on Christmas Eve? Certain ones are designated for Christmas Eve, others for Christmas morning.
10. How do you decorate your Christmas Tree? We have three, and they all have their own personality. The main tree in the living room has a variety of ornaments; the formal tree in the dining room has more formal, breakable ornaments; and the tree in the breakfast room has mostly my childhood hand-made ornaments (it is where I plan to put our children's ornaments they make :)
11. Snow! Love or Dread it? Love it when it comes our way in the Magnolia state!
12. Can you ice skate? I've never tried, but kind of doubt it.
13. Do you remember your favorite gift? I think when I got my first TV for my room.
14. What is the most important thing about the Holidays for you? Spending LOTS of time with friends and family.
15. Favorite holiday dessert? Once again, too many to choose!
16. What is your favorite holiday tradition? So many to think about; beginning new ones for John, too. My favorite is opening the tiny drawer each day on the Advent tree and placing the ornament on the tree, counting down the days until Christmas.
17. What tops your tree? A tin red and green star in the living room, a gold wire start in the dining room and nothing in the breakfast room.
18. Which do you prefer- giving or receiving? Giving, definitely. I love shopping for others!
19. What is your favorite Christmas song? Joy to the World
20. Candy Canes? Absolutely!

I Am Thankful

I recently saw this on a friend's blog, and thought it was a neat idea. Of course there is no way to sum up all I am thankful for in 26 words, but it's a start! I hope each of you have a very Happy Thanksgiving!

I am thankful for...

A-Awareness of who I am and who I want to be
B-Boss, Bo and Big Daddy-the best grandparents a baby could have
C-Children at school who teach me so much each day
D-Diet Coke-a teacher's go go juice!
E-European honeymoon memories
F-Friends, near and far
G-Grace, which allows me to keep going
H-Home and Health
I-Ice, which I have to have LOTS of!
J-Jason and John
K-Key West, our last trip before John arrived
L-Laughter with those I love
M-Mexican food
N-Neck-I love kissing John's
O-Open-mindedness
P-Post-Its...I can't live without them-they are an extension of my brain!
Q-Quilts which have been passed down to me
R-Rest and Relaxation
S-Sleep, which John is fabulous at!
T-Tomorrow, the promise of a new day
U-Understanding from others
V-Vacations, whether spent at home or on the road
W-Weekends, when I can catch up
X-Xylophone, which I will hear John play after he gets one for Christmas
Y-Years I have spent with Jason, and the many more I look forward to!
Z-Zoos-we can't wait to take John when he is older!

Jumping John

We recently borrowed sweet cousin Sarah's Jumparoo and John couldn't be happier! He LOVES spending time in it. Thank you for loaning it to us, Sarah!

Yum, yum!

John had his 4 month check up and shots recently. He weighs 17 lbs. 13 oz. and is 26 in.! He is doing great, and we got the green light to begin "real" food (we started him on rice cereal about two weeks before his appointment.) So far he has had sweet potatoes, carrots and squash. He loves sweet potatoes the best! We have experimented with feeding him in his bouncy seat and Bumbo seat so far. We plan to break out the high chair soon!

Discussion with Dad

Jason and John have many conversations-here are a few snapshots from a recent one. We must post a video of these talks-they are hilarious!