Happy Birthday Mary Wells!!

One of Turner's favorite playmates turned three! We were thrilled to help her celebrate at the Little Gym.

The "mean kid", Turner, Taylor and Mary Wells. "The mean kid" was named by Turner and is Mary Well's cousin who stole Turner's juice, then insisted on sitting beside him. They keep wanting to see him as we review pictures on my phone. Funny kids!!

2011 Christmas Day at Nanny Dove's House

Christmas day tradition!! Nanny Dove's for the day. I have been going there for the past 37 years and will never stop. After the presents were upwrapped, we showered and loaded the boys for the short trip to Winnsboro!!
Even Monkey and the new elephant were invited too .

Taylor looking handsome in his Christmas sweater.

Taylor: "Nanny, we are here!!"

Sweet Nanny giving out the little presents to tide the kids over for the big ones!!!

New pencils and candy for the big kids and cars for T and T!

Aunt Martha (Gan's younger sister) and Nanny Dove (93) pose for a quick picture.

Sweet ole Turner loves to give hugs to his monkeys!!!

And the day would not be complete without a hug from Gan. Poor daddy was tired from the early morning awakening.

Nanny Y gets some love from Taylor!!!

Boo, Turner and Gan

Taylor helps Nanny open her presents.

T and T with Nanny

2011 Christmas Morning!

Funny thing. The hype was forgotten when the boys woke up at 6. Ben and I heard the pitter patter down the hall and felt the thug as the boys greeted us good morning. No mention of Santa...just the normal request to watch Dora in our bed. Daddy jumped up and made the announcement.... it was then that the excitement began!!!

Turner inspecting Santa's table.

Playing with their new critters and their new home!!!

" cooking donuts and pop tarts for breakfast"

Taylor cutting some fruit.....Turner: " bull is hungry"

Taylor: "he like milk and cookies"

Tearing through the presents!

T and T cooking for all the animals.

Tay is relaxing with his new lamb!!

Turner and his animals enjoy breakfast with a "uvie".

Addicted to his new Dora, Diego and Clifford "uvies"!

Twas the Night Before Christmas.....

Taylor and Turner were super ready for the big day! We had been reading books about how the jolly old man comes down your chimney and the other ritualistic plans. Of course, Mr. Serious (Turner) was believing none of it. I swear he looked at me like "Lady please. No fat man is coming down that chimney!!!" Mr. Innocent, Taylor, was in awe. He got everything ready with precise detail.


We made and decorated cookies and Tay picked out the plate. He placed the water in the sippy cups and left carrots for the reindeer. He left Santa there, I guess, as a decoration for the table. Even the reindeer was invited to the party by Turner.

Mama cleaned the house of the toys so Santa could find his way through the trains, trucks, animals, blocks and 1000 other toys that take over our den every day!!! I bet Santa took a double take, thinking he had gone down the wrong chimney!

How did Santa know a Pottery Kitchen would be a hit!!!

New animals, Books about Dora, Diego and Clifford, "uvies" (movies), games and puzzles and a scuba diver!!

Stockings overflowed with all of their favorite things....

Man, Santa left in a hurry! Crumbs on the floor, half eaten carrots, dirt from the chimney and the gas logs everwhere! I guess he liked the water because the sippy cup was empty on the floor. Even the reindeers must have enjoyed a treat because Mommy's All Clad Pan was filled with water on the oriental rug!

More presents under the tree!!! T and T must have been very, very good.

Santa the Slob leaves the house in it's natural look.... yes, Santa, you have the right house!!!

Waterfront Park Visit

Every day Ben and I say how thankful we are to live in one of the most fabulous places in this world! We are beyond blessed to have such a wonderful place to call our boy's "home town". A new waterfront park just opened, so we had to check it out! For weeks, the boys have been admiring the "big cranes". Now, we can all check out what the excitement was about!!

With their gingerbread houses in tow, we head to meet daddy!!!

Taylor ponders over whether I will detect the opening of the bag for a mid afternoon snack while Turner contemplates throwing his house away so he will have a bag to collect some animals!!

Taylor goes exploring off the beaten path with Shem Creek in the rear.

Snacktime!!!

PLAYTIME!!!