Christmas Day '09

Christmas day has finally arrived.  Time for kids everywhere to be rewarded for faking niceness for the past 364 days (just kidding, kids).  It was a very exciting time.

Owen woke up first and stepped out to see what Santa had left him.  He was greeted with his brand new big boy bike.

Later, after Elizabeth woke up, they went through their stockings then started with the presents.  Owen took over playing the part of Santa as he delivered presents to everybody (he got plenty of practice working with Uncle Burt).  

Finally, it was time to open the presents and the kids wasted no time getting into it.  They sat in their own chairs and opened their gifts as I imagine royalty would do.

Along with the gifts from family that Elizabeth opened, she also got a baby doll from Santa.  She loved this doll and carried with her as she opened other presents and played with other toys.

Santa even remembered Halle.  She got her share of new chew toys so she was very happy playing with her new toys while the kids played with theirs.

After we finished waking up and finished getting dressed, we had lunch with Nonie and Poppie as well as the rest of our family.

Finally, we went to my folks to spend some time with them and let Owen and Elizabeth show their cousin Dylan their new presents as well as get more gifts from the grandparents.

Christmas Eve '09

Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house every creature was stirring including this little mouse.

The tables were set with great food and great care while we tried to corral two kids with wild hair.

When dinner is finished kids know that it's time to get pictures with family so let's form a line.  First, family pictures with Nonna and Pop, even though kids want the smiling and posing to stop.

Just one more pic and we're done for a while so the kids sit real still and pose with a smile.

Once we get home and pick P.J.'s to wear, we check and make sure that all stockings are there.

Then, make sure cookies for Santa are plenty.  There were a ton of them there, it seemed close to twenty!

One final story then we all stop and say, merry Christmas to all it's been quite a day!

Christmas Visiting with Pipaw

Today we took a trip to McComb, MS to visit Pipaw.  He was happy to see us as always.  The kids kept him entertained.  Elizabeth played with the coasters that she found around the house.  By the time she was finished we had an inventory of every coaster he owned.  Owen was his usual bundle of energy.  He might wrestle with Elizabeth or run up and down the hallway.  Every so often, we'd hear Pipaw say, "He sure has got a lot of energy!"

We'd let Owen loose outside and he'd run through the unraked leaves or jump around on the moss covered sections of ground.

"He sure has got a lot of energy!"

"Ha ha, yes sir he does."

Eventually, we all came back inside and the kids gave Pipaw his Christmas present which, of course, Owen helped open.

Then we decided that it was time to load everyone up and head back home.  We could tell Pipaw was ready for a break and a some quiet time.

"He sure has got a lot of energy!"

Pre-Christmas in Tunica

This weekend we loaded up in the two wheel drive family sleigh and headed off to have our Christmas celebration with our family in Tunica, MS.  We first made a stop in Senatobia to see our cousins Zabe and Kristina as well as their new house.  

Next it was off to Tunica and to see Papa and MawMaw.  Zabe and Kristina came as well as Burt and Rebekah so the whole family was there.

We visited with everyone and had a fantastic meal.  Afterward, the kids were itching to get into the large stash of gifts that were awaiting them under the Christmas tree.  So, Owen worked with Uncle Burt distributing the gifts to everyone.

Once the gifts were handed out, everyone opened them.  Owen was an old pro by now so we knew that he wasn't going to have any trouble with tricky wrapping or ribbons.  Elizabeth was the surprise though, as she seemed to have a natural talent for tearing open things.

Here's Elizabeth with her new Elmo and her new Doll bed.

It was a good weekend.

Christmas Parade

This morning, the city of Madison held its annual Christmas parade for everyone in the town.  It was made even better by the rare snow that had fallen the night before.
Owen didn't mind the cold.

There were plenty of good floats to watch as they passed by.

After the parade, everyone hung around the park and played in the snow. Owen made a snow/mud angel.

The kids also worked on making a snowman.  Well actually, Owen worked on it while Elizabeth ate the snow.

We also had our picture taken to commemorate the rare Mississippi snowfall.

Thanksgiving Day

We had our Thanksgiving in Tunica at Papa and MawMaw's house.  The whole family was there and Owen and Elizabeth had fun playing with everyone.  Elizabeth got some time on the swing with Papa and Uncle Burt.

Then, it was time for Owen and Uncle Burt to take a trip on the mighty Mississip'.

We also all posed for the obligatory family Thanksgiving picture.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Owen's Thanksgiving Program

Owen's school had a Thanksgiving program which the three and four year old classes participated in.  Each class wore different costumes and sang for the eager camera toting parents.  

Owen was a turkey.

His class of turkeys sang three songs and recited two poems.

The big finale featured pilgrims, pumpkins, Indians and turkeys.

Owen's 4th Birthday

Today is Owen's actual birthday.  He is now really 4 years old.  Time really does fly!
Since we already had his party, we had a small celebration for him at home.  Owen took cupcakes to school to share with his friends and we had some at home.

Elizabeth was also a huge fan of the cupcakes!

He also had a couple more presents to open.  Owen was very excited to see a sleeping bag for his stuffed turtle, "Juice", as well as one of his very own.  He loved them and wanted to test them out right away.

Plus, he just had to sleep in it that night.  Good night my big man!

Owen's 4th Birthday party

Owen had his 4th birthday party this weekend. It was held at the MS Natural Science Museum and it was a lot of fun with a big turn out. The party started with everyone getting tattoos and playing outside of the museum at the pavilion while all of the guests arrived.

Then, once everyone was present and accounted for, it was time to go into the museum. The museum was having a special exhibit for a few months called "Monsters of the Deep" which showed many prehistoric sea animals as well as modern large "monsterous" animals like whales, sharks, etc and the kids were excited to see it as well as the normal exhibits and the museum's aquarium area.

Here's a picture of Owen and a bunch of his friends enjoying the aquarium portion.

After everyone toured the museum, it was time to take the kids back outside to play, open presents, dose them with lots of sugar and send them home to the parents.
Owen's aligator cake turned out great, and yes, that's Owen's hand sneaking a taste...as usual.

Everyone enjoyed the food.

Then, it was time to open presents. The kids all dove in to help Owen. It was a very efficient process. Plus, Owen was given some really fun toys.

Halloween '09

It finally arrived.  Halloween was here and the kids couldn't be more excited.  They were ready to get costumes on and to start getting some candy.  But first, we had some things to do.  We had to carve a pumpkin.  

The kids were very good helpers.  Even Elizabeth was really getting into it.  

Finally, it was time to get costumes on and get Mommy and Daddy some candy.  That is, get themselves some candy.  Owen's cousin Dylan came over to trick or treat with us.  They made a great team.  Batman was helping his local police force.

Finally, with costumes on and bags in hand, it was time to head out.
The kids were naturals.

Elizabeth knew right what to do as well.  Plus, the nice people thought she was so cute in her peacock costume, she was left to gather as much candy as she wanted.

After a very successful night, the kids crashed and we'll all have Halloween candy for days.

Freedom Fest '09

The local park had its annual celebration called Freedom Fest. As usual, everyone in town is welcome to come and there is plenty to do. There is free food, a live band and plenty for the kids to play on and see. They always have a good time and this year was no different.

Owen had fun on the space jump obstacle course.

While Elizabeth simply enjoyed the food!

They even had pony rides.

And, for the not so faint of heart, rides in an actual hot air balloon, of which Owen was a huge fan!

Everyone had a good time. They even agreed to the obligatory picture at the end of the night.