Christmas Day 2012

 Hating myself for using the iphone to get this picture of them coming down the stairs. Because I'm pretty sure AK's face would be one for the records.

 Sure baby, you can ride that inside. On the floors your father just refinished, by hand.

 And my sweet 18 month old Drew.... he had no clue what to think of toy store that had just entered our house.

 He sure did enjoy finishing off Santa's cookies though!

 That smile. My heart.

 After opening Santa's gifts and getting settled, we always go up stairs to open gifts from each other. Drew did NOT want to leave his new toys. Ha! I wonder how long it will be before we don't have a Christmas morning meltdown? He got over it once he saw there was MORE to open!

 After we opened gifts from each other, Tommy's parents came over for breakfast and gift-giving. Then, thankfully, it was a mild-temperature morning and we were able to go outside and try out some of the new gifts. In our pj's.

 Drew loved his ma-mer. (Mater... from the movie Cars.)

We never take enough pictures on Christmas morning, but it's because we are so busy loving our sweet babies and seeing the little lights in their eyes. It truly is my very favorite time of the year and I'm always so sad to see it go!

November 2012 Miscellaneous

November was a lot calmer for us, as we were preparing to buy our house, then getting it ready to move in. 

 Here's Drew, at my parents one Friday, asleep in the middle of the floor. I love this. I love how he sleeps and it cracks me up that he can just drop like that! He definitely gets that from his mama. I can sleep anywhere.

 On the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, the kids and I ran some errands and ate at Olive Garden. It was the first time I'd taken the kids to a relatively nice restaurant - nicer than fast food - alone. They did great, and what's more -our waitress was great and was very quick getting us our food. I love this precious picture of my babies.

 Our aunt's father was able to go on the Honor Flight to DC, so my mom and I went to the airport, with the kids, to welcome them home. It was such a neat experience and I am so thankful for that generation of men, and proud that my grandfather was one. Tommy was in DC that day and was able to meet them for a few stops.

 Addie Kate enjoyed packing shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child once again.

 Five year check up for Addie Kate and 18 month for Drew... plus flu shots. At a new doctor. A fun day all around. At least they looked cute.

 Of course Clemson games. No fall is complete without going to every. single. one.

 Happy Drew, always keeping himself entertained.

 Once we closed on the house, we spent two weeks, still not living there, painting (courtesy of MaMaw)  (here, above, is AK's room... which became the palest of pinks) and refinishing the hardwood floors. It was a loooong two weeks. We moved in Thanksgiving weekend. And we love it.

 Above is my assistant principal taking AK to see the ChickFilA cow at PHES Spirit Night.

 Tommy and me at a game. A rare photo of the two of us.

 My little love.

 The best I could do for a sibling picture.

 Addie Kate at a birthday party, one of many, which we love, but here with the famous Sarah Dippity. She loved this to say the least!

And... it was still on her face the next day. Ahhh, the things you do to make your kids happy! Here she is making the blessing mix we make every year for loved ones, for Thanksgiving.

Daily November 2013

Our November of 2013 in pictures. 

This happened. I am still sad. I'm not a fan of permanent teeth! Addie Kate's tooth had been wiggly. We left school one afternoon and I had given her some crackers to eat. She took a bite and yelled to me, "My tooth, my tooth!" After quickly assessing the situation, I pulled over in a parking lot and saw the tooth completely bent backwards. I told her it had to come out. (me dying on the inside, because gross) She tried to freak a little bit, but then she just looked at me, took a deep breath, and said, bravely, "OK." Well I knew then if she was going to be brave, that I had to too. I got a napkin and, thank the Lord, barely touched it, and it came right out. I got her some water before she saw blood, and she was just as excited as can be. I quickly did the math and realized it was about 5 AM in Japan, so I let her call her daddy and tell him. I so hate he missed it. We knew how loose it was and we just hoped it would hold out for him to get back. 

She used her tooth fairy pillow that a friend had given her. And the tooth fairy brought her $5 and a new tooth fairy doll. Sweet little thing was just so proud. 

The weather was mild and we got to play outside a bit. 

My heart. 

Drew thinks this is an ice cream truck, which he has remained obsessed with since the beach this past summer. I don't have the heart to tell him it's an ambulance. 

I love, love, love to hear my girl read to her brother. What a blessing and how proud it makes me. 

Tacky day at school. I think she nailed it. 

My mom, aunt, Kelly, and I crafted one Friday night while Tommy was gone. Anything to pass the time. 

Drew stayed with my parents while Addie Kate and I went to Atlanta with Olivia and Meredith for their birthday trip to American Girl. These were some pictures that Dad sent me. 

"Playing" Dr. Mario on mom's 1980's Nintendo. 

Playing on Googa's tractor - his other favorite love besides trains. And ice cream trucks. 

He got this mining cap for his birthday and proceeded to promptly break it. I sent it to the Fix-It Shop (Mimi and Googa's) and they got it up and running again. 

Daddy came home! 

And brought gifts! He brought Drew a drum (I'm imagining it was a weak moment as to why he made that purchase.) and me several things, including those lions Drew is holding. 

He brought Addie Kate these sweet pajamas. Which she loves. 

Mama's boy. Bearing stickers and playing his beloved ipad. 

We packed our Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes and prayed for the children that would receive them. Addie Kate loves this tradition. 

My mom found some old children's music cd's and taught Drew how to play her CD player. I love him dancing! 

A good temper tantrum picture that I was able to capture! 

And my two turkeys after church one Sunday:

I love Drew in these sweet longalls (even though I realize this one is a bit short). I will miss them. 

My girl working hard on her homework one day. 

My boy proudly saying The Pledge of Allegiance. One of the cutest things I've ever seen! 

And Addie Kate reciting her Zoo Phonics, which is just as cute! I love Kindergarten! 

Drew NOT performing at his Thanksgiving feast. 

LOVE this boy. 

In a moment of pure desperation, I had to go to the mall WITH both kids. We left Belk to go somewhere else, and lo and behold, Santa Claus was there. So we just HAD to see him! 

And then, we walked by Build-A-Bear where Addie Kate knew she had a gift card. So of course we went in there. And of course Drew had to have something. 

Addie Kate picked the tackiest thing in there- a purple My Little Pony. 

And Drew picked a naked Santa Claus. 

I love Addie Kate's class' hallway display. This was our turkey that we made together. 

We took one last family trip to Tiger Town. It was the purple out game and Addie Kate and I were the only ones able to abide. 

We just love our Tigers and their history and pride for the military! 

We stood at the top of the hill to greet the players, especially the seniors, before they ran down the hill. So fun!!! The players just loved seeing Addie Kate and Drew! 

Ole Tajh... what a class act! 

Tommy told him he met his uncle in Japan. They were actually able to have a conversation. I was like, "Don't you have something else to focus on?" Ha! 

Our friend Matt Money holding the flag for Daniel Rodriguez to carry down the hill. 

I took pictures of things Addie Kate circled that she wanted for Christmas. I thought it'd be fun to include them in here. 

(By the way, she got none of this - ha! Bless her heart!) 

My babies. What LOVE these two have brought me. 

One of Drew's favorite things to do is play cars in our kitchen. Sweet thing playing with me one morning: 

My babies visiting Mema. 

My little ones on Thanksgiving. It took a word of God to get this picture. UGH. 

My babies and their Christmas trees. I just love it! 

Addie Kate entertaining us all. 

And my two before the Clemson/Carolina game. My least favorite game of the year. But at least they looked cute!