Around the state we drove and back to Atlanta again!

Sullivan at his school Christmas party

We went to Mississippi for Christmas (of course!) and we were on the road a lot. But we did enjoy all our travels and seeing our family. First we were in Brandon with my mom and on Christmas Eve we went to my Aunt Mary & Uncle Loyd's house for our family Christmas, we were glad to add a new face to the family dinner, Neil's girlfriend Holly. Sullivan had the best time playing with his cousins Addie & Mary Grace after dinner. Addie & Sullivan were climbing in a box and having a blast doing it. Mary Grace lost a tooth right as we started to eat dinner so she was supposed to have Santa & the Tooth Fairy visit her that night. What a night for her! My mom hit a deer that night and we thought it was minor damage, but no such luck it was definitely major damage. Luckily no one was hurt! After we got home that night we got Sullivan ready for bed in his jammies. Then we opened our gifts from each other. We do it the night before to cut down on the rushing around the next morning and it always turns out well. Sullivan set out cookies for Santa and a lot of celery for the reindeer (we were out of carrots, but the reindeer loved the celery). He then went to sleep.

On Christmas morning we got up to see what Santa had brought Sullivan. Uncle Neil, me, Ward, Holly, and Gramme all got up with Sullivan to enjoy this Christmas morning. Maudie and Mike even came over to share in the excitement! The reindeer ate all the celery and Santa ate almost all of the cookies. Sullivan played with all of his toys and with Neil and Holly's dogs all morning then we were off to Grandy's house to have Christmas dinner with the Monsour family. When we got there Grandy was hobbling around because he is having trouble with his knee. So Sullivan was so sympathetic about Grandy's knee that he blew a kiss to it. (to make it feel better) Sullivan was given the one truck he kept saying he needed every time he saw the commercial, so he was very excited. Sullivan had the best time with his cousin Meredith on the Monsour side of the family, he kept hiding from her and let her try to find him. She had been learning to walk to it was very fun for her too. Meredith and Uncle Bill had a fun time hanging out. Sullivan doesn't stop long enough to be held sometimes. We really enjoyed our Christmas evening dinner with everyone!

The day after Christmas we went to Greenwood to spend Christmas with the Stuckey family. We all came in that day so it was a lot of fun from the moment we got there. When Alan, Kristi, and baby Meredith got there, Meredith was asleep. So when that poor sweet girl woke up, she had just faces staring at her when she woke. But she did fine despite all the inquiring faces. After we all got settled and Meredith ate we sat down for presents which was a lot of fun. There is nothing more exciting to me than to see someone open a gift I have picked out for them and the smile on their face. Ward's mom had an awesome painting done of him and Bailey. We put it up in the house and have gotten so many compliments. We had dinner that night with the other Stuckeys and Berta stopped by too. Wally, Josh and Hunter's new wife Natalia came over for dinner with all of us. We were so glad to meet Natalia since we haven't had a chance to meet her. We all haven't been home at the same time. We truly enjoyed meeting her and spending time with the family. Berta is Alberta who helped raise Ward, Edi, and Alan and the Stainback family, which are Ward's cousins. We love when she stops by at Christmas because unfortunately we don't see her enough. She is hilarious! Once Ward told that she looked great, and she replied "oh it's just this wig!" We were cracking up. We saw the Stainback cousins the next day for Sunday lunch at nana's house and the kids had so much fun playing. And of course they all had a blast playing at William & Hayes' house. Sullivan had a blast with nana, pop, all his cousins, and is still asking to go to William's house (Cousin Meredith's son) and to see his cousin Rachel and Big Emma (I have no idea why he calls her that!). We enjoyed spending time with everyone and can't wait to get back together with them. Hope you enjoyed our long Holiday story. I also hope everyone had a great holiday!!

Look to the left in this picture and you can see the baby pooch. Right at 4 months along. Not sure if Ward or Beth got this picture, but I thought it showed it well.

Sullivan always enjoys seeing Santa!

After our wonderful Thanksgiving in Mississippi our Christmas festivities began the next week. We started with going back to school and making some fun ornaments that were eventually brought home. Ward was out of town that Thursday night, which is uncommon for him and during the day on Friday. So as you all can imagine those two days were eventful for Sullivan and I. But that Friday we went to the Pink Pig with our friends in the neighborhood. Instead of our usual Cocktails and Crayons that we have at someones home, we went there and rode the pig together. For those of you that don't live in Atlanta, this is a very big deal for the kids here. Most people got to see Santa and then ride the Pink Pig. Sullivan was so excited to ride the Pink Pig and to be with all of his friends. But once we rode it Sullivan decided to be a bit frustrating, but daddy was home shortly after. I was supposed to go to a bar crawl that night, but decided I was too tired to attempt it, but glad that everyone that went had a great time.

On Saturday, Sullivan had a birthday party to go to and it was a princess party. He had fun with his girl and guy friends. Later that evening, we had our Atlanta Family Christmas party at Nicole and Patrick's house. Which was a lot of fun! We had yummy food, great friends (Ashley & Matt, us, & Nicole & Patrick), and of course football games on the TV. Ashley & Matt gave Nicole & I something similar to snuggies, but we ca

lled them our Neiman Marcus snuggies. We have both used them and love them, sometimes Bailey tries to fight me for mine. We all had a great time and stay

ed out and up too late, but it was worth it.

On Sunday, we had another birthday party. This one was for our old pal Jack and we got to see a lot of friends that Sullivan nor I had seen in a while. It was at this place called Therafun Sensations and it was a really neat place. They had a zip line which Sullivan the daredevil of course rode several times. When you got to the end of the zip you drop off into a big pool of balls. After all the fun was had, we went home and Sullivan took a nap while I got the house ready to get a tree. We got our tree that night, but Sullivan was in a bad mood so he went to sleep while I put on the lights and decorated. We ended up decorating the tree the next night somewhat with Sullivan's help.

We took Sullivan to see Santa at Lenox Mall, which is always the same Santa. Sullivan knows him everytime and he always recognizes Sullivan. He always mentions his beautiful blue eyes. This year Sullivan was in line behind two different groups that cried profusely when they got near Santa and when their parents saw how Sullivan just ran up there and gave him a hug and climbed on his lap and said "Merry Christmas Santa!" They couldn't believe it and called him a pro, but in reality he isn't scared of much so that was no surprise to me. Then he proceeded to tell Santa what he wanted and smiled for his photo. Hope you guys enjoy the pictures! Have a great Holiday!!!!

Thanksgiving was fun!

Hi Everyone! I sure hope that Thanksgiving was as yummy and wonderful as ours was for us. We went home to Mississippi on Wednesday morning. We went to my mom's first. Ward and I got to spend time with Bo and Alice on Wednesday night. We were so glad since we haven't been able to hang out with them in a while. It is always wonderful to see good friends from home. We had Thanksgiving lunch at my Aunt Mary's house on Thursday and the kids had so much fun. After lunch and dessert they went outside to play with the bikes and all grandparents went out there with them. It was very cute and unfortunately I didn't get a picture of it. Later that evening Neil and Holly came over to visit. They had spent the day with Holly's family, which was all in town and that doesn't happen that often. Neil & Holly have two dogs and they brought them over too, which Sullivan had a blast playing with also. We had a great time with my family, unfortunately we didn't get to see my dad because I was still really having some morning sickness. But we will see him soon.

On Friday morning we left for Corinth to go to Wakomis with the Stuckey and Williams family. We always enjoy going from the big city to the woods and the simple life with our family. The kids went on a nature walk with Nana, Pop, and Ward on Saturday.

Ward and I hadthought we were going to make it to the State vs. Ole Miss game, but he had been fighting a really bad sinus infection so I decided he didn't need to go and we stayed in Corinth. The game was fantastic and we are so proud of our Bulldogs who are doing well with our new Coach. Rebekah, and Edi's husband, Ken went to the game and even though they are Ole Miss fans they still had a good time. We were glad to hear that they enjoyed the beautiful campus that State has been constantly updating over the past few years.

We worked on 2 puzzles and finished them, which is always fun. Especially when they are as hard as they were this year, but it is mainly Edi and I who do them with some help from time to time from Nana, Ward, or one of the kids. Here are a few pictures. Have a good one and I will update again soon.

Halloween, Ashley & Matt's wedding & big news!

Sorry that I have gotten a little behind on blogging. We had a pumpkin decorating party at our house with our neighbor friends Henry, Eli, and Alan Jr. Mr. Alan brought Alan Jr. over because his mommy got stuck in traffic. So the boys crowded around him as he read 5 little pumpkins. All the moms and kids had fun. We went to Mississippi for a week, so Sullivan and I spent Halloween there. This was the first Halloween that Ward hasn't spent with him since he was born so I know it was hard for him to be in Atlanta while we were in Brandon. Sullivan dressed up as a dinosaur, but his costume was a little small for him, which is very different for him. But it worked out and we had fun. We (my mom and I) took him trick or treating to a few houses in her neighborhood and then off we went to see Maudie and help her hand out candy. Sullivan had been battling a cough so I didn't want to get him outside in the cold air too much. He didn't even get to go to his school party because of his cough was so bad and he felt terrible. But on Halloween night he would run to the door everytime the doorbell rang at Maudie's house and would wave at the trick or treater's until we opened the door. He loves to play with Maudie's great dane Lucy, who I call the gentle giant. There are some cute pictures of Lucy and Sullivan that I took that night.

We went to Mississippi for the week because my friend Ashley Cordua and her fiance Matt had there wedding last Saturday. It was very beautiful and we all had a great time. There are some pictures of Sullivan with Nicole & Patrick, Ward & I, and of course the bride. He had so much fun dancing and running around the reception.

And last but not least we have some big news. Sullivan is going to be a big brother in June. Now if I just knew how to explain it to him. We are very excited and look forward to updating everyone on how things are going. Also, once the loan is done we are going to add on to our house. Hopefully that will get underway and finished by June 13th. Enjoy all the pictures and enjoy the beautiful fall weather. More to come later.

Wow! Those are huge pumpkins!

Jumping on the jumpy with Henry!

Last weekend was so full for us! We had a soccer game that day at noon which is no fun with a

bunch of 3 year old kids. (Lots of crying was happening) Then we had our neighborhood October Fest, which was a blast for the grown ups and kids. That

evening Ward and I went to a wedding reception for one of Ward's colleagues. Oh and on Sunday I got a new car that I hope doesn't get crushed. I got an used Expedition that is white with tan at the bottom. Thank You Ward! The week went by and we made it to the weekend without too many hiccups.

getting his face painted!

kicking the ball before his goal!

Well, this past weekend Sullivan actually made a goal for his team in the right goal! He was so proud of himself! On Saturday afternoon we went and ordered a new mattress to finally replace the one that got ruined during our disaster. On sunday after lunch we decided to go up to Burt's farm and get pumpkins. We had a great time and I got some great pictures. Sullivan fell asleep

when were still the car line to park, but he did good with really no nap. He loved running thru the pumpkins and climbing on them. It was a lot of fun for all!

There's no crying in soccer!!!

Last Saturday, Sullivan had his first soccer game. He is the youngest one on the team and the one of the only kids that didn't cry (there was one other kid that didn't cry named Jack and he was a good soccer player). Sullivan did pout once or twice, but that was because he wanted to keep playing and they could only have 3 in at a time. The coach (one of them) was walking around helping coach with his daughter in his arms while she cried the whole time. It was a sight to see. Sullivan would have made about 8 goals if he had realized what the goal was for exactly. So we plan to buy a little goal so that he can practice his goals. Maybe he will make one this weekend. Here are some pictures of him playing at his game. He definitely has his daddy's talent.

Oh and when we were at Chuck E Cheese the night before someone approached me about sending Sullivan to a daycare for low income families, where she worked. I told her how I appreciated it, but I was a stay at home mom and that he goes to school 3 days a week. The reason I mention this is, as we were pulling up to the soccer fields on Saturday . There were Porsche Cayenes, Mercedes & Lexus SUVs, sport cars, etc. and all I could think was poor Sullivan he really is in the low income family here. Needless to say, Ward and I were laughing about it. We were so proud of our baby boy even if he isn't a baby anymore. That is all for now.