Florida

These pictures were taken at Sugar Mill Gardens which is a historical site about 1 mile from the house where I grew up in Port Orange, FL. The Sugar Mill having was destroyed twice by Seminole Indians during the Second Seminole Indian War of 1836. My elementary school is about 1/4 mile east of these gardens. I used to ride my bike to school every day past these gardens. As you can imagine, it brings back a lot of memories. I was actually tickling Becky in this picture to make her laugh. I am sure you can tell. It was really special for me to bring Becky, Caden, and Addison back to this place.

Caden was amazed by the life sized concrete replicas of T-Rex and Stegosaurus.

OK- this is at the "Largest Harley store in the World". I wonder if that is like the signs that you see on every corner in Manhattan that say "world's best cup of coffee"? Anyways- this Harley store was massive. It had two levels and a Harley hotel next door. Caden tried to touch a $100,000 NHL edition Harley. It was signed by Wayne Gretsky. I have to tell you, his Christmas money won't cover the repair costs. Isn't it too cold to ride in Canada anyways? They didn't mind if we sat on the Sportster below.

Christmas Continued!

Here is the picture of Addison I promised earlier! If you haven't seen my post from Christmas you'll want to look below!! She already loves this thing and loves to make it bounce!! I'm more than sure that she'll spend many, many hours in this as happy as it makes her!! This was her present from her Grandma and Grandaddy! Here are a couple I found on my Mom's camera! Addison and her Daddy on Christmas morning!

The four of us Christmas morning!

Brian, Caden, Addison and I hope you all had a WONDERFUL Christmas! We did!! We also had a wonderful birthday party for Brian and Jesus! Here a couple of pictures from Christmas Day. The first is of Caden and his motorcycle! He also got a fireman's costume, which he insisted on wearing! It worked! Addison got a new stroller. I ~know~ she didn't need a new one...but...it was pink and brown!! And, well...I couldn't resist! Doesn't she look sweet in it??? I think she likes it too!!

I laugh when I look at this picture. Every year without fail Brian falls alseep on Christmas day! Every year my sisters and I "decorate" him. In the past we've used Christmas lights and just about everything else we can find. This year...I wrapped him! Caden thought it was really funny!

Brian and I, er...I mean Santa, got Caden the motorcycle. My parents were in charge of the accessories. As you can see his got a leather Harley jacket, REAL Harley boots, gloves and a new helmet. Although he insists that he must wear his old bug one. We'll get there!

Addison got a cool new jumping jungle. I'll be sure to add pictures to this post when she gets up. It didn't get put together until after she was in bed last night. She's had a blast in it today....I just didn't think to take some pictures.

Tomorrow we're off to see Mimi, PopPop and everyone else down in FL. I will try to post some pictures while we're gone...if not I'll post them when we get home!

Jesus is born and hairbows!

Before I tell you the sweet story of Caden and Jesus I wanted to show you Addison...with a hairbow! I found a girl on ebay that makes them for infants and gaurenteed they'd stay! She was right...they do! I love, love, love it! Now on to Caden. This morning, Caden and I had the chance to get on the floor and do the Christmas story with his little people. It was a lot of fun! Then his Daddy joined us...so I got to take some pictures.

Caden can tell the whole story...the cutest thing I've ever seen!! However, he insists that a bulldozer was there! Before Jesus is born he hides under Caden's legs. The angel makes the sweetest "swooshing" sound as she flies. The angel also stands directly infront of the kings to tell them of Jesus' birth.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!

Cookies with Grandma!

As a child we made cookies EVERY year. However, most years the majority of the cookies got made after we went to bed. I ~never~ understood...until...Mom, Jenn and I made cookies with Caden last night...oh my! It was a lot of fun. However, you have to roll and roll and roll the dough until it is paper thin and then use the cookie cutters. So, obviously we try to make the most of the dough to get the maximum number of cookies. Caden was very good at getting the LEAST amount of cookies each time! Nevertheless, we all had a really great time! It brought back a ton of great memories of being a child. Caden also got to open his gift of an apron! He loves to help me cook! Caden made us all laugh when he said that he was tired of making cookies and Grandma could do it while he ate them! heh.....I guess the apple doesn't fall too far from the tree. In the end, I ended up finishing all of the candycane cookies....I guess some things never change! I love it!



Brian and Addison watching!
Caden using the cookie cutters...wiggle, wiggle, jiggle, jiggle!

Caden turn to roll the cookie dough! Good Work, Caden! (If anyone knows how I can flip this picture I'd love to know!)

Gingerbread House

Today Brian, Caden and I made a gingerbread house! It was a lot of fun! We let Caden decorate how ever he wanted and it really turned out cute! He also got to sit on the table which might have been just as cool to him as the gingerbread house! Here are couple moments I caught! Make sure you look below this post. I've posted a couple other events today. I'm trying to keep up but December got away before I knew it. I'll try to post Christmas morning as soon as I can. You'll be VERY excited to see what Santa brings!!

Caden with his sticky fingers!Caden decorating. He insisted that he do it on his own.

He was so very proud of his creation!!

Caden's School Performance and Party.

Caden had his Christmas performance at school last Wednesday. He made an adorable sweatshirt and sang very well!! He had a huge following of seven including: Mommy, Daddy, Grandma, Addison, Mary, Jennifer, and Mrs. Lynn.

Living Christmas Tree

Caden and Addison were in the living Christmas Tree last weekend. Both were Jesus. Addison only made it through one performance without getting upset. Caden did GREAT for all 4 performances and stole the show! Here are a couple of pictures...enjoy!! The first is of Caden and Addison in the "manger" after the show!


This is Addison with "Mary" and "Joseph"! She looks very unsure about this while both Mary and Joseph look very happy that she actually made it out there without crying!

Caden looking for the kings!

Is our car charged??

Last Friday I had both Caden and Addison loaded up in the van to take Caden to the doctors. Well...the car wouldn't start. Here's how the conversation went....

C:Mommy why can't our car start?
Me: Looks like the battery is dead.
C: Oh no Mommy! What happened??
Me: The batteries died because the door was left open and the lights were on too long
C: Oh.

(Brian came home later that morning to jump the battery.)

Fast forward to this week. EVERY time the lights are on in the van Caden says, "Oh no Mommy, turn off the lights so that our batteries don't die"

What a smart boy!

Sweet, Sweet Babies

I love to sneak a peek of Caden and Addison sleeping. Today, I caught a peek for you too! They look so peaceful and sweet! Caden actually woke up when I took his and said, "Mommy, what are you doing?" and fell back asleep! Enjoy!

Our Jesse Tree

At MOPS a group of girls each made ornaments (25 of the same and then exchanged)! It was a lot of fun. Now, for the really fun part. I bought this book. Each night of December we read a devotion from it and hang a new ornament on our little tree. Here are a couple pictures of Caden and our Jesse Tree. (We are a couple of days behind...We'll catch up!!!)

New Blog and Thanksgiving!

I've decided to join the blogging world to chronicle this adventure we're on. Everyday is another adventure! I've posted a couple of pictures from Thanksgiving. We had a GREAT day! We woke up and played at home until lunch time. We went to Brian's Dad's for lunch and then headed to my mom's for dinner and our annual outing to whatever store is open. This year it was Michaels! I got a GREAT deal on a frame for their Christmas picture! Friday morning we packed up and headed to Hendersonville for the family reunion.

Caden holding Addison...she hates it...he loves it!!!

Jennifer, Caden, Mary, Addison, Brian and Myself in Hendersonville.