just hanging out

Ryan getting ready for Christmas - taking time to check out the lights

Christmas is coming all too soon. We have been really busy trying to prepare for the season, but it never seems to fail...as much as I try to prepare, I always end up running around like crazy at the end.

Christmas is a little different this year - Mike's family is coming into town tomorrow and will be here until Sunday. So, we will open up our Christmas gifts in Birmingham this year. I have to say it is really nice having someone actually see our decorations. That has never happened before. ;)

These are just a few pics of Ryan from the last few days...

enjoy...

Daddy, what are you doing???

Let me see that ear...

Cool Computer!!

I found out they actually keep stuff in these cabinets... AWESOME...now I have a new game.

Bedtime hair...so cute!

Thanksgiving and Family

It has taken me a while to find the time and sit down to look through my Thanksgiving pictures. Mike and I got to spend the whole week at home...what a delight. Unlike years past, we didn't have to rush around the whole time we were there. We were able to see Mike's parents quite a few days and my parents. We got to see the whole family...finally...and we even got to see some friends. Thanksgiving was wonderful and Ryan LOVED seeing everyone. He is totally enthralled with people and especially kids/babies. So, he loved all the commotion that being around family can bring. We went to Rock hill on Monday and had our picture taken by a friend of mine, Hope Bray, from ADPi that moved to Charlotte the year before we moved away. So, it was great seeing her. I just wish that naptime would have worked out so we could have actually gone up to Charlotte to visit my old work and some of our friends up there that haven't met Ryan and we haven't met their babies. Maybe over Christmas we can make it work out. :)

Tuesday and Wednesday were spent working from home (Mike and I never have a vacation!!), shopping with mom and just helping get ready for the big day. Thursday was great - everyone in attendance...AND we even went to a movie!! Thanks Francie and Suzanne for going with us...it was fun. Friday - I think H#$* froze over because Mike Madden actually went out onto Harbison Blvd the day after Thanksgiving!! What a sweet husband!

Saturday - the big Game!! Thank goodness we didn't try to go...freezing temperatures, pouring rain, and a noon kick off...no thanks!! The Clemson Tigers pulled out in the very beginning to a nice looking victory...Mike and Dad - not pleased...again, good thing we didn't drive all the way up there...for his sake. I was happy as a clam.

Mom and I kept all the kids during the game because Beth had to work and Brian watched with Mike and Dad. It was a lot of fun. I haven't been around my nephews and niece in so long that it was great to hang out with them "all Day", as Bo would say.

Here are some pics from our week - sorry there are not too many from actual Thanksgiving day. Terrible on my part - definitely didn't document his first holiday very well. I will do better at Christmas!!

Our first day home Ryan learned to climb stairs - all by himself. No prompting. So, that is what we did for the next 6 days!!

Peek-a-Boo Daddy!

Ryan and Betsy - Ryan loves to push things now. He and Betsy thought it was hysterical!

Ryan learned to sit at a big boy table

Gigi and Ben

All the Girls - Kris -- we missed you!