Cookie Cuttin' and Tree Trimmin'

We have all been sick and are finally on the way to feeling better. We put the tree up last weekend before we all got really, icky sick. So we've had a tree with lights for almost a week now. Earlier tonight we finally baked some cookies and decorated our tree while listening to Christmas music--a tradition we started with Hallie last year. Normally we'd do this on the weekend, but I really wanted to have our tree decorated, so we planned on it tonight. Hallie had so much fun helping with cookies and the decorating. She is at such a fun age right now, wanting to help with everything. She did a great job with the cookies (see pictures below--lol) and with putting the ornaments on the tree! I think this Christmas is going to be so much fun with her.

Putting her cookies on the stone--we would
cut the cookies and instead of putting the cut out
on the stone, she'd put the outside of it on there!

Rolling out the cookie dough
(We used cut and bake for tonight, we'll make
real cookies this weekend--yay!)

Whenever Hallie would cut out a cookie, she
would push down really hard and grunt! LOL!

Trimming the tree!

Pretending to play this guitar ornament! She was
strumming and dancing to the music! HAHA!

That Whitney!

Whitney brought Hallie a nativity set. When she saw the box she said, "Babies!" That's what she calls almost anything with two eyes, a nose, and a mouth (unless it's an animal, of course). It was very sweet watching her line up each piece and saw what they were. Most of the animals were cows to her, haha. And she can now say "Baby Jesus"--what sweet words out of her sweet, baby mouth! When you push the angel on top of the stable, it plays Away in a Manger...so we've heard that PLENTY of times now! We hope she'll enjoy this for the next few Christmases! :o)

Missing Our Hallie

Hallie lovingly passed on her stomach bug to Mommy, and Jonathan has been under the weather with his sinuses. We're a pair! Gramps and RaRa have graciously kept Hallie today for us...and it looks like she's going to spend her first night away from Mommy and Daddy. This makes me so sad...but I know she'll have a great time. Jonathan and I are both running fevers--his almost 100, mine has been averaging 102. We just don't want her to get sick again since she's feeling better. Jonathan and I have slept most of the day while Hallie has played and played with Gramps and RaRa. They even treated her to supper at Chick-fil-A! I know she loved that. We were told that she's been asking for us...and I know that'll continue on into the night as she goes to sleep w/o Mommy and Daddy. But I know she's having fun and that she is well taken care of. We are so thankful to have family closeby to help us out in our time of ickiness!

Sick Day

I got a call at 8:45 telling me that Hallie had been throwing up. So I quickly got our school secretary to find a sub so I could go get the little stinker. After a quick stop by the grocery store for some apple flavored Pedialyte (which Hallie called appa juice...so it must taste OK), we headed home for a quiet day. Upon arriving home, Hallie began playing...not acting very sick. But she wasn't quite as spunky as she usually is. I thought I'd put a load of clothes in before getting Hallie down for a nap. I had the pile of clothes outside the laundry room and was rummaging through our suitcase for more clothes. When I turned around, this is the fantastic image I saw! I started giggling out loud, which Hallie loved! :o) Of course, when I got the camera, she lost part of her gear--the red slippers. haha. Hallie is napping now, and will hopefully feel lots better when she wakes up.

Whitney Visits Again

I probably won't post every time Whitney visits (every day until Christmas), but I had to post about the little gift Whitney brought last night. That elf really knows what Hallie likes (lol--my niece told her mom that her elf, Tatum, really knew what she likes!). :o) This little gift was a hit! There was another trail of North Pole snow...right to Hallie's hiding place in her bathroom! Hallie giggled when she saw Whitney hanging out of the door. Her gift was a little water wonder coloring pad--you color with water on the pages and it brings out the color...then it dries and you can do it all over again! Hallie's is Thomas the Train. I know it's a little boyish, but she LOVES the "choo choo". :o) Too cute! After we opened her book, she colored in it immediately. Then I found her in the den coloring all by herslef...then I found her in her little bathtub (she has grown quite fond of playing in it) in the living room coloring in her book. She is SO much fun!

Mischievous Whitney!

Hallie finding her little goodie!

HO! HO! HO!

When you ask Hallie what Santa Claus says, she replies "Ho Ha Ho"! :o) It is so cute. I have been trying to get it on video with many unsuccessful attempts. Last night she was eating supper and I captured the moment briefly. She was almost too busy to say it...but I managed to get it on video. Afterward, she was quick to the camera with her hand right in front of the lense...she's already tired of the "mommarazi"! LOL!

On Tuesay night, Santa sent a little bit of elf magic Hallie's way! She loved following the trail of North Pole snow Elf Whitney left! Hallie especially loved the little surprise (a fat pencil) Whitney had in her gift bag. I'm so excited about starting this tradition with Hallie. Hallie loved running up and down the trail Whitney left! haha.

Following the North Pole snow trail

Whitney

Hallie was very excited to get her "color". I
don't know why she called it this...lol!

War Eagle

Miss Priss wanted nothing to do with having her picture taken. Out of about thirty pictures, these are the ones worth posting. Little stinker! Nonna had this outfit made for the babies--isn't it adorable?! Thanks, Nonna!

Sister love--Abby and Hattie Grace

See ya...I'm outta here!

Adventures in Lenox Square Mall

After riding The Pink Pig, everyone was ready for lunch! We headed to the Food Court at Lenox Mall...I guess everyone had the same idea we did b/c there were a million people there. Then I remembered..."Black Friday". Do you know we were in this fabulous mall and we didn't do one bit of shopping. Nothing! That's OK...we had a great time!

While heading to the Food Court, I was blessed with the most wonderful surprise. I noticed a girl walking by, looking at Hallie. I stared briefly, letting her face register. As she passed, I realized it was a sweet friend from World Changers. I quickly turned around and yelled "Audrey", letting several people give me a "you're crazy" look. Old friends embraced in an "I can't believe it" hug. It was so wonderful seeing Audrey! We met during the summer of 1995 (is that right?). We were on the same work crew for World Changers and became fast friends and have been in touch (although not always that great) ever since. I hadn't seen her since her wedding several years ago! Since then she has welcomed three beautiful children. Her mom was with her shopping, so I got to see her sweet mom, too. It was such a wonderful surprise! It was so great to see you, Audrey! I asked Jonathan to take a quick picture...and although it's blurry, I'm still posting it.

Sweet picture

Sweet friend! It was so great seeing you, Audrey!

And the Chick-fil-A cow

First of all, does the Chick-fil-A cow have a name? When Hallie spotted the cow, she ran right to him moo-ing all the way. She LOVES this cow! Notice in our family picture, she's leaning into him. Precious!

The Pink Pig

Hallie was so excited about riding The Pink Pig...to Hallie, it's known as "Peen Pig". :o) Cute! When she spotted the entrance, she was very excited. She enjoyed watching the little train go around and around. Nonna got tickets for everyone (thanks, Nonna!) and we got to ride the train twice. The first go around, Hallie wasn't too thrilled. She rode with Daddy and I took pictures. The second go around...well, she still wasn't too thrilled. She rode with Mommy the second time around. We think her less than love for The Pink Pig ride was due to it being "inside" and having lots of lights and storybook pictures that were just a little overwhelming. She was very curious about it all, and told everyone who'd listen the story of riding "Peen Pig". I think she'll enjoy it more next year! However, on the way out of the tent, Hallie spotted the Chick-fil-A cow. Now, she wasn't scared of him AT ALL (post to follow). :o)

Our little family

The girls waiting to ride...

Nonna had shirts made for the occasion.

Another family photo

My brother (being goofy) and niece

Ride #1...not so sure: Nonna, Jonathan, & Hallie

Ride #2...really not sure!

Kenga and Pop

Thanksgiving at Nonna and Pop's

After a long, fun day with family, we went back to Nonna and Pop's house for another Thanksgiving spread! The Harrises stopped by, so they decided to stay for supper. They said they were glad Jack's (a hamburger place) was closed! :o) It was a great time seeing Mr. and Mrs. Harris and Stacey! Hallie didn't mind the extra attention at all. Here are a few pictures from the evening...as you can see, Hallie and Abby really love playing together! It is so much fun to watch them.

Hallie's love for shoes is never-ending!

Granny Dell giving Hallie a push.

Hollywood Hallie and Hollywood Abby

Two tuckered out girlies!

Thanksgiving with the Morris family

Jonathan, Hallie, and I made the trek to Alabama for Thanksgiving! We had a wonderful time! We got to spend time with our extended family on Thanksgiving day at my aunt's house. Hallie had so much fun visiting with aunts and cousins, and I really enjoyed getting to see everyone, too!

Kendra and Mawmaw

Our sweet niece, Abby

Our little family

Daddy and Hallie

Pop and his girls...running down the
hill is so much fun!

Inspecting the ladybug on Daddy's hand

Hallie and Abby had SO much fun together!

Coming Soon!!

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving in Alabama. My plan was to post pictures as soon as we got home yesterday. That didn't work out. We left Heflin Saturday evening, and after stopping for supper on the way we finally got going around 6:00. We stopped in Birmingham to squeeze my cousin, Stephanie (it was SO good to see her), and then got going again. We managed to make it to Vicksburg, MS--not too bad. Our Sunday started around 10:30. Then it was an hour and a half in traffic just into Louisiana. Then it was 3-4 wrecks that took up another hour and a half. Last, it was the merge for I-35 E and W from I-20. Not so fun! That took another hour. Needless to say, in the time it took us to get from Vicksburg, MS to Waco, TX, we could've made an entire trip from Waco to Heflin. Eleven and a half hours. All that to say, pictures are coming very soon! Tonight!

Some highlights of our trip:
*Hallie and Abby playing (they have SO much fun together!)
*The Pink Pig
*A surprise spotting of an old friend, Audrey--how fun!!
*Hallie seeing aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends
*Visiting with family and friends

More to come!!! :o)