Nursery Fabric

Well I honestly don't get that excited about fabric, but since I do most of the posting and Jenny wants to share, here we go.

Yellow Chenille - Inside Bumper

Outside of Bumper...Trim on Skirt

Ties


Main part of Bedskirt and Piping for Bumpers

When I think about how much money we spent on Ben's nursery, I am so thankful that we can use everything again and that Ben will be in a big boy room.

We move in a week, so stay tuned for lots of pics of the house and progress on Ben's new digs.

Happy New Year!

Five Christmases

For a non-divorced couple both of whose parents are still married, we have quite the busy Christmas season bouncing from house to house.

Our new tradition is to have Christmas with Jenny's mom's side of the family on the evening of the 23rd. Whenever the Williams-Tidball-Lawrence clans gather for Christmas - no matter the date or the location - the bearded man in Red ALWAYS show up.

Apparently he stopped in at the new Target on University before he came over. Santa knows where to go for a good deal...

If you've asked Ben what he wanted for Christmas or what Santa was going to bring him, you've heard him emphatically state that Santa was bringing him a Garbage Truck.

Stinky the Garbage Truck, to be more precise.

Jenny and I have Santa come to our house for the morning of December 24 so that Benjamin can have Christmas in his own house. This was the sight that awaited his little eyes the morning of Christmas Eve.

Daddy showing Ben how to work his Matchbox Cars Shark Bite Bay

Santa brought Ben some TeddyBear Slippers. Ben insisted that he sleep in them that night.

Apparently this was Pillow Pet Christmas. Santa must have a deal on getting these in bulk. In the background is Ben's Darda Race Track. I had one when I was a kid, and I was determined that he have one. The company has recently been bought out, and the new tracks haven't made it to stores. The people at Toy Up in Little Rock were nice enough to sell us their floor sample - which was perfect for him. It works great, and he loves it.

Christmas morning was spent at Jenny's parents' house. Of course Santa made a stop here as well. Toy Story 3 was the theme, with a Toy Story Tent, Rex Doll, and all sorts of Toy Story accessories.

He's pretty intrigued with his Alphie Robot. I didn't have one as a kid, but I love the fact that they still make them. I remember my friends having them.

Toy Story Race Track.

This picture is priceless.

Christmas afternoon we went to Benton to spend some time with Jenny's Dad's family. We didn't take the camera - which is probably a good thing because we didn't do anything but eat the entire time.

Sunday morning we woke up and headed to the Bunch House for Christmas Number 5. The picture doesn't convey the full effect, but Ben and his cousin Abby have the biggest stockings you will ever see. It started when Abby was born - and my dad of all people was who insisted on them having enormous stockings.

He had one of these at our last church and loved it. Good call, Santa.

Uncle John bought him a field goal set for the backyard. Everyone is determined that he's going to play football for U of A. I guess it's the red hair.

Opening the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Play Set. Santa's little helpers had to track this darned thing all over the country...they sold out super early. Thanks to our friends in at the Disney Store in Memphis, TN for helping Santa ship it to Grammy's on time.

Later that night we had our family dinner, and Poppy B came over. Ben was SO excited to see him and give him his present. He also took a ride through the house on Poppy B's walker. We'll see later this week if he's willing to ride on Poppy B's new Hovaround.

And here's a picture of preggo...28w 2d on Christmas Day. Isn't she the cutest thing?


All in all it was a terrific holiday. We're still with my parents for a few days, and Ben may stay here a bit longer.

Hope that you all had as much fun celebrating the birth of the Savior this Christmas as our family did.

Three Christmases

It's hard to believe that this is our THIRD CHRISTMAS with a child. So amazing how fast it all flies by.

We are blessed beyond measure this Christmas - a new church family, wonderful parents and siblings, an amazing extended family, a healthy, happy little boy and another little boy on the way.

Christmas takes on a whole new dimension when you have a child. We are so excited to think about what next Christmas will hold with two little boys.

Before I leave you, here's a look back at the past two years, along with this year's Christmas card photo.

Christmas Eve Eve, 2008

December, 2009

Christmas Day, 2009

Christmas Card Photo, December 2010

We wish each of you a wonderful,

MERRY Christmas Season.

Jingle Bells

Holiday Traditions

Last year - when we were living in Little Rock - we drove around to see the Christmas lights, and decided to let Ben walk around on the steps of the state capitol. Little did we know that the building is open until 9 pm seven days a week during Christmas, so that families can visit the decorated halls.

Ben had a TERRIFIC time last year, running around, pointing at everything and just enjoying a cavernous space where all sounds are magnified by marble and limestone on every surface.

Tuesday night, we headed to dinner at Stoby's (our first time since moving here) and then headed to Little Rock.

I think he remembered where he was as soon as he saw the tunnel...that or he was having a Polar Express moment...whatever it was, he knew where he was headed.

This is from the ground level looking up through the rotunda. I love that they decorate in red, gold and green. I never tire of classic Christmas colors.

The ground level has a little play area with trees and stuffed snowmen and a little foot bridge. What is it about kids and bridges? He must have gone over it twenty times.

I didn't get a picture of him in the supreme court, but I wish I had. He immediately ran through the swinging door and approached the bench - jabbering away the entire time. Either he's telling us to brace ourselves for his law school expenses or he was re-enacting a scene from Miracle on 34th Street - which is entirely possible since he has watched it about 20 times this month.

Mommy and Ben on the bridge...

Daddy and Ben by the tree on the main level.

So hard to believe there will be another little boy with us this time next year. Yea for holiday traditions and growing families.

CBS Christmas Concert

Christmas Card Preview

Merry, Merry Christmas!

Never...

Never try to teach a pig to sing. It wastes your time and annoys the pig.

That quote was on the wall in the choir room of our church in Waco. It always made me laugh.

Yesterday I changed the words....

Never refer to a two year-old as defiant. It makes you look simple and irritates the parents.

That - coupled with the promise that Benjamin will not return to Community Bible Study in January - is all I will say about the matter.