Christmas Program

Addison had her first Christmas program for her MDO.  We have been practicing for weeks on the songs.  The school sent a CD home with her so we could practice, and we spent many a nights singing while I cooked dinner and beyond.  This girl was ready to sing her little heart out and knew every song.  The ENTIRE family was there to watch her performance.  I warned them that it may not go as planned.

Well at least she didn't cry and run off stage. She mainly stood there in silence and looked around.  During the program the children were instructed to sit down between songs and be quiet.  Jordan happened to be standing up during one of the breaks in songs, and she yelled and "Daddy" and put her finger over her lips telling him to be quiet.  It was hilarious.  Oh little children and our little rule follower.  I have a feeling that Addison may not want to be the star of the show.  We love our little donkey.

Our little donkey

Landry was singing and clapping along

Murphy Christmas Tree Lighting

We've made it a tradition to attend the City of Murphy's tree lighting and Santa Claus every year.  It's right by the house and the girls really enjoy it.  It begins with a school bus ride from the local Lowes (not even a 1/4 mile away from the event).  Riding the school bus may be the most exciting part for Addison.

Her "BIG" smile

Finally, we got a normal grin

Why don't they ever want to cooperate?

Is it really Rudolf?

Santa Claus

Needless to say, I have a lot of catching up to do with the blog.  My memory for pictures was full so I had to figure out what route I was going to go.  Now that that has been decided, I'm back to blogging.  There may be a few days that there are multiple post, but not being caught up within 1-2 weeks of our life is constantly nagging me.  It's one of those things that you think about constantly but never do anything about.  Well it's about time I clear that section of my little brain. 

With that being said, below is the infamous Santa Claus picture 2012.  Gingy said we'll never get a good with until the girls are teenagers.  At this point, I'm starting to believe her.

The picture is from my camera while in the midst of chaos.  We have a more professional picture, but this will give you an idea of how it went.  We stood in line for about 15 minutes and the girls we so excited.  Addison and Landry both weren't nervous the entire time, even as we approached Santa.  As soon as Jordan and I put them in their laps, the fits began.  We were in a room at the City of Murphy building.  The room was chattering and then when they heard our girls, the room errupted with laughter.  Our poor girls.  I guess we'll wait and see how 2013 turns out.  Better luck next time, right?  ha

No Kids Allowed

Jordan and I got a night alone - no kiddos!!!!  Yeah

My mom and I went shopping on Black Friday (all day) and Jordan stayed home with the girls.  He was a trooper, but I knew he would want to get away from the house later that night.  He suggested that we stay at the Omni downtown and just go out that night and enjoy some "adult" time.  Oh boy, we had a great time.  The Omni is so nice.  A little laugh and side note for Jordan when he reads this - thanks for the room service.  Love you!!

Growing Up

Snapped a few shots after church.  I'm amazed at the difference between pictures even a month ago.  When someone asks how are the girls, my initial response is "growing up too fast."  Oh how they're so much fun right now.  Love them to pieces.

Landry's Facial Expressions

Addison's Thanksgiving Feast

Our sweet girl is growing up so fast.  She loves going to "school/church" every Tuesday and Thursday.  They had their Thanksgiving Feast the Thursday before Thanksgiving week.  The picture above is one of all the 3 year olds in the MDO program.  She wrote on one of her projects that she was thankful for her Gingy.  Too cute.  Our little family is so thankful for Gingy and her strong Christian influence in our children's lives.

She has grown so much socially and mentally this year.  She talks nonstop at home and will talk to pretty much any kid that she sees now.  She still has a little bit of shyness as far as other kids go, but for the most part she'll talk their ear off.  We love her so much and she definitely keeps her laughing with her stories.

Thanksgiving 2012

Can you believe I only got one picture from the entire day of Thanksgiving this year?  I type that as though I am great and taking pictures of all of the special events in our family's life, but I'm actually horrible.  We'll take what we can get right?

The Griffin Boys - Marty, Jordan, and Gray (Josh was there earlier)

The week before Thanksgiving, Alyson (mother in-law) threw the original plans for Thanksgiving at her house out the window.  Unfortunately she fell in her backyard chasing Addison around and did some damage to her hands and face.  She was unable to use her right hand at all for two weeks, so the Thanksgiving plans soon thereafter got to moved to our house.  

So with everyone's assistance, we were able to spread out the duties of cooking and gather up enough food for the family to feast on.  Uncle Gray did an awesome job smoking meats.  Our little family was able to enjoy his company Wednesday and Thursday.  The girls love having Uncle Gray around.  

We a great time for us to remember what we are thankful for.  Our lives are filled with all of the hustle and bustle of daily to dos.  Get everyone ready in the morning, go to work, cook supper, bathe the kids,  kids bedtime, and then chores or just taking time to spend with your spouse.  There are days that you fill as though your day is not going to end or it didn't go just as planned, but as we look back we realize that ever minute in our lives makes us who we are.  Our decisions throughout the year are what makes our lives, "our lives."  What a wonderful life I have and I feel more and more blessed every year.  God continues to bless our little family and may I be thankful for all of his blessings throughout the entire year.  For He sent His Son so that I may accept his grace and have eternal life.  What more could I ask for.  Nothing.  Nothing at all.  God bless you and your family.

Bird Houses

Need to pass some time with two toddlers on a weekend?  Go to Michaels and get a wood birdhouse, paint, and paint brushes and you've got a hour worth of entertainment.  The girls were very proud of their "masterpieces."  

iPhone Unload

I needed to get some pictures off of my iPhone so here are a few random pics.

I was reading a blog the other day about how moms need to take more pictures with their children.  We are always the ones taking pictures, so I'm going to try and do better.  It may not always be a shot of beauty, but it will capture this time in our lives.

We had cold weather for a few days.  Don't ask me why her hate is so far up on her head??

Not a stunning photo of Addison, but I wanted to remember what our girls love to do before they go to bed.  They take over our Apple phones, iPads, etc.  They will play games and watch PBS all day if we would let them.  I can't wait till they get their own tablets.

MDO Fall Festival

The girls had their fall festival at MDO.  They were asked to dress up in their costume.  Well, Miss Addison decided that she didn't want to have anything to do with her costume and her daddy didn't make her wear it.  Needless to say, I think she was disappointed that everyone in her class had their costumes on and she didn't.

They had a great time.  They went to the church's pumpkin patch and each picked out a pumpkin, went through the maze, had a picnic, and had the pastor read a pumpkin book to them.  I just love this church and had involved their staff is with the children's programs.

Here is our little ballerina.

I had pictures of Addison's class at the pumpkin patch, but they are too small to see.  

Halloween 2012

What a difference a year makes.  The girls were so much fun this year.  Addison was a fire fighter.  She loves any type of emergency personnel and she was pumped.  Landry went as a ballerina, which I picked out.  They were too cute and did great at getting candy and saying thank you.  The girls even had the privilege of Aunt Katie to trick or treat with them.

One of our neighbors has a really scary setup in their yard but Landry thought it was so funny.  She's just laugh and wave at the scary people.  Addison however were terrified.

Helping Daddy hand out candy, which they absolutely loved

Landry trying to take some of the candy we were handing out and put it in her bucket

Classmates

Addison is attending a new MDO program this year, and she absolutely loves her teachers and classmates.  She has really come out of her shell this year.  The new program has a lot of different activities and is overall a much better program.  They had "Orange" day last week and carved a pumpkin and ate pumpkin seeds.

Dad - that shirt Addison is wearing is especially for you.  haha

Wordless Wednesday

Smiles give it away

The smiles on everyone's faces gives it away.  They had FUN at MeeMaw and Grandaddy's.