Santa Claus Came to Town

Nothing makes me feel more sentimental and warm inside than Christmas Day at my mom's! From the fire crackling in the fire place while we open gifts to the infamous cranberry coffee cake for breakfast - you just can't mess with perfection. Although...um...sadly Brandon had a bit of the stomach bug on the big day this year so maybe we were at 95% perfection! Anyways, it was still a wonderful day with family and of course made us thankful that not only did God give us each other but ultimately his Son first and foremost.

Tate looking manly in his bright red bow and cousin Alice's pink bouncy seat!

T had a front row seat to watch Mac opening up all of his gifts which made him even forget about nap time!

Aunt Em and Tate

Susu and all of the grandchildren

Peace & Joy

We also loved getting to do Christmas with Dad and Shawna at their new beautiful home. Good food, good company and surprisingly good children! Our visits are never long enough with them but we definitely won't forget Tate's first Christmas at the Peace Ranch.

My dad, husband and son...couldn't ask for three better men in my life!

Cousins

Tate is very lucky to have two adoring older cousins who he loves watching and getting to know. While we were home all three of us got to spend a lot of time with Mac and Alice and loved every minute of it! It's so much fun seeing all three cousins in one place and we look forward to watching them grow up together. We are also very thankful for the hand-me-down clothes and worldly wisdom from Mac!


Mac loved showing Tate his toys and explaining how they work. He said he's also looking forward to showing him how to eat a banana and decorate a Christmas tree- classic!

Mac also loved to tickle Tate's toes and was so sweet to love on his cousin so much!

Let It Snow!

Nothing could have made up for us all getting the stomach bug more than waking up to a white Christmas! It was beautiful at my mom's house in Kentucky and I found that I couldn't stop staring out the window just to take it all in. We of course had to get out there in person for a bit, though, and play in all the amazing white stuff! It turns out Tate had quite a big trip home with his first plane ride, first wedding, first Christmas and first snow. We won't ever forget it!

Welcome Home & Wedding Weekend

Well, Tate had his first airplane ride to get back home for the holidays and he did great! He was also a rock star for June's wedding weekend and pretty much slept through the entire rehearsal dinner and reception...what a blessing! Tate and daddy had a lot of one on one time that weekend and I'm so proud of both of them for letting mom tend to her matron of honor duties. We were so glad to finally be home with family and also be part of such a special weekend!





The bride and groom!

Loved being back in town for all the festivities and for sweet time with my niece & nephew!

3 Months Old

Of course I have a million things to do right now in preparing to fly home to Nashville but I couldn't resist plunking down in front of the computer to upload Tate's 3 month old photos! He is getting so big and definitely seems to be doing something new every single day. The latest and greatest is that he has started giving us some huge belly laughs which are amazing and he really is getting active with his little arms and legs. As a newborn I'd put him on his playmat and he would just sort of look at it like "what do you expect me to do with this?"....but now the second he lays down he's swinging left and right at the toys while making "ooh" and "ahh" sounds. I believe he's quite astonished and impressed with his new found talents as well! Anyways, I just had to share and wouldn't be able to sleep without posting his photo shoot with Harvey. Ho ho ho!

Oh Christmas Tree!

So we get a tree every year and always enjoy it but for Christmas 2010 we're looking at our tree through new eyes...those of a curious twelve week old. Somehow the holidays are just more magical since I feel like I'm seeing everything for the first time as well while I watch Tate take it all in. It's incredible to think that in a wave of "firsts" that also includes his first look at tree lights, ornaments, presents and decorations. In addition to that, he's hearing his first Christmas carols...both from the radio and from his not-so-on-key momma! Here's to a season of new beginnings and more love than I could ever imagine to feel.