Addison's new room

A few months ago, we changed our guest room to Addison's room. She's done very well in her new room and loves her twin bed. In the mornings when she wakes up, she simply knocks on her door (we keep it shut with a child lock on her side), and we open it and say good morning! (Actually, John opens it! I'm always still snoozing.) Yesterday, my wonderful husband built and painted some shelves/benches for storage and seating. We put them in her room tonight, and she had a ball! She climbed on them and sang songs and hid in the open parts. I'm thrilled that we can actually "contain" her toys as opposed to having bins all over the den. We aren't finished decorating her room, and we plan on making soft cushion covers for the benches, but the basics are there. Now, the new baby will have a nursery of his/her own, and Addi can have her own space, too!

Merry Christmas!

We hope everyone had a special and memorable Christmas! We sure did! Addison just loved the Christmas Season this year. She enjoyed decorating the house, reading Christmas books, making a gingerbread house, decorating cookies, going to family events, spending time with family, special church services, playing with her elf, and most of all- Christmas Day! Here are some pictures we've taken this holiday season.

ready for church!

Christmas celebration with the Trotman Family

all of Memommy's grandchildren and great-grandchildren

(well, almost all- we missed you, Anna!)

just the great grandchildren

John holding Coleman (Evelyn and Patrick's first baby!)

the cousins enjoy the newest addition

Dec. 23rd- Addison's FIRST haircut ever!

Christmas Eve with the Brock Family

dancing girls!

More cousins to play with! Eme, Morgan, Addi, Weston, Will, Braden, Grayson

(Emily, you should've been in this picture!)

our tradition- playing Aunt Glenda's candy game

(the little kids had fun just rolling and stepping on the candy)

Happy Birthday, Jesus!

Addi and Eme jammin' on their Barney guitars

Christmas morning at home...

Santa brought Addi a new, pink Jeep

Christmas lunch at Grandma and PawPaw's

the 3 grandchildren (can't wait to add another one in June!!!)

my sweet girl!

Christmas Evening at Gigi's house

singing "Happy Birthday" to Jesus

(This was our 3rd birthday celebration and cake-

we had one at Grandma and Grandpa's, too, but I didn't get a picture.)

Gigi got bouncy balls for the kids. They had so much fun jumping around the playroom.

Eme was a pro!

Grayson and Braden had a blast, too!

Addi needed a little help since she wasn't quite tall enough.

Memorable words from Addi:

-Don't sing dat song!

-Les, I'd like to do dat. You want to go to the Loo (Zoo), Daddy?

-The monsters are hiding in the corner. You want to see dem, Mommy?

-We need tell Santa to bring pesents for Jesus.

-I luh boo, Daddy. I luh boo, Mommy.

-Is dat for our little baby? Our little baby in Mommy's tummy?

-Annie lick me! Dat's lutty! Don't do dat, Annie. Wipe it on Mommy's pants?

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Princess Party, Praising God, Cupcakes, and the doctor

Here are a few pictures that I've taken this week. On Saturday, Addi went to Emma's and Madelyn's "princess and knights" party. The girls' grandmother made tutus for everyone to wear at the party and to take home. As you can see, Addison was just fine without one. They were adorable! The kids fished for prizes and tried to pin the lips on the frog. On Sunday, we went to a friend's church to hear their symphony/choir. Addison just loved it! She has loved music since in the womb. Every time the music would get loud, she would stand up on our laps and raise her hands to heaven. (Keep in mind, this was a traditional, methodist church so Addi was the ONLY one raising her hands). It was such an innocent expression of how the music made her feel! It made me think about how God intended worship to be...an expression from the heart...however that expression may be. John, Mary, and I all got teary watching her! That afternoon, while John worked on school stuff, I let Addi make cupcakes.

having lunch with the other princesses

making cupcakes for Daddy (neither of them eat chocolate so I was out of luck!)

Addi loves to play "doctor." We all take turns lying down on the doctor table (ottoman). We cover the ottoman with a white blanket (like the butcher paper they use). She checks our "feber," our heart beat, our eyes/ears/nose/throat, and gives us shots. I think the shots are her favorite part! Daddy was playing the part of the doctor. Addi even brought "Baby Ava" (her doll) to the doctor and kept telling her, "It's okay, Aba."

A relaxing weekend!

It's been a long time coming, but we actually had a nice, relaxing weekend! On Friday, we picked up our Christmas cards from Sam's and a gingerbread house, as well. Addison had a ball decorating cookies and the gingerbread house. We let her stay up a little late, but it was worth it! On Saturday, we played and finished putting ornaments on the tree. On Sunday, Addison had her first performance at her school/church. She was a sheep. It was so cute that it brought tears to my eyes! Being a parent is just the best thing in the world! After that, we headed to the mall for lunch and Santa pictures. Tonight, we let Addison watch her first, full movie- The Polar Express. We all curled up on the couch and just relaxed. It was heavenly!

decorating cookies for the gingerbread house

Addi's first gingerbread house

taking a long, winter's nap in the paper we use to wrap ornaments

Addi's teacher, Ms. Christi, and her friends William and Taylor

Mary, Joseph, and Baby Jesus

sweet angels!

two of Addi's favorite buddies, William and Thomas

our precious little sheep!

feeding Pooh Bear while waiting for a picture with Santa

taking a "cousins" picture with Santa

watching The Polar Express