a cure for the winter woes

In an effort to ward-off the blahs of the cold winter months I decided to spruce-up a few walls in the house. I never really liked the pictures in my bathroom. Sadly, I slapped a few things up on the walls a couple days before Jackson was born (4 point 5 years ago). I have curled my lip at this wall ever since then.

Adorable boys inside cheapo, silver frames. So, I changed it up... without spending much money. Score.

4 out of 5 frames were found on the clearance rack at Target. I used "stuff" I already had to fill the insides. So, the total cost was $18.

I took the opportunity to bring out my supressed girly side. Living in Testosterone Town can change a gal. All it took was an "R" cut from felt, scrapbook paper (StudioCalico... inspiration delivered), fun Alexander Henry "juicy" fabric, a greeting card D and I found in Chattanooga, and a bathy picture of my sweet buddies. I plan to change out the guts of my frames every now and then (whenever I happen upon something fun).

The best part is I can walk in my bathroom and be happy when it is cloudy and cold outside!!

cold but cooperating

When the sun shines in January, one must take advantage of the opportunity to take some pictures, right? Right.

The temp was above freezing... barely... so I layered my little guys up, chanted inspiring words to my speculative Jackson, and headed downtown.

I kept them outside for only 15 minutes--TOPS! The boys appreciated venturing out of the house (as did their mama). The only thing close to a complaint was: "Oh...Mom...I sure am glad you told me to stick my hands in my pockets 'cuz it's COLD!"

"I'll be right back."





....and thank you, April, for letting us give your camera a whirl!

happiest holidays!

I have always loved Christmas! Now that I have kiddos of my own, I catch myself giggling like a child at the slightest mention of the holidays. I must say the days leading up to the 25th were the best! I loved watching Jackson get psyched up about what was to come. Grayson could feel the energy and knew something was going to happen, but (of course) didn't have it all figured out!

I let Jackson assist on every holiday project and he did a fabulous job...like any good elf would. I don't know that Christmas 2011 can top the excitement of 2010, but we are already looking forward to it!!

Wrapping presents with lined HobbyLobby paper... why use anything else?

First gingerbread house! Notice the icing on the chin...

Watching it become a WHITE Christmas!

And finally, prepping to get some Christmas Eve zzzz's. Sweetest boys around...cutest jammies EVER!

lucky girl

I sure do love this guy! There are times when he manages to work-in small acts of kindness to make me fall in love a million times over. He has been pretty busy tugging at my heartstrings this week. Pausing to take a picture with his nagging wife in the middle of sledding sure puts the icing on the cake...

sweet sleepy gavin

This is Gavin's sweet little way of saying, "Ashley, that's enough picture-taking, thank you."

...but I snuck in one more...

...I don't think he noticed.

Scarey Christmas

I really didn't want to take the boys to see the Santa at the mall. I much rather prefer a classic Santa... red suit... white gloves... and a soft, fluffy, white beard. But, I'm sure this Santa tries his best.

Regardless, I plopped the boys in Santa's lap. I guess Grayson caught my hesitant vibe, because for about 10 seconds, he loathed and strongly protested Christmas, yelling, "No! No! No!"

Off to Grayson's right sits Jackson--who seemed somewhat irritated that Grayson would act this way (we would expect nothing less from this 4 year-old). Jackson simply needed to discuss a Playmobil SkatePark... and trust me, it WAS a discussion. Jackson described it so thoroughly, I'm pretty sure I saw Santa peek at his watch.

Tears and all, I snapped a picture... of course! Thankfully, Grayson did smile and wave at Santa right before leaving the mall (he had about 30 minutes to forget it all).

No hard feelings, Santa Claus. While strolling to the door he whispered,
"Ho. Ho. Ho."

Manliness?

Deryck scored several BassProShop gift cards for his birthday! So, needless to say, he had a LARGE time shopping on Saturday. He was on the hunt for trail-hiking shoes and a nice thermos. He found both!!

THIS thermos (so I have been told) is the Cadillac of them all!! Stanley thermos-- Since 1913! Said to withstand being run over by a truck (??). He is so proud of his new toy that he even washed it out himself...whoa!

Check it out... ain't it a beaut'?

Such an exciting purchase and there it sits...air-drying... right next to the Little People Grayson dunked in the toilet. Thank you, sweet Grayson, for adding the most unpredictable spice to our lives! You keep us quite humble.