Differences & Chick-fila Santa

Here are a few pictures from last year 2011 and this year 2012.

 

My goodness time is flying by and these boys are growing like weeds...

 

Kipton Lee 

2011                                            2012

 

Karson Bradley

2011                                    2012

 

After seeing these pictures there are a couple things I see:

 

My babies are getting soo big soo fast

 

&

 

I've learned alot about my camera settings and last years pictures were awful and I'm still learning alot about taking pictures.

 

Here is a blurry one of Kevin & I, but we had a 3 year old photographer :)

 

 

Kevin was off during the week this week and so we headed to Chick-fil-a this Tuesday for Family Night. I saw that they were having Santa and Santa Cow so I knew we didn't want to miss this week.

 

 

It was honestly the best Santa experience we've ever had. No lines and he was incredibly friendly and loving. He loved on Kipton like no other and it felt so special (not creepy) like a few other times I have wondered who's under that suit. Karson requested that he would sit on the Cow and Kipton would sit on Santa and they both agreed and were happy as can be.

 

 

Afterwards ice cream for everyone and playtime before heading out to see Christmas lights.

 

 

 

What a great family night. I love Christmas time!! :)

NO more diapers!!

Yep..you read that title right, no more diapers in this house.

 

Last week Karson was a little sick so we were stuck at home so I thought it was the perfect opportunity to potty train. We used the same process we did with Karson.

 

Stay home, drink alot, and only use undies. It works!!!

 

 

I did a sticker chart in the bathroom and each time he went in the potty he got a sticker. He liked having LOTS of stickers :) This is way better than candy.

 

 

Super excited to offically wear undies and be just like bubby :)

 

 

By the 3rd day it was official and I could feel comfortable taking him out with just undies and knowing that he would tell me. We have had NO accidents since day 1. It was a breeze. I can't believe how easy he was. We also got rid of the paci this week too.

 

This has been a big week for Kipton and he's doing so great.

 

 

The boys love getting out the Halloween costumes and playing dress up. Kipton will dress up in anything but Karson will only be a hunter and wear his camo. :)

 

We are so proud of our big boy!

 

 

 

Fun times in December

There have been a lot of fun parties and get togethers with friends and family latley. I love December because there is always something going on, and I like to stay busy.

 

Brandy hosted a charity event at her house for a local preschool who needed toys and diapers. There were a few of us moms from the mother's club that came along with lots of her friends from college. It was a great time and I wish I would've taken pictures of her food and drink tables. They were amazing!

 

 

My good friend Christie and I

 

 

On this evening the boys and I were meeting up with my parents and sister for dinner at Cracker Barrell. The boys love it there because they like to look around in the gift shop. Whoever thought of that was a genius! It helps pass the time if there is a wait.

 

 

I picked up these shirts from Crazy 8 and they say "Worlds Coolest Brother". I thought they were really cute for them. Karson always gets a kick out of matching shirts.

 

 

Kevin couldn't go to dinner with us because he was leaving for work that evening. So we took a quick family picture before he left. Look at Kipton looking over at me. We can never get a good picture of him looking straight when he's with all of us. He wants to see what we are doing and doesn't want to miss a single second of anything. He is so fun!

 

 

I have to share something special about Kipton and our week this week.

 

My baby is no longer a baby :)

 

Pictures to come!

Praying

I look at this picture of my babies and can't fathom the feelings that those parents have that lost their precious children in CT. Watching the news is like a train wreck. You want to watch, but it is heartbreaking to see the hearts broken.

 

 

But then there is hope for these families. Thankfully this is not our home here on earth!

But rather with our GOD, who is much more powerful than these horrible acts that we see time and time again.

 

Praying for all of the families involved.

Holiday Home Tour 2012

I'm linking up with Kelly's Korner for Home Tours that include your Christmas decor.

I am normally on the ball about getting this post up, but this year has been different. The boys are busy busy and it's rare to have my house in tip top shape.

 

But while they were napping, I got it together to take a few pictures :)

 

Come on in!

 

When you come in the front door (which we don't really use) you enter into the living room/kitchen which is wide open.

 

 

This year I got a new Christmas tree from Hobby Lobby. I waited until it was 50% off because it was a 9ft tree and they are pretty expensive! But I got a great deal so we went ahead with it. It took forever to decorate and I knew that I wanted to add the deco mesh.

 

 

 

Looking into our kitchen area from the living room.

 

 

"Bucky" the elf has been hanging out with the poinsetta today.

 

 

I made this Christmas card wreath using clothespins that the boys and I painted green.

You then take a wire coat hanger and bend it into a circle (had to have Kevin do this) then you just slide the clothespins onto the wire and I tied ribbon between them.

 

 

Here are a few of the boys favorite decorations around the house

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wish we had grass, but it still didn't come in. This December was our 1 year anniversary at our home. We are so thankful for the chance to build our house.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hope you've enjoyed a little tour of our home in the country.

 

Merry Christmas!!

Just 10 more days :)

Love

 

Just look at the love Kipton has for Karson.

 

He seriously LOVES him and adores him more than anything in his life.

 

 

Kipton wants to be just like Karson.

 

Even on Karson's bad days, Kipton wants to be just like bubby.

 

 

Karson has his bad days, but he is so good. 3 years old is so much easier than 2.

 

Then other days I wish for the age of 4.

 

I LOVE my boys! They are rough, rowdy, but so sweet.

 

 

Karson said in the bathtub tonight

 

"Hey look mommy, Kipton is hugging and kissing me, I Love him!"

Holiday TraditionsI

I'm linking up with Kelly's Korner about how your family begins and continues holiday traditions. Because the boys are so young (3 & 2) we are starting new traditions each year.

 

This year we began:

 

Letting the boys pick out their own "real" tree for their toy room and decorating it however they want. It is mostly done in Disney ornaments and ones they picked out at Hobby Lobby.

 

Began the tradition of having our very own Elf on the Shelf named Bucky.

The boys have enjoyed him so much and look forward to him each morning.

 

Pulling out all of our Christmas books and having them by the tree to read.

The boys can pick 2 stories each night for me or Kevin to read out of the Christmas basket.

They really enjoy "new" to them books. Some I bought and some I rented from the library.

 

 

Pulling out our favorite Christmas clothes and mommy taking lots of pictures in front of the Christmas tree. :)

 

 

 

 

Driving around to see Christmas lights.

 

Listening and singing Christmas songs.

 

Learning new Christmas songs.

 

Christmas shopping together (grrrr)

 

Waiting in line for over 20 minutes to see this big guy in RED :)

 

We also started a new tradition this year where each boy gets to pick out a gift around $20 for each other. I had Kipton out one day and I decided this would be such a great lesson learned. Giving to each other and not being worried about the receiving end.

 

Kipton picked a Jake and the Neverland Pirate doll for Karson that talks. He also picked 3 characters that go with Jake for Karson.

 

Kevin had Karson out one day and he let Karson shop for Kipton. He came back with a playdoh machine that has a bulldozer to make different roads, and a fish tank. SERIOUSLY KEVIN!!!!

I about killed him.

 

So it looks like we will be getting a fish a few days before Christmas and trying to hide it for Kipton.

 

Most importantly, learning about Jesus Christ and the reason for Christmas Day.

 

Every night after dinner I quiz the boys questions about Jesus' birth. (the teacher in me) If they can answer at least 2 of the questions then they will get a small candy from the treasure box. They LOVE this and have learned alot from doing this each night.

 

Questions like:

 

What is Jesus mommy's name?

 

What is Jesus daddy's name?

 

Who brought the gifts to Jesus at the manger?

 

Where was Jesus born?

 

What is the guy called that takes care of the sheep?

 

Why didn't Jesus have a bed?

 

Who appeared in the sky telling everyone the good news?

 

The boys have really learned a lot and enjoy answering these questions. Kipton even went into the nursery this past Sunday and afterwards his teacher told me that he was telling her all about Jesus birth and who everyone was.

 

I finally found a "Little People" nativity set last night at the Christian Bookstore. Bucky the elf had it set up on our coffee table to remind the boys that it's about Christ. They have been playing with it all morning. So cute!! 

Sitting with Santa

Sitting with Santa is always something that you look forward to in the month of December.

I can't believe how much the boys have changed over the years, and I love to look back at the years and add a new picture to the collection.

 

Karson - 9 months *2009*

 

Karson (21 months) Kipton (5 months) *2010*

 

 

 

Kipton (1) Karson (2) *2011*

 

Kipton (2) Karson (3.5) *2012*

 

This year was my favorite of all of the years. The boys waited patiently in that long line for 20 minutes to see Santa. Momma was getting pretty impatient but we made it! They went right up to him got on his lap and started talking as fast as they possibly could. Santa couldn't even get a word in and Karson went on and on about how he wanted a helicopter because his last one broke. Kipton shortly followed by his wish lists of bulldozers, chainsaw, and tractors.

 

Then we saw the Santa mailbox and forgot our Santa letter. Karson was a little bummed but after assuring him that we could bring it back it was fine.

 

I love traditions! Even the ones that include waiting in line for 20 minutes with grumpy people all forgetting the TRUE meaning of Christmas.

 

Jesus Christ, Giving to others, and Family

Date Night & Ornaments

Kevin had his annual Christmas party on Friday night for the guys on his shift at work.

This year I planned the event and we had almost everyone come that had RSVP. We had a great time at the restaurant and ate way too much! The boys went to Nana & Papaw's and had a great time as always. They always come home with some kind of special surprise. Spoiled rotten!!

 

 

I had to get a picture of my handsome husband! He is never dressed up because he is normally in his work clothes and I love to see him dressed up :)

 

 

This weekend we made some salt-dough ornaments that I found from Pinterest.

It was super simple and it was only 2 ingredients and the boys LOVED it.

Win for all!

 

 

You need:

 

1 Cup Flour

1 Cup Salt

1/2 cup Water

 

Mix it all up in a bowl.

Spread out on the table and cut with cookie cutters.

Use a straw to poke a little hole in the top for a ribbon to hang on the tree.

Put in the microwave for 30 seconds at a time until they are hard.

 

 

After nap time we painted them with finger paint that we already had.

The boys really love painting and Karson especially was soo proud of his work!

 

 

The boys did lots of animal cut outs that we had from our playdoh collection. I also had them each do a hand print one and it is so sweet and I plan to do one every year.

 

 

I painted them so the hand prints would stand out more. I also tied a pretty ribbon through the hole and hung it on my tree. The boys put theirs on their little tree in the toy room. I will forever cherish these hand prints.

 

I have lots of posts to catch up on, but time is flying by!

 

Hoping for a better behaved week from my two rotten boys :)

December is HERE!

I can't believe it is December! It really does feel like yesterday it was June and we had a huge storm that knocked out our power for 11 days and now BAM it's December!!

 

Anyways, I wanted to write down a few things that I wanted to remember about the boys since there really isn't anything important to blog about. 

 

 

*Kipton is 29 months (he was 2 in July) and he still has his paci, blankie, and isn't potty trained. When Karson was this age I had him potty trained, paci gone, and blanket gone. I feel like more than anything it's because of me. It's not that I'm lazy to not potty train but life is so hard right now that adding potty training might be enough to send me to the moon. (is that awful?) I was in such a hurry to do everything for Karson that I was rushing him to stop being a baby. Kipton is still very whinny and the paci helps calm things so it's still around. It may be because he is my last baby and I know that. Holding on to those moments for a little while longer. :)

 

 

I think I mentioned before that Karson got his 1st "progress report" from his 3 year old preschool class. I was very nervous to get it even though I know he's smart but I worried about how he was behaving without me being around to remind him about how to act the right way. There were about 20 different categories on the paper and he got all checks which means "Completes the task average" A minus would be that he couldn't complete that task. He also got 7 check + which means he was above average in those areas. I hope this doesn't come off by being braggy but I just wanted to remember in case I ever loose that report card. I am VERY proud of Karson and the comments from his teachers were so nice. I met with the director this morning to go over the report and she had nothing but wonderful things to say about Karson. He did cry the first month and a half at drop off and she was so happy that it has stopped and he LOVES coming into preschool. I am so happy I stuck it out (I thought about waiting another year to send him) and now he RUNS into school and basically jumps for joy when he sees his two favorite teachers. (Mrs. Kelly & Mrs. Rachel)

 

 

Kipton is my Loving child. Not that Karson is not loving he does give me kisses and hugs daily but mostly it's because I've asked for them. Kipton randomly gives me kisses and hugs and tells me often that he loves me and sometimes says "I LIKE you mommy". The other day I was getting ready and putting on makeup and he said "That makes you pretty mommy" O son, you are right it does hide the ugly :) He tells me a lot that I have girl hair and he yikes it :) He is loving, but a bit more dramatic than Karson. He loves to be the center of attention and tries to be funny and make people notice him. He puts on a big show for the people when we are waiting in the lobby for preschool to let out. The parents always crack up at him for being so talkative and funny. He has never met a stranger.

 

 

Another funny story is that I ordered both boys a pair of red chuck taylor shoes from Ebay to go along with the Christmas shirts they have. Ended up that they came from China and had Chinese symbols on them. Kevin said "It's a good thing the boys aren't in "real" school or they would be made fun of. haha But the best part is that they don't care and they are little so we will be wearing those shoes this year and hopefully next. (Karson is wearing them in the picture above)

 

I have finished Christmas shopping for my boys but haven't really started on everyone else. I am so behind. I hate to be a procrastinator but I always am!!! Hoping to get some done this weekend.

 

Have a great week!