SANTA

I think Carson's comment sums it up: "Man, Santa really hooked us up. I wish you and Daddy hooked us up like this." HA!

Ross Family Christmas Eve

This year's Ross Family Christmas was at Rob and Tracy's house, which is minutes from our place. (This certainly helped my puffy eye lids on Christmas Day after our midnight-hour "fat man in a red suit" duties.) As usual, we filled our bellies and our hearts with food, family and fun.

'Cause I got Jesus inside of me!

Carson sang two songs one of our church's Christmas Eve services. Like proud parents, we sat in the front row, though these are the best pics I could get. (Where's Waldo?!)

Santa's Magical Kingdom

There's a light display near our house that we visit every year: Santa's Magical Kingdom. After a 50 minute wait and a 10 mph slow roll in the car to see the 20 minute viewing, we crossed this tradition off our list for 2012.

"I can't like it."

Me: Brady, will you please put on your coat?
BMR: No, I can't like it.

Me: Brady, eat your green beans.
BMR: No, I can't like it.

Me: Brady, stop pushing the play-doh on the floor.
BMR: No, I can't like it.

Me: Brady, it's time to go to bed. No more Bubble Guppies.
BMR: No, I can't like it.

ME: Brady, stop trying to get out of your seat while we are moving.
BMR: No, I can't like it.

This phrase should annoy me because it's Brady's way of saying, "No. I don't like what you are asking me to do." I think it's the cutest thing. Half the time I don't correct him with, "You mean, you DON'T like it, Brady," to ensure he keeps me smiling with it.

HB - this one is for you! : )

12.12.12 at 12:12 PM

My boys were baptized today. All three of them!

Brady's Big Boy Bed

While Brady hasn't made a single attempt to catapult himself out of his crib, my back screams at me every night I hoist his 40+ lbs over the side rail. It's time. Our neighbors graciously let us borrow their car bed, which we will return when Henry needs the upgrade.

For now, the car will remain parked in Brady's room. Vrooooommm!

Time w/Friends

We had a fabulous time with our friends "The Reeces" a few weekends ago. They made the trek to our house for brunch and a lot of outside time. It was so nice to have another set of parents (and boys!) to help spice up the normal weekend routine.

Gingerbread in the House

What's better than making a house slapped together with icing?! Despite the sugar high my kids were on when creating this masterpiece-of-a-house, the rotten teeth we've all given ourselves was worth every last Nerd we sprinkled on this beauty!

Week Away

Nate and my parents held down the fort, while I spent last week in Atlanta for work. The boys nearly ate me when I walked in the door last night. There is something special about being tackled to the ground by your littles' hugs, cheers, kisses, squeezes, chants, wide-eyed looks and all around expressions of love and excitement. Carson even said to me, "Mom, you are the sweetest thing in the whole world. I will love you forever!" WHAT?!?! :)

I won't say that the warm reception I received when returning home outweighs being MIA for four days, but I will say that my boys (all three of them!) make me feel loved, needed and appreciated once I'm back.

"You da big boss, Dad?"

Brady is quite the character. His personality is like sparklers on the 4th of July, the cherry on a sundae, that extra kick in your chili, the fourth shot in your venti latte. And with his wonderfully fiery, yet snugly personality, is his defiance and need to push boundaries. A few months ago, we had to clarify with him who the bosses are in our house, i.e., the "US" listed on the right side of this blog! And now, from time to time, Brady will ask Nate, "You da big boss, Dad?", if only to set his barrings before making his next move. : )