the Grinch

mom:: "time for bed buddy. we can watch one Christmas show then pj's. how about the grinch?"
lil' man: "can we watch the hairy grinch?"
mom: "no. you can watch the cartoon one."
lil' man: "but i want to watch the hairy grinch!"
mom: "why's that buddy?"
lil' man: "cause it's longer. and i'm not ready for bed."

mom: speechless. yet again.

Santa

lil' man: "Mommy, I don't want Santa to come to my house."
mom: "Why? He always brings such great surprises!"
lil' man: "Because we don't really know him and we shouldn't let people we don't know inside our house."
mom: "What if he leaves the presents and Mom and Dad bring them inside the house?"
lil' man: "Should we take things from stranger danger?"

Sharing

lil man: "what are you doing with all those oreos dad?"
Dad: "I'm going to eat them."
lil man: "oh. do you want to share them?"
Dad: "I don't know how to share."
lil man: "well, you give me one and I put it in the milk then I eat it. That's sharing"

How do you argue with that?

for lil'jean

It was 76 degrees today in Atlanta so we joined some friends for an outing at the zoo. The panda had a baby who is 70 days old today (so he can now see) and weighs 6 pounds. He's still quarantined so you can only see him by video. These are for you Lil' Jean- we miss you!

go Illini!

Happy Fall Y'all!

After 4 times of wearing their costumes we finally got pictures! Buzz and Boo (Monsters, Inc.) had a good Halloween season filled with trick-or-treating, parties, and a trunk-or-treat/fall festival.

Boo started out with a clean shirt, pigtails and Mike Wazowski (we don't have a Sully). We ended the day looking like this:

Of course this is after the Smyrna City Boo Festival (1 hot dog and chips), dads office (candy, cookies and fruit punch), and a quick trip to Ikea for shelving (noodles with meatballs and sauce). And she's still the most beautiful baby girl we know!

Buzz finally agreed to pose with his wings on if I let him take his picture with Mickey. It took me a few minutes to understand what he was asking for.... how could I forget the wonderful pumpkin dad carved?

I can do it myself!

Ah! Spaghetti and the independance of a 1 year old. What a beautiful sight! Gee.... I wonder who's going to clean up this mess! Did I mention she can now say cheese? Of course, only when the camera comes out. Between the posing and the dancing I think Dad better get that shotgun ready cause we're heading for trouble!

Moline

I mentioned to a friend we were going to Moline and she said "they have a really nice airport". Seemed a little random at the time but upon arrival I can attest that they do indeed have a nice little airport.



We checked into the hotel then took the tour of Mike's old stomping ground. I was a tad nervous about the trip to the farm. He hadn't been back since his Grandparents sold it so I wasn't sure if it would hard for him. The family that resides there has done a great job of making it their own. They have cleared away several acres and added onto the house. I think it was easier on Mike to have the property look so different. He was amazed that the road to the farm had been paved. Apparently that was a big deal because he mentioned 12-13 times.



We went to the put in (that's for you Babe) and Mike explained where he sank the boat. Considering how cool it was that day I can only imagine how cold it was on said occasion. You'll have to ask him to tell the story- since I wasn't there.



We went to Brian and Peggy's where they welcomed us with open arms and presents for our children. We all enjoyed the visit, it was a much needed get away. Did I mention the hacienda? The original McClellan home is now quite colorful (purple, yellow, blue, pink, green, red- all on the outside of the house). My only regret that weekend is we didn't take a picture!



Now onto the good stuff..... dessert then the rest of the day...



One word: Whitey's. If you're ever in the are make sure to stop for ice cream. Notice Sebastian took his cup to a chair away from the crowd so he didn't have to share. That's my boy!

Kenzie quickly stole Mike's milkshake. He got to enjoy some of it... and some of his ice-cream on the flight home. What a good dad to share with the lil' ones.

Mackenzie with a full belly of Happy Joe's pizza. Mike has fond memories of Taco pizza. It's mostly the taco sauce he loves which they now bottle so it was easier to bring home than the 50 packets we took last time.

After visiting the farm we went out to Brian and Peggy's house. We all headed back to the hotel to let the kids swim before pizza and ice cream. We had a good time catching up with their family.

We went out to the farm and Mike didn't shed a tear!

The leaves are still falling down.... but Mike is glad he no longer rakes them!

Thanks Grandy and Papa!

Our children are blessed to have wonderful extended family who spoil them. Sebastian was excited this morning to hear a knock at the door and even more excited to find a package from Grandma and Papa Moody. Thanks for all the halloween goodies! We love you!

Thanks Great Aunt Mary for my outfit! We love you and miss you!

anything better than oreo's?

Most parents take pictures of those important moments. You know, first smile, first tooth, etc. In the Best home we make sure to get that all too important first Oreo. I'd be lying if I said this was the first Oreo she's ever had; sadly, it's just the first we captured!

Garage sales

We found a snare drum at a garage sale for $1.50. Best (and potentially worst) money we've spent. He spent the entire evening out on the porch with his new prize. As always, he wasn't too thrilled to be captured on camera.

Buzz

He was too shy to meet him the first time we waited in line. After several requests to meet Buzz mom stood in line once again, nervous she would be meeting Buzz for the 2nd time. Seb was hesitant at first but walked over to him and gave him a hi-five. He wasn't too thrilled about letting mom take their picture though.

gotta love the teacups!

By the end of the ride Kenzie's head was spinning as she was saying "whoaoa whoaoa".

more pictures of the beach...

K first birthday

Isn't that the best smile you've ever seen? This little girl makes my day. She is so happy to be alive. She loves the water and would have been in the ocean had we let go of her! We love you Kenzie.

I'd say for a first birthday we did ok. We started the day with Animal Kingdom, followed by dinner at Dixie Crossroads. Next off to the beach and then back to the condo for cake. What a day!

Not So Scary Halloween Party

One of the highlights of the trip was the Not So Scary Halloween Party. Not sure who enjoyed it more.... Tinkerbell and Buzz Lightyear or Grandma and Papa

The parade was great! Bastian loved the headless horseman!

Now that's trick-or-treating!

sleeping beauties

Our first day here and we've worn them out!

Lisa and Ross are married!

We went to DC to attend Ross and Lisa's wedding over the weekend. We had a great time visiting with family. They were married in the Washington DC temple followed by one good party!

mercy!

Labor Day

Oh, the lazy days of summer! We went to the Cartersville KOA for Labor Day weekend and had a great time. We can't get Kenzie out of the water when we're at the lake. In fact, she is usually bouncing up and down in her seat until we anchor and let her swim. Bastian finally warmed up this trip and took his usual spot on the ladder. Kenzie loves to ride the tube with Daddy!

hand over the fries!

Sebastian turns 3!

We had Sebastian's birthday party at Grandma and Papa's this year. He wanted a Wall-e birthday party. He loved his remote control car and Wall-e robot! He couldn't wait to get it out of the box. He has enjoyed his other presents too. He liked his baseball until he dropped the ball and it rolled into a beehive. "They aren't nice bees, like the ones on the bee movie. They aren't sweet at all!" Thankfully, he's not allergic to bee stings and he was only stung 3 times!

Splash Park

"take a picture of this L'Jean"

Yep, chocolate chip cookie.

Happy 4th of July

Home Sweet Drury Inn

After 6 months of planning we moved into the Drury Inn Atlanta Airport for 2 months. This is the morning we "moved" out; most people check out of a hotel.

splash, splash!

Just to prove Bastian can smile we'll add the other picture!

Easter Pictures

It's never been easy to get Sebastian to smile for the camera. My directions are always the same- if you get him to look at you and sit the way you want, snap the picture! Smiles are rare; can't imagine where he gets that! So it's always fun to see if the pictures are going to be sweet smiles or attitude. He was so upset that he had to wear a tie and button his top shirt button. The only reason he is sitting in the picture is because we let him hold the fishing pole. Mackenzie is all smiles, all the time! What a sweetheart.

mmmm.... chopsticks!

Hey Mom!

Yes, she's under the bed! In the time it took to get the laundry switched she rolled under the bed!