Garden of Lights

Thursday night we ventured out to the Botanical Gardens to their "Garden of Lights."  The entire place is covered in lights, lights wrapped trees, lights hanging from tree branches, and lights around bushes.  It's really neat!  It was packed, so Parker didn't get to walk as freely around as he's done before when we've been there during the day, but he still enjoyed himself.  Hannah was a little fussy for about the first hour, then she calmed down for a while.  Even though the kiddos did not fully cooperate like I had hoped, we still managed to have a good time.

Looking at some lights wrapped around the trees on the canopy walk.

This isn't the greatest picture, but it was the only picture I got with the kiddos.  You can't really tell, but Hannah was really "testing her vocal cords" during this picture - hah! 

Some of the pretty trees lit up in the garden. 

Snowflakes hanging from high in the trees! 

Checking out the cool Christmas tree on top of a pool.

These were cool - they were set to music, so they would change colors and "dance" with the music that was playing - it was really neat! 

Parker was intrigued! 

Enjoying the light show from a better view! 

At this point, we had been at the garden for about 2 hours and it was past Parker's bedtime, so he and Hannah were both tuckered out.  I was holding Hannah, so we put Parker in the stroller and headed for the exit. 

Christmas in Chattanooga

The Monday after Christmas, we went to Chattanooga to spend Christmas with my family.  My brother and his family were there and it's always so nice to see them because we don't get to see each other that much.  Both kiddos did a great job on the trip there and back, so I was very fortunate.

We went to "visit" my dad at the cemetery and to introduce him to little Hannah.  It was chilly and Hannah was sleeping, so she stayed in her car seat.  We always visit Grandpa when we are in Chattanooga, so below are pics from this year and previous years. 

Uncle Ryan getting to meet Hannah for the first time 

My mom with Parker and Hannah along with my brother Ryan and his son Dakota 

Parker thinks Uncle Ryan is pretty cool!  He loved touching his whiskers - hah!

Giving Uncle Ryan a kiss - so sweet! 

Thanks Uncle Ryan and Donnie for the cute hunting hat and matching shirt for Hannah! 

Parker was pretty excited about this big box from Grandma Henry.  Of course, I think we could have just gotten him the box and he would have been happy - hah! 

Thanks for the big teddy bear Grandma!

Katey with Hannah - such a sweet picture!

Jake with one of his gifts from my brother and his family.  It was a "doggie dinner plate" with a squeaky duck, corn, and potato.  Jake loves them all!

Donnie, my brother's wife, with Hannah 

I think this is such a cute picture of Dakota and Katey with Hannah! 

Dakota and Parker together.  They are big buds and Dakota is always so sweet with Parker.  He will play with him and entertain him, so Parker really enjoys being with him.  Thanks Dakota for always being so sweet with Parker! 

Dakota and Hannah.  This was funny because Hannah started her hungry cry and Dakota said he was a little "nervous" holding her while she cried! 

All in all we had a good time in Chattanooga and it was nice to see my family.  The kiddos did a great job on the trip back - both of them slept the entire way!  I hope all of you had a wonderful Christmas with your family and friends! 

Christmas Memories

Brad and I had a wonderful Christmas with our 2 sweet little elves this year.  We were able to spend Christmas Eve and Christmas Day as a family of four in our own home, so that was very special.

Christmas Eve started with Jake getting "pampered" at the PetSmart grooming salon (which I call the Doggie Salon).  This is Jake's Christmas present every year - getting to go to the "Doggie Salon" to get a bath and brush.  He absolutely loves it!  He gets a "Pawgress Report" which lets me know what products they used and how he did.  The groomer Loren told me Jake did great and he loved getting bathed, brushed and dried.  He loves the dryer they use on him - hah!  He is excited to go into the salon and he's excited when he comes out.  His coat was very shiny and he smelled so good!

When we got home from the salon, Parker and I made some Christmas cookies together.  It was a lot of fun this year, because Parker could actually help (last year he just observed and sampled) - hah!

Making Jake a dog bone cookie.

We were doing so good until Parker realized the dough was edible.  He took 1 bite and then the cookie making was over because he wanted to continue sampling the dough - hah! 

So, here were the cookies Parker made (notice the missing leg on the gingerbread dude), yep, Parker gobbled his leg right off - hah!  All in all, we had a fun time and I thought Parker did a great job for his 1st attempt at cookie making.

Ahhh, the finished product!  Parker could not wait to eat his cookie!

Parker grabbed the spoon of green icing and ate a spoonful when I wasn't paying attention.  This was his face once I caught him and took the spoon away - hah!

Christmas Eve night, we worked on our letters to Santa.  Parker helped "decorate" the papers and Hannah just observed.

Christmas morning we went to church then came home to see what Santa had brought everyone.

Parker with his gifts from Santa

Santa brought Parker a "String a Farm"

And, Santa brought Parker a puzzle with doors that open that has magnetic animals inside!

Santa brought little Hannah a jingle toy, a crunchy rattle and a snowgirl shirt.

Santa brought Jake 2 squeaky toys and 2 chewy treats.

We also opened our gifts from our family.  Grandma and Grandpa Kleeman got Parker this book "Llama Llama Holiday Drama."  He loves it!  We have two of the "Llama Llama" books and those are Parker's favorites.  They also got Hannah some diapers, wipes and a cute little purple and gray outfit.  Thanks Grandma and Grandpa!

My best friend Amy and her family got Parker this cool learning bus toy.  

They also got Hannah a cute pink and gray outfit with sparkly pink shoes.  Thank you so much for the gifts Amy, Casey, Colton and Chase!

My sister and her family got Parker this loud motorcycle toy and some clothes.  My sister and brother-in-law, Kevin, always finds the loudest and most annoying toys - hah!

They also got Hannah 2 cute outfits and a soft teddy bear.  Thanks so much Amber, Kevin, Dustin and Shelby!

What a wonderful Christmas we all had together!