Christmas Parties

Such a wonderful time of year - parties, parties everywhere. First was the party at the boy's school. Hatcher's class had prepared a performance - they sang 3 songs to all the parents. It was super cute - Hatcher had a solo. He did so well. I will have to load the video when I get a chance.





Then there was the annual holiday party and Neil and Ramona's house. The usual suspects were present. We got an updated picture of all the kids on the couch. Since the photo was taken, Derek and Cynthia's daughter has arrived and Fran and Colman announced that their 3rd will arrive this spring.





And finally we hit Amy and Greg's house for a quick get together for the kids to do their holiday exchange. They each drew names and had to pick out the gifts. It was super cute. It was also great to see everyone again. Then we headed to see a live nativity scene at church. It was freezing outside, so we went at the last possible minute and headed home the minute it was over...but I was glad the kids got to see it.

First visit with Santa - lighting of the Forum Christmas Tree

We made our annual trip to the Forum the Friday after Thanksgiving for the lighting of the Christmas tree. When we arrived, we didn't see Santa or Mrs. Claus in their usual setting, they were out enjoying the cool night air and admiring the giant Christmas tree. The boys ran right into Santa and Mrs. Claus to see how their were and tell them what they wanted for Christmas. The kids were so excited.




Our visit with Santa was just the begining...the next day we made time to decorate our house. Hatcher and Aidan loved doing the outside decor the most. The weather was perfect...it had been super cold for some time so to have a warmer day was ideal.









We decided to try and visit with Santa one more time - since the first time we felt rushed and it was at night. So back to the Forum we went. This time we also rode the horse-drawn carriage. The kids loved it. Hatcher told Santa he wanted the game Mousetrap and Aidan told Santa he wanted a "round and round Lightening McQueen thing." It was too cute!

Recap of our Thanksgiving...an early one in the Mtns and one at home

This holiday started with a Thanksgiving lunch celebration held at the boys' school. Derek couldn't make it, but I went and enjoyed time with the boys. Hatcher's classroom had a program prepared...it was super cute. Here are few pictures from that.



And, the following evening, the boys had their choir concert at church. They really have enjoyed singing and were looking so forward to the concert. Hatcher loved it...but Aidan took a good while to warm up. By the time he was ready to sing, their 3 songs were ending. Each of their classes sang a total of three songs. Super cute.






We made a semi- last minute decision to meet Grandaddy Wayne and Abuelita...Aunt Roxie, Uncle Jim and Hilton in the mountains for an early family gathering. We stayed in a little house in the NC mountains near Boone. The boys had a blast hanging out with their cousin Hilton and running around the property. We went hiking, shopping and just hung out. Derek and I were glad we could make it and thrilled that we were able to see each other for the holiday. And...The NC gang surprised me on our last night there with a birthday cake and gifts. It was just such a great time. A very big thank you to Wayne and Nuri for letting us have the big bed and room for us and the boys to sleep in. It was very generous of you! Some of my favorite pics.








For Thanksgiving, Derek and I hosted the family at our house. We had both of his brothers and families as well as P'Bo's brothers - in town from Texas. Hatcher and Aidan had the most fun hanging out with Zach. It has been great seeing them play so well and so much more often together.

Its been a while...but we've been so busy

It has been a while since my last post - over a month now. But man have we been busy. Mostly - I think that since my evenings have been filled with work - yes, work - I fell way behind in keeping up this blog. The nights I haven't worked - I was preparing for the holidays or just taking a much needed break. Outside of the holidays, we kept busy up until the week before Christmas - with gymnastics, choir and tennis. All of which happen after school and close to dinner or just after a quick dinner - leaving very little time for unwinding. We have been super lucky this last few weeks of the year, Derek really didn't have to travel all that much and was home for dinner most nights. I love when he is home - he takes bath duty - and he helps put the laundry away. So although it was almost 7 weeks ago it seems like we just got back from Disney. Thanksgiving seems a blur and Christmas flew by. So, before I have a massive blog download to catch up - let me just give you some highlights on the boys.

First off - can i just say how much I love being the mother to these special boys. They light UP our lives and make each day so special and unique. They are growing like weeds - both physically and mentally. Half way through pre-K, Hatcher is getting really getting so good at writing. He wrote several of his own thank you notes this holiday and is really excited about learning to read more. Aidan is talking up a storm and finding his own personality. He likes things his way...and doesn't mind getting into trouble if it means he can hold his ground. Aidan is still trying to write his whole name - but really has only perfected A, i and D. He is counting really well and loves to stop me in the middle of a book to count out the items on a page. Both boys LOVE music; however, Aidan is more the dancer and Hatcher more the singer. Derek plays rockband with them all the time and is really good about just turning the radio/ipod on. They are both getting better about sleeping in their beds all night long. Derek and I are getting at least one night a week without kids coming in our bed - so we are making progress. Although, most nights, we do have at least one of them come in between 2-4 am. They are so much fun...and such good boys...we are so lucky.

Our family trip to DisneyWorld!

It was kind of a last minute decision. We had been talking about taking the boys to Disney World...but we weren't sure when. But, the more we thought about it with Hatcher starting Kindergarten next fall, it seemed this year was as good a time as any. We consulted with several families who had been along with one who went the week before we were planning to go. I kept trying to get good reservations for Breakfast and dinners...and find the best way to map out our days...so we could make the most of our trip for less. We left Atlanta last Thursday morning - after a quick visit to the doctors office. The boys both had running noses for the previous 2 days and coughs had kicked in...so I wanted to be sure we weren't headed for a weekend of hell. After the all clear - we're on the road and drove south to Florida.


The weather was perfect...highs in the 70s and lows in the 50s. Really - it was the best time of year. We mapped out our days the night before and first thing Friday morning we were off to have breakfast in the Magic Kingdom with Pooh and friends. That was an awesome start to the day. We were in the park before it opened and enjoyed the awe of it all without the crowds. After breakfast it was time to meet some more characters and ride the rides. Hatcher's favorite ride was Goofy's Barnstormer roller coaster. Aidan's favorite part of the day was the Mickey's Philharmonic 3D show. He talked about it all day. I loved the whole experience...watching the kids excitement on the rides and meeting the characters. So many smiles and laughs - you just couldn't have a bad day. We went to dinner that night with characters from the Lion King. Dinner sucked - but the kids had fun.


Day 2 - off early again. We enjoyed the early park access at Magic Kingdom so much that I kept calling all day for an open reservation for breakfast at Animal Kingdom - at the Tusker House with Donald, Mickey, Daisy and Goofy. Boy did we luck out. Not only was it great to arrive first at the park before it opened - but the food was fabulous!!! Then it was off to the safari ride. We all LOVED that! Highly recommend it to everyone - every age. Then off to the petting zoo via a cool train ride. Then a tour through an "Asian zoo" and finally to DinoLand! The kids loved the giant playground with slides and fossil bones all around from a variety of dinosaurs. We decided to head back to the hotel after lunch, nap and then head to Hollywood Studios to see a few more characters - mainly Woody and Buzz and most of all Mater! We really lucked out again. Hollywood Studios was holding a magic lights show - over 500,000 LED lights hung for Christmas - set to music. They even had snow falling. And for our final night at Disney - we headed back to Magic Kingdom around 8 pm to see the parade and fireworks. That was probably where we could have used another day. It was too much - but we enjoyed it - all four of us really enjoyed it.


We will most definitely go again - hopefully next year. The kids are already asking about what all we can do next time. Some of my favorite photos are here - but with nearly 800 photos - of course, I had to create a montage video. Be prepared, it is about 7 minutes long. Enjoy.

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Trick or Treat...and lots of them!

After a great party we were more than happy to take it easy on Halloween day - a Sunday. It was another beautiful day here in GA. The air was crisp and dry and although it warmed up nicely, the temps dropped with the sun. A perfect night for dressing up and going trick or treating..but first...we still had to carve our pumpkins. Hatcher is really getting good at it. He drew the face and really was gung-ho about trying to carve it all by himself.









Well I guess it has become a new tradition - going trick or treating with the Smiths! They just have the best neighborhood for kids. The folks meet out on the corners and wait for the kids to come around. Some had coolers with drinks and fire pits to warm up near. Others had elaborate haunted houses - donate a canned good for charity and you could go through for free. The haunted house is a staple in the neighborhood - been doing it for 14 years now! Everyone says hello and there are just TONS of kids out. I had to do a few small repairs to the boys costumes - and we depleted our hairspray dye reserves - but we were ready to go! Off to get a little candy. Did I mention the candy...good lord. The boys brought home almost just as much candy as we bought to share at the party.


All the kids ready to go: Tomy, Owen, Aidan, Hatcher and Haley










Until next year...so much fun. Now I am looking forward to Thanksgiving. But even better...we leave for Disneyworld on Thursday. Derek is on the verge of being super duper sick with another cold...so I am hoping all is well. I am so excited for our trip. I hope the boys have so much fun!