Dandy December {2017}

Well, most of our December was already documented in my Christmas posts, but I can't not include these other random memories from the month.  It was all "fine and dandy!"

We started the month off with a very special birthday celebration.  Our little Grayson turned one on the first so it was a very special "golden" birthday.  Babies really do grow up too fast, and this one was definitely no exception.  Where did this year go? 

I made meatloaf for dinner one night which I hadn't made in a very long time.  Everyone seemed to like it. 

My sweet Grayson and I enjoyed swinging together at our new neighborhood park.  I have never seen a swing like this, and it is the best for parents of small children.  He liked when I turned him around to face me. 

My Mattox and I were "twinning" in our glasses.  We do make them look good if I do say so myself.  Haha! 

Grayson and I went down the slide together. 

And big brother Evan "forced" Mattox to do the slide with him.  Doesn't that look like torture? 

Yep, he was not a happy camper.  Silly boy. 

But he liked being in this tunnel with little brother. 

The big boys rode their bikes to the park. 

These little boys just love playing together all the time.  They also love their dog Cocoa who doesn't get to be out in the main part of the house a lot because of her excessive shedding and smelliness.  Haha! 

The church ladies had a craft day in which we made some wooden welcome signs.  Grayson was "flirting" with this little girl during our Wednesday night Bible study, and another church friend snapped this picture. 

Baby Grayson was using Daddy's head for support to stand on the bed. 

Mattox added a new car to his Christmas list.  Luckily, Santa had already gotten him one for a much better price elsewhere.  He really loved that VW Beetle though. 

Sweet Grayson enjoying some yummy pasta for Sunday lunch at Carrabba's Italian restaurant. 

Brody was really enjoying that spaghetti.  

Brody colored me that yummy looking mint chocolate chip ice cream cone.  He drew and cut it out too.  Our maple tree finally decided to show some fall color in mid-December...and then lost all the leaves within a week. 

Mattox has aspirations for motorcycle driving.  Yikes! 

Grayson was enjoying sucking on a lemon at lunch. 

Our obligatory picture with the Captain America Minion everytime we eat at Mellow Mushroom.  I foresee being able to use these pictures to track my kids' growth through the years.  Haha! 

We took the kids to see Ferdinand.  Such a cute movie! 

Oh my goodness, I just cracked up at these JibJab videos this Christmas.  Eddie's elf twerking was hilarious.  

And "The Buttcracker" was definitely hilarious.  One picture of Evan's nutcracker image was particularly crude and hilarious, but I didn't post it.  Haha!  Look at little Clara (Grayson) and her Nutcracker (Daddy)...so cute. 

We traveled home to NC for a family Christmas tradition.  I enjoyed seeing the NC flag again and getting my favorite pizza, the Rustica from Brixx.  It has artichoke hearts, prosciutto, kalamata olives, mushrooms, and roasted garlic with mozzarella cheese but no tomato sauce.   Yum! 

The boys enjoyed spending the night in a hotel which is a necessity when we travel home.  Sigh. 

Mattox helps with the luggage. 

I just love these sweet boys who look so much alike. 

After Christmas, we got the chance to take the big boys to see the new Star Wars movie.  Brody was just happy about the giant popcorn we bought. 

Just good times at the movies. 

Grandma was a willing participant in a board game with the boys. 

We ended up eating lunch at a popular Savannah attraction for New Year's weekend.  The Pirates' House has quite a history. 

Brody loved dressing like a pirate. 

And Grayson reluctantly obliged as well. 

The boys with Grandma at the Pirates' House. 

We did not go into downtown for the New Year's Eve celebration because it gets pretty crazy.  They started their own little tradition where instead of something "falling" at midnight, a giant cup is raised as everyone raises their own cups of beverages to toast in the New Year. The special cups for the occasion are called Up Cups.  

The candy shop was all decorated for the holidays.  Mattox just wanted to play in the little boat. 

They all love the little boat play area by the waterfront. 

Oops, I apparently can't read about not climbing on the top as I put Grayson up there for a picture.  Haha! 

I saw that t-shirt design and immediately thought of my hunting and forestry loving boys. 

I just had to keep some funny memes that I saw this month.  The Wizard of Oz one with the reference to Toto's song from the 80's cracked me up. That "quote" by me was generated by some facebook quiz app.  I thought it was a reasonable one. Seems like a lesson I've learned a time or two. 

I did really want some of those nerdy science t-shirts.  The nine planets one gets me.  And the reference to the movie "The Help" is also totally me. 

Apparently, I have been very naughty.  The second one sounds legit. 

Someone really should have bought me that bunny toy for Christmas.  It is totally me.  The unicorn one had the best name though...Glitterpoop!  Haha! 

Well, my most-used words on Facebook mostly reflect my family and my instagram hashtags.  Haha!  The big one that is marked out was just my last name.  Besides that, it seems to reflect what is most important to me.  Hmmm, so what am I a dessert now?  Yikes! 

And of course, it isn't the end of a year anymore without the nine best photos of instagram post.  Haha!  It did summarize our year pretty well though.    

It's Friday!

I haven't done any link ups in forever...I guess I got kind of burnt out.  I just noticed that Mrs. Ashley from the former Adventures of Newlyweds has a new site so I thought I'd link up with her today and share my Friday letters.

Dear January:  Where in the heck did you go?  It can't be February already.  Man, this year is going to go fast, and I have so much to accomplish in the next few months.  *Sigh*

Dear Weather:  You have been insanely crazy lately...70 degrees then below freezing with ice and snow flurries then back to 70 degrees then insane tornado warnings and rain and then blustery windy days like today.  Either winter needs to give us some lovely white stuff or Spring just needs to come and stay.

Dear Evan and Brody:  I really enjoyed going to the circus with you boys although it was a very late night on my one weeknight that I don't have class.  You both were very good watching the show although Brody did try to grab the hair of the little boy sitting in front of him.  Ha!  You both also seemed to enjoy running through the rain after the show on the way to the car...Mommy did not!

Dear Brody:  I was so worried on Monday when your teacher called and said you had thrown up within just a few minutes of my dropping you off.  You had no symptoms of being sick, but I knew a stomach virus had been going around.  Thankfully, you seemed fine the rest of the day besides your usual little stuffy, runny nose and congestion.  I think you just gagged or something from your cold.  You definitely didn't seem to be feeling bad in this picture after Mommy picked you up and took you home.

Dear Baby Girl:  I am having so much fun finally buying some pink and girl stuff, and yes, I already have quite a start on your wardrobe.  I just couldn't resist a few purchases already.  I must make more because I just love getting those sweet packages in the mail for you.

This was a must have that I had been coveting for months from our favorite store.  It is hard to see in the picture, but it has an adorable bunny embroidered on it and is the softest cotton.  I was so worried they would be all sold out before I got one, and they were from the store so we had to order online.  This store comes out with several different clothing lines each season so they are only available for a limited time. Yes, bunnies are my weakness so there will be lots more of these purchases. ;-) 

And these adorable little shoes were also a must have from the same store that I had my eye on for a while.  

And I already purchased the first Christmas dress because it was on sale from this Christmas.  I just had to have the sweet nativity smocked dress. 

Dear Evan and Brody:  I think I am not going to be able to take you shopping with me anymore.  You both like very expensive things these days.

Evan loved this little recliner at our local Home Goods. Yes, I know, just perfect for the Super Bowl.  Ha!

Brody, of course, loves any car he can drive and loved this police car at Toys R Us.  I may have to start scouting Craigslist for one of these for his birthday.  

Happy Friday, ya'll!  Hope you have a wonderful weekend!