How To Make The Perfect Tree

 Our family's how to on making the perfect Christmas tree would go a little something like this:

1) Find the perfect tree.  Make sure you have a lot of fun and take a lot of pictures during the search.  For Daddy the Forester, the tree must be tall and full and must be kept watered on the Christmas tree lot if already cut down.





The boys arrive at the Christmas tree farm. 



Evan follows the peppermint path to the Christmas trees. 



He loved hopping on the peppermints.



A lot of love must go into the search.



Working together as a team works best!



Giving Mommy a hug will bring good luck on the search.



Mommy and Brody make great supervisors.



Evan is a good tree inspector.



A little game of hide-n-seek is a must.



And kisses are always welcome.



A little break to play in the straw is okay.



And boys must be allowed to climb some fences!



Mommy and Brody made a great team this year.


2) Decorate with love...and smiles!


Let the baby help straighten the lights.



And big brother hang the first ornament.



Daddy should help big brother hang the special ornaments.



And Mommy too!



An adorable baby should be placed in front of the tree. 



And should be allowed to play with a fun ornament too.



Brody liked this ornament that played his favorite lullaby.



Don't freak out if the baby tries to eat the ornament...it's not the end of the world!


THE PERFECT TREE IS MADE WITH FAMILY, LOVE, AND FUN MIXED IN!

Where a kid can be a kid...

Yes, I finally  had to give in and take Evan to Chuck E. Cheese's for his long time friend Bryant's birthday party.  Bryant and Evan had not seen each other in a few months since they no longer go to school together so it was very important that we not miss this big event.  Unfortunately, Bryant's mother had to book his birthday party on the weekend after Thanksgiving because it was the only time available.  Evan had been seeing the advertisements on TV and really wanted to go so we were happy for this opportunity.  Mommy took him while Daddy kept Brody.  Needless to say, Evan had a great time!



The first ride had to be with Chuck!




Evan really enjoyed getting to ride a horse. 







Bryant and Evan really enjoyed this game of air hockey. 




Cruisin' for chicks! 




This picture reminds me of Evan's Uncle Paul's wilder days when he was cruising the streets of Goldsboro with his buddies!  Haha!




These boys always have a blast together!




Enjoying some pizza.




Bryant has been a serious Cars fanatic for several years.  For some reason, I can't even get Evan to sit down and watch this whole movie although he has no trouble watching Transformers 1, 2, and 3 which aren't even made for kids!  




Bryant with his parents.



Evan nibbles at his cupcake. Have I mentioned this kid is no longer crazy about cake? I mean, you would never have guessed it after his first birthday!



The birthday boy with Chuck E. Cheese.



All the kids with Chuck E.



Bryant in the "tank." Not really a deprivation tank...he got to go in and try to capture as many tickets as he could hold.



Evan enjoyed this little roller coaster simulator. I sure hope he enjoys riding big coasters one day with Mommy!



Bryant really liked his present from Evan...the only non-Cars related gift.



Evan gives Bryant a big squeeze goodbye!

Our Thanksgiving

We are so thankful to be able to share Thanksgiving with both of our families every year.  We know how blessed we are to be able to live near family.  I was a very bad memory maker on Thanksgiving day and amidst the hustle and bustle of getting our dishes prepared and getting two kids ready and out the door, I forgot our camera to take pictures of our wonderful feast with the Reese-Hudson clan.  We had a great time catching up with Eddie's Mom, sister, Grandfather, Aunt Homa, cousin Hudson with girlfriend, Lindsay, cousin Jason, Aunt Dava, and Uncle Garry.  We had so much to talk about and many of the family had not yet met Brody.  Aunt Homa really enjoyed holding Brody as she was missing her own sweet grandbabies (and awaiting news of the birth of her newest grandsons, Elliot and Ezra (the twins).  With the births of three new babies in the last couple of weeks, Eddie's Grandpa now has 11 great-grandchildren under the age of 5.  Wow, craziness!  What a blessed family!  And there is still one more on the way next year.  Anyway, I don't want to forget the wonderful day we spent with my wonderful in-laws and the marvelous events surrounding this Thanksgiving season. 

Thanksgiving weekend was very busy with decorating and preparing our home for the Christmas season.  On Sunday, we celebrated Thanksgiving with my family.  The Smith family has also been extremely blessed this year with the addition of 2 sweet babies, little Brody and his sweet, beautiful cousin Cate.  Nana and Papa are up to six grandchildren and counting!  Hehe!  The more the merrier, right? 

Here are some of the pictures I captured of our wonderful Thanksgiving feast mostly prepared by my amazing husband and sister-in-law:


Daddy's infamous and tasty apple sage turkey.



Some yummy treats prepared by Aunt Jessica.



Daddy carves the turkey.



The adult's table is set.  We enjoyed our meal in the comfortable and beautiful home of Uncle Paul and Aunt Jessica.



The children prepare to dine.  We really wish our kids could appreciate all of the amazing food a little more, but they are mostly just interested in playing when together.



The men prepare their plates.



Aunt Jessica prepares to sample her creations.



The adult table.  Yes, someone is missing.  Someone's got to take the pictures!



There's her plate filled with yummy goodness.



Sweet cousin Cate hangs out with Daddy at the table.  Brody was sleeping in her swing.



Beautiful girl!



Thankful for healthy babies!



Brody enjoys playing with Cate's toys after his dinner.



Miss Cate loves her playmat and just rolls all over it. 



And what Thanksgiving is complete without a delicious pecan pie?  Courtesy of yours truly! 


Dear Father in Heaven,

We thank you for our bountiful blessings this year.  Most importantly, we thank you for sending your son, Jesus, to save us.  You are the reason for this Thanksgiving and Christmas season, and we do not want to forget it!  We are so very thankful for the safe arrival of our beautiful, healthy little Brody and for keeping our family together through the good times and the bad.  With thankful and grateful hearts, we ask for your continued blessings in the coming year! 

Love,
The Reese Family