More Snow....Date Night!

Josh and I were planning to have a super fun date night on Wednesday night by going to the UT/Memphis basketball game...BUT, it started snowing that afternoon.  The neighbor kiddos came over for some fun in the snow and playing with Colton.  Luckily, the snow didn't stick too much to the roads, so we were still able to make it to the game, and the VOLS WON!

Colton's First UT Basketball Game!

When my Mom and Aunt Shirley were in town for Christmas, we decided that it would be fun for all of us to go to a UT bball game!  Our good friends, Mark Pancratz (one of the UT bball coaches) and Blake Johnson (works at UT) got us great tickets...thanks!  We weren't too sure how Colton would do...if he would be interested or not.  Well, he was mesmerized!  My Mom and I stayed for the first half, and then took Colton home to go to bed.  The Vols won with a last second shot!

The Liners...right before I took Colton home.

The "orange" Santa was a litle much...ha!  But the candy cane was yummy!

We ran into our Bible Fellowship Teacher (and executive pastor :-) and his sweet son Parker!

GO VOLS or as Colton says, "Tenn-see!"

Gran T lovin' on Colton!

The "tired face" began at the end of the 2nd quarter.

We had a great time, and we look forward to taking Colton to many more UT games!

New Years in DC!

Colton and I left Knoxville with my Mom on Monday after Christmas.  We were able to spend a few days in Roanoke before we headed to my brother's house in DC.  I LOVE getting the chance to go visit them, especially because Colton adores his cousins Patrick ("Paaaaaatrick") and Madeline ("Maddie").  On Friday morning, we "recreated" Christmas Day, so when the kids woke up, there were presents under the tree!  On New Year's Eve, we put the kiddos to bed, got a babysitter, and headed to a truly unique restaurant that was wonderful...it is a gourmet cheese shop with a restaurant in the back :-)  We had a great time, and can't wait to go back!

 The kids were filled with excitement!

 Colton yells out "Paaaaaaatrick Paaaaaaatirck" over and over...so cute!

 Colton and Madeline gaves lots of cousin kisses to each other.

 Colton tried to ride Patrick's new bike...maybe next year :-)

Colton and I followed behind Patrick as he rode his bike to the neighborhood park.  The boys had a blast on the swings...Colton was "laughing it up" with Patrick!

Sweet Patrick holding Colton as they went down the slide together.  By the way, Patrick went to a super fun birthday party earlier in the day where they painted his face like Spider Man :-)

"Peekaboo"

 Gran T got the boys the same pjs since they are both ball crazy!

Mom and I before heading out to our New Year's Dinner.

I love the time I get to spend with my big brother!  We had such a fun night and weekend in DC!

Christmas Day!

We had a nice and relaxing Christmas this year.  I am thinking this may be the last year of sleeping in on Christmas morning, as next year, I expect Colton to wake up nice and early ready to open presents.  Josh and I had fun filling the "unexpected" stockings for my Mom and Aunt Shirley (and each other of course) on Christmas Eve.  We enjoyed a yummy breakfast, then started opening our stockings, and then the rest of the presents.  Colton really wasn't into the actual opening of the presents, but he did like playing with his toys once they were opened :-)

 Santa came to Rayworth Trail!!!

 We couldn't fit everything in the stockings...as you can see, Josh got me a few "gag" gifts :-)

 Mr. Santa Potato Head!

 He LOVED this horse and the fun noises it makes!

 Dance Star Mickey was another big hit!

 Relaxing while we opened gifts.

 Colton had a lot of fun with his new bowling set!

And to top it off, we had a beautful WHITE CHRISTMAS (for the second year in a row)!

Christmas Eve!

This year, my Mom and my Aunt Shirley came to TN for Christmas...the first time for us to be at home and "host" Christmas.  We went to our churches Christmas Eve service (which was awesome in itself).  Then, Nana and Poppa (Josh's parents) came over for dinner.  We enjoyed a great evening of worship, yummy food, and fellowship together as family!

 Gran T and Colton getting ready to leave for church!

 It was fun decorating the table for dinner!

 Here is the Christmas Eve gang diggin in!

 Sweet Nana and Poppa.  We really enjoyed the old stories Josh's parents told...especially about the mischief Josh got into growing up :-)

We were so happy to spend Christmas Eve with both of our families!

One more party!

Our Bible Fellowship class from church had a super fun Christmas party at Daniel and Tiffany Barton's house on Thursday night.  Everyone brought festive soups, chillis, breads, and assortments of yummy desserts!  We all brought "white elephant" gifts to exchange...some were decent enough to keep and others were hilarious!  We are so thankful for everyone in our class, and especially for Greg and Tonya for leading and encouraging us each week!

About half of our class couldn't make it because we had to change the night of the party due to snow.

Josh and I enjoyed time together with everyone while our sweet neighbor girls kept Colton (and put him to bed sucessfully:-)

                                                       Josh and Bennie Boo

 Aaron was the really winner of the bunch...he scored this awesome jacket...ha!

Greg was super excited about this backpack...I think because it still had tags and Parker or Turner would love it:-)

Another funny gift...notice the title, and when she opened it, all the pages were blank!

Tiffany got this super cool camo hat that has built in lights!  Thanks to Tiffany and Daniel for opening up their home for such a fun evening!

Colton meets Santa!

We went to meet "Santahhh" on Friday night at Bass Pro Shops, which is where Colton meet Santa for the first time last Christmas!  We weren't sure if he would be afraid, cry, or even refuse to sit on his lap.  But, in typical Colton fashion, he plopped right down, and looked right at him.  He was curious and a little cautious at the same time.  Everything was going great until Santa pointed his arm to the camera...Santa had bells around his wrist that made a loud jingle sound.  That sort of startled Colton, and he would flutter his eyes real fast.  When he got off his lap, he said "Bye Bye Santa!"  It is so fun being a parent during Christmas!

 Getting ready to leave the house to visit Santa!

 Daddy and Colton action silly in line :-)

 By himself, he got down on his knees before it was his turn to walk up to see Santa...taking it all in :-)

 It was a long walk up the red carpet to climb in his lap!

 This is the official picture they took.

 Here is his face when the bells on his wrist jingled..hehe!

 Love this one!

 "Bye Bye Santa"

 When we got home, we tried to hava a mini photo session ;-)

 Looking at his ornament from last year...he almost broke it when he threw it up in the air...good thing Mommy caught it.

Here is Colton's picture with the same Santa from last year :-)