visit with santa

We went to Bass Pro Shop last night to see Santa.  All in all, it was a success.  This was the first year Bryce was willing to sit on Santa's lap.  He looks terrified, but he did really well and told Santa everything he wanted for Christmas!  Emmy lasted a few minutes and then lost it!

 

 

I wasn't able to scan our actual picture into the computer, but it looks a lot like this next one except Emmy and Santa were exchanging a glance.  She wasn't too sure what to think!

 

All the grand kids in front of the big tree.

 

Each year after getting our picture with Santa, we head to the Bass Pro Shop restaurant for dinner and we always seem to stop by this camo chair for a photo op!  Here was our first year back in 2009.

 

One day they will all look at the camera at the same time!  Here they were in 2010.

 

We just love making Christmas memories with the kids!  And here we were last year 2011.

 

more on my love for Target

Bryce made his Christmas list quite a while ago and he definitely has it memorized!  When asked what he wants for Christmas, he rambles off everything but the monster truck set (luckily he hasn't really added anything).  Since I was in control of the making of this list, I feel as though we definitely have to deliver this Christmas!  So, Santa has been quite busy!

 

 

We used the Toys R Us and Target catalogs to make this list.  The Target ad had a page of coupon inserts that helped a TON with the gifts on Bryce's list!. 

 

Monster trucks are at the top of Bryce's Christmas list, but he has so many that I can't seem to make myself spend money on any more!  He loves the Hot Wheels brand monster trucks if anyone is looking for ideas for him for Christmas!!

 

The next thing on his list was a scooter.  Chase has a Lightning McQueen scooter so Bryce insists that he needs one too!  I snagged this scooter on sale and used a $5 coupon for a total savings of $13.99!

 

Next on Bryce's Christmas list was a big boy bike.  Chase has outgrown his first big boy bike so he will be giving Bryce his for Christmas (big money savings score!).  We'll be giving him a helmet and bell to go along with his new riding toys!

 

Again, Bryce needs everything that Chase has so "monster truck set" was put on the list!  I'm not a big fan of the Grave Digger emblems, but it is what it is and I had a $5 coupon for a Hot wheels purchase!

Lastly on his list were Legos.  I went with the Duplo size because I think the standard legos are still too small for him to work well.  And I KNOW they are too small for Emmy and my sanity trying to keep her out of them!  We got him a big box of legos and a mat for building and I had a $5 coupon for a Lego purchase!

 

While I didn't hit the money savings jackpot at Target for Bryce like I did at Toys R Us for Emmy, I'm pleased with my $24 savings!

 

Toys R Us, Fisher Price, and Groupon, OH MY!

Not only do we have TWO kids to buy for this Christmas, we only have ONE salary to do it!  I have enjoyed being a bargain shopper and finding some steals this season.  Just thought I would share the great deals while shopping for Emmy this year! 

 

Bryce has a kitchen at my parent's house that Emmy just loves.  We decided to get her one for our house for Christmas this year.  Even though she doesn't understand the concept of the kitchen or Christmas for that matter, she could spend hours (well maybe lots of minutes, ha) opening and closing the doors!  I found the same kitchen my parents have, but in PINK!  When I purchased it from Toys R Us for $59.99, I was spending enough to get FREE shipping and a FREE toy (of their choice......see next picture).

 

 

With the purchase of the kitchen, I got this Fisher Price Little People Zoo talkers toy (valued at $44.99) for FREE!! 

After reading reviews of the zoo, the only complaint was that it didn't come with many animals.  This weekend I purchased a $20 Toys R Us Groupon for $10.  Jason headed to the store today during lunch because Fisher Price and Toys R Us were offering another great deal, buy 1 get one 1/2 off.  So while I found the animals for cheaper at Target, Toys R Us was comparable with the promotion!  Jason was able to get 6 more animals and only had to spend $2.56 in addition to the Groupon.  So basically we got 6 animals for $12.56 ($10 Groupon and $2.56 out of pocket) instead of $30 for the regularly priced animals. 

 

So excited to have gotten Emmy's presents for under $75 instead of $135 (a little over 44% savings, I think).  I did pretty well with sales and coupons for Bryce's presents too, but that's a whole other post!  And on a totally different topic, does anyone else see an annoying ad at the top of my blog and random words hyperlinked with a little box that pops up when you run over it with your cursor or am I the only one seeing it on my computer?? 

 

thanksgiving

We packed up and headed to Raleigh on Thursday to visit my dad and step mom for Thanksgiving.  We enjoyed eating with them and my step sisters and their families.  We were in lots of pictures but didn't take any.  However, I did remember to pull out the camera later that afternoon when we went to visit my grandparents.  We don't get down there nearly enough so it was great to visit with everyone.

 

 

We came back home today and finished decorating for Christmas and we're looking forward to two more Thanksgiving meals before the weekend is over!

 

lately

We've just been living life around here! Nothing too exciting, but still fun. Here are some recent pictures of the kids, including Macy, ha!

 

Bryce looked so cute walking out of school in his feather hat today!

 

 

Emmy wore the cutest little leg warmers the other day and I just couldn't resist snapping a few pictures.  She enjoys dumping out the straws while I unload the dishwasher.  In my last post I had said that Emmy has mastered the steps.  See for yourself!

 

Macy is just like any other kid.  She likes to carry her "Oscar dog" with her everywhere, especially to bed! 

a helper, a climber, and a party

Jason and I are middle school youth sponsors at our church.  Last Saturday we went on a "Rake and Run" with the kids and helped rake leaves for a lady at our church.  Bryce was so cute helping Jason and he was so willing.  This was a flashback to Jason's childhood.  He spent his Saturdays doing the same thing with his parents! 

 

 

Lucky for Bryce, his hard work paid off.  They let him jump in the leaves!

 

 

Emmy girl has learned to climb.  She and Bryce were playing with the pots and pans the other morning and I found Emmy in the cabinet.

 

She learned how to climb the steps yesterday so now I really have my hands full.

 

Apparently I never blogged about Taylor's third birthday party.  She had a fun party at Kidz Zoom a couple of weeks ago.  Here are MeMa and the grandkids in the inflatable birthday chair!

 

We've also been listening to Christmas music all week and have pulled out a few of our decorations.  Bryce is SO excited about Christmas this year!

 

stone soup

Bryce had his Stone Soup Thanksgiving program at school today.  Since today wasn't a school day for him, he got to come in and help make stone soup before the program.  I was really excited to see him and hear the songs he's been signing around the house for the past few weeks.

 

 

Bryce really surprised me today. He is typically very shy and hides in the background, but today he sang the songs and did all the motions.  It was too cute!

 

This was Bryce's place mat and table decoration he made for today.

 

Bryce and his buddies Aiden and Chase.  I love that Bryce has these specail friends to grow up with.  I'm glad that they have a bond at church and school.

 

I took a video of all the songs they sang, but thought I'd spare you!  I think he participated the most in this one.

out-takes

I have a love hate relationship with Christmas cards.  I LOVE sending them, but I strongly DISLIKE the process of getting the perfect picture.  Fortunately, my good friend Beth is a much more skilled photographer than Jason and I could ever be.  She was generous enough to take pictures of the kids this weekend in hopes of getting the perfect picture!  Hopefully she will be willing to do this again for us down the road when both kids will actually look at the camera and smile at the SAME time!  I think I found a few keepers out of the 325 pictures.  I thought I would let you enjoy a few of the out-takes while you wait for your Christmas card to arrive in the mail.

 

 

If one was smiling at the camera, the other was not!

 

 

If one was looking at the camera, the other was not!

 

Bryce is supposed to be the one I can count on for always looking at the camera and always smiling. 

 

Whether or not they were looking or smiling, they were SO good and you could clearly see how much they love each other!

 

Emmy loves Bryce so much!

 

Bryce loves her too and he puts up with her SO well.

 

I just love how the pictures turned out.  Beth was able to capture so many sweet candid moments of the kids.  If you live in the Richmond area and need a great photographer, check out Elizabeth Lassiter Photography!  Thanks Beth!

 

train day

We headed to the small town of Ashland this morning for their annual train day. This is our third year going and it did not disappoint. It was a beautiful day, the weather was perfect, and we saw tons of our friends!  Next year we're thinking about riding the train from the city to the Ashland train station for train day.

 



 

This was the first year that Bryce wanted to ride the small train.  The line to wait was pretty long, but it wasn't too bad!  Emmy and I held our place in line while Jason took Bryce to the train shaped bounce house!

 

 

Four trains went by while we were there.  Bryce wanted to stand right by the tracks so he could see them as they went by.  He was so cute holding his ears.

 

Such a fun way to spend a Saturday.

 

Now I just need to work on my camera settings so you don't get blinded by the pictures!

for the love of Target....and my Mama

When I was working, it was nothing for me to go to Target on a weekly basis.  I just love Target!  I would go to Target for things I needed and would leave with even more things I didn't need!  It was a fun way to kill time and load up on necessities and other cute things I didn't think I could live without!

 

 

Now that I'm not working, I don't visit Target very often.  I usually only go to buy formula, diapers, and gifts.  I have to put my blinders on and go in for what I need and come right back out!  I don't enjoy wandering aimlessly anymore because I want everything!  I seriously would like to win "Target for a year".

 

My mom and I headed to Target today while Bryce was in school so I could do a little Christmas shopping for him.  As we shopped, I found things that Bryce wanted and things I wanted for myself and Emmy.  My Mama, being the most generous and caring person I know, definitely helped me fill my Target void today!  I left with a new Christmas tree topper, hair bows for Emmy, and lots of pop-tarts for Jason and Bryce (that's exactly what Bryce asked for this morning).  Thanks Mama for always looking out for us and putting a smile on our face!

 

9 months

Emmy girl is 9 months old today!  The older she gets, the more difficult the photo shoot gets.  You will get a kick out of the progression of pictures this time!

 

Height/Length: 27inches (25%)

Weight: 15lbs 14oz (10%)

Head: 16 7/8 (25%)

 

She's petite just like her brother and her parents!  You're wearing 6-9/9mo clothes and size 3 diapers. 



 

You are really starting to show your personality.  You enjoy standing up in your crib and throwing your paci out when we put you to bed at night and for naps.  I typically go in your room 2-3 times to give you your paci before you lay down and give up!  You've started sticking out your tongue when you do things and it is the cutest thing.  You have started babbling a little more.  You say baba and mama and you make an elephant sound!

 

You have been enjoying table food for quite some time even though we didn't get the official go ahead until today.  I don't know how you learned the concept of feeding Macy, but you are always offering Macy your bagel over the side of your high chair.  You are very good at picking up food and putting it in your mouth!  You really enjoy bananas, blueberries, bagels, and you have even eaten green beans!  You can even hold your bottle and feed yourself now!  You spit up a ton when you were younger and it has gotten better, but I will be glad when you are over it!

 

You have gotten two bottom teeth over the past week or so.  You thankfully handled teething very well and I wouldn't have even known you were teething, but I happened to run my finger over one when I was feeding you a piece of food.  You had one night that they may have bothered you, but that was it!  You have your first cold and you are just miserable at night.  You are fine during the day, but you dread me coming at you with the tissue.  Boy does it make you mad when I wipe your nose.  The past two nights have been rough, but you are happy as long as we are holding you.  I just wish I was better at sleeping in the rocker or sofa so I could get more sleep while comforting you!

 

You are a speedy crawler and you pull up on everything.  You have started cruising a little.  You aren't able to stand on your own yet.  I've been working on signing "more", waving, and clapping, but you just aren't ready!

 

Bryceman at 9 months!