Day after Christmas

The day after Christmas we were pretty much lazy most of the day and John went hunting. We did Christmas with his family that night. Unfortunately, Ty was working. We had fun and ate to much like normal. Braedon had his first mishap and threw a ball through a window with the help of Jayden. He did do the throwing but she told him too.. NO she did not tell on him and he didn't say a word... John and I were both in the room when it happened. I had no idea a little rubber bouncy ball would break a window. OH well accidents happen and there will be many more... SORRY MAW!!! This wrapped our Christmas up!!!! Braedon got sick tonight. His fever shot up to 103.4 and we ended up coming home. We did go to the dr on Monday and it is swollen tonsils and an ear infection. We are likely looking at removing his tonsils pretty soon but this mama is kinda hoping NOT!!! I hope everyone else had a MERRY MERRY CHRISTMAS. I wish everyone a HAPPY HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

Braedon opening his presents from Maw and Granddaddy!!

Grandaddy in Braedon's favorite riding toy!!! I am surprised Braedon is not in it or trying to get in it. Maw with two of her grandkids. Of course, neither of them would look at the camera at the same time!!!!

Christmas Day

Braedon's Stash from Santa... He didn't know what to play with first.. .He said WOW MOM!!!!

Daddy thought he would play too. He opened one present that's hit.. Then he thought they were all clothes and he moved one to playing.

He loved Mr. Potato Head..> He screamed TOY STORY!!! Of course that is his favorite show! His daddy showed him how to target shoot as well!!!

Granny gave Braedon his favorite gift of all.. The rideable front end loader. He has gone all over the house. The boys, Michael and Jacob, are all opening their gifts here. Jacob still didn't feel real good and Mama ended up getting sick!

Jacob was suppose to be showing Braedon how to do the legos and lego table but I think he ended up just playing himself. Mama played with Mr. Potato head with Braedon. She couldn't believe that they come with REAL clothes now not just plastic ones!!!

Christmas Day we changed up a bit BUT OF COURSE, Santa came like normal and boy, he must have emptied the sleigh!! Braedon got everything under the sun and more. We had a great time with him that morning before the chaos started.

We have always gone to my mother's house on Christmas morning and opened gifts and ate lunch... then the grandparents all appeared one by one whenever they pleased. This year was a little different. Mama decided that I needed to start my own tradition since I have kids. SOOOO I did. Now I will not leave my house on Chrismas day like she used to do and everyone will come to my house and open gifts then eat lunch. This year we cooked lunch at my house and my parents, my brothers, John's parents, and Grandpa were all here for lunch. Then Mawmaw and Pawpaw came in later and ate as well. Unfortunately Grandma and Gerald did not come because she didn't want to catch anyone's sickness or get out in the snow. YES SUPRISE WE HAD A WHITE CHRISTMAS IN MISSISSIPPI. Of course it did not stick around but it was still pretty while it lasted. Amber did not make it to the house either but she did make it to Jayi's later. Chad and Leslie stopped by Christmas night to visit for a minute as well. We enjoyed every minute of our Christmas day. Best thing of all... John was here for it all. It was super great having him to share it all with especially with Braedon enjoying it like he did!!!

Christmas Eve

Braedon LOVES Mawmaw's banana pudding.. .he would not share. John and I

Notice the facial expression. He had to get it out and shoot everyone. Mawmaw and Pawpaw's face here is priceless. They were laughing at Braedon and they just look so wonderful and happy. Notice Jacob. He was sick and didn't feel like being there but he was for his grandparents.

Living Room in chaos and Braedon with hat Bev gave him. He loves ALL hats. Notice Braedon on top of the cooker. He was jumpoing off to Michael. He is such a dare devil and Michael just encourages him!!!

Chad was more excited over Miles' (???) little gifts. I, of course, the teacher, got him books and mama got him some camo coveralls.... They were so cute.

We always celebrate Christmas with the Presley's on Christmas Eve at Mawmaw and Pawpaw's house. This year was no different EXCEPT John was home. We were all excited for John to finally be at home Christmas. Its a rare thing around here. He was home Braedon's 1st Christmas but he had to leave that very day. It was SAD! Anyway he was home this year. We had a blast at Mawmaw's like normal and ate and ate and ate... Her dressing is like no other and this year it was scruptious!!! We did miss Leslie this year. Her family celebrates at the same time. We got to revamp this whole thing before next Christmas so the baby can be at both places as well.

Thanksgiving

Braedon loved playing in the fountains

We sat down to eat together with a little formal sitting

Braedon was hiding under the GLASS table as we waited for Uncle Michael to join us.

This is 3 of the 4 generations... they are missing the 3rd ME cause I was behind the camera!!! Pawpaw was 82 this year, Braedon was 3 and Daddy is 49!!!

Braedon Loves his pawpaw...

Its been a while since I have posted anything so I am starting with Thanksgiving. We did something a little different this year. At the last minute Mawmaw decided she wasn't cooking. SO we decided to go out for Thankgiving... We went to the Holiday Inn in Columbus for lunch. HONESTLY..... it was a pretty good idea... no one had to cook, wash dishes, or clean up their house. It was not like normal though. The food was good but not like Mawmaw's Overall good experience... We did go to Mawmaw's that Saturday for a big family feast. On Thanksgiving night we went to the Banks' house to eat with just Mr. Bubba and Mrs. Pat.. the boys were working. That same night Carrie and I left around 8:00 going shopping in Tupelo. We had fun but we will probably change our tradition back to leaving early and hitting walmart in West Point first. We always have a good time though. We got back around 3 that afternoon right in time for a good NAP!!!!

Busy Week

Bowling at Bulldawg Lanes. Braedon's favorite part was the shoes!

The week John is at home goes by like a flash. We of course stayed busy this time just like every time. He got home on early on Tuesday morning but we did not see him before leaving for work. I didn't really want Braedon to see him and then cry all the way to daycare and then all day long and since John was just getting home I knew he would be busy. On Tuesday night we got the pleasure of keeping Laurel and Layla. Laurel and Braedon are so funny together and John enjoyed seeing them interact. He never gets to see him with other kids like I do so it was a treat. I also got the pleasure of giving Laurel her first sucker (or Layla said it was her first)! Boy I was her favorite person in the world until I had to take the stick away from her. But I just gave her a new one. We had so much fun with the three kidos!!!!

Braedon getting ready for hunting season!

Wednesday, Braedon ended up getting sick or had fever and I took him to the dr. Of course, they didnt' find anything wrong but since he had been exposed to Strep and the flu they treated him for both. I now believe that he just wanted to stay home with his daddy which he got to do Thursday. By the time I got home, John had been "stuck" in the house to long he said and had to do something. Well needless to say this did not sit well but that is different story different day. I ended up taking Braedon to mama's and Carrie and I went to weigh in. We are both currently Life Time members and Weight Watchers and have been for about three months now... BUT that is for now with me... Holidays will not help me lose anything I am sure! But that is okay. I know how to lose it again. Anyway we enjoyed out "girls night with no kids". This is rare for us... like once a month!!!! Friday night we stayed in and then Saturday I did Frosty Frollies in Macon and enjoyed seeing everyone. Braedon stayed home with his daddy and then that night we went to the Grill in Starkville to eat supper and watch the ball game. Mrs. Pat kept Braedon for us that night and he enjoyed his time with them and Jayden! Sunday was a rainy day. We overslept for church then John and Braedon slept all through lunch. We ended up going bowling that afternoon. It was Braedon's first time. He loved it but did throw a few fits since he is so independent and all!!! John had to leave Monday night but we did have a great week with him. Unfortunately he will not be home Thanksgiving but that is ok because he will be home Christmas this year and we are thrilled!!!!

Busy Busy

This weekend went by way tooo fast. We decided to stay home Friday night instead of going to town with mama and Jacob like we usually do.... Instead we went Saturday. There were a few open houses that I wanted to hit up in Downtown Columbus. We left the house around 10:30 and went to Columbus. We ended up going in every shop that was open downtown. Everybody had some really cute stuff but I was just not in the Christmas Spirit. I did buy Braedon the cutest Christmas shirt in Ethan's Closet by Party and Paper. It is a sister store to Monograms. I guess Monograms is going to move their children's stuff to the new store. Other than that I did not buy anything... I probably would not have bought that had I not drew a 40 percent off! I guess I will get in the mood by Black Friday. Carrie and I always hit up all the sales. This year we are even contemplating the Midnight sales... Whoohoo!!!
After shopping, Braedon and I went to eat lunch at Peps as he calls it. He always wants a dot dog and then he calls Peppers... Peps. He was a fantastic little date. It is amazing how he acts when it is just us...like a little angel... but let someone else be with us and he is a hellion!!! After Peps we ran in Kmart to get little Miss Camryn Higginbotham a birthday present. He threw a little fit in the store because he wanted Toy Story 3! Santa has that on his list so I didn't get it. From there we went to the Pumpkin Patch. Braedon slept for about the first 45 minutes then he joined the fun. He loved it! I believe all the children had a great time and it was good to see Nikki and Kellis and the families.
SInce we were in Caledonia, we went on to visit all of my grandparents. We ended up leaving Caledonia around 6 or so and went to walmart. Braedon fell asleep on the way and ended up sleeping in the buggy curled up in my jacket. It was precious but of course my camera was in the car. Best walmart trip since he was a infant!!!! I left there (with him still asleep) and went throw Wendy's. The minute he heard the speaker he woke up saying I eat. I eat... My child never turns down food. He ate of course, and then we made a quick trip by mama's to see Dayll as he calls Daddy! He just loves him...wish he could see more of him! Anyway great Saturday. When we got home, we were both give out and I didn't even unload. We woke up Sunday and went to church, visited with mom and dad again and then came home to a lazy Sunday... It was fantastic! Now John comes home tomorrow and I know we will have a great week with lots of fun planned. I will post pics later of the eventful weekend.

Braedon's Growing up

This is Braedon as a dog for his first halloween. I remember having to go take his pictures in the costume because it was really to little. He would not have been able to wear it another day... they just grow so fast. In 2009, he was monkey. This year for some odd reason, he was a dog again... but boy has he grown! Time sure does fly when your having fun. It seems like yesterday, he was so tiny and sweet and innocent! Then I blinked and now he acts so grown. He can still be sweet but not all the time and he is not very innocent unless he's being sweet... He is absolutely all boy but he is the love our lives and we are so Thankful for this precious little boy each and every day!

I have been looking at old pictures so I thought I would compare some of Braedon. This is a picture of him taken in the Cotton Truck at the pumpkin patch this year (red shirt) and last year 2009. He has changed looks so much. It looks like a little boy now. Kinda sad!

2 year photo shoot!!!

My fabulous cousin/friend/student/photographer took Braedon's two year old pictures for me. I don't typically like the studio type photos... I am more of a natural type pic. Posed photos almost look so fake sometimes. Well these are definately not fake nor are they posed. We chose to do the Pumpkin patch which had a darling set up but my child was totally uncooperative. He screamed and cried the entire time and was the ultimate embarrassment. I profusely apologized to Julianna because she had never seen this side of Braedon and honestly neither have I. He is usually fine outside no matter the time of day or place but this day was a different story! ALTHOUGH he as terrible, Julianna did a fantastic job and got some priceless pictures that I ended up loving. I have showed them to lots of people and they have just marveld at at how good they really turned out despite my child. Here take a sneak peak for yourself! Thanks Julianna... I promise next time I will try to have a better idea that involves no riding and no interruption of nap time!!!!!!!!!

Halloween 2010

As we have done for the past 5 years (minus year Braedon was born), we go to Grandma and Gerald's for a Halloween celebration with the Gentry family and with the Nolands. It is a grand thing for the kiddos and even the big kids. I have dressed up the last three years and we just have so much fun. All the houses are decked out in Halloween decorations from coffins, witches, graveyards, skeletons, monsters, and even scare scrows! If you can think of it.... its there. It is so much fun. Last year Braedon went as a Monkey, I called Bubbles and I went as Bubble's Master, Michael Jackson! This year he was a dalmation and I was a somewhat, Cruella De Ville. I just dress up for pics then I change into normal clothes. We have all types of "monsterous" food... I will post examples. Everyone just has a blast. Braedon really enjoyed trick or treating this year. He was little Mr. Independent and did it all on his own. His little "tick or teet" was so cute and everyone just oooodled over him. He even threw in a few "tank yous"! These are the times I will never forget of course. There were a few things that scared him of course. Grandpa being the main thing. He just didn't like anyone's mask. Later on Braedon kept referring to him as "bad Granpa" Bad Ugggy! It was so cute. I just hope he doesn't associate the mask with grandpa from now on. We really missed Nichole, Briley, Jenn, Vanah, and Landon. It was not the same without you!!!!!

I took Braedon to the CA Harvest Carnival... to see everyone that I never see and to enter Braedon in the contest. Well I saw everyone alright... I can also count on my hands who spoke even if I spoke to them.... BUt that is besides the point.... Braedon was precious and so were all the other little people. Braedon won Funniest this year. I think he won Cutest last year but I can't remember. Anyway he was so cute and funny! BUT according to some he only one because he climbed on the hay... well whatever works! I didn't care if he won or not.... I did it for the fun of it Then Braedon played the games. He had a blast!!!!! Enjoy the pics!

Catching up

I have not blogged in a long long LONG time. I just seems like there are more important things to do. Not to mention I have a two year old that does not even like for me to walk to the computer room. People say that I could do it when he is asleep but most of the time I beat him to sleep. I know that sounds terrible but he is locked in the room in the bed with me so if he moves I wake up. Yes, he still sleeps in the bed with me when John is gone and in his bed when John is home. It works for me. I know everyones thoughts on this and frankly, its none of anyone elses' business so therefore if it don't bother me, it shouldn't bother you. I love waking up to his sweet hugs and kisses on Sat and Sun and he sleeps til I drag him out of the bed on Mon- Fri.! I could complain about his little toes in my back every night and this could be why I am having a back issue NOW but I am not complaining. He will sleep in his bed if I put him in there but I don't. If I have another child within this decade, I might put him in his bed for good. If we move to a new house in the near future, I might start out putting him in his own bed but who knows. Anyway enough on that soap box! Judge me! Who cares?
Life is good. My job is fantastic although I guess its got its draw backs! SOME folks in Noxubee county love to form opinions and decide things that aren't true so in return it sucks for me sometimes! BUT I do love my job and all the people I work with. Braedon loves Miss Tammy and she is fantastic! He loves the people in his room and throws a fit when I pick him up! This is great but then again it sucks!!!! Least I know he is having fun. The next question is always "where you gonna send him to school"? Well that is two years from now..... I don't even know where I will be living. If I am still teaching a PA, he is going. If I am somewhere else, we'll just have to see.
John is doing great. He is not pilot/captain on his boat. He travels from Houston to Mobile and typically loves his job just not being gone. Deer season is starting so therefore, the marriage will be interrupted. That is ok!!! I have plenty to do.... Its the Holidays! My favorite time of year. That is my update on the family! I am going to start posting some new things and try to keep up with this as much as possible. I know some people really enjoy it! I guess I will start with the Halloween Blog next!!!!

Fort Walton Beach

We went to Ft. Walton Beach for our first vacation as a family. Braedon and I went last year but this year Johnathan joined us. We were suppose to go to Orange Beach but at the last minute we cancelled our trip and went to Fl due to the oil situation. It was beautiful and of course Braedon loved every minute of it. He did have a slight issue with his teeth and a little fever but he got over it. We left home with 5 teeth and came back with 9!!! He really loved all the water although at first he didn't like the sand sticking to him but once he got used to it he was fine. THANK GOODNESS. Unfortunately Braedon has NO fear of the water. I say unfortunately because I have now seen the dangers of it. If he has a little fear I think it would be safer than none at all. He is now wearing floaties at all times or rather he says "fish". He can go and do as he pleases around any water and get around semi good....It is amazing to see him to the things that he has been doing in the water. If I really pushed I could have him swimming! Anyway that is all our news for now. We are just being lazy bums all summer. My 10 year class reunion is in July, so I am busy with that but that is about it!! Hope all is well with everyone!!!!