Tune in later...

Christmas is over, and it was wonderful. We had a great time and got lots of good pictures (thanks to Chief and Kikye for giving Mommy a new camera!)...but they will have to wait for later. We just returned home to Macon and I am busy packing me and the kids to leave tomorrow for a short trip to the beach with my parents and then onto Atlanta for New Years (Brad is basically living at the hospital this week). So blogging will have to wait until I return. Check back in '09 :) I hope you and your families had as wonderful and blessed a Christmas as we did.

Stone Mountain Christmas

Last night we took Jackson to the Christmas extravaganza at Stone Mountain. It was one of the most magical nights I have ever experienced. Many people warned us about the long lines, the waiting, not getting your money's worth, and I don't doubt for a second that all of these things could happen and you could have a not so great experience...but I have to say, we got very lucky and it was worth every penny. It was BITTERLY cold, but I really think that just added to the magic. It was so fun to be in this light covered village with our little boy all bundled up in his pom pom hat and mittens. And the excitement in his eyes was absolutely priceless as we tried to soak up as much of this Christmas experience as we could. We rode the train around the mountain that takes you past Christmas light displays, a live character who tells the story of Jesus' birth, and plays sing-a-long Christmas music as you go. The only part Jackson didn't like was that the train was very squeaky whenever it came to a stop. He kept saying "Where's the oil station Mommy? This train needs some oil." We also watched the 4D Polar Express mini movie. Wow, was that cool! Our little boy was absolutely mesmerized. You get sprayed with water as the train skates across the ice, blasted with air as Santa's sleigh flies over your head, snowed on...it was too cool. We walked around and went in the countless little shops, attractions, saw Santa, the Coca Cola polar bear, and had a funnel cake and hot chocolate for dinner :)

And the finale of the night...watching a snow angel fly over one of the village courtyards as it snowed down on us (real snow...well, very cold foam that feels and looks like snow), Christmas music blaring and then a grand finale of fireworks overhead. If you didn't make it to this attraction this year, put it on your calendars for the next. It is definitely a tradition that we will be keeping :)

Oh, and in true Dennis family fashion, our camera's batteries died resulting in not one single picture of this magical evening :) That's ok though...the memories are etched in my mind :)

Happy Birthday Jackson!

My little boy is 3! Well, almost. He will be 3 on the 22nd, but we celebrated with his party this past Sunday. The theme: Finding Nemo, the weather: pretty cold and cloudy, the memories: absolutely priceless. I really don't think we will ever forget this birthday. Jackson was so sweet, so precious, and had SO much fun. I have never seen anyone open presents, each and every present, with so much enthusiasm...I wish I could post a video clip. We can hardly wait for Christmas! Thanks so much to everyone who celebrated this wonderful and unforgettable day with us :) Enjoy the pictures!

The Birthday Tree

The Food and Decor

The birthday boy with his Kikye

Nemo balloons with legs (you have to pay extra for those)

Make a wish!

Opening presents with the help of his cousin Allie

All the boys gathered around to see what the 'big giant present' could be

"Trains and stations and tracks...just what I wanted!"

Eating your birthday cake off of the trashcan in a camo vest...quite redneck if you ask me.

Just to prove that Luke was at the party...even if he slept through the first hour and a half :)

An attempt at a Christmas picture with the grandchildren by Teddy and Grandpa...at least if gave all of us watching a laugh :)

A very happy boy with his trains the morning after his party :)

If he only knew how many more he was getting for Christmas!

All I want for Christmas

I will always remember this song. I tell Jackson that this is 'our song'. Jackson was born right before Christmas (22nd) and every time I heard this song on the radio, it made me think of that sweet little miracle growing in my tummy, how much I couldn't wait to meet him, and it made me bawl my eyes out. I still tear up every time I hear it...even now, 3 years later. All I wanted for Christmas that year was my sweet, healthy, perfect little boy...and I got to bring home that precious gift on Christmas Eve. Jackson, my love...this will always be 'our song'


First Christmas

Second Christmas

Third Christmas

Can't wait for this year....

It's Christmas!

Today was a very busy and very Christmas filled day. The boys had their picture made with Santa, we got our tree, did some shopping, wrapped some presents, put some lights up and have a Christmas party tonight. Can you tell that this is Brad's first weekend off in a while by all the events we have crammed into it? (Brad even managed to sneak some duck/deer hunting in early this morning) Days like this get me so excited about the holiday season! Check back to see the tree up and decorated...along with the other 3 we have in our house :)

"Oh Christmas Card Picture, Oh Christmas Card Picture...

...you are so frustrating!"

I don't know why it's so important to me. The annual Christmas card picture. Every year around Halloween (who am I kidding, it starts way before that), I start to think about and plan for our Christmas card picture. I guess it's because there have become so few occasions that we are all together, Brad is awake enough to participate, and there is someone there to take the picture. Every year, I plan. I plan the opportunity, the outfits, the 'photographer', the right time, etc. And every year I am disappointed. Someone is cranky, no one will smile, no one will look at the camera, someone's face is extra shiny (me), someone spits up all over their outfit (Brad...just kidding), somone falls on their way to the sofa for the picture and just can't get over it...always something.
But every year it works out. I always end up having a wonderful picture to use. I just wish I didn't cause myself so much stress in the process.
So the new picture you see in the header is the winner. I would have liked one of the whole family, but that just became too complicated to coordinate. It was hard enough to get this one. I pray that my neighbors were not secretly filming me from their house...I had to be quite an idiot to get those precious smiles. Below are some of the humorous failed attempts :)

After the fall on the way to the couch

Still can't get over it and Luke is lost somewhere in my hair

I think maybe the static electricity was getting to him

Stop taking pictures!

Oh heavens...

Could they look less interested?

No idea what they're looking at, but it looks quite disturbing

Ha ha ha...my mom is such a moron!

Hey daredevil...she told you to "HOLD ON!"

I think Jackson is holding Luke hostage.

Maybe I should just go ahead and book my friend Whitney for next year :)

Thanksgiving # 2

We spent Thanksgiving day at Brad's parents' house on Lake Oconee. Beautiful weather, GREAT food, sweet fellowship...I just wish we could have stayed longer :( Jackson had a great time playing with his cousin Tate, who is just 2 months older than he is. Here are some pictures from the fun-filled day.
The beautiful table setting

Jackson and Tate's table

The whole fam...except for Kikye who is taking the picture and Luke who is in the corner in the exersaucer :(

Brad's Uncle Lamar, just before attempting round 1 of what he termed "Mission Impossible 4"


Mission Completion...and on to round 2!

Ever wonder how many people it takes to pour the oil from the fryer back into the oil canister? The answer would be...3 grown men, 2 3 year-old little boys, and a dog (not currently pictured) No worries...the oil was completely cooled off by this point

Jackson and Tate had a great time throwing all of the leaves out of the trailer. Boys...go figure.

A very forced "Cheese!"

Throwing the leaves...

A friendly game of bean bag toss...wasn't the weather just gorgeous?!

Brad and his brother, Derek

Kikye with her sweet little Luke


Getting a little chilly...gotta put on my hat

Sweet boy...

Jackson "getting his picture taken with the reindeer"

Hanging with Chief by the fire pit

Would someone please put me to bed already?

Hope your Thanksgiving was a happy one :)