Good Laugh!

I'm only recording this story because I'm sure one day Raleigh will be able to laugh at it, it's something that was so funny you don't want to wonder what it was she did 10 years down the road, it will be a good embarrassing story to tell her husband one day, and it almost made 4 of us cry we were laughing so hard. So...

We were visiting Jason's parents and they have a Bullmastiff named Beau. Well, Beau was sitting there and Raleigh was just loving how she was telling him what to do, giving him treats, petting him, etc. While sitting there Beau's "little boy" parts became visible and Raleigh so innocently pointed and said "what's that?" We all started laughing so hard we couldn't even answer her. Jason finally got out an answer that quieted her down. Beau got up, moved around, then sat back down. Then Raleigh again innocently squats down and looks to see if it's still there. I guess we need to be ready with some answers for all situations as the question "what's that?" is probably said 50+ times a day with her!

Merry Christmas!

We had a wonderful two days celebrating Christmas! Christmas Eve consists of getting together with my dad's family (at my parents house for the past two years now). We all miss having Grandmother and Granddaddy's house to gather in...the huge basement was wonderful for family gatherings. I love being able to gather with family...especially when we were only missing 4 this year (the military is our family's friend, Nicole in basic training, Brianna and Asa awaiting David's arrival back home). It was so much fun to watch Raleigh run around with her cousin Nathaniel this year. They were born one month apart and boy are they two active two year olds! We attempted to get a "height measurement" since that has been a tradition at Christmas with all the cousins born in the same year growing up...didn't happen!

Christmas day was another fun filled day of celebrating the birth of our Savior, Jesus, and gathering with family again! I'm so thankful for our family tradition that we began...reading the Christmas story every Christmas morning before opening any presents. One thing that Jason and I want is for our kids to know that Christmas is only about one gift...Jesus and not about how many presents are waiting under the tree. Raleigh was so excited to be reading about baby Jesus! This year was fun watching Raleigh open gifts though. She received a kitchen set with all the trimmings to go with it and a table and chairs. Of course a baby doll was there too! Although I would say that she may have a touch of ADD...she couldn't focus on one present for worrying about the others. If we wouldn't have helped her open the gifts we may still be opening the first one! Of course the grandparents and aunts and uncles spoiled her as well! I'm still not sure how many M&M's Raleigh had for breakfast from her uncles!! What a wonderful day! Merry Christmas!

Is This Illegal????

So, if I went to the grocery store and piled 5 babies in the buggy and then proceeded to shop, would it be illegal? Or maybe just considered dangerous? Well, Raleigh managed to pile her 3 baby dolls, Elmo, and her little bear all in her buggy to cart around the house! It was quite funny to see her work to get them all in and then get frustrated when the buggy tipped over or one of the babies fell out. More babies arrived for Christmas and more babies are piled in the buggy now...we may need to invest in a bigger one! :)

So proud!

A better view of the two babies "squished" in the back!

Magical Nights of Lights

We decided to take Raleigh to Lake Lanier's Magical Nights of Lights since we thought she would enjoy all the lights. She loved all the lights and we let her ride "illegally" in our laps while there. Although she was getting to sit in the front she wanted back in her seat! Crazy girl! When we got to Santa's workshop she wouldn't have her picture made with Santa...she said, "I don't ike him." So needless to say we won't have a picture with Santa this year. I just don't see the need in scaring her and it's really not that big of a deal to us. Even though we had no picture with Santa we got a cute one in front of a pretty tree!

helping daddy drive

Melt My Heart!!

While putting up Raleigh's little Christmas tree in her room we read the book that goes along with the ornaments. It's called A Gift for Jesus and simply tells about the gift that Jesus is to us. After I read it Raleigh insisted on reading it (and has every day since). She just kept saying "baby Jesus born in house." It melted my heart when she said it! I know we still have some work to do on learning that it was a stable instead of a house, but it was so sweet!

reading her book

Shopping

While at the mall, Raleigh wanted to carry her bag. She wasn't happy to just carry it...it had to be on her shoulder! Too cute!

Party Time!

For Raleigh's 2nd birthday I wanted to do a music themed party. One, she loves music and two, I could change the word tune to "two"ne. I know...crazy, but for her first birthday we had a Winter "One"derland party so this year we had a "Two"ne party. Now I feel pressure to keep it going, but haven't thought of anything we can do next year for three. Mrs. Dana that teaches Raleigh's Kindermusik classes came to our house and did some of Raleigh's favorite Kindermusik activities with all the kids. They had a blast and it was so much fun to see them all together! I must say that I love to see Raleigh interact with her friends. After some fun music activities we had some food and presents. However Raleigh surprisingly did not eat her whole piece of cake and was too interested in her ice rather than her presents. After nap she was much more interested in the presents and I know she will enjoy playing with all her new toys. We are so glad that so many of her friends could come and share her special day with her!