Santa Gets to Greenville!

** Two new posts below this one. I know, I'm slack.

What a difference a year makes, huh?? A year ago on Christmas we were rushing Winston to the hospital because he woke himself (and us) up choking and barely able to breathe. Such a wonderful gift to spend this Christmas in the same place, with most of the same wonderful people, and have healthy little boy to share it with!

We got to Greenville Christmas Eve to make it to the Christmas Eve church service. I haven’t been to this in YEARS so it was awesome being there to celebrate with my new family! The children’s service was surprisingly quick (Normie actually referred to this as “the Christmas miracle”)

Christmas a.m. having pumpkin roll for breakfast and knowing that it's probably never going to happen again.

Singing "Happy Birthday" to Jesus Christ on Christmas morning and trying to explain (the best one can explain to a 1 year old) why we celebrate this special day. Checkin' out the goods! Santa was very nice to our healthy little fella this year.
He LOVED it!
Santa was also good to Chap. Brought him a gold mining kit (minus the gold, sadly) that the boys got to test out later Christmas Day down at the river. Too cold for me, no thank you!
Me and my Christmas cutie got to deliver some goodies to the neighbors.
Later on the kids (Normie and Chap) had an impromptu dodgeball game, in the living, with Winn's toys. Pretty sure I heard my dad say, "Alright guys...that's enough" a few times when the game got a little heated. Oh boys :)
Someone spies his airplane on the Christmas Tree...
The next morning, we had lots of snow in Greenville!! Such a wonderful ending to a perfect lil' holiday weekend!
This little boy makes me smile so much. I couldn't ask for a greater gift!
Opening LOTS of gifts from Aunt Mandy and Uncle Normie. Too many. They are officially on gift restriction.

Reading Winn's new book to him "Tree of True Gifts", made by his mommy. Gotta love those last minute ideas that take WAY more minutes than you really have! It is a very special book though, that I'm kind of proud of. It has all the people that love him unconditionally (his"true gifts") with their pictures so he can practice saying their names with their faces every night. Multi-purpose is my middle name :)
Our Christmas parade to bed singing the Marine Corps Hymn (in honor of my grandfather). He loved every minute.

I've often hoped and wondered how I could make my children's Christmas's mornings as special as my parents made for us? Even after I was married I still felt the magic of their love in Christmas morning. They've always put great care into making mine, and my brother's, holiday traditions perfect, comfortable, effortless, and memorable. The same is true of this year, which means even more because my son got to feel the magic I've felt for 30 years now! I can't thank them enough for the wonderful example they set. I know that with their help, their traditions, and their spirit, we'll be able to pass the wonderful feelings they started with us, onto the next generation of our children.

As written in Winston's "Tree of True Gifts" book,


Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank you for all of our true gifts. A family’s love is the best feeling anyone could ever have. We celebrate Jesus’ birthday because he is the one who taught us this.
We love YOU and are grateful for all your many blessings.

Love,
Mommy, Daddy, and Winston

Holidays in Hartsville!

How lucky are we that we get TWO Christmas days?? The weekend before the 25th, we travel to Hartsville to celebrate Christmas with the Rollings side. We always have so much fun watching the kids, and being kids ourselves. This year was no exception. If anything, it was even more special having our own child that was finally able to run around like a maniac, adding a little more to greater the cause of chaos!

Rollings spreading his Christmas cheer! Winn L-O-V-E-D Rollings this year. He thought he was hilarious!

Making icebox fruitcake. Don't let the word "fruitcake" fool you. This was a job for the rough and tough (a.k.a....me and Krissee, with a little help from Larry).
Our family Christmas picture!! (nobody better copy this...I am editing and gifting as b-day gifts this year, surprise!!)

Opening "Christmas Eve" gifts.

So grateful for this family and all the love and laughter they share with me and my little boy!! Chap is a wonderful friend, husband, and father because of his family. We love you all and look forward to many more Hartsville Holidays to come!

Tis the Season

Well, somehow the most wonderful time of the year has come...and gone...and this is my first post to share all the fun events we enjoyed prepping for the spcial day! At running the risk of sounding completely cliche, having a child does make the spirit of Christmas even more magical.

My sweet boys taking wagon trips.

Working on our Christmas carols with Uncle Norm and Daddy.
First time visiting 'ho ho ho' (what he says every time he sees a larger man in red).
Making Christmas cookies with my bff, Lee. And while mom was super excited about this event, poor guy didn't get to participate much (as I just didn't feel comfortable with him eating the raw dough.) Maybe next year.

Sweet little baby elves watching 'Rudolph'.

One of our favorite events, a PJ story telilng by Santa!! So much fun!

Sweet Santa even gave gifts AND took last minute orders.

Cutting down our Christmas tree! (Winn spotting Chap, you're doing good dad!)

My loves checking out their work.

He even got to play in/around the trees after the manly part was done. Boy, does this kid ever love a tree?!

We sure do love this Christmas tree farm. This was our 4th year getting our tree from this wonderful, family friendly place.

Enjoying some marshmellows after the big hunt. Trying his very best to choke himself :)

Last year during this time I was still recovering from my c-section and wasn't able to completely enjoy the festivities the way I normally would (thank God for my sis-in-law, Krissee, who helped me with everything!) This year, not only do I have an amazing husband to share the magic with, but I also have an energetic little man whose eyes light up at every Christmas tree, twinkling light, snowman, and holiday song. I always knew I loved Christmas, but even more now I love watching my child enjoy these special things just as much as I do! I don't have a picture of this, but my most favorite "prep day" we shared was making pumpkin rolls in the kitchen for about three hours, just the two of us. Dancing, stirring, and singing to Christmas songs for about three hours. I'll never forget it!

Party Like a Superstar!

NOTE: This is one of three new posts, scroll down after this for more updates (if you aren't too sick of us by then.)

Nobody ever told me that my child’s birthday would be more fun than any Christmas I’ve ever known?? Such a special day with so many close friends and family that love our little boy and were there to celebrate his amazing first year of life! It was a BLAST! I’m sure he won’t remember much, so this post will have lots of details for him to read later…that I will remember always!

Of course the theme was pretty simple…what he loves the most, MUSIC! He and all his baby "Superstar" friends (and some adult) had some major jam sessions.

The music room, "Superstar Only".

I think he likes it :)
BFF Lee, lovin' the snacks!
Hattie Belle strikin' a sweet pose!

Lady friends and their mamas!!

Annalee gettin' into it!

Who says it was ALL for the "kids"?

A little birthday melody.

Some more "kids". Love this.

Cake time!!

uh oh, those damn rubber bands should be illegal!

He pulls through after the hat attack...barely.

Trying to give Gramps a bite.

Sweets are terrific, thanks mom!!

Snack attacks for everyone!

Presents!! He did pretty good with this, sat with me while we opened most of the presents. I think he wanted to read/eat the cards more than anything :)

We did have to take a small "breather" to get some fresh air and swing time. I think he got a littl overwhelmed with all the love and attention (believe it or not).

And back to the races for some more fun. This might have been the biggest hit, Gramps and Gigi got him his very own CAR! In case you aren't aware...cars are only his most favorite thing right now. I'm not sure who loved it more, me or him??

Gramps even wrote his name on the door, I guess the future siblings won't get confused with who this belongs to!

I have to include some of the decor. I had almost as much fun planning/prepping for this superstar shindig as I did at the actual event.

His 'Growing with Grover' banner, every month included! (yes, it's still hanging in our living room...but I promised Chap we can take it down next week when we decorate for Christmas!)

The party favors: 'Winston's Baby Birthday Jams' with guitar ornaments and sunglasses.

My sweet superstar giving mommy some thank you hugs, this melted my heart!

Thank you to all our wonerful friends and family that helped make this FIRST YEAR very special for our family. We had a LOT of love, support, and guidance throughout these last 12 months that has made us better parents and a stronger family. This day was a wonderful celebration for the "village" that has helped make this sweet boy who he is today! We love you all and are more than lucky to have you in our lives!!