So Modeling is Out of the Question

I was hanging out in the backyard last weekend trying to let Katie get some energy out since we've been stuck inside so much with the cold. We played CHASE mixed with Hide and Seek (her favorite combo lately). We took a break to take some quick pictures.

This is what I got when I asked her to "smile for Mommy please." Funny little body positioning and crooked, totally fake, and coerced smile.

 

So I told her to relax. As if she could grasp the concept of relaxing. When she didn't move, I said "relax" again and flopped my arms out by my side to demonstrate relaxing. Then, this happened.

 

On the other hand, she does seem to be really good at having that far off look that models are so good at.

Move Over George!

Remember this? Well, there's a new man in my life and his name is Frosty! He's been living at the bottom of my stairs since Thanksgiving. He always has a smile on his face.

 

He gives the best hugs ever! Even though he's made of snow, I don't feel cold when I hug him. I'm not sure why he hasn't melted yet inside our house!

 

His nose is pointy and I like to kiss it. Mom says I can only kiss on the nose for now...Nothing more until I'm 30!

 

Frosty tells me all sorts of secrets...secrets that come from the world of ice and snow and secrets that make me laugh and giggle.

 

But now my world has been ripped apart since he's been moved to the attic. I will miss you Frosty. I will think about you everyday until it's time for you to come back! Be safe up in the attic...There's all sorts of crazy things living up there!

A White Christmas!

We had the closest thing to a white Christmas that I've ever had! It snowed on December 26...and not just a few flakes! It snowed all day long and we got quite the accumulation (for South Carolina). After church, we went back over to Grandma Jones' house and played in the snow with Dylan and Chase! I was not dressed for the snow at all but made sure to keep Katie bundled up. I was also still supposed to be on crutches so I couldn't really do much other than make sure I didn't fall!

 

Katie loved the way snow tasted...or maybe just how it felt on her tongue! But she kept scooping up snow and eating it and saying "cooooooold!"

 

Dylan had an absolute blast in the snow. He rolled some snow balls and tried his hand at making a snowman. He stood on his head once and made snow angels that he called "snowbodies" which is so stinking cute! This picture shows Dylan at his finest, rolling UP the hill in the front yard with absolutely no regard for how cold it is outside. And I know there had to be some snow hitting his skin, but he didn't care!

 

We had a lot of fun in the few minutes we were out there! It stayed in our yard for another day or so but we never ventured back out. It's just not as fun without your cousins, I guess!

 

Christmas!

Christmas was a little different this year as I was a few days post knee surgery. I didn't know what to expect from this surgery other than it was going to be less involved than my previous 3 knee surgeries. Nonetheless, I got everything done for Christmas a few days before the surgery and was able to relax and lounge in the last few days leading up to Christmas. Gabriel and Nancy stayed with us a few days too to help out. We did Christmas with my family on Christmas Eve. My dad made us a great breakfast and my mom brought presents in by the wagon-load! Katie had fun helping sort the presents...This has traditionally been my job (and one of my favorite things to do) but I let Katie take the reigns since I was confined to one spot!

 

After handing out all the presents, we spent the next part of the morning opening everything! Katie spent most of the morning in different people's laps helping them open stuff! But once she opened her 100 piece play food set, it was off to the playroom for her! She was thrilled with her food and despite knowing what most of the food is, she still calls it all "cake."

 

She also seemed to enjoy the chocolate that was in everyone's stockings. None of it was for her but she managed to sneak a few pieces when we weren't looking so instead we just went with it! We plopped her in the high chair and rolled her into the living room to make sure she didn't miss the festivities!

 

On Christmas morning, we woke Katie up and took her downstairs to show her what Santa brought her - a green chair with her name on it and a doctor's kit! (The doctor's kit is not to push her into a career - it's to try and ease her fears of the doctor!) She has since enjoyed giving shots to everyone and of course, covering us in band aids!

 

After a quiet Christmas morning and early nap for Katie, we headed to Grandma Jones' house for the Jones Clan Christmas! Ten adults and five kids and oodles of presents and NOT ONE PICTURE! Are you kidding me? Even my photographer sister in law missed out on taking pictures! The tree was gorgeous, the food was delicious, but the time spent with family really was priceless.