Sara Lee and Me

The ingenious bread bag tradition has officially been passed down from Granny K to Mommy, and now to Natalie Glenn. We played and played in the snow and Natalie's boots stayed nice and dry. Mommy may not be able to make lacy fried cornbread the way Granny does, but she can tie on a bread bag with the best of 'em.

Sweet bundle.

Mommy and Natalie chillin.

Knee deep snow drifts.

Savannah & Sutton

One of our dearest friends, Savannah Chappell, agreed to spend part of the day hanging out with us. She is always such a pleasure. As you can see, Sutton agrees.

All our Chappell kids love babies, so we're always happy when we get to spend time with them.

Thanks for making us laugh, Abana. We love you.

Scotty Dogs

Just a cute little outfit a friend gave us. Natalie asked to wear it a couple weeks ago to church. "Dog One, Mommy." Good choice Nats.

Natalie Sings...

all the time.

This is just a glimpse of all the singing. I wish I could capture her on video without her knowing. THAT is the best. Have no fear, I'll keep trying. Cause more than I want you to be able to see her in action, I never want to forget all her sweet songs.

Training Video

with Nurse Natalie

Watch as Nurse Natalie quickly demonstrates the proper technique for taking an accurate Blood Pressure measurement. (There's some granny talk in the background, so try and pay close attention to the Nurse's demonstration only) :)

For those of you who aren't visual learners and prefer to read step-by-step instructions, these are provided below:

1. Attach cuff to your own forearm.

2. Put bulb anywhere on your patient. Blood flows to every part of the body, so it doesn't matter where you place the bulb.

3. Pump until arrow on sphygmomanometer flies wildly round and round.

4. Report to your patient that they are doing just fine, but will probably need at least one shot.

So Happy Together

Sutton LOVES to see and play with his big sister. She usually likes playing with him too, but especially when it involves rolling on top of him. Just when I think I should swoop in and save him, I see him cracking up. It was a laughfest for all of us.

Still a big Signing Time fan. Even better when we get to watch in from Mommy and Daddy's bed.

Christmas Entertainment

Forget Jingle Bells and A Christmas Carol, this is all the entertainment Sutton needs.

Storytime with Natalie

A cute pic of Natalie at Mimi and Pops, reading a story to Mimi, Sutton and Darby. I can just hear her little voice, "What color is this one Darb?"

Frequent Flyer

Our trip to Oklahoma was Natalie's first flight as a 2 year-old. This means, she got her very own, purchased in advance, just like the rest of us seat. People always ask if it's her first flight, cause she is pretty small still, after all. I was curious after this first Big Girl flight, exactly how many free flights this little traveler had been on. Even I was shocked...

In the first 2 years of her life, she had been on 18 round trip flights. Crazy, huh? Yep, she's taken 9 flights to NC, 4 flights to OK, and 1 flight each to SC, Michigan, Florida, Idaho and San Francisco. It's no wonder she just climbed right up into her window seat, started to fix her belt, but instead reached high to adjust her air vent, and wanted her food tray pulled down right away so she could start her movie. She really is a great travel partner.

No checking this package. She's a perfect fit.

A Better-Than-Good Goodnight
Having this baby on my chest, my hubby by my side on the couch, big sister playing happily in front of us....these must be the good ole days.

He's such a little snuggler. And he's in that phase where they reach for your face with both hands. I know it's a developmental thing, the reaching for me, but it doesn't make it any less wonderful.

Cocoa Krispy Turkeys

Just Playin Around

Sutton, laughing at Pops.

Nonnie with the babies.
Sometimes love is a little uncomfortable.
Natalie's not loving the fact that brother's getting quite grabby in his old age.

Prying her baby from brother's fingers.

Walking Darby.

Sutton's first Thanksgiving dinner.

Real baby boys wear pink.

Oklahoma Turkey

Around our table we were thankful for our jobs, healthy children, a salary, our family and our health, more time, a surgeon who saved a life, our church and our friends. Lots to be thankful for.

Wide Open

Not sure who was having more fun, Natalie...

or Pops?
Natalie loves to ride that horsey and go downtown.

Natalie and the Nativities

and some other stuff.

I LOVE Christmas. I love that it's cold outside and warm inside. I love Nate's Nectar (a delicious secret beverage recipe my husband is famous for). I love giving gifts. I love that everyone listens to and sings songs about Christ's birth. I love all the traditions. I love the lights. I love trying to make all my friends who think they're too cool to do it, sing christmas carols for my neighbors. I love dipping things in almond bark. And I love decorating. My love for Christmas only grows with sharing it with my children. Natalie was quite a bit more helpful this year than last at taking out decorations. I love how much she liked the nativities.

She arranged them all just perfectly. I bet that shepherd really did just go right past Mary to get to baby Jesus. And those wisemen, I bet they all just went right in that stable one right on top of the other to get a closer look. Forget Mary, Joseph and Jesus being the only ones inside. Natalie knows better.

Sutton pretty much just chewed on this plush version of Mary, but I could tell he was trying to figure out how special she must've been to be chosen to be the Mother of Christ.

Helping Mom decorate the little tree.

One tired little elf.

Baby Caroline and Sutton. She came over to help us decorate.

Caroline's Mommy and Daddy being silly with Natalie. I believe Mrs. Alyse would fly Natalie to the moon if she could.

Tree Tradition

This is one of the only true family traditions we've started all on our own. At least for the holidays, that is. The weekend before Thanksgiving, Zona Rosa lights their tree and has reindeer and songs and general Christmas merriment that we love to take part in. It's hard to believe this is Natalie's 3rd Christmas and one she'll get to share with her kid brother. Oh what fun...

What I got when I said look at Mom for the picture...

My 3 favorite people on earth.
Sutton's first year at the tree.

An old tree lighting pro. Her face was priceless when that thing, and the many little trees around us, lit up. Oh, to be a kid at Christmas. It IS quite magical. I guess the next best thing is to have a kid of your very own at Christmas. That's pretty magical too.

Checkin out Frosty. She actually went up and hugged him, but I was too excited to take a picture. Is that just the most stupid thing you've every heard? Why was I so happy she liked Frosty?! I can't even tell you myself. All I can think of is how cute her little cautious smile was.

Can't hardly wait for Christmas.