A new family tradition

While at the lake we started talking about wanting to find a Christmas tree farm where we could cut down our own tree.  It turns out that we were at the right place.  There were about 10-15 different tree farms in the nearby surrounding areas and the one we decided on had 35 acres of trees!

We walked acres of land searching for the perfect trees.  There were 5 different varieties of trees and it was interesting to see the differences.  Some were perfectly cone shaped and almost looked cartoon like.  We decided on a more traditional white pine and think the tree looks perfect in the house!  (More pictures of our decorated tree to come...) We decided this would definitely be added to the growing list of family traditions. 

Handley had fun hiding behind the trees

Jen and Handley searching for the perfect tree

Jen and Justen found their tree!!!

We found ours too!

Our tree on the "shaker."  It did just as the name suggests.  Shook our tree so all the dead needles fall off and I swear it works because we put the tree up in the house tonight and NO needles ended up on the floor. 

All tied up and ready for the ride back to Atlanta. 

Handley's first S'MORES

On Friday around lunchtime we headed up to the lake for a gorgeous weekend.  Jen and Justen came with us and we had lots of fun adventures.  As soon as we got there and got settled Robby and Justen headed off to get firewood for our campfire.  Any excuse Robby has to use is chainsaw, he will!  

After Harper went to bed on Friday night we all sat by the fire and made s'mores.  Handley knew this was a special treat for her to get to stay up late.  She had fun roasting her marshmallow, but surprised me and only wanted a bite or two of her s'more.  

Macy's Great Tree Lighting

After our Thanksgiving meal we headed to Lenox Mall to watch the lighting of Macy's Great Tree.  We went last year and had so much fun so we've decided to make this an annual tradition.  Just like last year, we also met Trey and Stefanie and our friends Jen and Justen there.  

As soon as the sun went down it got really cold, but we bundled up and headed with the crowd.  Josh Turner and a few others performed and the finale concluded with the lighting of the tree and fireworks.  Handley waited as patiently as she could for the fireworks.  Harper stayed nice and comfy in the carrier and fooled us all. Every time I would think she was asleep, I'd peek down and she was just taking it all in.  

Thanksgiving

We spent Thanksgiving at Gigi and Papa's house.   It was a gorgeous day and we were glad to spend a lot of time outdoors while we waited for our delicious Thanksgiving feast.  

A highlights of the day included Handley, Papa, and Daddy busting the pumpkins open so the birds could eat the seeds. 

Although Handley didn't eat too much, she sure did enjoy drinking sparkling grape juice from her "special glass" and ringing the dinner bell over, and over, and over!

Harper woke up from her nap just in time to join us for our Thanksgiving meal.  

Turkey Cookies

Yesterday we decorated turkey cookies with Handley's best friend, Avery.  Both girls had a lot of fun and their cookies turned out really cute.  It was an exercise in patients and self-control though...both girls wanted to lick the frosting and eat the candy before it even got on the cookies!

 

Harper is CRAWLING!!!

Harper started crawling last night and life as we know it is about to change!  We were so excited for her and happy that Robby, Handley and I were all there to witness it.  Handley has already figured out that any and everything left on the floor is fair game.  Harper is still trying to figure out exactly how it all works, but she's got a pretty good hang of it.  Here's a video I took of her this morning.  

Thanksgiving Playgroup

Today our playgroup had a Thanksgiving themed party.  The hostesses were Sophie and her mom Deanna.  They did such a great job and everyone had lots of fun!  There were yummy snacks, crafts, and lots of outdoor playtime.

Check out these cute turkey sandwiches!

This was my attempt at getting the girls together and taking a picture of their turkey crafts.

I have serious back yard envy!!!  They have an awesome back yard...lots of flat space for kids to play, an adorable life-like playhouse, and a fun swing set too!  We took Handley's best friend Avery with us to playgroup today so her mom could rest at home with her new baby brother. 

Handley and Avery are two peas in a pod had had a blast playing together.  

Pre-School Thanksgiving Program

Today was Handley's first ever Thanksgiving program at school.  All the two-year-old classes sang a few songs while wearing their "Turkey Crowns" and it was just about the cutest thing ever. 

All the classes were squeezed in one little room so my video and pictures weren't ideal, but below is a video of her singing.  The first half she just kind of looked around, but then she got into it. At the end of the video you'll see their Thanksgiving prayer.  Notice how Handley tries to close her eyes, without really closing them.  She looks pained!  Ha! Try to ignore the little boy crying and the woman who's camera keeps blocking mine. :-)  

Posing with the leave she made for the school's big fall mural. 

Handley with her teacher, Mrs. Deborah

After the performance there was a big turkey feast for all the families in the fellowship hall.  Robby wasn't able to make it, but we were lucky to have Gigi there with us! 

 

She just gets better and better

If you've been reading my blog for a while you know that my best friend Jen is an awesome photographer and owns At First Sight Photography.  I swear she just gets better and better and I'm going to be getting her to give me some lessons on how to use my new camera soon!  She did a mini-shoot with us a few weeks ago so we could get some new family shots and also did some really adorable ones of Harper.     

I just love this one of Handley 

And the ones she did of Harper are too cute.  I'm going to make a bunch of them into a collage because I just love the age she is at right now and I want to remember it forever!!!  

To see some more - check out our family pictures here and the ones of Harper are here.

Lots of fun at Southern Prep

Today my friends Erin and Gina, and I took our kids to a really fun place called Southern Prep. It's a gymnastics facility that has open play times with everything a kid could want to do.  Tons of trampolines, slides, a giant foam pit, ride on toys, and more!  We had been here for a birthday party this summer and loved it then so we were really happy to get to go back today.  

I didn't take any pictures, but my friend Erin shared these with me.  

Handley and Harper playing together. 

Ella and Handley in the foam pit.  This was where Handley spent most of her time.  

Happy girl!

Here's a video of Handley playing at Southern Prep today.  You'll see that at first she was a little nervous about sliding into the foam pit, but that didn't last long.  

Love seeing them love each other

I just knew that I would love having two kids, but what I wasn't prepared for was how much I would love seeing them love each other!  

Handley going in for a hug and Harper trying to kiss (EAT) her head. 

Harper took advantage of her position and grabbed Handley's bow.  I just love this picture - she's so happy to have the bow!

Of course it goes straight into her mouth

Handley walking her baby

And just for laughs, before we went on our walk Handley and I had this conversation - 

Me: Do you need to go potty before we go on a walk?

Handley (in a very matter of fact tone): No, I already went at 4:00. (It was noon)

Me: OK, then...let's go.