Presents Everywhere

I am ALMOST done Christmas shopping.  I stress the almost.  I am so close I can almost taste it.  Everything is wrapped, and under the tree, and Martin is LOVING playing with all of the bows.  He carries the gifts around by the ribbon most of the time.  So, if your bow looks a little manhandled when you get it, it probably was.  Thank you precious child! 

  

Up to no good!

Have you seen any presents with my name on them Mom??




Bryan, Martin and I went to see Starry Nights at Shelby Farms last night.  It was nice, but not worth the money.  We opted for the car ride self led tour as opposed to the $5 extra per person for a carriage ride.  It was a little cold, and I could see Martin having a meltdown in the middle of nowhere or something.  The lights were pretty, and Martin enjoyed seeing all of them.  His favorite was the under the sea portion complete with sharks, sea turtles, and seahorses.  We stopped halfway through at the Mistltoe Village to see Santa.  HA!  Now, that is funny.  This is our 3rd try with Santa.  3 different Santas....all an utter failure!  He is NOT a fan.  Therefor, our Christmas card this year is a picture from the beach.  Sorry friends!!  We also got to look at the horse drawn carriages.  Martin kept saying "duh-ga" which is dog.  Yes baby, you are so smart, that is a very big dog!!  He was NOT interested in touching or even getting close to the horse.  See, glad we opted out of the Carriage Ride. 

Starry Nights

Mall Santa

Front Door Decor

Our Christmas Lights

Martin's new favorite thing is asking for more (by signing more) and saying "mo mo mo".  It is pretty cute, but kind of frustrating if you don't know what the more is.  Haha!  He loves that it gets him what he wants though--and I love that he can tell me what he wants.  And, two other cute developments.....he will point at himself if you show him a picture of himself and ask "who is that?"  And, he will also make a car noise when he pushes around cars/trucks/toys with wheels.  Pretty funny.  He will repeat some more words when you say them, but I don't think most people would understand what he was saying. 

Bathtime Fun with Dad



No wonder he doesn't like taking a bath when I give him one.  I didn't know he prefers to bathe with a mohawk!



  

T-Day LATE!!!

Didn't I promise to be a better blogger?  Well, I guess I just got busy.  We have been on the go for about 10 days straight!  Even now I am multi-tasking.  Martin is taking a nap and I am blogging all while I eat supper.  I made a huge pot of ham bone soup, and it is seriously delish--so much so in fact that I didn't even put my cornbread in the oven.  I just couldn't wait 17 minutes.

Here is a Thanksgiving recap for those of you who are interested.  Thursday morning we were up bright and early to get on the road at 7.  We stopped by the donut shop on our way out of town to get something yummy (read I had NO GROCERIES in the house).  And, the lady said "we be very busy this mornin, people cook turkey, they no want cook breakfast".  She is the sweetest Chinese lady and always asks where my baby is when I come in by myself.  Then, we drove 4.5 hours to Oneonta to be at Thanksgiving lunch.  It was my Aunt, cousin Vann, Mom, Dad, Johnny and Jacci, and Zach and Kelly along with Bryan, Martin, and I for lunch.  I also got to see my cousin Benjamin and his wife Kate before they left for another thanksgiving lunch.  Needless to say we almost polished off the food in one sitting.  It was oh so good.  Having cooked Thanksgiving lunch here the last two years, I could REALLY appreciate all the hard work Aunt Kathy had put in.  And, I got the reminder that my dressing just isn't quite juicy enough.  Then late Thursday afternoon we headed to Talladega.  Just Bryan, Martin, Dad, Mom and me.  I got to see lots of mom's family, and Martin got to meet lots of family he hadn't yet.  We went to my mom's aunt Eloise house (or Granela as the kids call her), and mom's cousin Beth, her daughter Brooke and husband Paul, and mom's cousin Jimmy and wife Debbie.  Martin got to play with Brooke's two boys Lyle and Jack.  He enjoyed playing with their cozy coupe car so much, that the cozy truck got added back to the Christmas list.

Martin and Lyle 

Martin offering Lyle the sippy cup so he can use the car

At this point Martin wanted to know when they were all going to get fussed at.  I thought cars weren't allowed in the house???

Martin and Baba (Beth)

Martin and Papa John

Mamie, Martin and Granela

Friday we had a picnic at the Anchor (boat launch in my parent's neighborhood).  Everyone played football while Martin stood in the middle and yelled and held his hands up cause no one would give him the ball.  Then, Zach and Martin played on the swings.  Saturday I went and took some pictures.  And, then we left on Sunday.

Johnny and Jacci playing football

Martin and Daddy

Finally getting a turn

Swinging with Zach (someone looks sleepy)

Weeeee

My Uncle even swings in baby swings!!

What a face!!!!  I LOVE this picture....too funny.

Having a blast in the sun

Hitching a ride

I made Zach carry me--I think I told him that was why Mom and Dad had him

Huge leaves, or also known as the cat swatter

Fall fun!

We went to Columbus to stay with Nanny and Pa (Bryan's maternal grandparents).  We had a great time.  She fed us TOO MUCH food, and it was all so good.  We also got to see lots of folks on the Benton's side.  And, I got to meet sweet baby Patrick.  I cannot believe Martin was EVER that tiny.  We went and did a little shopping, and got to see Bryan's uncles Doug and Smitty, and Aunt Patsy, and cousin Mary Beth and Thomas her little boy (9 months old).  Martin and Thomas had a ball playing musical books.  They would pick up a book and see who could get someone to read it to them first.  Mary Beth and I helped Nanny decorate her tree, and it looks great if I might say so myself.  I think Bryan was just there for moral support, because he certainly didn't do any decorating.  And, I don't think he watched the babies much, because by the end, there was a puddle of juice on the floor.  Oops!

Here Mom, if we can get rid of this baby, you can give me that bottle.

Martin, Emma, and Kyndal

Fun with Ellen

Book Buddies

Martin trying to be ok with sharing his books

Pa and Martin reading

The boys "helping" us decorate

Martin was so tired from decorating he needed a beverage, however Thomas was ready to play

Tuesday afternoon we made it to Tupelo and stayed with Stephen (Bryan's cousin), Ashley, and Luke (16 months old).  Martin and Luke had the best time ever.  The boys certainly had a memorable trip considering they broke down in Ashley's Mazda--but no worries, better them than her, and she got a new car out of it :) Luke and Martin played push the box around the living room.  I was determined that they were going to watch Rudolph.  I don't think either one of them looked at the TV the whole time.  At one point they turned their chair around with their backs to the TV.  What the heck kids??  Wednesday afternoon the boys helped load our new treadmill in the truck and we drove home.

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My lap was just barely big enough for those two

Luke loving on Martin---Martin trying to escape

The boys "watching" Rudolph

Now, I don't know what I expected but the treadmill was heavier than heavy.  It was ridiculous.  I was determined to get it up the stairs, and we did--just the two of us.  And we were so close to making it up without any real issues....until the very last stair, when the treadmill got leaned up and onto my big toe.  Dear goodness, that hurt!  And, of course I had on my Tom's so basically I was barefoot.  Speaking of Tom's....I sure hope Santa brings me some new ones.  I think Bryan is embarrassed to be seen in public with me in mine.  They are really wearing out.  No, that was not a subtle hint for Bryan.  He never reads the blog.  Besides, subtle doesn't work for him.  I write what I want on a piece of paper and put it on his nightstand, and it is still hit or miss if I will actually get what is on my list!

Saturday night Bryan's parents were nice enough to babysit Martin so that Bryan and I could go see Ballet Memphis' production of the Nutcracker, and it was great!  Bryan is a trooper for agreeing to go.  And, he didn't even whine afterwards.  We also went to Spaghetti Warehouse before and it was delicious.
 
This week I am busy Christmas shopping.  I still have a really long list.  But, I feel like I am getting closer to actually finishing.  But, then again, that might all be in my head.  Hope everyone is having a great week!  My little brother is having shoulder surgery on Friday to repair his labrum (shoulder ligaments/tendons).  So please, remember him in your prayers this week.  Love you Bubba!

Thankful Thanksgiving

I am thankful for so much that it just would seem wrong to let Thanksgiving come and go without trying to list what I am thankful for.  I have so much to be thankful for, that I know this blog post will not do my "list" justice.  But, all I can do is try.  One of my favorite quotes about being thankful seems so fitting right now.  "It is not happy people who are thankful, it is thankful people who are happy".  And, that could not be more true--could it?

I am thankful for the husband that I have.  Bryan is amazing, and he continues to surprise me everyday.  I have friends who just exist in their marriages, and this makes me so happy for the partner I have been blessed with.  Bryan is all that I could have ever dreamed of--honest.  I don't usually go on and on about him, because it frustrates me when people toot their own husband horn--especially when it is stuff they should be doing.  But, he really deserves it.  He does everything he should as a husband and father, and then SO MUCH MORE.  I am so lucky to have him.

I am thankful for this dirty faced, loud mouthed, book lover, house destroyer, sweet baby boy the Lord has blessed us with.  I had no idea how smitten I would be with my little man.  He is an absolute blessing, and I am thankful for him everyday.  I am thankful for the smudged hand prints all over the bottom 3 feet of my house.  I am thankful for windows that have slobbery kisses smeared all over them.  I am even thankful for smashed goldfish in my rug--it reminds me of what is important in life.  LIVING----not cleaning.

I am thankful for family.  My family is my support system, especially my mom.  I wish they lived closer to us, but what is a few hours?  We are blessed to have each other, even 4 1/2 hours apart.  Some people don't have the chance to know their parents, or maybe their parents have already died, it makes me thankful for just having them.  I am thankful for Mom, Dad, Zach and Johnny!  (And I can't wait to see them tomorrow--yes I should be packing instead of blogging).  I am also thankful for my in-laws.  They raised Bryan to be the man he is today, and for that I am forever grateful.  And, I am thankful for Justin and Carley.  I am thankful for our grandparents, and for Martin's great grandparents.  I am thankful for Aunts, Uncles, and Cousins.  All of these people will help shape Martin into the boy and man he will become!

And, last but not least, I am thankful for friends....I think sometimes these are the most important, they are the family you choose for yourself.  You cannot choose your family, you are given them, but friends choose to stick around and be your support system.  I am thankful for each and every one of you.  Thanks for all of your support and love the past year.

My cup truly runneth over!!!!

I hope everyone has a great Turkey Day, remember to be Thankful and tell everyone that you love them.  Life is too short for anything less.

Sorry for my blogger hiatus

I wish I had some phenomenal story to share with my dear readers explaining my lack of posting....but I just flat out haven't blogged.  Sorry! I guess you get what you pay for folks--this is free.  Only kidding.  We have been busy around here, but nothing fun to take pictures of...or at least nothing I remembered to take my camera to.  Haha!  We decorated for Christmas.  I know it's early, but I sort of had a dilemma.  You see we usually have Thanksgiving at my house (Bryan always works Thanksgiving week), so my parents usually help me put up my tree and decorations the day after Thanksgiving--while my husband, who hates the decorating process, goes to work.  But, we are going to AL for Thanksgiving this year, so I needed to get the tree and decorations put out before we left so I could do it while Bryan was off of work.  We got it all out and up, and I have said "Martin, NO!" about 1,000 times already.  He has safe ornaments on the bottom half of the tree, but I still don't want him to pull them off.  So, when he pulls one off now he has realized I am going to make him put it back.  Well, he always puts them back in the same place.  Guess that part of the tree looked a little bare to him.  Haha!  He loves looking at the lights out the front window.  I made a new swag/garland for around my door, and it turned out really cute.  It is amazing what you can do with deco-mesh!

Doesn't it look good?  I will have to take another picture, because I have changed it up a little.  I moved the wreath up, and the garland has lights that you can't see here.  And, I took the autumn welcome mat up too.  And, we have the Merry Christmas one out.  I am KIND of thinking about doing wreaths for my other front windows too.  But, I need to put the lights on the house before I decide if I want to do that.  My sister-in-law made the wreath!  Isn't it great??  

Taking down the halloween/fall decorations with Dad!

I picked up some precious stockings at Pottery Barn.  We all had our own stockings, but they didn't match. And, when I tried to find some to match the old I wasn't having any luck.  So, I went in my favorite store and found the perfect stockings.  I will DEFINITELY post a picture once they are hung by the chimney with care (they are at the monogram place).

This weekend was BUSY.  We played LSU Saturday night, but since Martin is fighting his allergies and has a little runny nose, we decided that 4 hours outside after dark was not a good idea.  So, he got to stay and play with Bryan's parents.  Grammy and Pops and Martin had a great time.  And, Bryan and I didn't know what to do with ourselves.  It is amazing how much less stuff you have to drag to a tailgate when you are without the baby.  The people we sit by in the stadium wanted to know if we had forgotten something.  We were able to report that we didn't in fact forget him.  Hah!  Isn't it funny how you make friends with the people you sit with all football season, but never learn their names?  Weird huh?  Some LSU fans were on the other side of Bryan and the old man asked Bryan about a million questions about our players.  I guess our Rebel Grove subscription got put to good use.  But, at one point he said "Makes you think of Archie Manning, do y'all know who that is?"  Are you serious???  Is there anyone in this stadium who doesn't know Archie????  I thought about saying Archie Who just for laughs, but decided he might not get my joke!  I wanted to say, do you know where Arhcie's weekend condo is?  And, do you park by it every week and when you walk past wonder who you will get a glimpse of??  Last game it was Cooper and the game before it was Archie and Olivia!  Ain't Oxford Grand??  We had gumbo at the tailgate, and it was oh so good (thanks Eddie and Jo).

Before the game, we got to spend a few hours with Mary Beth, Michael, and Thomas Ketchum (
Bryan's cousin, her husband, and 9 month old baby).  We don't get to see them very much, so it was really nice to be able to spend a little time--once again, why didn't I take any pictures??  Then, Sunday morning we got up and drove to Holly Springs to see Allison, Shaun, Eddie, and JoLinda.  We saw them all Saturday at the game and tailgate, but Allison and Shaun live in Florida, so I wanted them to see Martin before they left.  They couldn't believe how big he had gotten in 6 weeks. Martin played ball with Betty.  He wasn't too sure at first, but he would throw the ball to her, and then she would give the ball to Shaun who would give it to Allison who would give it to Martin and Martin liked the lack of interaction he had to have with the dog.  He is just not really sure about dogs still.  Although this is better than being too friendly with dogs and petting one that doesn't like kids--so I won't fuss.  And, our dog stays outside, so it isn't like he is really around them that often!

Then Sunday afternoon we got to see Justin and Carley (Bryan's brother and his wife--the one that made the wreath).  It was a nice busy weekend.  And, now I am busy washing laundry and trying to pack for Thanksgiving!  Hope everyone has a great week.  I will try to be a better blogger!!!  We are headed to Oneonta Thursday morning, then to Columbus Sunday, Tupelo Tuesday, and back to Arlington Wednesday.   I am going to be slap worn out by next Thursday!!  But, I better get some rest, because Bryan and I are going to see The Nutcracker put on by Ballet Memphis Saturday night.  I cannot wait.  I always loved seeing The Nutcracker as a little girl, and I am really looking forward to it.  Isn't Bryan a great husband for wanting to take me to see Ballet??  Perhaps he can be husband of the year since I am going to be Mother of the Year.  Be sure to vote for us....if our names aren't on there....just write us in!

Sundays in Arlington

I love the sleepy little town we live in.  No one gets in a hurry, and everyone stops to talk to you.  It is part of what really drew me to this area to live.  When we first looked at our neighborhood (Villages at White Oak) I fell in love with the small town charm.  Families out walking together, little girls playing hopscotch, and boys riding bikes.  I actually wondered briefly if the neighborhood paid those kids to do those things the days we were out looking.  But, I have since learned that this is the total norm here, and I LOVE it.  We looked in a few more neighborhoods, and I just kept saying to Bryan, that first neighborhood we looked at building in, was perfect.  Bryan is a short 15 minute drive away from his work, and he doesn't have to battle the I-40 traffic.  We are close enough to Memphis (but lucky for me, plenty far away too).  And, in the afternoons when I walk with Martin I always talk to at least one person I haven't before.  Everyone is so friendly.  This town is a great place for my family to call home, and I love being reaffirmed of our decision daily.  This past Sunday during church the announcement guy at the end told everyone Faith would be at the Veteran's Day Service in downtown Arlington giving away popcorn and bottled water, and that he hoped to see everyone out there.  So, The Benton Family decided to go.  It was a very nice and moving service and one more reminder that we chose such a great place to call home!  The service made me thankful for all of the Veteran's in my family.  Especially My Daddy!  I can't wait for Martin to grow up and hear some of his very moving stories.  Hope everyone has a great Veteran's Day.  It will be 11/11/11 and that makes it extra special.  Be sure you thank a vet this week.

Martin listening to the Guest Speaker

The guest speaker was a wounded vet who was in Afghanistan and had both of his legs blown off in a convoy and now has two prosthetic legs.  It was so moving to see the emotions in the crowd from seeing this young (23ish) man with two metal legs.  Such a moving speaker before he even opened his mouth.  Wish I had a picture, but we were in the back.

Cool old Chevrolet

Loved this cool old car--especially the flag on the front.  It kind of reminded me of Bryan's dad's old car.  But, this was a Chevy, and his dad's is a Plymouth if I am not mistaken.

Motorcycles for each Branch of Service

They circled around at the beginning of the program, and Martin didn't really know what to think about all the noise.  He sat up in the stroller to see what was going on.

A Marine's View

It was so nice to see so much of our town out to celebrate Veteran's Day.  I couldn't really tell, but I bet there were over 500 people there.  Isn't that a beautiful picture???

United States Marine Corps

The few, the proud, The Marines!

At the end of the service, they recognized each branch of the military by having the Middle School Band play the songs.  It was very cool to see all of the veteran's in the crowd.  I of course recognized the Marine Corps song right off (Dad, aren't you proud).  From the halls of Montezuma, to the shores of Tripoli.......We are proud to claim the title, of United States Marine.

Martin was so tired by the end!

What we have been up to!

Bathtub Fun!

Cheese Puffs

My sweet boys

Martin's First Ole Miss Game

Another Ole Miss game!

Thumbs up

All tuckered out

His future is so bright....

Funny boy

Sometimes when your parents are slow, you have to take matters into your own hands!

I finally updated my iPhone, so I loaded all these pictures while I did.  There are certainly some cute ones--been a busy few months.  He is such a ham!!!!  I cannot believe he is 13 months old.  Where oh where has the time gone?