Christmas Recap

Merry Christmas from The Bentons!!  We had a very good Christmas all things considered.  We all had some form or fashion of the stomach virus the week of Christmas.  It was not pleasant.  Then, we passed it to my parents when they came to visit.  That really is the gift that keeps on giving.  I wouldn't wish that on my worst enemy.  Apparently it is really bad this year.  Several schools were closed early before the holidays because of it, and they have even been talking about it on the news.  So, if you managed not to get it, Congrats to you!!  We made this Christmas Gingerbread Train, and Martin wasn't really sure what to think.

Are you sure it is ok for me to eat this??  I just am not sure.  I usually get fussed at for putting things like this is my mouth?  

Since we were all sick, and it is SO CONTAGIOUS for up to 2 weeks, we had to cancel all of our plans.  I was supposed to go to my parents house for a few days before Christmas for Mom's family Christmas party, and we didn't make it.  I was so sad, because Martin was going to get to meet some out of town family that he hasn't met yet!  Oh well...plans change.  We have so much to be thankful for, that I am trying not to focus on all that we missed out on.  Then we were planning to get up and do Santa here Christmas morning (with my parents and brother) and then leave to be in Columbus for two rounds of Christmas there with Bryan's family.  Dad's side at lunch, and Mom's side at supper.  I was looking forward to seeing the babies, but once again, plans change right?  And, then here was the real kicker....we were supposed to leave Tuesday morning to go to Ohio to see all of Dad's family.  And, that didn't happen either. We are going to reschedule for the summer, and I am already looking forward to it!!!  I was so ready to see everyone at all of our stops, but I just couldn't go and subject those people to such a terrible sickness and be ok with myself.  If I had given that to someone's baby, I would have just felt horrible.  And, I think it still turned out great.  

Opening his stocking from Grammy and Pops.  Lots of goodies.  Thanks!  We took a lot of video, so not many pictures of this.  But, he got some awesome things.  Including his very own golf bag and set of clubs, LOTS of great books that Martin loves for you to read to him, Winnie the Pooh, some PJ's (that Martin was the most excited about), and some great puzzles.

Attempting to read The Night Before Christmas on Christmas Eve.  Martin wasn't very cooperative.  I think we skipped a few pages.  I don't think anyone noticed.  He was ready for bed.  Guess he was excited for Santa to come.

A picture of the Santa loot before Martin came in.  Look, there is Moose A. Moose from nick jr in his stocking.  He loves that silly Moose.  

Not really sure what to think.  It is still early--but this Lego table is pretty cool, seems fun to destroy!  

Those are all for me??  What was Santa thinking wrapping all of those presents??  Might rethink that one for next year.

Martin's stocking.  Oh good, Santa knew how much Martin loves things on his head.  

Helping Dad open his stocking.  

The "IT" toy this Christmas for 12-18 month olds.  The infamous Zoo Talker.  He loves it, but it was a pain to try to find all of the accessories for it.  Mamie and Papa brought it from Alabama, and he loves to scatter those animals all over the house!

Woah Zach!  Open this up for me.  I need to test it out.

Not too sure about the stick horse.  

Flip me Dad!  Flip me!

Check out my Very Hungry Caterpillar puppet.  He likes for you to tickle him with the purple antenna.  

Stacking the snowman boxes so Martin can knock them down.

Thanks for reading to me.

This looks too pretty to open.

He could have been a pretty girl.  I think it is time for another haircut, when we are out, people always says "Oh, she is so cute". She has on a blue outfit, and no bow, where is the confusion people??

Oh, good!  Looks like he has really been wanting this.

Another pretty Carley wrapping job.

Helping everyone open their gifts!

Headed out for New Year's Eve!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from The Bentons.  Hope everyone has a great year in 2012!

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!