Christmas Card Hopefuls

Oh how I love a Christmas card out-take! 

Thanks to David Odom for capturing our family's crazy this year.

Lila is FIVE!

Lila's actual birthday was a little tricky this year, being that it was on Thanksgiving and Scott had to work. I was at loss for what to do on her special day, but I figured it out, as you will see below. She woke up to a couple of presents and balloons. That Truman promptly chewed into smithereens. 

I made the celebratory pancakes and she used her special plate.

I gave Nate some L's too and didn't realize until I set the plate down that it spelled out LOL. We LOL'd.

My big master plan was to go to the Zoo! Since it's only closed on Christmas and New Year's Day, so it was our perfect (only) option. I love this series of pictures. They are being so sweet to each other.

I had not seen the polar bear, so we went there first. Sweet bear.

My FIVE YEAR OLD!

After we walked around a little bit, I let Nate tell her that as a birthday surprise, she was going to get to Build A Bear! She was very excited.

She chose a flamingo.

And she named her Lou. Which is the nickname we use for Lila most often. So sweet.

A birthday ride on the train!

Thank you St. Louis Zoo for being open on Thanksgiving, aka Lila's birthday!

After the zoo, we came home and rested for a bit, then I got to cooking and we had Thanksgiving dinner when Scott got home.

Cupcakes for dessert!

Then presents, finally. She was so patient and waited until Scott was with us. Yes, that's my Christmas tree in the background. I asked Lila if she would mind if we put up the Christmas decorations on her birthday. She said she would love to do that. Score for a multi-tasking birthday.

Oh Lila, I've been a little sad that you were turning 5. I think it's because Nate was this age when you were born. As long as you were younger than that, I could think of you as my baby or at least a very little kid. But you are not a baby anymore. You are a smart, kind, independent, beautiful, strong-willed, get-er-done 5 year old. You are a dreamer, a creator, and a leader. My heart bursts with pride when I hear how you have helped someone else at school in a big way. You are going to do big things with this talent, I just know it.

I love you so much. We all do. I can't imagine life without you in it and am so very thankful that you came along to make our family complete. Complete it, you do.

Dream big sweet girl.

Love, Mom

Chattanooga Chatter

We took a fabulous trip to Chattanooga for the first part of Thanksgiving break. We met Mimi, Paka, David, Amanda, Noah, Gavin and Levi for a few days of visiting and sight seeing. Here is the view from the house we rented, that's Lookout Mountain in the distance. 

The cousins didn't waste any time getting their Whip and Nae Nae on the first night. I can't believe I just wrote that. I don't really even know what it is. But the kids do.

I couldn't resist another picture of the view the next morning.

We went to the Chickamauga Battlefield on our first full day there. Here are the boys getting ready to watch the film at the Visitor's Center. I ushered us all in there because it was about to start and missed the sign that said, "Not Suitable for All Ages." These boys were all good but it was a little too much blood for Lila & Levi, although they made it through. Lesson learned when visiting battlefields.

The film gave the boys some great material for staging battles.

The views were just gorgeous while playing freeze tag in the yard.

More Whip & Nae Nae, choreographed this time.

The next day we went to Lookout Mountain. And some looking out we did.

 Mimi & her first grandchild. Who will probably be taller than all of us by next Thanksgiving.

Taking pictures was easier when there was only one grandchild. :):)

But the more the merrier and this is us. In all our glory.  

I mean really, Lila can't just give a quick smile??

That afternoon, we walked across the Walnut Street Bridge in downtown Chattanooga. It was a beautiful day and we all enjoyed the open spaces. I do have to make a note since I didn't take any pictures - we walked after we all ate lunch in a restaurant that had white tablecloths. And the lady sitting next to us was drinking champagne. Uh-uh. All 11 of us. Including 5 children under 10. And we survived. The kids were great and we all loved the food at the Public House!

These boys are inseparable when we are together. Makes my heart happy.

Lila was desperately trying to sit with Nate and he wasn't having it.

The Fabulous Five.

Back at the house that night, we celebrated Lila's birthday. She is a lucky little girl.

We made the long trek back home on Tuesday. Lila was somewhat cranky all the way home. She didn't sleep a wink even though she was exhausted. She had some fever before we left, but I was sure it was a cold. Well, when we got home, I took her temperature and it was 102 and she kept saying her throat hurt. Yep, we took her to the doctor the next day and she had strep throat.

We caught it early and she was on the mend by the next day. It was a good thing since it was Thanksgiving and HER BIRTHDAY!