An Old Fashioned Christmas Tree Cutting

Dadda has had the most fun at their new hunting property in Louise, aka, "Fair's Recreational Property." He had the cool idea for us all to ride out there and cut down our very own Christmas trees. At one point, Uncle Paul asked where the line is between an old fashioned Christmas and a Redneck Christmas? Will wondered if Aunt Fair thought we had long since crossed it. But we had a blast anyway despite the drizzle and mud. I think the kids loved it because of the mud.

The trees look pretty normal sized out in the open, but when we measured them, the biggest was 12 feet tall. Ours is a good 10, it's still in the carport. I will have to take a picture of it tomorrow before we trim it up. Will has not stopped quoting, "That thing wouldn't fit in our yard!" "It's not going in our yard, it's going in our living room." Do you know the quote?





Will and Paul cutting down one of our trees. Notice how much taller the tree is than Paul.



Laurie would not stop touching it, even for a photo opp.

That is one big tree!

Even Josie got in on our fun.

Thanksgiving with the Carters, Austins, Baronis, Ratcliffes, Barbours, Havards, and Nobles

Happy Thanksgiving! We have so much to be thankful for this year. God has been so gracious to us in the gift of little Laurie and how wonderfully, beautifully perfect and precious she is.

We headed south Wednesday after work to spend the holiday with my folks. We had such a good time. I don't think BB put Laurie down at all. I hope you all had a thankful day and enjoyed your fill of food! The highlight of the trip being that she slept the entire ride back, woo hoo!

Goodbye Fall, Hello Winter!

I made my first attempt at sewing. I am no Aunt Fair or Aunt Laura, but I thought it was passible.

As I was reviewing the finished product, I say to Will, "It's not very pretty is it?" (meaning, my skill and the pattern) And he replies, "No, it's not, I wondered why you picked that fabric with that trim." (meaning, you have bad taste) Thanks, honey, thanks a lot.

We went for a stroll around the block this morning, I managed to keep Laurie's cap on her. Though just barely. Doesn't she look just like a pink Cat in the Hat?

Our pumpkins are just about past their prime. But I realized today that we have taken no photos with Laurie and her first Halloween pumpkins, so out we go for another photo op. It went better than yesterday, but my subject is still a little difficult. Laurie thoroughly enjoyed our day outside and crawled all over the front porch, her knees are filthy!

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Crabbing, Part II

Crabbing may be becoming our new mode of transportation. For the last few days, I've seen quite the transition from crawling to this new form. Crawling would seem easier to me, but I guess it's not my knees on that cold floor.

Our fear is she won't be far from walking. She has no fear (if you do not include the vacuum), even now Laurie will let go and do her best to keep her balance before plopping to the floor.

The Best Laid Plans

As we were strolling yesterday, we saw Aunt Fair taking their Christmas card photos. So, I was feeling a little inspired to do ours today. I decked Laurie out in her Christmas dress, picked out a spot in the yard, laid out a blanket, called the dog and we headed out for what promised to be a wonderful photo session. Uhhh...is that drizzle I am feeling? Why yes, I believe it is. It's only sprinkling, maybe it'll stop, we carry on. I managed to get Josie to sit still for one shot before she took off.

OK, forget her, we'll do it with just Laurie. If I had known Laurie would only have eyes for Jo, I would have moved over. See how sweetly she is offering to share her Cheerio with Jo?

It started to rain harder and harder, so we finally called it quits. If you live here, you know it pretty much rained the rest of the day. Which is fine, Momma was not up for trying again.

Thanks, Pop!

Pop took a trip to Turkey and brought us back this pretty sweater. It has just gotten cool enough to wear. She is beautiful in it, I believe, despite being a tad cranky. Thank you, Pop!!

Crabbing

This is what happens when your mamma puts clothes on you that are to long. You have to walk like a crab to keep from stepping all over them. She didn't appreciate it, but I sure thought it was pretty funny.

Tissue Paper

I don't know what she finds so amusing about this, but Laurie spent quite some time intently shredding a tissue today. And then I spent quite some time picking up all the tiny little pieces from the floor.

Question: When did you start brushing your baby's teeth? Neither of us are enjoying doing it.

Little Drummer Girl

Finally! Someone in our family with some musical talent! Anyone want to start a band?

Cool Fall Days

She looks like a totally different child in her knit cap. She also won't keep it on long. I've never seen anyone take off socks and cap so fast.



Daddy has been down with the stomach flu all day. He is hiding in the back and Laurie and I are hiding in the front. I feel bad for him, but she and I enjoyed snuggling in our jammies.

No!

It is really pretty cute that when you tell Laurie "No" she shakes her head back at you. I wonder what she thinks we are discussing. I am not so sure it will be as cute in another 5 years.

She also really enjoys our junk mail.

Facebook and Back to Business

I am sorry I have been neglecting my duties here at Laurie Central. When I first heard of facebook, I thought it was for teenagers and nerds. I held out from joining until I heard two friends in one day reference facebook and its wonders. So, I caved and joined, within 24 hours I had 20 friends. When you pull up that screen and it says that people have requested to be your friend, you really feel validated as a person. Shallow, I know, but still. Anyway, I think I have finished reconnecting.

Laurie must be going through another growth spurt. Today, I was in the kitchen when I heard glass clanging, I peeked in the den to see she opened the cabinet doors on the wine cabinet and was banging the bottles together. That bodes well for her teen years. Then there is this. If she stands on her tip toes, she can sweep the table clean.

Fickle Perfomers

Laurie is catching on so quickly to the fun nursery rhymes we sing at Mommy and Me. She has been "twinkle twinkling" for a while and recently started clapping too, but she only does it when she wants to. As soon as I pull out the camera to capture the moment, she will either stare blankly or make a bee line to take the camera away.

Saturday morning during breakfast, she was hamming it up, I just knew I would get some great footage. After several shots of trying to get her to twinkle, she finally clapped. Then just as I was about to give up, she reluctantly twinkled for me. I am sure she was thinking she would do anything to just get rid of me.

Dinner Time

Laurie is getting more and more opinionated about what she is and is not willing to eat. Rather than fight with her over every meal, we have given up cereal, baby food, and even formula. For dinner tonight, the menu called for wheat bread, pinto beans, green beans and potatoes. Combined with a lovely white grape juice and followed with some raspberries for dessert. When she finally finished, I thought she was going to pop.

She loves to crawl under our side tables, I love it because I don't worry about dusting there any more.

Thoughts on Raising a Child

After Will and I were married, we discussed how unmistakably God uses others to reveal sin in our lives. The verse, "as iron sharpens iron" was never as perfect as when applied to marriage. But now as a parent, I feel so deeply the extent of my depravity. I examine my character and find it lacking. How can I show Laurie to love the Lord when I always do what I hate? How can I teach her patience, when I am anxious? Selflessness, compassion, humility...? What example will we set for her? It is a good thing God has promised not to leave us, because there is no way we can do this alone.