Merry Christmas!

This year we were blessed to be able to stay home for Christmas. Since my family lives all over the world, literally, we were so fortunate to have everyone come to Monticello for the holidays. Sam's family is less than an hours drive, so we could also easily see them. Amazingly we found enough cabins around Monticello to house everyone in my family. And they were all so generous to stay away from home.

Christmas Eve we went to MBC's Candle Light Service and then had folks over for dinner and games. Christmas day was a little hectic...we did Santa with Mac that morning, headed to Magee for lunch, and back to Monticello for dinner. Though it was a bit crazy, its always great to spend time with family. And Mac loved opening all his presents.

I'm a little saddened that its time to take down all the decorations and lights. I love the Christmas holidays! Maybe we could just be one of those families that keeps the lights up all year long :) Yeah, maybe not...all good things must come to an end!

Christmas Eve

My mom taught Mac how to kiss and hug Baby Jesus from the manger scene and tell him "night, night." Its the sweetest thing.



Mac's favorite gift, hands down. We had to put the drums in another room to get him to even look at any other gifts.

Trying to figure out the train.



Knocking down his block tower.

Mac's new chair to watch Sprout in :) He loved the gift bows just about more than the gifts!

Thanks Aunt Shirlyn!

Mac's Great-Aunt Shirlyn sent him this cute outfit just in time for the holidays. He wore it to church last week and looked so cute...even Sam approved :) He'll be sporting it again on Christmas day. Thanks Aunt Shirlyn!!

When You Wish Upon A Star

We had an amazing time at Disney World last week. My parents treated us to an early Christmas at the place where all your dreams come true...and they did! I have plenty more details and photos to post, but it'll have to wait until after Christmas.

If...

If I had been real festive, on the ball, and had taken the time to send a Christmas card...one of these pictures may have appeared in your mailbox. Oh, and the other big IF...If I had the great computer and photo skills to somehow blend the top two pictures into one, then the Christmas card would have definitely been delivered!

All If's aside, MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!

Its the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

The Taylor household got Christmas started early this year. Yes, that's right, we're already decorated for Christmas, inside and out...and have been for a week! Now, before you go thinking we're crazy, we had some good reasons to break out the holly early this year. For starters, my mom was staying for a few days and getting all the decorating done is always easier and more fun with help. Also, considering the four days we'll be gone for Thanksgiving and the upcoming week to Disney, I wanted them up long enough to enjoy them :) And I'm so glad to have it all done, and now we can just sit back and enjoy the holiday season!

I was a little nervous of how Mac would do with the tree, especially considering how much he loves balls and that we have lots of ball ornaments on the tree. (He was only 3 months last year and obviously didn't bother it.) He had so much fun playing amongst all the boxes and decorations as we put them up. He even helped put a few on the tree. However, afterward, we told him not to touch the tree and said "no, no." Well, would you believe he doesn't even walk up to the tree! He oohs and aahs at it, but never once has he tried to touch or go near it. I'm so thankful (and lucky to have such a compliant child!)

So, now that the stockings have been hung by the chimney with care, its time to enjoy this most wonderful time of the year!!!

Over the River and Through the Woods...

Getting ready to go to the Veteran's Day dinner

Mac playing with his favorite thing...leaves.

He LOVES leaves!

Riding the plane...how appropriate that it was at Keesler Air Force Base!

To Momo's house we went!!! The week before last Mac and I had a great time being loved on and spoiled at Momo and Papa's house. Sam was going to be out of town for a few days, so I decided to pack up and head to the coast.

We had the privilege of celebrating Veteran's Day with our very own veteran. The celebration began on Wednesday evening at a Veteran's dinner at their church. It was very nice and had delicious food :) On Thursday, we went to Chili's where Papa took advantage of a free meal. Then Momo, Mac, and I shopped and took advantage of Veteran's Day sales!

We spent the entire week down there and had a blast. Momo and Papa had fun playing with Mac, and Mac loves to imitate Momo. Its really quite funny. We are already anticipating our return for Thanksgiving!

Vacation At Last!!

Last week Sam, Mac and I visited Sam's sister and brother-in -law, Olivia and Mark, in Greenville, South Carolina. They were wonderful, generous hosts, and we had a great week. This was our first "real vacation" with Mac, and it was a success! I've overloaded this post with pictures, I know...But I had tons to choose from. I'll just give details in the captions to spare you from complete boredom :)

Enjoying the beautiful scenery at the local park.

Playing with Aunt Olivia's headband.

Sam's grandmother, Memaw Taylor, and Aunt Shirlyn came from Atlanta to see Mac for the first time. They showered him with hugs and fun toys. We had an enjoyable afternoon and look forward to seeing them again soon.

Olivia and Mark have two large dogs, which Mac LOVED!!

Mac is really into leaves. He likes throwing them, stepping on them, crunching them, and looking at them. This is at the zoo where he pretty much just wanted to play with leaves all day. Go figure. haha

Boo at the Zoo. Between the leaves and the Halloween decorations, we pretty much had to force Mac to look at the animals. He loved all the pumpkins.

Playing on the playground

Aunt Olivia teaching Mac proper etiquette and table manners :)

Mac's favorite exhibit at The Georgia Aquarium, the penguins

Playing with penguins

Jellyfish

The Georgia Aquarium is hands down the best aquarium we've ever been too. Here is one of the massive tanks. Notice tiny little Mac in the bottom right corner.

Taking a family pic with Deepo the Fish.


Headed home...Mac was a trooper!

My Lil Pumpkin

This year for Trunk Or Treat Mac dressed as a pumpkin (which just so happens to be what Parker was 2 years ago, haha). There could not have been a more perfect costume for Mac. He has really taken to pumpkins this fall season and likes seeing and playing with them. When we tried on his outfit, I brought him to a mirror. All of a sudden, he broke out in a huge grin and squealed "Oohh, Aahh!" No kidding; he loved it. Needless to say, it was no problem getting him to wear it all night.

Trying on his costume and falling in love with it.

Running free at Trunk Or Treat.

Playing games...of course he went straight to a ball.

Family Pic :)

Mac's play group friends Ella and Adam.

If you look close in the left corner, you see our trunk. Now look at the rest of the picture...We just had to end up parked next to the Ringling Bros Circus!!! Yes, we felt inferior. Haha

Here's our little trunk. It looked great in my mind...not so great in real life. Oh well, at least our lights shone!

The State Fair!

Last week we joined Jess and her kiddos for an adventure at the fair. Now, if you've ever been to a fair (especially in our great state), then you know just the type of adventure there is to be had :) I think you could walk in the gate, sit on a bench, and be entertained all day without ever getting on a ride!

We didn't realize that we picked Columbus Day until we arrived and saw the floods of people in attendance. I know some schools were out, but not that many!! It was very crowded. And after a previous week of fall-ish weather, it was very hot. But we endured and had some fun along the way. My brother-in-law even met us for lunch for a legendary "Pronto Pup" and funnel cake. (For those of you unschooled in fair lingo, a Pronto Pup is a huge corn dog. I mean huge!)

For the rest of the story and all the fun details, see the captions below...

The brave troops (minus Lee). What is not in the picture is the additional double stroller. Try pushing 2 of those around a fair! And check out Mac's face...reckon he wanted some of Parker's cotton candy??? haha

Well, Mac wasn't allowed so much as one sticky taste, but he laughed about it anyway.

Strolling through the Ag Barn. Notice the difference in Parker and Mac's reactions!

Feeding a goat...those animals have to be stuffed after a full day of continuous carrots!

Loving to see (and point) at the animals.

Parker was a serious speedster on this ride! Did you know he was really driving that car!? haha

My sweet, sensitive child was terrified of the "big" rides. All the crazy noises scared him so badly. He buried his head the entire time we walked through the loud, crazy ride section.

Ready to go home after a hot, fun day at the fair!