Winter Break Day 1...

Day one of my winter break was quite successful as I didn't leave the house ALL day! I finished Grady's birthday invitations and got them addressed and ready to be mailed. I will mail them out next week to give guests 2 weeks notice. I cleaned Grady's closet and drawers out and put away the 18 and 24 month clothing. It is always so sad to put his clothes away because I know he will NEVER be that small ever again. He is wearing 2T and some 3T clothing now! I began packing his suitcase along with Asten and mine. We leave Wednesday afternoon for Hilton Head.

For dinner, I made these Rotel chicken wraps that I came up with several weeks ago. They are so easy and soooo yummy.

Ingredients:

• chicken
• rotel (original)
• 1 onion
• tortilla wraps
• rice (I like Uncle Ben's-microwave pouches!)

Directions:

Sautee the rotel with the chicken and onion for approx 10-15 min. Prepare rice and spoon chicken mixture and rice into tortillas. Top with cheese and sour cream. My family really likes them!

This past Saturday I took a photography class with my friend, Brittney and my step-mom, Laurie. I loved it and while it was a little overwhelming, I learned so much! Brittney and I are wanting to register for another class on March 6th. I really, really want to take this class because the photographyer who is teaching it is the same photographer that shot Gradys's newborn session when he was 2 weeks old. Her name is Ricki Chester and she is amazing! Here are some shots that are now two years old:

The bachelor is on tonight. I really hated to see Ali go home and am hoping for Gia (red dress) or Tenley (green dress) to win! I like both of them.

I have a feeling that this will not be the case and think Vienna (purple dress) will be his choice. :(

Happy Valentine's Day...

Our precious little valentine smelling mommy's roses.

McCoy Kate's first Valentine's Day. She is such a precious little girl. We had a mini-photo shoot!

Aunt Katie and McCoy Kate

Sleepy girl

Sickness, Love, and Snow...

This little monkey has been a very sick boy. He began running a fever last Friday. We went to the doctor Saturday morning and were told it was just a virus. By Monday, he was much worse. We went back and found out it had turned into Bronchiolitis. He began antibiotics along with breathing treatments then. I took him back yesterday to ensure that his antibiotic was doing it's job and were happy to find out that his chest xray was clear and that pneumonia hadn't settled in. He went to school today for the first time in a week and did great! Mrs. Carla said he really enjoyed himself. Luckily I got to leave work at 12:00 (because of snow) and was able to pick him up early. He had his Valentine party and got lots of goodies.

His daddy and him had a goody in store for me!

I am so thankful for such a loving husband!

One of my sweet little students brought me this orchid for Valentines Day! I got lots of other little things from my precious class.

Here are the 5 Valentines Grady has received in the mail. They are from his grandparents as well as his great-grandparents.

This is an old picture from our last big snow, but I just loved it. My friend Brittney took it. It was SOOO cold but Grady had to watch the snowman building!

Then he had to touch it!

They are calling for 1-2 inches of snow here! Maybe more pics tomorrow!

McCoy Kate...

Our precious friends Amy and Lee had their baby girl at 4:08 this afternoon.

She weighed 6 lbs. 12 oz and was 19 3/4 in long.

She is just a PERFECT little bundle of joy.

Grady will have many memories as he grows up with this baby girl.

Welcome to the world McCoy Kate Mashburn!

We already love you soooo much!

SNOW...

A very tired little boy after doing this today...

It's hard work putting lots of layers on.

Let's go already.

Look at our little snowman, Mom!

"It's Cold...brrr"

We went to our friends, Bryan and Brittney's to play cards and ended up building a second, much better snowman. Grady loves the snow! I do too. If it's going to be this cold I want to see white blankets everywhere. This is such a pretty snow. I'm glad to live in the location we do. Everyone goes CRAZY over a couple of inches of snow. It's so much fun!

It's Monday...

Well it's booked...

Grady's 2nd birthday party will take place on March 13th (2:30) at Pump it Up!

It's a really cute place in Chattanooga with inflatable slides, obstacle courses, and jumping arenas. Grady has been to two different birthday parties and LOVES it! Let the party planning begin!

Grady's "Aunt Amy" is expecting precious McCoy Kate in 2 weeks. I'm so excited for her to arrive and for Grady to grow up with her. We can't wait to play with her in a few short days!

I got a new car on Friday! It is a black dodge Durango and it looks very similar to this:

Well it's time for the Bachelor. I'm rooting for this girl.... Ella. She seems so down to earth and she is from Tennessee!

Happy Birthday Big Boy!...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LITTLE COWBOY!!!!

You are 22 months old today. Only one more birthday after this one and we won't be able to refer to your age in months. After you turn 2...it will just be 2...no more months! :( It is still so hard for me to believe how big you are! It seems like yesterday we brought you home from the hospital.

What are you up to these days?

You weigh about 33 lbs.

You wear size 2T in all clothes.

You wear a size 6 diaper.

You've starting telling us when you are pottying but aren't interested in sitting on your potty.

You love horses!

You love "bububebies" (blueberries).


You LOVE ketchup and will dip anything in it! ha!


You say "Dada Look, Mama Look" when you want to show us something!


Of course, ELMO is still your favorite.


You really like choo-choo's (trains).


You went to your first movie two weeks ago and loved it!
(I was so surprised you could sit through it!)



We love you so much baby boy! Do us a favor and slow down...you're growing up way too fast!

ELMO...

Last night was the night we have been antcipating for 2 months now! We took Grady to see "When Elmo Grows Up". He absolutely loved it! We actually sat on the 2nd row and it was perfect! Elmo and his friends came down from the stage and hugged the kids sitting right there. Grady was amazed!

Here he is ready to go saying "Cheeeeessee" before the big show!

Mommy and Grady leaving!

Daddy bought Grady this ELMO spinner that lights up!

(They are making a killing on little toys!...They sold ELMO balloons for 10.00 during intermission! They cost 2.95 at the balloon store!ha!)

He sat so still the entire show! He was mesmerized!

ELMO's World!

Elmo...as a boy scout!

ELMO...

Way back in November, I ordered 3rd row seats to see ELMO. We gave them to Grady for Christmas. He wasn't that impressed then. But, this Saturday we are going and he is so excited! As the commercials play, he says "Elmo, Elmo, Elmo!" I know we are going to have so much fun watching him!

This has been my first full week of work since before Christmas. I was getting used to being home with Grady. He has had a hard time this week at Mrs. Carla's when I leave. Bless his heart! It's so hard to leave him!

Snow Day...

Well I returned to work on Wednesday from the Christmas holidays. I had a great day with the kids but knew snow was in the forecast so of course I started getting excited about the possibility of school being cancelled. We found out Wednesday that students would be released at 11:00 on Thursday...half days are always fun (especially for 1st graders)! We got some snow...but the icy roads are what cancelled school for today!