Thanksgiving Break

We started out our break with a trip to the zoo. Bob, the orangutan, is moving to another zoo. Jackson has always loved him. The weather was nice, and the zoo was empty. The boys loved running around.

On Thanksgiving Tim fixed a really good grits casserole. We attempted to watch the parade, but that is hard to do without cable. I hate the boys didn't get to see it.

My mom's birthday was on Thanksgiving this year. We got her a new phone. Unfortunately my dad had to work.we headed to Greenville for a late lunch. The boys didn't eat anything, but they loved playing with the balloons. Tim and I ended up going to Wal-Mart. Kristi and Mack ended up with an extra TV voucher. It was definitely crazy!

On Friday, we picked out our Christmas tree. Jackson kept saying that we had to find the perfect one. Brooks just kept pointing and saying "tree."

That afternoon we went to Disney on Ice. Kristi won tickets, so we got to to meet Minnie and eat cupcakes before the show. Brooks was in awe of all of the stuff they sell. He kept pointing and saying "wow, whoa, wow." Of course it was all outrageous! $12 cotton candy-no thanks! The show was good but a little long.

That night we went to Earle Street to celebrate my mom's birthday. The food was really good. I don't think the boys can go back there until it is warm enough to sit outside!

On Saturday Tim and I went to the Clemson Carolina game while the boys stayed with Noni! It was a great game with a great win!

We decorated the tree that night. Jackson was super excited and wanted to help. I think he had more fun playing with the ornaments though. Brooks just wanted to hit the ornaments once they were on the tree. He also wanted to just take them off. His favorite is a Santa riding a tiger. He walked all around holding that one roaring.

On Sunday we tried to recover and get ready for the week. I feel like I need another vacation!

Tim in Wyoming

Tim went home for a few days. The night before Jackson sang at the Thanksgiving Service. It was sweet, and the food was great.

We survived being without Tim for a few days. The boys had to spend several nights with my parents. I had bus duty and hated to ask my mom to come to my house at 6:30 am. I also did not want to leave the house at 6am with the boys.

The boys were really good, but I was exhausted. We still went to the Clemson game. The boys loved the flyover and the parachuters. My and Jackson sat with us the first quarter. Brooks was done by the second quarter. We still watch halftime though since it was military appreciation.

The boys definitely were tired of being with just me, and we were all glad when Daddy finally got home.

Brooks is 18 months old!

This is so hard to believe! Where has my little baby gone?

Brooks

• Wears 12 months clothes and some 18m (He is a lot smaller than Jackson was at this age, so all of the hand-me-downs are way big.)
• Wears size 5 diapers
• Size 5 wide shoes
• Has become a picky eater!
• Loves music and loves to dance
• Loves trains and says "choo choo" in a deep voice every time he sees one
• Says "tad ah! " all the time
• Talks and babbles a lot- Dadeee, MaMa, look, uh oh, 
• Loves his 2 blankets
• Puts up a fight getting in the car seat
• Loves applesauce, pizza, chicken nuggets, strawberries, watermelon, chips, fries, chocolate
• No longer eats vegetables
• Has no fear- loves playgrounds, slides, jumping on the couch, running anywhere and everywhere, wrestling with Jackson
• Does not like to take naps or go to bed. He gets WILD before bed!
• Wakes up around 6:30 and is asleep by 9:30
• Takes 1 nap and loves to cuddle
• Is learning to go downstairs, can climb upstairs
• Talks all the time- Daddy, Mommy, attempts to say Jackson, bye bye, choo choo, car, cookie, snack, smoothie
• Waves and says bye to everyone everywhere 
• Loves to watch Chuggington, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Thomas
• Loves to sing- Itsy Bitsy Spider, Wheels on the Bus, Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes, Manamana
• Likes going to the nursery on Wednesday nights because of his "girlfriend" Shannon. (One of the workers)
• Loves books and will sit forever and look at books. He loves Llama Llama, That's Not My books, Little Blue Truck
• Is still our tornado- can pull out more stuff and make the biggest mess
•  Has a funny, laid back personality

Atlanta

We headed to Atlanta yesterday to visit Santa and ride the Pink Pig. I know it's early, but appointments for Santa at Phipps fill up fast. Noni, Tu Tu, and Papa Jerry went with us.

Jackson was excited to show Santa his "map" of Radiator Springs. Both boys looked adorable. We had NO crying, and both boys looked at the camera and smiled! It was the sweetest thing. Jackson did get to tell Santa about what he wanted. The pictures are precious! I can't believe Brooks didn't cry!

Then we went to Macy's at Lennox and rode Priscilla the Pink Pig. Both boys loved it. We even had to buy souvenirs.

We enjoyed the Cheesecake Factory for lunch. The boys loved it. Brooks loved the bread and ate a ton of fries. Jackson loved his quesadilla. Both boys loved their cheesecake. Actually they loved the whipped cream! Everything was delicious! I wish there was one closer.

Then we went to Mall of Georgia to check out the Disney Store. I got a great deal on that Mickey costume last year, but no costumes left this year. Jackson was in heaven with all of the cars and planes. Brooks slept through it. Santa and the pig wore him out.

We stopped by to see Alexa and Baby Thatcher on the way home. Brooks loved him. Jackson was disappointed that he couldn't talk.

We enjoyed our great day trip to kick off the holiday season!

More Fun!