Are we there yet…

Another busy weekend. Another week without updating the blog. I’m going to do my best to get it together one of these days, but for now, I’ve traded in the Internet  for my sewing machine. If I would have known that having two kids in the house would have boosted my sales so much, I may have had # 2 a lot sooner!

We’ve got yet another exciting weekend ahead of us. This weekend will mark Hutson’s first trip to the Georgia coast. We will also be celebrating Big Daddy’s birthday. I’ve said it before, but I’ll say it again…few things in life excite me more than a weekend at the coast, boiled peanuts, and Georgia football!

We celebrated Reynolds third birthday last weekend in Griffin.

To escape the hot afternoon sun, his mommy came up with the idea for a morning, pajama party. Breakfast goodies like doughnuts, biscuits, and bagels were served while the kids jumped in the jumpy castle.  

Sweet Reynolds was a true sport about MR opening his gifts.

We also got in a weekend visit from Gran C and Big Daddy, which allowed us a date night to celebrate or 6th wedding anniversary.

On Sunday, the boys attended the Braves game and got to watch the Bravos make a huge comeback to win the game!

This was the homerun that Diaz hit to tie the game.  Thanks to our DVR, I got to capture Big Daddy and G enjoying the moment…

Getting a frameable picture of these two has proved almost impossible.

One talks constantly and makes silly faces as soon as the camera comes out,

and the other is always looking for the next meal.

After 56 attempts to capture sibling bliss, I settled with this…

and was left with two crying babies; one with a sucker stuck in her hair and the other with a major diaper blowout.

These two monkeys certainly keep me busy these days…

I’m learning to juggle two precious kids, Petey Pie’s, and housework. And while the bags under my eyes seem to get bigger by the day, I wouldn’t have it any other way. We may lack a good nights sleep, but we make up for it with laughter; lots and lots of laughter!

We’ve got another busy week ahead of us. G leaves on Sunday for a week long business trip to New York and MR starts her first day of school. She will be going three days a week and is growing more and more excited by the day. Big Daddy is bringing Gran C over on Sunday afternoon so she can help out with MR and the little man. After school on Monday, we’ll head to Athens for the night so that the kids can get in even more grandparent time. We’ll return home on Tuesday and start the countdown until Daddy’s arrival back home!

MR met all of her classmates at “Make a Friends Day” on Tuesday. She is one of two girls in her class and loves all of the extra attention.

Little man had his one month checkup on Tuesday. At 5 weeks, he weighs 10 pounds and 8 oz and is 21 inches long. He continues to be pretty laid back, sleeping most of the day and alert at night.

I could eat this little fella with a spoon…he may not wear bows or pretty smocked dresses like his big sister, but he has definitely stolen his mama’s heart.

We had a photographer come out last week to capture a few pictures of the kids; here are some shots that we piggy-backed on. We cant wait to see how the professional pictures turned out! Hutson was 9 days old when these pictures were taken.

Because the little man is much easier to photograph than his big sister, he is on a constant, around the clock, photo shoot.

Here are a few pictures of Hutson at two and a half weeks old…

And finally, as promised, here are a few pictures of our trip to Athens last Saturday. We decided last minute to pack up the car and head to Gran C and Big Daddy’s to get in one last visit with Julie and the cousins before they moved to Virginia. The day couldn’t have been any better! We visited with my newly engaged cousin, sat poolside while the kids played in the swimming pool, and grilled hamburgers and fish with Gran C, Big Daddy, Julie, Bill, Nene, Boss, Anna Bea, and Uncle Brother and Cook.  

The “not so twins” strike again…

Spending a week at the beach with my two favorite people,

Stopping by St Simons for the afternoon to watch the cousins play,

Trading in the tv and computer for feeding the seagulls, building sandcastles, and collecting shells,

Eating with the locals,

Acting silly,

Getting all dressed up with nowhere to go,

and realizing that in 6 weeks we will welcome precious Hutson into our lives! Thank you to my sweet husband for a week of nonstop rest, relaxation, and fun!

We’re still trying to recover from 70 degree weather, blue skies, tractor rides, delicious southern cuisine, lots of laughter, and plenty of hugs. Our time in Waycross was simply delightful. Life is good, especially when grandparents are near!

Our trip to Waycross also included a Happy Birthday dinner for Danny at Pond view.

After our weekend in Waycross, we spent MLK day lounging around in dirty socks, eating candy necklaces, and enjoying being outdoors.

A potty-training surprise for MR from our landlord, MR. Ben. We’re slowly, but surely making strides towards being potty trained by the time Baby #2 makes his/her appearance.

 Four Christmas gatherings means four times the food, fun, toys, memories, and laughs. And of course, four times the pictures.

Christmas #1:We celebrated Christmas #1 in Blackshear, GA in early December. Mary Reese loved playing with her cousins and mama and daddy loved having the extra set of hands to entertain sweet MR.

Christmas #2:Our trip down south also included a visit to MR’s great grandparents. MR adores her Papa Huey and Meme Vonnie and as usual, they showered sweet MR with gifts and hugs.

Playing cards with Papa Huey

MR received her first Cabbage Patch kid from Meme Vonnie and Papa Huey. Aunt Cathy, Uncle Jerry, Cousin Madison and Matthew gave MR a handmade scarf and precious pink tutu.

MR and I received matching monogrammed aprons from Meme and Papa Joe. 

MR loves to visit Papa Huey’s horses when we are in town.

Christmas #3was spent with the my side of the family in Atlanta. This was the first year that Garrett and I have spent Christmas day in our house. Being able to celebrate with my sister and her family made the occasion that much more special. Gran C and Big Daddy and Uncle Brother and Aunt Cookie were kind enough to travel so that we could spend Christmas Eve and Christmas day together as a family. We were also blessed to spend this time with Danny (Garrett’s mom).

In true Harrell tradition, we spent Christmas eve feasting on shrimp, crab stew, and a variety of delicious desserts. After our meal, we exchanged birdie gifts (gifts purchased for $5 or less).

MR helped me bake this years batch of holiday treats.

This year the little one’s joined the Birdie fun.

I made appliqued dishtowels as my birdie gift for the girls in the family.

On Christmas morning, MR awoke to a tree filled with gifts and surprises. She also got in a little snuggle time with Danny on the couch. After we opened gifts, we headed to Julie’s for yet another round of Christmas cheer.

Homemade cookies for Mr. Claus

A festive garland celebrates memories from Christmas past.

Christmas Eve PJ’s

2009 Christmas Card

Christmas morning

MR’s Christmas gifts

Keeping warm with Danny.

Christmas afternoon with Nene

Christmas #4:Our final Christmas gathering took place the weekend after Christmas in Griffin, Georgia with Garrett’s dads side of the family. A good time is had by all when the Harvey’s get together. The boys and a few brave girls spent the day hunting quail while the rest of us prepared for the annual Harvey holiday feast.

Four nights without my sweet baby girl has not been easy. Mama always said that idle hands are the devil’s workshop. She was right. I didn’t accomplish half of what I set forth to do with my free time.

The highlight of today was a milkshake from Chick-fil-A, a solo ride around the neighborhood to look at Christmas lights, and a holiday marathon on Lifetime. Because I desperately need to accomplish something on my list, I’ve returned to my old trusty blog. Im still playing catch-up from Thanksgiving…

After our trip to Trinity Oaks farm, we were back in the car again for Thanksgiving round two. This time we were headed to Gatlinburg, Tennessee for a few days of sight seeing and adventure. We enjoyed the scenery and food, as well as the time we got to spend with Aunt B and Danny.

Heading to Cades Cove

A trip to the fair

Walking to the indoor waterpark

We arrived back in Atlanta on Thanksgiving day to a home-cooked meal by Uncle B. He pulled out all of the stops including sweet potato souffle, squash casserole, fresh green beans, and a delicious homemade pecan pie. Saturday was spent in Athens with Gran C. The trip also included MR’s first dining experience at the Varsity. And Sunday was spent decorating the house for Christmas.

There. Just in time. I hear yet another Lifetime movie coming on. This one stars Meredith Baxter. She really is the queen of Lifetime.

Two Thanksgiving gatherings, four days in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, and tons of holiday orders from Petey Pie’s means that I am way behind on my blog. And 789 pictures means that I have a serious problem tyring to capture it all.

Thanksgiving round one began in Eastman, Ga at Trinity Oaks farm on the weekend before Thanksgiving. We usually spend Thanksgiving day with the Eastman Harrell’s, gathered around a formal dining room, but this year we decided to do things a little different. We traded in the matching place settings, silver, and crystal for wooden picnic tables amongst a pasture of horses and a canopy of trees. The boys fished and played football, while the cousins took turns riding Uncle Dan’s big green tractor and feeding the farm animals. The day could not have been more perfect! We look forward to many more family gatherings at Trinity Oaks and the traditions that follow!

Stay tuned for Thanksgiving round two. MR and G are headed to Waycross later this afternoon for four days and I’ve decided to stay behind to catch up on Christmas shopping, Petey Pie’s and of course, my much neglected blog.

Trinity Oaks Farm Eastman, Georgia

Cousins playing Checkers

Cousin Boss Man

Big Daddy and Gran C