Christmas Came & Went!

We had a wonderful Christmas with our families. Christmas Eve morning we did family time and gift's with Brian's parent's, Jeff & Lindsay, and of course Maya & Cooper. Later in the afternoon we spent some time with all three sets of parents, mine, Brian's & Jeff's. We had a fabulous dinner, thanks Fay.

Christmas Eve Santa made a visit to the Morris household, he was generous and so were the grandparents. In the morning Gabriella and Brayden woke up to wonderful surprises. Gabriella immediately ran to her loot. She got her big-girl Princess bike with training wheels. Santa knew that she needed the 16 inch bike instead of the 12 inch because of her height. Brayden received a Leap Frog activity table. The kids had a wonderful morning. Brayden enjoyed the paper the most and then got overwhelmed. Followed by a pancake breakfast and hot chocolate. Later that afternoon my parent's and Grandma came over to finish celebrating Christmas.

Overall this Christmas season was a lot of fun with wonderful family and quality time. I am sad to see it over but I am looking forward to seeing what 2010 will bring.

Another Quote

Gabriella - "I'll help you, let me get Brayden some dangerous toys to play with!"
Ummm...should I be concerned?

Trains

My dad, Papa, set up his vintage Lionel Trains up for Brayden and Gabriella to enjoy. Gabriella was afraid it would be too loud and Brayden watched in amazement. The black set is from 1946 and the Santa Fe is from 1951. Brayden was dressed for the occasion!

Is HE here yet?

Last night Gabriella and Brayden were looking out the window to see if Santa would come early.

Napier Christmas

Sunday we spent the day in Columbus, GA visiting with Brian's extended family for Christmas and Granny's 81st Birthday. The kids exchanged gifts and the adults scratched lottery tickets. I don't think there were any big winners but there were a couple of $2 and ticket winners.

On Christmas Eve we will spend time with the day with my family, Brian's parent's and Jeff's (Lindsay's husband's) parents. This has become a nice tradition that I look forward to each year. This year will be a little bitter sweet because Lindsay and Jeff will be leaving on the 26th to move to Denver, CO. I am happy for them and their new adventure but I am sad, Lindsay is much of a sister I will ever have and I miss them. I know Gabriella will miss her Auntie Lou and Uncle Jeff very much!

Little Payton, he was so excited to get this gift. Priceless

Payten & Preslie holding Leah & Brayden

Gabriella says...

Gabriella says some of the funniest things and I want to kick myself for not writing down some of her memorable quotes.

One from this week proves that we care WAY too much about football. A boy her in preschool class is moving to Alabama over the holidays, so conversation goes as follows...

Allison-"Gabriella, you know Liam is not going to be in your class after Christmas because he is moving."
Gabriella-"He's going to Alabama. Is he going to the football game?"

Gabriella-"My coat makes me look like a Canadian!"

Driving through Buckhead neighborhoods Gabriella noticed all of the gorgeous big homes...

Gabriella-"Mommy, I want to live in a big house after I be a little girl." (We are working on grammar.)
Allison-"What about me, can I live in a big house when I get older?"
Gabriella-"Yes, but Daddy and Brayden will live with me and you will live next door with Jennifer and Kristi."

Gabriella's Ballet Openhouse

Gabriella's ballet class had an open house for the parent's to observe what they have been learning the first half of the year. I am very impressed with her teacher Ms. Irene. She has amazing patience and discipline. Gabriella surprised me and Brian so much. She walked on her tip toes with elegance. She stayed with her class and didn't run up to us screaming like she has in the past. Gabriella was very much at ease with dancing. I hope this will stay with her for a long time. I am really looking forward to her recital in June. .

Brayden's 1st Santa Visit

We went to see Santa today. One of the many joys of parenthood that I look forward to each year. Gabriella did amazing, she wasn't scared at all. She went up to Santa without being pushed and she told him what she wanted for Christmas. She asked for a Cabbage Patch Doll and a Barbie. Brayden just looked at him and sat quietly while Gabriella talked.





We also rode the Pink Pig. I think this will be an annual trip, Gabriella seems to really enjoy the ride, as lame as it is for adults.

Gabriella, Brayden, Brenden & Olivia

December Happeneings and it is only the 8th!

The Holiday Season is in full swing here at the Morris household. The tree is up and the stocking are hung.




We celebrated Brian's 10th anniversary of his 21st birthday on Dec. 4. He wanted to celebrate with a family dinner at good ol' Wild Wing Cafe (yummy) and then have friends over for the National Championship game (SEC Championship). Actually we celebrated Jason and Jeremy's b-day too, they all fall around the same time. I made an almost from scratch carrot cake. I thought it turned out well, I was just impressed I was able to make the cake.



December 3 Brayden hit 10 months. I know once the holiday season is over he will be ONE. How time flies by, I really need to slow down and take a look at each day instead of rushing to the next thing on my list. His crawling has sped up to where I cannot open the fridge without him darting into it. He is cruising on furniture but really hasn't showed any interest in walking while we hold his hands. By this age Gabriella had already taken her first steps. Brayden babbles a lot and recently found his voice. He will say "ma ma" for me and a bottle but hasn't really said anything else clearly. I guess he doesn't have an opportunity to talk in our household with Gabriella around.

Height 31 1/2 in.
Weight 24 lbs 8 oz

Start them Young! J/K

Brian had some fun with our empty keg.

Happy Thanksgiving

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving week! On Thanksgiving we went to Columbus, GA to visit with Brian's family. It was a great spread of food and Gabriella and Brayden enjoyed playing with their extended cousins. It is so nice to be part of a big family!




Friday we spent the day with my parent's. Again, great food and a real relaxing time. We just ate, played and visited, simple but perfect.

9 Months

Brayden is 9 months old and growing so fast. He has three bottom teeth and his two top ones that are coming in very slowly. He is our smiley child.

STATS
Weight 22 lbs 4 oz 75%
Height 29 1/2 in 90%

Fun times in the Morris household!

Everyday Brian and I feel so blessed to have two amazing children in our lives. Everyday they make us proud, smile, laugh, and sometimes grind our teeth, but all and all they are wonderful gifts from God. I just want to share some silly videos.

Brayden has mastered his clapping skills.



Gabriella is perfecting her dance moves and rhythm.

Happy Halloween!

Halloween was a success! It was raining and cold and the Dawgs lost but we still had a great time. Fortunately the kids are still young enough that we could go to a couple of houses and be satisfied without staying out a long time in the rain. I can't remember the last time it rained during trick-or-treating.

Ariel x 2

"All Aboard"

It's going to be LOUD!!!!

Gabriella has a thing about loud noises. Our child seems to be scared of everything these days, especially loud noises. For some reason when we were carving the pumpkin she thought it was going to explode. Then she wouldn't stick her hand in it because they would get dirty. I must be rubbing off on her, oops!

presby 11 042.JPG

Click here to view these pictures larger

Gabriella was very happy to be in the back of a police crusier the other day at Preschool. The Marietta City police made a visit at the preschool last week.

Love this time of year....FALL

Brian and I truly love this time of year. There is always something to do and we try to do everything but always run out of time. This weekend was a success, Scarecrows, parades, football and pumpkins. We had a super fun weekend with family and friends.

Friday we went to the Marietta Square. The city decorates the park in the square with scarecrows made from the local schools and businesses. Gabriella of course was apprehensive of the display and Brayden had great great time hanging with his sister and parents, well at least it looked like it.

"Yes, I am standing on my own, now Daddy fix my plant leg!"

Saturday morning Gabriella and I went to the Roswell City Fall parade, while Brayden slept and Brian got ready for a disappointing football game. We went with our extended family the Vo's, Hiep, Thao, Olivia and Brenden. The rain stayed away until the parade was over. The girls enjoyed getting candy and Gabriella wanted to go home becasue it was too loud.






This year we went to the BEST pumpkin patch, Berry Patch Farms. It is free with a hayride to the pumpkins and if you don't want to buy a pumpkin there is NO pressure. This will be an annual trip for our family for years to come. Again our extended family the Vo's came with us as well as the Harlesten's. Kids had a great time and parent's had a great time.