Christmas Day Snow

Penn's 1st Christmas was even more special when it began to snow. Atlanta has not gotten snow on Christmas Day in over 100 years so this one will be easy to remember. We spent Christmas Day night at Popie and Bah's (david's grandparents) house so we all went outside to watch the snowfall.



Penn's 1st Christmas

Our tradition has always been spending Christmas Eve at Gigi's house, but it's starting to get a little tricky. I'm not sure if next year Santa will be able to travel. David and I were so excited to get Penn up on Christmas morning. We took him into the living room to see what Santa had dropped off and he spotted 2 chuck trucks right away.  We decided to do 3 gifts, just as the 3 wise men did for baby Jesus. 

unwrapping gifts

playing with my activity table

 telling daddy about his new toys

After Santa we went to Jenn and Dallas' house where Reese and Papa were waiting on us. It was time for chaos. Reese loved Penn's toys and helped him open all his gifts. 

Penn loved the bows

 Thanks Papa for my new trucks!

Let's just say Santa's sleigh was full going home...

Christmas Eve

 Christmas Eve lunch is spent with David's dad's side of the family. Penn is so blessed to still have great grandparents in his life who absolutely adore him. David's dad's mom is called "Hot", yep you heard me. David's sister started calling her that when she was a baby so it just stuck. Every year we grill steaks with cheese grits and a salad. It is sooo good!

Penn with Aunt Anna

 Penn with Aunt Betsy

After lunch we drove to McDonough to spend Christmas Eve with my family and spend the night at mom's house. Mom cooked a huge meal and we watched Reese entertain all of us.

Celebrate Christmas!

Oh how I love Christmas. It really truly is the most special time of the year. How great it is that we are free to celebrate the birth of Christ!! I think about those around the world who are persecuted for the mention of his name and here we are able to yell it from the rooftops, though sometimes we choose not too. I am also reminded of the blessings God has given me. I have a loving husband, healthy baby boy, supportive and gracious family, wonderful friends, a warm home and bed and food on the table. What more could I ask for??  I think of those who are in need right now, not because they chose the situation they are in, but because sometimes things just happen. Everyone deserves a second chance.

We have always given gifts to David's entire family (aunts, uncles, cousins, etc.), but this year the family decided to do something different. Each family was to give to the charity of their choice any amount they felt led to give. David and I love to give to Christmas shoeboxes, toys for tots and food drives, but this time we decided to give closer to home. I am fortunate enough to know a beautiful family that was really in need this year, so we helped them with Christmas for their children. This Christmas was so special to me having Penn in our lives, but I have to tell you it was the best feeling ever knowing that those children had gifts on Christmas morning. I don't tell any of this to boast, but to pass along the idea to other families. Just think, if all of us spent $10 on someone who didn't have it, no child would go without. We have been blessed so many times even when things were rough and I vow to always pay it forward.

Visit with Santa

Okay, David and I made a rookie parenting mistake. We waited till the Sunday before Christmas to take Penn to the Augusta Mall for pics with Santa. OMG! is all I can say. We waited 2 1/2 hrs, had no food for Penn, he had missed a nap and then didn't care at all about Santa. Oh well, it's the memory we made and now he can't say we didn't take him. 

Quick nap while we waited in line

 and, who are you?

 Okay, maybe I'll try to smile, but I'm totally weirded out.

8 months old!

Penn turned 8 mths on Dec. 14th and celebrated it at Disney World. Not only was he at Disney World, but he got his 3rd tooth on his 8 mth birthday too. Soon to follow was the 4th tooth. He has really been trying to get around everywhere. The week before Disney he began to get on all 4's and rock back and forth. He has since learned to army crawl, but he's still not too quick. He really would rather stand and try to walk but he will crawl if there is something he really wants. Everyday he continues to amaze me. What a personality he has?? He is very expressive with his happiness and sadness. He will cackle out loud so hard when something is funny, but he will also let you know when he is not happy. He LOVES bathtime! I've got to get some pics because he loves splashing around. He also loves to blow or spit as I call it. Thanks to daddy he has it down pat and does it ALL the time. He started this a couple of months ago and it just continues to get worse. He has really perfected it and loves to show everyone he meets.

Here are some pics from 8 mths old.  

8 months old today!!

Looking more and more like Daddy

 My favorite thing to do is dump out my toy box

 

   

Army crawling

Christmas time at the Coopers

I love to decorate for Christmas and this year I started early. I knew we were going to be gone a lot, so why not?

Santa Baby

 Ooh, ooh, ooh

 shiny presents..

another stocking hung by the chimney with care...