Happy Birthday Jesus!

As many friends have already blogged, we had a great time at a Birthday Party for Jesus last week, hosted by Katy. I re-arranged my work schedule to allow me to take the boys. I figured this is one bday party we just can't miss. It was a crowded house at the Schrodts! So many kids, so many moms - such a good time.



Katy reading the kids a story by the Christmas tree....


Anderson showing off his newly decorated Christmas tree ornament... (thanks Heidi!!)


Carter & Anna - can't wait to see you guys next Christmas, somehow I have a feeling we won't be able to capture a photo of you kids on the floor!!!


PLEASE NO ONE TOUCH THE CANDLES!!!!


WOW, ALMOST ALL OF THE KIDS LINED UP (I think Anderson & Erin were trying to make a statement!)

Dinner & Cards

Friday nite we had our annual Christmas dinner with the Maggiores & Saunders. Great fun - we are so thankful for these wonderful friends. Apparently I'm the mom who doesn't wipe her son's mouth after dinner (oh well). Also, I'm the mom who doesn't feel like fighting about the red Georgia shirt & shorts that he wears day in, day out.

As you can probably tell, I was TRYING to get Christmas card picture done. UGH! So many 'almost' pictures! Anderson has recently learned the 'fake' smile. Oh brother!!

anyway, see if you can check out my slideshow:

Big Brother & Shots

Today Carter had his 6month well baby visit and he is totally 'well'!! Carter was in good spirits, poor little guy didn't know 5 shots & one oral vaccine were on their way! We got the A+ report card and then they brought in the shots. Anderson sat next to Carter and held his hand while he got the shots. At one point I thought I was going to have to console Anderson - he looked genuinely concerned for Carter. Carter did great- had a couple of whimpers (who wouldn't!) and we were on our way. Lord, thank you for the blessing of healthy, happy boys!!!

Williamsburg Grand Illumination

Sunday we had a long, but fun day. Our day started at church, then we went to Cracker Barrell with friends for lunch (can you say table for 21) then headed to Williamsburg for their Grand Illumination in Colonial Williamsburg. The boys napped in the car (thank goodness) and we were ready to go! We joined many friends for fun & fellowship - the Schrodts, the Ratz, the Maggiores & the Jacksons. The kids had a blast together and we all bundled up awaiting the amazing fireworks display. All of the homes in the Colonial section turn on the lights in their homes. It's a beautiful place. We had a great time, but were glad to climb into our warm cozy beds last nite!!!

something about boys & trees (Jacob, Josiah, Alexander & Anderson)

family pic

one of the best fireworks displays I've ever seen

Carter, such the little trooper, we left the house @ 9:00 am and didn't get back til after 8 pm! He was so good!

Meet Dr. Anderson

Saturday we went over to the new Sentara hospital on Princess Anne as they were having a free Christmas fair. All the kids got teddybears which they could take to the dr's office for treatment. Anderson named his bear Carter (go figure) and was simply getting a check-up for Carter.

The "other" Carter got to meet Santa for the first time. Of course he is in the stage of putting everything in his mouth, including Santa's beard!!

Happy Half Birthday, my little sweet potato

Today, December 3rd marks Carter's 6 month birthday! Time is flying by! I love this little guy!

He had his first taste of real food a couple days ago, until then it had been rice cereal or oatmeal. His first food = sweet potatoes. He gobbled them up without missing a beat!!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

We started trimming the tree last nite (Monday). Anderson really enjoyed hanging ornaments. He had the task of putting the 'snowflakes' on the tree - so there is a very large concentration of snowflakes in one spot of our tree. Eventually Mark & I will have to 'spread out' the snowflakes! Of course, Anderson is in his undies - oh well, so much for 'picturesque'!

Jamie, by the way, the very 1st ornament on our tree - the VeggieTales ornament Ryan & Emily gave Anderson last year! Thought you'd feel honored!! ; )



poor Carter had to go to bed & missed tree trimmin'

Anderson really wanted to make a Play-doh Christmas tree, so here it is!

PJs & undies for tree trimmin'!

He's enjoying himself - can't you tell!

Pickin' and Hangin'

Trees and Lights, that is.

Trees: We headed out Sunday nite to pick the Judd family Christmas tree - somewhat anti-climatic as Carter was screaming on the way to get the tree... and I'm like 'let's just grab the tree and go!' We looked at several trees and once we received Anderson's 'seal of approval', we were off! Of course we got home, put the naked tree up and realized we didn't really feel like decorating it just yet.....

In the afternoon, Mark spent quite a bit of time putting up the lights in the yard. He really gets into it and I'm always fearful that he is going to fall & break his neck. If you know Mark & his sarcasm, he always says as he's putting up the lights 'if I die, tell the boys I did it for them', oh brother, Mark!! This year, Anderson 'helped' - just another neck to worry about!

a rivaling tradition

For the last 3 years or so, we watch the big UGA - Ga Tech football game with the Maggiores. You see, Mark & I both went to UGA (and are breeding 2 young bulldawgs - Anderson & Carter) while Joe went to Ga Tech. The 1st year the Maggiores had to ponder our invite for a moment.... could both Mark & Joe behave themselves when the tough got going for their team? Well, obviously cooler minds prevailed as we've watched the game with them ever since. This year we went to Joe's parent's home to watch the game on the big plasma screen. Baba (Barbara to everyone else) entertained Erin & Anderson with the lifesized dollhouse outside, motorized vehicles, blocks, balls, etc. They had a blast together. Both Joe & Mark behaved themselves as their teams competed. We introduced two new fans this year - Carter & Anna. Us Judds refrained from wearing our 'red and black' in respect for the hosting Tech fans.

Oh did I forget to mention the Dawgs were victorious???


Our newest Bulldawg, Carter watches the game with Daddy

First time for Carter & Anna

Chuck E & Josiah

Our good bud, Josiah is turning 5 years old and so we went to his party on Saturday @ Chuck E Cheese!! A good time was had by all. The theme- Transformers, "Josiah.... more than meets the eye!". Thanks for the good time!

Anderson the Builder!!

Speed Racer!

The crew!

sooooo Thankful

This Thanksgiving was different for us Judds this year. This was the 1st year since Mark & I have been married that we didn't celebrate with my parents or his. Instead this year we stayed home and went to Paul & Rebekah's home. Rebekah's parents & brother came in town, so we spent several hours with them. Wednesday nite "Thanksgiving Eve" we went to our church's Thanksgiving service which I particularly enjoyed. The service was such an awesome reminder that we need to give our Thanks to the Lord God Almighty! Hope you & yours had a wonderful turkey day!!!



one more turkey to be thankful for!!!

Night Terrors

If I told you I hadn't slept well the last couple of nights, you might think - yep, she's got a 5 month old, but no no no - the 3 year old is the culprit! Last nite Mark & I think that Anderson had night terrors. Very scary. He's had them before, but its probably been close to a year the last incident. We were up with him 3 times last nite and he seemed possessed. I contemplated taking him to the ER, but then he seemed to 'come back'. Please pray for our little man that he would get peaceful rest tonite and nites to come. Its so hard seeing your child struggle with something like that. Sweet dreams .... (hopefully).

Sweet boy

Carter is my heart. He is just so precious and this time is going by so quickly. He's cutting 2 teeth right now and you would hardly know it by hanging out with him - he's just so happy. Such a sweet little spirit. This is my favorite time with him - he's not mobile, but he's smiling & interacting with us. He absolutely ADORES big brother Anderson who just makes him laugh & laugh. Gotta love those first precious belly laughs. He's been laughing for a while now, but only recently has he really starting with those belly laughs - only his brother can really get him giggling. Not alot to report right now, just wanted to jot down how much I adore this precious little guy.

That's Puzzling!

For Anderson's bday he got a 'Cars' puzzle. He LOVES it! After a few sessions with either Mark or I helping him, I've been so impressed at how much he can do on his own. It's funny, one time he'll do the puzzle practically by himself, the next time he might require more help. The last time, he did it completely by himself. I'm so proud (can't you tell!!!). I bought him another puzzle - this one's Diego and Santa will be bringing him another one for Christmas. I'm digging puzzles!!

the proud moment of puzzle completion 'all by himself'!!

Gummy Grins

We took the boys this a.m. to try to get some pictures of them before Carter has a full mouth full of teeth (yes, he's cutting 2 teeth as we speak). I just love gummy grins, so I wanted to get some pics before they were all the way out. Also, we didn't have much going on this Saturday morning (1st time in forever) so it was a good time to go and have Daddy's help. Carter did great - smiling away - the greatest little model. Big brother Anderson - UGH. Couldn't smile or wouldn't smile, not sure. Check 'em out. (Carter = 5months)

Hallelejah Harvest 2007

Tonite was the church's annual Hallelejah Harvest and we had a great time. I think Anderson gets just as excited about riding the school bus to the church as he does getting dressed up & getting candy. Anderson was Spiderman and Carter was my little teddy bear. We chowed down on some hot dogs & chili when we arrived then made our way to the 'trunk or treating'. Anderson got enough candy to last the whole year (I'm sure we can help him with that!)

Erin, Anderson & Ryan

Anderson meets Chuck E. Cheese

Anderson's good bud, Niko, wasn't able to make it to his 3rd bday party so we decided to get together with the Liberatores to let the boys celebrate their bdays together - (Niko's bday is 2 days after Anderson). We had never taken Anderson to Chuck E Cheese so this appeared to be the perfect opportunity for Anderson to meet the lovable (?) mouse.

yes, yes I know he's wearing the Georgia shirt AGAIN, but hey - it was Gameday afterall (BTW our beloved Dawgs beat the Gators!!!!) Be warned - expect many more future blog photos in the beloved shirt!





Anderson & Bob the Builder

Playing air hockey with Daddy

This was close enough to Chuck E for Anderson - we were actually really proud of him - he doesn't usually get this close to large 'personalities'...

So hard to get photos of 3 year olds - this was the best pic I could get of Anderson & Niko.

Beechnut Babe

Another milestone - Carter enjoyed his first non-milk meal this evening as he tried rice cereal for the first time. He's been giving me some gentle nudges lately that his 6:00 feeding just wasn't doing it for him anymore and so I finally took the hints and introduced rice cereal to him at the tender age of 4 months, 4 weeks - I had wanted to wait til 5 months, but oh well!!! He seemed to like it ...

Rub a dub dub, Carter loves to be in the tub!!!

It is such a joy every nite to give Carter a bath - I can't remember him ever crying in the bathtub. I know these joyful bathtimes can't possibly last forever, so I wanted to document how much I love bathing Carter now! Of course Carter has big brother in the bath with him too, which makes it that much more fun!!!

Anderson - King for the Day!!

At Anderson's school, they had a belated birthday celebration for him - they decorated the foyer with banners & ribbons and Anderson was 'king for the day'. His teacher made him a crown and a badge to wear - he looked so cute! He received a birthday certificate and got to bring a balloon home! He was so happy in his garb!!!

Pumpkin Patch

It just wouldn't be the fall without a trip to the Pumpkin Patch - only thing is it didn't feel like fall, but more like late summer - oh well! We met the usual crew the Saunders & Maggiores at Taylor Farm. This was one of Anna's first outings - hard to believe that this little girl just had open heart surgery!!

Our little punkins! I think Carter is picking up his mommy's Starbucks addiction!!

Petting the billygoats....

Look - its the Chic-fil-a cow!!!!

Tractor time!!

I love that Emily is hanging with the big kids now!!!