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!!!

Uh oh, better buckle up!

Yep, Carter is trying to roll over in his bouncy seat!! I guess its time to start using those seatbelts!!! The image of little Callie S trying to get out of her bouncy seat is coming to mind.....

A Schrodt for the Day!

When we told Katy that Anderson wasn't going to be able to be at Jacob's 3rd bday party b/c mommy had to work that day, she just wouldn't have it!! She offered to take Anderson for the day - just like old times. I dropped off Anderson in the a.m. and picked him up that nite - only thing is he didn't want to come home -he had such a good time with his buds Jacob & Josiah (or Bo-siah as he's referring to him now!) Anderson had a great time at the bday celebration and loved painting his 'punkin'! We are so grateful for our friends! Thanks again Schrodts!

Two more nites without the paci!

I'm here to report that naptime & bedtimes have gone really well without the paci. Anderson will mention that he wants his paci, but we'll explain to him that the Paci Fairy took them and he's OK with that. Of course, I don't consider us 'out of the woods' yet!!! I can't believe my sweet boy doesn't need his paci anymore!

Paci Fairy - nite 1

Well, we've been prepping Anderson for months that the Paci fairy would come on the nite of his 3rd birthday. While he's been soooo excited about the Paci fairy coming to take his pacis and leave him a present, I knew he didn't REALLY understand that the pacis would really be GONE forever!! So while he's been excited, I've been dreading this day and the sleep compromise it would cause! So last nite while Anderson was out playing, the Paci fairy (also known as Mommy) stole away the last 2 pacis and replaced them with a special present. My brother & his wife had sent Anderson a UGA football jersey for his bday - we knew that Anderson would LOVE it, so we used that as the paci fairy present. When we went upstairs to start reading books last nite Anderson was slightly confused at the package left on his bed, but once he realized what it was, he started getting so excited with disbelief. His innocent bewilderment almost made me cry, but I held back. He opened the present and loves loves loves his new shirt -in fact- I told him he could sleep in it, knowing the likely struggle to come sans paci! Obviously the paci provided a level of security that chased away all fears from the darkness, noises, etc because as soon as we left his room he started whimpering about noises he was hearing. After a few trips back to his room, I finally laid down with him until he was asleep and left his room with baited breath. To our relief, Anderson slept thru the nite without another whimper though today our day started a little earlier than we would have liked (6:20am). I have to say, nite 1 went much better than expected. I'll have another report later with nap 1 without the paci along with nites 2, etc! For those friends who will see him in the coming weeks, your encouragement to him would be greatly appreciated!!! Here's a snapshot of him in his Paci fairy present - isn't it cool!!

Fun with Family

Last week Mark's mom 'Nana' was in town to help Paul & Rebekah prepare for Avery's arrival -she reallly wanted to be here for the week after the birth, but you know how babies have their own schedules! Anyway, we were so glad to see Nana and the boys got some quality time with her! She is such a wonderful helper when she comes in town - you don't even have to ask - she just finds a way to help and does it! We are sooo grateful for Nana and love her so much!

Yesterday I took the boys to meet their new cousin Avery - here she is!! Isn't she beautiful!!

The boys enjoyed cuddling with Uncle Paul, as usual. This visit was with the new Daddy Uncle Paul -and boy was he tired! He had only 2 hours sleep the nite before with Avery's 1st nite home!!