Happy New Year!!!!!! (Thanks Vols)

While Kory was burning up the road back & forth between Knoxville, Virginia, & Georgia over the holidays (he topped 1,800 miles on the Jeep Cherokee in 7 days), Kaitlin & I played at Gigi’s house in Knoxville!  It was a great with 2 extra set of hands & really felt like my own 2009 vacation.  We went shopping & bought Kaitlin’s first pair of shoes!!! 

Kaitlin also made her 2nd visit to Long’s Drug Store with Gigi & G’Daddy for lunch to visit her favorite waitress, Ruby!  Kaitlin was staring at everyone during lunch & Ruby decided that she was NOSEY & wanted to catch up on all the gossip … funny, that’s what Kory says about me!

 

Also, Kory & I were fortunate enough to spend our first night out together ALONE since March 25th.  We traveled to Atlanta on New Year’s Eve for the Chick-fil-A Bowl to watch the Vols play!  Kaitlin was a little sad she didn’t get to go but we had to remind her of the rules, “You can’t go to the game until you carry a 32 oz coke up 39 rows to your seat by yourself.” 

The ATL was BEAUTIFUL when we arrived (NOT).  Thankfully, the skies cleared by next morning.  We had a nice view from the 35th floor of the Westin at the Peachtree Center when the fog lifted.

Our friends proved that you can start good road trip stories with “Remember that time at Taco Mac” and thankfully, we didn’t receive a “yellow card” like others at the GA Dome.  We had a great time with friends but thanks to an inept 2nd half, the game was lousy.  The Vols tried to ruin our New Years Eve …

… “It can’t get worse”

But having a night out to ourselves for the first time in 9 months was priceless!  Thanks again to Gigi & G’Daddy for taking care of Kaitlin!

Christmas 2009

So I haven’t updated the blog in about 2 weeks now because we’ve been in Knoxville since Christmas Eve.  We had such a great trip, spending time with family & friends!  Its true that “there’s no place like home for the holidays.”

Before we left VA, we introduced Kaitlin to A Charlie Brown Christmas.  To date, this is the only show/movie to hold her attention for more than 5 minutes.  She loved it!

She was also excited about all the presents under the Christmas tree & even posed for a picture with her very own stocking!

We spent the week at Gigi & G’Daddy’s bed & breakfast for Christmas.  Kaitlin made the “nice” list this year & Santa came to visit.   He left Kaitlin her very own GREAT BIG BAG!!!!!!!!!

She especially loved spending time with G’Daddy & loved her Elf on a Shelf from Cool Aunt Rachel.  Will her Elf be naughty or nice next year?

 

Then Kaitlin went to visit Kiki & Pop’s house on Christmas afternoon.  She had NO idea that she would be the center of attention!

Kaitlin had lots of extra hands from her cousins opening presents!  Kiley & Hannah were especially helpful!

  

All in all, it was a wild & fun Christmas like we’ve never seen.  Kaitlin’s first Christmas was so special &, once she got adjusted, she had a great time!  We are blessed to have such a wonderful family to come home to each Christmas and are truly thankful for the birth of our Lord & Savior, Jesus Christ.  Finally, we’ve included Kaitlin’s favorite Christmas present (from Aunt Gina), demonstrating the true reason for the season …

(Please forgive the panda, who we’re pretty sure was not at the birth of Christ … but Kaitlin really wanted to include him).

Santa Kaitlin is coming to town!!!

  

The Blizzard of 2009

They started out the week claiming Friday would bring 6-12” of snow.  After the last 8” snowfall, we figured this would be more of the same.  WRONG!!!  Compare 10:00 p.m. vs 08:00 a.m in case you’ve never seen 2+ FEET of snow.

So here’s what the house looked like in the afternoon on Saturday.

 

And after Kory dug us out a little on Sunday …

We even made Fox News on Sunday morning for snowfall!

So, not only has Kaitlin experienced her first snowfall, but now she’s seen her first blizzard as well.  What a weekend!!!!

Here Comes Santa Claus!

Kaitlin has been hearing about Santa Claus for weeks now.  She has been so excited that she’s practically become the big guy’s #1 fan.

We finally decided to let her meet Santa.  I think Santa was happier to see Kaitlin than she was to see him.  Below is Santa getting HIS picture made with Kaitlin.

All kidding aside, she did pretty good and maybe she’ll be happier to see him next year.  Hopefully we’ll get more out of her than a Lane Kiffin like smirk.  I’ve included a picture below for comparison …

Rudolph & Red Bows

Kaitlin lovers her some Rudolph!  In fact, she even looks cute wearing reindeer.  Don’t you just love her baby UGGs?

 
Kaitlin got the biggest kick out of pulling the bow off her head & was so proud of herself.  She felt so accomplished that she didn’t mind Momma putting another bow on her head as long as she had her “trophy” in her hands.

Dancing with the Stars (Kaitlin & Rudolph)

We discovered our daughter's newest talent today ... she puts Momma & Daddy to shame on the dance floor. Granny Jo & Poppa Rog sent Kaitlin an adorable Rudolph to play with for Christmas & she's been loving on him for over a week now. Yet, today, the spirit of Christmas must've moved her as she's been getting her groove on every time Rudolph's theme music is played. We're thinking about signing her up for Dancing with the Stars! Check out Kaitlin busting a move before bed time!

Snow in VA

Kaitlin experienced snow for the first time on Saturday.  We got about 7-8” at our house & she was more than curious to figure out the white stuff outside the windows.  We decided to let her go outside & see it for herself.

She was so excited to play in the snow for the very first time!

And as an added bonus, here is a funny picture of Kaitlin figuring out she was caught in the act of doing something she’s not supposed to do … touch the tree.  By the way, the tree is covered with beach ornaments because even while its snowing outside, we’re dreaming of some place MUCH warmer.

Kaitlin Takes a Step

You’ll have to excuse the earthquake-like movie & Kory’s Christmas pajamas, but we were so excited we had to film it – Kaitlin took about 7 steps tonight without falling so we had to pickup a camera & start filming! She got a little camera shy & decided while the red light was on that she would rather walk backwards than forwards but we still got her taking a few steps on her own. I guess Kory owes Gigi $10 since Kaitlin started “walking” 22 days before the bet deadline. Do you think she takes cash or check? Anyway, check it out, we’re so proud of our “little” 8 month old!