HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Hello, 2012!!

And hello to writing the wrong date on absolutely everything. It usually takes me till at least March before I get the hang of writing the correct year. You know you do it too... (Seriously, I can't be the only one.)

I hope your holiday was fantastic. Things were definitely busy around here. We did a lot of eating, driving, eating, visiting, sleeping, eating, playing, and a little more eating.

Did I mention we ate a lot?

 Christmas started off a few days early at my parents cabin/lodge in west Georgia.
This meant the boys spent a lot of time doing lots of manly things.
(Like drinking hot beverages and snuggling with infants in front of the TV.)

Not a hot beverage.
It's actually a cold beverage and the first of many sugar cookies in Evie's hands.
She caught on quickly to the Santa idea and the gift-giving-and-receiving concept, but she's still a little fuzzy about the whole it's-Jesus'-birthday thing. We're working on that.

We sprung a surprise on her:
Santa knew we were coming to the cabin and he even left presents here for us. 
What a nice guy!

The present-opening madness begins.
And the madness really didn't end until a few days later.
This kid scored big-time. Luckiest little girl on the planet.

The little elf was kind enough to take a break
and hand out presents that weren't even hers.

Our family likes to pull out the weapons on Christmas.
And then engage in mortal combat.  Only kidding.  (Kind of.)
Uncle Battle was providing a helping hand -or pocket knife- to cut a ribbon and Uncle Winston was inspecting Abbott's new rifle. 
Yes, our 7-week old baby boy has his own rifle. And I can assure you, when he's old enough to lift it, he will learn how to use it! Till then, Abbott's dad and momma will get the benefit of sighting the rifle in for him.
Watch out.

Gabba Gabba's big surprise from Santa was a massive lawn mower.
She popped a few wheelies and spun a few donuts in the yard getting used to the steering.
Who knew cutting the grass could be so much fun?

After our "first" Christmas was over, we loaded up the kiddos and hustled back to the city to make sure we didn't miss Santa at our own house.

Santa didn't forget us. He came to our house too.
And Evie scored again.

When Evie learned Santa hadn't completely finished the milk and cookies we left for him, she ran into the kitchen and helped herself to his leftovers.
Before she had even opened a single present, she chowed down on Santa's leftover lemon biscotti and milk. Seriously, what kid does that?!  I swear we feed her. She's not starving, I promise.

She soon discovered the Mickey and Minnie that Santa also left behind - 
and the present opening madness started up again.
(Disney's stock went up this month, in case you were wondering.)

Every kid needs a Slinkie.

Santa remembered Abbott too.
Doesn't he look comfy with his new New England Patriot's bear?
Abbott, Dadda, and the bear can watch Pats games together!

  
After Christmas morning, we loaded up the kiddos again and trekked to Aunt Nancy's house in Macon for a delicious lunch and even a few more gifts.

Aunt Bridget and Uncle Winston safely guarding Mickey and Minnie...

Cousin Jonathan plays with the new puppy, Samson.
This little guy became Evie's best friend for the day.
(And by little guy, I do mean the puppy. Although Evie likes Jonathan too.)

I managed to snap a picture of Dadda catching a nap.
(He loves it when I take pictures of him sleeping.)
Evie left her new baby doll to nap with him. So sweet.

Later on, we drove back to Gabba and Grandaddy's house to try out Evie's new saddle for Cocoa the mini horse. Have you ever seen anything more adorable?  

Seriously. ADORABLE.

She's ready for the Derby, y'all!

Check out those stirrup straps. 
They are actually leather dog collars that Gabba found to fit the saddle.
Not kidding. Dog collars.

We unloaded two of our chickens on Gabba Gabba because we have a serious egg problem at our house. Meaning, we have too many eggs being laid. It's only the winter and our girls are laying a ton - so we will be up to our eyeballs in egg yolks when the heavy springtime laying rolls around.
Problem solved:  Gabba has two new chickens and we still have five chickens. By my calculations, five chickens egg output is a lot more manageable than seven!

Our girls have never been around a rooster. Their new home has roosters.
So, I guess we can't call them girls anymore... they are now women. Poor things. Roosters aren't exactly romantic suitors. They are more like... well, roosters.
And yes, I realize my 'girls" are actually chickens and I shouldn't be calling them girls or women in the first place. Just go with it, okay?

In other non-farm life news... we decided to start the new year off with a very sweet event.  Our baby boy was baptized on January 1st.

Abbott's seriously contemplating the baptismal vows.
Actually, he's debating whether or not he looks like a girl in the frilly christening dress. His momma wore it, his sister wore it, and now he's wearing it.
We added a blue ribbon and let him wear cowboy boots underneath.
That makes it all better, right?!

He looks pretty content with that reasoning.

Back Row- Uncle Battle, Grandaddy, Evie, Dadda, Pop
Front Row - Gabba Gabba, Abbott, Momma and Nana

Abbott: "You're not going to kiss me again, are you?"
Evie: "Yup. Try and stop me little man."
I love this picture.

Does it get any better than these two cuties?!

We're your parents and there's nothing you can do about it!
Simultaneous realization: "Oh, crap."