Weekend Review

I guess it's time to get on with the weekend review.

Barrett was running a fever last week with a really snotty nose so we found our selves at the doctors office Tuesday morning.  It was just a virus and he's feeling better now. This is the face I get when I won't let him call people on my phone.
Most exciting thing from the week... my cousin and his wife had their baby!  They didn't find out what they were having so it was so exciting to hear they have a beautiful baby boy.  I can't believe we are parents and I can't wait to see our boys playing the lake together.  The baby is so tiny.  I can't wait for Barrett to meet him.  Since he'd been sick this week I left him behind when I went to visit. My sweet friend Anna kept him and she said he and Drake were so much fun together.  One of her good friends ended up stopping by while he was there with her baby and Anna said that Barrett just loved her.   He passed out on the way home.  He played hard. We had a busy weekend.  Saturday around lunch we headed to Patrick's cousins house for a fun little sock exchange party.  The highlight was meeting their new baby pig, Bella.  Oh my goodness she was adorable.  She loved me and Barrett liked her as long as I wasn't holding her.  I think he was a little jealous.
She was the cutest thing ever.  She sleeps in a crate and is litter box trained.  She let me hold her forever and then when I put her down and I sat in the floor she came over to me and wanted me to pick her up.  They started calling me the pig whisperer.
That's all the pictures I took and I'm sad about it.  Saturday night we went to Patrick's work Christmas dinner.  It was so much fun and then we headed to Marion's house to celebrate her 30th birthday.  My friends are turning 30, this seems a little premature but whatever time.  Barrett stayed with my parents Saturday night and was rotten for church Sunday.  He was the worst behaved he's ever been in his entire life.  It was rough.  But after a long Sunday afternoon nap he was in a better mood.  I can't believe there's only one weekend until Christmas.  Ours is jam packed from Friday morning until Sunday evening. I'm looking forward to it.  

Christmas at the Falls

Saturday night we wanted to venture out for a little family fun.  Alabama was playing for the SEC Championship and I felt like a traitor not watching the game but there are only 3 weekends before Christmas and we already have plans for the next two weekends so I knew Saturday night was our only free night for some family fun (mainly because Patrick is on second shift).  We went back and forth about what we wanted to do and finally decided on Christmas at the Falls at Nocculula Falls in Gasden.  It was a little over an hours drive for us but I think it was worth it.  I loved that it was $5 for a ticket in and that included everything except cookies and hot chocolate.   Before we left Patrick asked me if he would need a jacket.  I told him no.  I was wrong.  It was cold. I love that Barrett is waving in this picture.  The falls are behind us, you can't see them though.

I just love Christmas lights.  There is something so magical about a million twinkling lights.  You can't help but smile while you're walking through them.  

I love these boys.

The covered bridge was playing music and the lights danced to the music.  I loved watching the lights reflect on the pond. 

I love flamingos!

Every time we walked by one of these things Barrett would say "WOW",  It was the cutest thing ever and made the long trip worth it! 

The best picture I got of the Falls.  

Pointing at the water. 

Loved the nativity. They were playing the Christmas story and you could sit and watch the lights go along with the story.

They also had a petting zoo and you could visit with Santa.  We didn't wait in line to see Santa but Barrett loved the petting zoo. 

The last thing we did was ride the train.  It was the perfect ending to the night.   I enjoyed getting to spend time with my little family.  I've always loved Christmas lights, but getting to experience them through your kids is so special too.  

Christmas Parade

Thursday night was the annual Christmas parade in Gardendale.  It's a tradition I look forward to each year.  We always went as kids or we were in it.  Carla and I started going together each year when we stumbled upon it one night after bootcamp.  We've gone together for the last several years.  This year Patrick had to work.  A few of my other "boy mom" friends were also going to be husband/daddy less so we decided to brave the crowd together with our wild boys.  Patrick let me borrow the truck so I parked it during the day to hold our spot.  Crystal and her boys picked Barrett and I up from work and we went to the park to waste some time before they started closing the roads.  Yall this parade is a big deal around here.  It lasts close to an hour and people start sitting in their spots 3 hours before it starts.  Luckily the weather was nice and it wasn't bad to be outside. 

We left the park and got the boys some happy meals and headed to our spot for a picnic.  We knew it was going to be a task to keep all the kiddos occupied before the parade started.  It wasn't so bad.  At one point Crystal was wearing a toddler and pushing one in a stroller but they loved it.  She is super woman.  

This cutie was in rare form.  He didn't take a nap all day.  He also went down the big slide at the park.  I know he was exhausted but he was so good. At one point they were all strapped down in the strollers while we were waiting for the parade to get to us.  Crystal was feeding the marshmallows and they were tolerating it.   They were (mostly) all smiles when it finally got to us.   This picture seriously melts my heart.  I hope these boys are friends forever.  I'm so thankful to have friends to raise sons with! My sweet boy and me.  (Thanks Crystal for snapping this one of us)  I look exhausted, I was!  :) And again.  This bunch is so much fun. It was a long, tiring night but it was so worth it.  I've loved seeing all the families enjoying the fun night.  I know a lot of work goes in to planning this event but I love being a part of a community that puts in the hard work so that we can enjoy these moments with our kids and friends.

Thanksgiving, Kickball, Girl's Night and the Iron Bowl

I hate lumping the whole weekend in one post but I'm afraid i'll never get it all posted if I don't! :)

We had a crazy busy, exhaustingly fun long weekend.  

Barrett spent a little time on the ipad before we got the day started.  He looks so big.

For Thanksgiving lunch we went to my Grandmother's house.  They boys worked on building a new deck.  Porter was prepared with his took box and safety glasses.

This is the only picture I took of Barrett all day.  After lunch we picked up Patrick and went to the Horton's for dinner.  As usual I took zero pictures.

On Friday my big brother planned a family kickball game.  It did not disappoint.  Mom and Dad were team captains.  Mom chose both of my brothers and my sister and my dad chose me.  Dad's team dominated the first game.  

I haven't laughed that much in a long time.  It was so much fun!  My little brother set up his GoPro camera and we loved watching the footage.

During the second game I had a couple of memory lapses and made a fool of myself but I survived.

I just love that the whole family played (except my Patrick, he had to work.).  My parents played and ever Barrett toddled around the outfield and kicked the ball a few times.  It was so much fun.  I hope we get to do it again while everyone is around for Christmas.

Friday night Brittany and I hosted a little girls night paint party.  I invited all my "boy mom" friends.  All of our boys are right around the same age.  We painted doorhangers and I thought they turned out so cute.

We had a fun night laughing and painting.
Saturday was the Iron Bowl in Tuscaloosa.  I was so excited.  Jennifer and I planned on watching the game and my cousin's house but I ended up getting a ticket and we found Jennifer one too so we both got to go.  I loved the night games when i was in school.  Now that I have to travel to the games I don't enjoy them as much.  It makes for such a late night. We ventured to the quad to see what was going on. Meanwhile back home Patrick was trying to corrupt my son.  I can't get over how big he looks here. Last week at Lowe's BB bought him this flashlight.  He's been using it as a headlight on this push toy.  He cracks me up. Ms. Linda picked up this book and I love it.  It is so cute and so sweet
I got to sit with my sister.  The other girl was an Auburn fan we made friends with.  She reminded up so much of our sister-in-law Hope that we had to take her picture.
Then I went to find my other friends.  I'm pretty sure Matt wonders why he's friends with me.  I like to think it's because I'm fun, I think it's because he feels sorry for me. It was a long night.  I was crawling in the bed as Patrick's alarm clock was going off.  I've never felt as old as I did Sunday. Monday I finally got the ornaments on the tree and our halls are officially decked! 'Tis the season!

December Goals

I did okay on my November goals.  

1) Finish Christmas Shopping.  I didn't even come close to finishing.  Oh well, it'll get done.  I'm not sweating it.  2)  Plan Barrett's birthday playdate.  I've got everything planned.  It's going to be super low key and relaxed.  I'm excited about it!  3) Have Family Pictures made.  We did this and I'm so in love with how they turned out!  As soon as I get our Christmas cards ordered and in the mail I'll share them with you.  They are beautiful!  4) Order Christmas Cards.  I haven't done this yet.  I've designed them, just have to order them!  5) Decorate for Christmas & 6) Make Advent Calendar, I'm combining these because I finished them both tonight.  I finally decorated our tree and added the cards to the advent calendar.  We are ready for the season!

I didn't write out my December goals because I just want to enjoy the season.  I really want to soak it up.  Barrett is really noticing everything this year and it makes me so excited. I have a few things that I want to do, Go see Santa, buy a gift for the angel tree at our church, drive around and look at lights are just a few of them.  I know the years of having small kids is only a short season and I want to soak up every single moment.  

Thankful Hearts

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday.

(Photo by: lb studios, this is one of my favorites)

I love these people fiercely.

I have so much to be thankful for this year.  

Health.

Jobs.

Family.

Friends.

Food.

Shelter.

Transportation.

Freedom.

And The Lord, without him we'd have nothing.  

There is so much hurt and heartache in the world.  It's hard to understand why some people go through the things they go through.  We just have to have Faith that His plan is the best plan.  I hope everyone can find something to be thankful for this year.  We are all blessed, we just have to take the time to realize it.  

The Horton House wishes you and your family a very Happy Thanksgiving!

2014 Homecoming at the Capstone

Saturday was Homecoming in Tuscaloosa.  It was really late this year.  I really wanted to go and take Barrett.  Patrick was supposed to go with us but he ended up having to work.  We left Gardendale around 9:00am and traffic was at a stand still in Fultondale.  Luckily my mom noticed it before we got on the the on ramp.  After our little detour we made it just in time to walk to the end of my cousin's street to watch the parade.

Barrett was a little scared at first but he eventually warmed up and started waving at all the pretty sorority pledges. 

He did not like when the big trucks blew their horns.  I loved getting to do this with him.   

He did great all day.  It was very surreal to see Barrett and Matthew playing.  Matthew came to his first Alabama game when I was in school.  He was just a little older than Barrett.  Now he's as tall as I am.  The kids were so sweet to let Barrett play with them. 

Before long it was time to head to the stadium.  We had to get our picture in front of the sign.

Barrett didn't get take a nap and he started to get fussy during the game.  Luckily the sweet lady behind us shared her popcorn with him and he was happy.

Ava sat with us too.  It wasn't that long ago that I took her to her first Bama game.

He was very interested in the dancers.  He liked the football too.  He cheered and clapped.  

I just loved getting to take him to the game.  I took him to homecoming last year and I'm hoping we can make it a tradition.  I was so proud I didn't cry at all.  I did get a little teary eyed while we were watching the parade and again when we first got to the stadium.  I just love being a mom and I love getting to share things that I love with my son.  He may or may not like football or Alabama and that's okay but until he decides I'm going to enjoy days like this.  I hope I never take for granted how blessed we are to get to do these things with our baby.  

Week-in-Review

We've had a fun week.  

Last Tuesday my friend Brittany invited me to attend a dinner and live auction to support Just Keep Smiling.  It was so much fun.  We didn't win anything but I loved the auction.  It was very exciting.  They also played "Minute to Win It" type games and our table was called to send up a person.  I volunteered to go and I had to stack ding-dong snack cakes on my forehead.  I didn't win but it was still fun. I thought this was a pretty picture of Brittany and me before we went in. We finally got Barrett a new carseat for Patrick's truck.  He was very excited about his box.  Patrick cut a door and a window in it. They played in it all night.
Saturday I headed to Tuscaloosa.  For an unexpectedly big game.  It was a cold one and we won! So that always makes for a fun day! This is a terrible picture of me but Jennifer and I had so much fun together. I didn't take any pictures because I dropped my phone and shattered the screen.  Luckily it still works but Patrick's got to replace the screen.  After the game we went to the Houndstooth.  It was fun.  Every time I go there I feel older and older.   Sunday, Barrett and I braved the yucky weather to go to church.  After church we went to John and Hope's house so Patrick could help John run all the wires for the TV through the wall.  Barrett was trying to do whatever the boys did.  It was cute.  We enjoyed getting to visit with them.   Now it's about 30 degrees and we're just trying to stay warm.  I'm not usually a Christmas music before Thanksgiving kind of person but this weather has me in the spirit.  Maybe I'll put the trees up this week... Maybe not.