Reviewing Twenty Eleven

This has been an amazing year for Davis.  2011, for him, was one of those years that we'll look back on and remember as a turning point. 

In January, after over a year of research and discussion, he underwent a life changing operation to remove the spasticity in his legs.  It was an extremely invasive procedure and a long, stressful road to recovery followed.  But with high risk comes high reward... 

His monster truck addiction really went into full force in January when he went to his first Monster Jam show at the Georgia Dome...

We FINALLY succeeded in potty training our little man in February.  If you're facing this obstacle any time soon, I highly recommend this program.  It was the ONLY thing that worked for Davis.

Caught his first fish in April...

He participated in 4 weeks of Conductive Education in Orlando; 2 in April and 2 in July.

Saw Shamu at Sea World for the first time in April...

Went to the beach a couple times and conquered his fear of the sand and ocean...

 and saw the Blue Angels while there in July...

Davis turned 5 in June...

and started Elementary School in August...

Went to a Braves' game in September...

and the zoo, too...

Watched Boogs turn 1 in September...

Then she stood and starting walking in October, really giving him a live-in playmate...

First field trip in October...

and first camping trip...

Went to the Ga Aquarium in November...

Conquered another fear and rode a horse for the first time in November...

He started Music Therapy in August and participated in his first piano recital in December.

 Christmas was really fun this year because Davis seemed extra excited about everything...decorating the tree, Santa, etc...

I can't wait to see what 2012 brings!  HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Giveaway Winner

Mrs. Lindsey Rhodes!

Congrats! I'll put it in D's backpack on Tuesday. Hope you like it!

My Handmade Christmas Gifts

Today's the last day to enter my giveaway!

I was feeling very ambitious this year when it came to Christmas gifts for the family.  Almost everyone received a handmade, knitted item...

A 4' x 5' throw for Mom and Jay.  I wasn't there to witness it, because I was barfing in the bathroom, but she cried when she opened it.  It's so soft and comfy, but took me FOREVER to make.  I just order GIGANTIC needles (size US36...for those who know what I'm talking about) and plan to make a blanket for our home next...

 Bible cover for Denise, Justin's step-mom.  I used organic cotton, so it's really sturdy.  It locks with the button and has a storage pocket on the back...

And one for Erin, Justin's step-sister (a big UGA fan)...

Wool, felted oven mitt and pot holders for Justin's grandmother...

And fingerless mitts and matching scarf for his other grandmother...

I don't have a picture of it, but I also 'made' (ordered on Snapfish) a photo book for Justin's mom.  It was filled with pictures and wonderful memories from the past few years.  I really recommend putting one of these together as a gift.  I think it really meant the world to her (she cried like a baby).  And I had so much fun reminiscing while creating it.

Speaking of crafts...I never got around to making that ornament wreath.  Well, I actually DID put it together, but realized quickly that I needed to hot glue all the ornament ball tops in place to keep them from falling off the wire hanger and that's when I gave up.  It, surprisingly, took about 50 ornaments to fill the circle!  Maybe next year!

"I Think I Heard Santa Come."

Our wonderful Christmas...

Baking Santa's cookies (and eating raw cookie dough)...

We always host Christmas Eve dinner at our house and change the food theme every year.  This time it was a homemade Chinese food feast.  I must say, Justin and I did a really great job!  The food was so yummy. 

I made place cards for everyone with their name written in Chinese...

We enjoyed lots of family fun and present opening...

I've never been a 'matchy-matchy' kind of Mom with my kids, but these pj's were a must have...

Once everyone left and we put the kids to bed, it was time to get the house ready for Santa's arrival.  We told Davis that he needed to come get us out of bed when he woke up in the morning and we'd all go see what Santa brought together.  About 15 minutes later, Justin and I were just 'hanging out around the Christmas tree' when we hear Davis' bedroom door open.  We panic, drop what's in our hands, and run to his room before he can get his toes over the threshold.  He says, "I think I heard Santa come."  It was the cutest thing ever.  He was so pumped.  We did a little damage control and reminded him of the whole 'He knows when you're awake' thing.  He understood and went to sleep.  For real, this time.
 

Fast forward to 7 a.m.

This little muffin worked her magic on Justin at around 2 in the morning and ended up in our bed...

And Davis couldn't wait to see what Santa left for him...

  She was shocked that Santa didn't finish his plate...

Wooder racked up this year.  Some of the bigger presents...

And tickets to Monster Jam...

Boogs got lots of books...

And her very own baby...

Justin and I didn't exchange gifts this year.  We're, instead, upgrading to a King-sized bed.  And, we're probably going to be forking out a ton of money on this fury, four-legged child of ours over the next couple months. (I'll save all that for another post, though.)

We did, however, really enjoy opening the gifts that Davis got us from the holiday store at school...

After showers and lots of coffee, it was time to hit the road for the rest of the day.  First up was Ellijay with the Nunleys.  We ate delicious homemade Chicago beef, watched Finding Nemo, and played Pictionary...

Miss Sass Uh Frass...

Next up, Pa's for steaks, Bloody Mary's, secret handshakes ("Bam.  Bam.  DIFFERENT!"), and pool...

 

Then home and bed. 

It was a wonderful holiday, as always.  Busy.  Stressful.  But wonderful.  Now I'm in 'get the house super, duper organized for 2012' mode.  I should also save that psycho stuff for another entry.

Merry Christmas!!!

Christmas Music

You've gotta include this album to your holidays...

A Very Special Christmas, Vol. 1

Released in 1987, it inlcudes covers by U2, Run DMC, Madonna, Bruce Springstein, etc.  It's awesome and reminds me of all the Wagner Christmas pasts...

Seriously.  Download it.  You'll thank me!

 

Christmas With The Ards (Minus Yours Truly)

***Another Giveaway reminder (Look over there, to the right)***

We always celebrate the holidays with my mom, stepdad, and his two kids (Ryan and Tara) the weekend before.  Tara lives in Tampa, so it's a way for us all to be together and Justin and I love it most because it really lightens our travel load on the actual day.  I wasn't feeling too hot all Saturday morning, but thought I was well enough to push through.  Nope.  Wrong thought.  Almost as soon as we got to their house, around 3:30, I was down for the count.  I spent the entire time either curled up in my parents' bed, fighting cold chills and heat waves, or barfing in the bathroom.  It was miserable.  I missed everything...the food, the gift opening, the expensive wine drinking, the chatting...everything.  After about 4 hours of this, I made Justin take us home.  It took until about Monday afternoon for me to feel normal again.  Poor Boogs is fighting it off, now. 

Justin did a pretty good job of taking photos for me, though...

 

Boogs was obsessed with this puppy I bought for Sparks, Ev and Elle's dog...

Loves her some stuffed animals

I missed the first time she's ever opened a present :(

Oh wait!  There I am!  Death Becomes Her...

They're probably all talking about what a lame time they're having without me  :)

Since I wouldn't miss this for anything in the world, we went to Davis' first Christmas Piano Recital on Sunday.  I called ahead to warn them of my illness...he went second, immediately got his trophy, and we bolted.