Savannah's first haircut

Earlier this week, we decided it was time for Savannah's first haircut (trim, really). Even such a small cut makes such a big milestone! Our girl looks a lot more toddler and a lot less baby with her shorter hair, which is bittersweet! 

Before...

After...

Charlie

My heart is breaking even now, but for memory's sake, I want to have some thoughts and pictures written down. Yesterday, we had to say a tearful, unexpected goodbye to our beloved chocolate lab, Charlie. Charlie was a graduation gift to me when I finished college in 2007, and the first dog I ever owned. He kept me company many nights alone in my apartment the summer before I started teaching and the fall before Sean and I got married. He was the easiest puppy I could have asked for. He slept all the time and rarely ever had potty accidents. He didn't beg for food and I never once heard him bark. He rode in the back seat of Sean's car the night we drove to Charleston to get engaged. He sat under the table the day we celebrated my college graduation. He went to the park with Sean and I countless times to run and play frisbee. He moved with us many times. He waited excitedly at the door to greet baby Porter and baby Savannah when we got home from the hospital. Charlie has been a part of our family for as long as we have been a family. Having never owned a dog before, I had no idea what to expect losing a dog might feel like. It feels horrible. It is gut wrenching sadness that you couldn't possibly prepare yourself for. Our home feels like something is missing and there is a hole in my heart with a sinking feeling because I know we won't see him run and play here again. Our other dog, Lola, is grieving with us. She is completely lost and so are we. I had no idea what a big part of our family he was until he was gone. I know that time and The Lord will heal our hearts, but we will miss Charlie forever. He was an amazing dog. Charlie had a wonderful life filled with people (big and small) that loved him so much. I am so thankful for the time we had with him and the memories we were able to make. But what I wouldn't give to have had him around longer. I hate so much that the dog that made our kids love dogs is one they won't remember. I had so many pictures in my mind of the kids running and playing with him and being able to take him for walks as they got older. I hope he knew how loved he was! If you're reading this and have a dog, go give them a treat. Just for being a loyal part of the family. We love you Charlie!

Donuts with Daddy

The kids and I are so blessed to have a sweet man in our lives that is willing to take time to have a morning donut date with us. What a fun way to start a Friday morning! We love you Daddy!

Toddler selfies...

Christmas Decorating

We definitely get into holidays around here and Christmas is by far the most exciting! After getting our tree on Saturday, we spent the evening decorating. Sean and I did most of the ornaments on the big tree, since most of them are breakable, and we couldn't wait to see the kids faces when they woke up!  They loved it! 

(Minus ornaments)

I guess Porter was in awe, because he said he needed to crawl. Silly boy!

We thought this would be a fun year to start Elf on a Shelf as a new tradition. We read the book with Porter before bed and explained that there would be an elf when he woke up. I think mom and dad got way more excited about Jimi the elf than Porter did. Jimi has not been a success so far :(

And since the kids didn't get to help that much with the decorating and they also have their own ornaments, we decided to let them decorate their own tree. They loved it!

Annual Christmas tree trip

Every year, we head up to Boone to a choose n cut lot to pick the perfect tree. It has become a favorite tradition around here! We have been going to the same place for several years now and are never  disappointed! This year, we did things a little differently. We chose our tree first and then went to Mast General Store (btw, we won't be back to that one until our kids are at least 10...or 20! It is too hot, too crowded, and too breakable. Oh my!) and then stopped for a late lunch/early dinner at a BBQ restaurant. Then we headed home and decorated our tree :) The BBQ restaurant was a nice break from tradition, as it was much more kid friendly! At Mast General store we thought we would try letting the kids meet Santa. Short version...one of our most disastrous photos to date! I'll save it for the end ;)

On the way home...

And best (and by best I actually mean epic fail!) for last...

Now that's a framer!! Haha! I'm not going to lie, I laughed! It was just one of those moments you either laugh or cry and I chose laugh, since the crying was already covered! 

Thanksgiving at Nonni and Papa's

We are fortunate enough to have so much family to celebrate the holidays with. This means we have several celebrations of each holiday :) I wish we had more pictures of each separate celebration, but we were a little busy, so we only got good pictures of our sweet Thanksgiving day with Nonni and Papa. Porter got to help with the cooking while Sissy napped. We watched Charlottes Web a few times and spent lots of time playing with horses and exploring Nonnis house. What fun memories we had the privelege of making!