Christmas Afternoon

Christmas Morning

The Week Before Christmas

Playing around in the exersaucer and with Dad.

Playing with Mom and Peyton.

Checking out the left foot

Talking with Mimi

O Christmas Tree!

Sick :(

Lots of things to write, but no time or energy! Ashley is ill...Bryan and Katie are holding up.

Gender Neutral

We've decided to follow the California Teacher's Union suggestion and let Katie choose her gender. Next month we'll let her change her mind again.

Rice Cereal 101

We think she likes it!

Packer Fan

Friday Date with Tyler

The District Office at Work

My manager, Jim, is out of town for the next fews days. I think Ava (his personal assistant) is bored.

http://elfyourself.jibjab.com/view/yEXoiHYTp1AAoZiSehH0

I don't know why I have the smallest dance part!

**Be sure you watch this video before it expires on January 15th!

Her Hair Can Lay Flat! 5 Months

A Collierville Thanksgiving

Bryan, Katie and I traveled to Collierville on Thanksgiving day. We took Hwy 51, and were amazed at all the new commercial buildings. I think we passed 3 new Starbucks! The country is in a recession, right?!? Once we were at Nanna's house, Nanna and Aunt Debbie hooked onto Katie. They looked gorgeous, as usual.

Katie met her 2nd cousin, Elizabeth McCallen (15 months), and "Aunt" Dottie.

The weather was so mild that most of the family gathered outside to feed the ducks in the neighborhood pond. Luke, Grif, and Elizabeth threw bread at the ducks. When the kids ran out of bread, Luke went into Nanna's house to get some wheat thins. Nanna thought he was hungry, so she gave him the cheese ball and tray of wheat thins to take outside. Luckily, we interviened before the ducks were fed the Wisconsin cheese.

Aaron entertained Katie. Thanks, Omi, for the monkey gym!!

Uncle Mark and Aunt Missy also bonded with Katie. Sorry--she can't go back to Knoxville with you!On Black Friday, Aunt Missy woke up early and hit Kohls and numerous other stores. Bryan and I slept in the best we could. After breakfast with the other cousins (Tim, Anna, and Leah also stayed at Nanna's house), we met up with Dad and went to the new mall, Carriage Crossings. I found some nice lamps that would look good on both sides of our Amish bed, but Bryan vetoed the $300 purchase. That's ok; I'm sure Kirklands has some nice lamps.

On Friday evening, Aunt Debbie had everyone over for white chili. When I say "everyone," I mean all the McCallens plus the cousins that come from my Pappaw's brother, Great Uncle Tommy. Here I am with cousins and second-cousins (left to right): Whitney Bainer, me, Leah Bickers, Elizabeth and Stephanie Spurlock, Anna Bickers and (center) Kathleen. Why do I have to be the shortest? I mean, really...Kathleen, Anna, Leah and I share 25% the same genetic code. So why are they 5 inches taller than me??

Uncle Tommy (Pappaw's brother), and Ruthie, his wife.

And finally...EVERYONE (sans Deborah, Jimmy and Sean). Notice who's back, center of the picture. He obviously married into the family!

Trying Cranberries

I bought a bag of cranberries at the grocery store last week--thinking this super-food would be super-awesome on my cheerios or oatmeal. Was I wrong! To sweeten up the berries and make them more manageable, I cooked them in a rich, cream cheese coffee cake. Del*li*cious!
Katie was rockin' this morning, with her toys and awesome hair. (Don't worry--the chapstick is still sealed).

A Dyersburg Thanksgiving

Per the usual, Bryan and I split our Thanksgiving vacation between Dyersburg and Memphis (Collierville). I will create exclusive posts about each trip.

While at Mimi's, Katie enjoyed playing in her (borrowed) deluxe exersaucer.

Great-Granddaddy enjoyed holding Katie.

Katie had lots of mommy time and daddy time.

We visited Memommie at the nursing home.

And Mimi showed Katie off to the handymen.

On Thanksgiving day, Mom heated up our lunch--the turkey, sweet potatoes, green bean casserole, rolls, and desserts were all catered in from Stein Low's (who made the food for our wedding reception). My mom is no Betty Crocker! I got a few cute shots of everyone around the table.