Thanksgiving '09

Words cannot express how wonderful this past week has been! Yay for Thanksgiving Break!! I especially have enjoyed being out of school and spending all day at home with the kiddos. We have been so busy this week visiting, decorating, shopping and relaxing (if that's possible)ha ha. I have posted below lots of pictures from the past week and of course Thanksgiving Day.

Playdate & Potty Training

Over the week, Karson came to visit and play. The boys had a fabulous time and played so well together. Karson has recently potty-trained and is wearing big boy pants now. Collin has been using the potty often, but not enough to transfer to real undies. Since this playdate, Collin has been inspired to wear only pull ups and big boy undies. So far we've had several accidents, but I think we are off to a good start! Thanks Karson for giving us some motivation in this area :)

Deck the Halls....




Collin and Brantlee were festive in their Christmas pj s while they "helped" me decorate the tree. So far, the tree hasn't fallen... it just loses a few ornaments here and there.

Time for turkey!!
Our first Thanksgiving stop was at Nana and Papa's for lunch. Just about everyone from that side of the family came, including the LA crew. Benjamin (almost 3) and Nicholas (15 mos) got to play with Collin and Brantlee. We haven't seen them in 2 years!! So this was a very exciting time for everyone :) The food was delicious... as it always is. And we had entirely too much... as we always do. It was just so nice to catch up with people after so long, and to discover that so many things/jokes never change! Fun times!!


Brantlee's "cover girl" pose

Too many M & M's in her mouth to smile


Resting after a game of football

Run Collin Run!!

So cold, but such a BEAUTIFUL day to celebrate


Looking for snakes and bugs in the woods

Nick, Collin and Ben dancing to the Wiggles!

Then to MeeMaw and Paw Paw's...

The men discussing the game

Typical Thanksgiving eve ... cards, egg nog, football, and leftovers from lunch. This year several people were able to come that don't always get to, so that made it even better.

It's funny that no matter how many adults are around, the focus is always on the little ones. These three great grandkids certainly don't mind the limelight that's for sure! I can't wait for Christmas!!!

A Time for Thanks

Just like most people right now, I am thankful for so many things. Our family has been blessed beyond measure. And while EVERY day we should count our blessings, Thanksgiving Day and the whole holiday season is the time I most realize just what God has done. So, thank you God for these things:
Our family - We stress about all the places we have to visit on the holidays, but what an awesome "problem" to have... shame on us!
Our parents - Unconditional love, support, and HELP! Thank you!!
My husband - So much patience and understanding in this one man. He is the glue that holds our little family together
Our children - What precious blessings!! May we never forget or take for granted these gifts from above and the privilege it is to raise them.
Our friends - The people we can laugh with
Our health - By God's grace we are healthy as can be.
Salvation - And most of all.... if one or all of the above things is taken away, we can still look to our Heavenly Father. He hears our cries, knows our hearts, catches us when we fall, and forgives and loves us UNCONDITIONALLY. Thank you, Lord.

Milestone Update

This week my mom and I took the kiddos to have their pictures taken at Darrin's Photography. I am so excited to see how they turned out! Mom and I shopped long and hard for two outfits that coordinated for a boy and a girl- not an easy task. Overall, the kids did well. Collin cooperated only when we convinced him we were looking for snakes and bugs in the grass. And he only had one minor meltdown - pretty good for a two-year old with no nap. Branltee, on the other hand, chose to express her dramatic side for most of the photo shoot and would literally lose her breath when I tried to put her down. But I know we got some great shots regardless.


So... this seems like a good time to mention some things that each child is doing right now in this precious time in their lives. By the way, I really love the ages of my children right now. They can both walk and play together. And it seems like they learn something new or do something cute everyday. However, I DO NOT love terrible 2 tantrums and 1-yr-old separation anxiety :( It is such a challenge to balance these two things. But now, on to the positive....

Collin - 2 1/2 years old

• Collin is talking so much right now I can't keep up with all he says. And I can't watch what I say enough. His latest things to say are "Good gracious sakes alive......" "Want to read a book with me mommy?" (my favorite) "Come on, come on. Vamanos!!" (gets that one from Dora)
• He is potty training... sometimes really well and other times not at all but we will get there
• He loves to help around the house, especially loading clothes into the washing machine and dryer.
• He is OBSESSED with Dora right now... not Diego, but Dora. Whatever...
• His imagination has really taken off. Sometimes he will run into the room terrified that Swiper the Sneaky Fox is after him.
• He likes to pick out his own clothes, and he doesn't like to leave the house without his tractor cap. He certainly gets that honestly.
• I wish he would eat more, but he has far more important things on his agenda.
• He is now aware that we learn about Jesus at church and he knows about the Bible.
• His favorite songs are "The Lord's Army," "Deep and Wide," & "Zacheaus."
• About half of the time, he takes a 2 hour nap. Other times, not one at all.
• He weighs 32 lbs and is exactly 3 feet tall.

Brantlee - 13 months

• Brantlee is walking everywhere!! (Kyle says she "prances" everywhere she goes.")
• She hates to be alone right now. Even though she can walk, it breaks her heart for anyone to walk out of the room and not take her!
• And when she walks, she talks. Her new word is"uh huh" for yes. She also still talks a lot of baby language that we don't understand but respond to nonetheless
• She loves to play "Where's Brantlee?" and hides her eyes.
• She loves to "read" her books and turn the pages.
• Her biggest passion right now is climbing!!! We have to REALLY keep our eye on her.
• The lil dare devil also likes to try and stand on her head. She almost does a front roll. (I am committed to get this on camera, but I just haven't been able to yet.)
• She is a passionate eater, and that's putting it mildly. I haven't found a food she doesn't eat
• She is off the bottle and has been for almost 3 weeks now. She still drinks a mixture of milk and formula tho. (I am hoping she doesn't have lactose issues like her brother and I do)
• She naps for 2 to 3 hours during the middle of the day and sleeps from 7:30 or 8 til 6 the next morning... sometimes earlier and sometimes but rarely later.
• She weighs 25 lbs and is almost 30 inches long.
  
  
  
  
  
  Just a snapshot of what our living room looks like at almost any time of the day :)

I tried to capture Brantlee's first ponytail, but obviously she wasn't in the mood for any photos

Looks like Collin found Brantlee's paci... It's hard to be a big boy and a baby at the same time.

Collin is obsessed with shoes... anybody's shoes but his.

Looks like the climber has made it into her wagon.

Happy Halloween!!!

Halloween 2009 - Whew... what a weekend! This year Collin wanted to be a captain. He got the idea from "Captain Feathersword" from The Wiggles, but he got to carry a "real" sword instead of one made with feathers. And Brantlee naturally had to stick with her theme... ladybug!

We kicked off the Halloween weekend with some festive cupcakes that everyone obviously enjoyed.

Halloween morning we decided carved some pumpkins. Lolly and Poppy joined us with the carving. As you can see below, these men meant business with their carving.

Collin really wanted to help... for a minute anyway

Our little pumpkin playing "where's Brantlee"... her favorite game right now.

Captain Collin!!

Ladybug Brantlee

This moment was much harder to capture than it may appear

We first trick or treated at Mee Maw and Paw Paw's house. Check out cousin Fischer in his Dinosaur suit!! Too Cute!!

We did our main trick or treating in Sandersville with the rest of the family. We all rode in a trailer that cousin Ryan pulled with a four-wheeler. Great memories!!

What a crew! Fischer 10 mos, Collin 2, Kooper 8 mos, Jaylen 8, Karson 2, Kaden 3, and Brantlee 1. All the great grandchildren in the Sumrall family. Can you imagine Christmas??!!

Fall 2009

The past several weeks have been some of the best! I love fall and I always have. Like most people, it is my absolute favorite time of year. But I guess it's more fun this year because we get to see our children experience things for the first time. And although my kids are only two and one, I think they've had as much fun as Kyle and I have!

South MS Fair
This year Collin got ride most of the rides for his age. We thought we might be a little afraid, but boy were we wrong!! He even rode with people he didn't know-ha! Brantlee, of course, had to enjoy the fair from her stroller. But I don't think she minded. She still got to enjoy a corn dog, ice cream bar, and a visit with the animals like the rest of us.


Yummy corn dog!!




Collin and his buddy Harrison checking out the piggies



More ice cream please!


It was so nice of this little girl to offer to ride with Collin:)


Go Collin Go!!


Brantlee was fascinated by the baby cow


West Ellisville Baptist Church Fall Festival
Our church recently had their annual fall festival. Tons of people from our church and community came. Most of the little ones dressed in their costumes. Each Sunday School class was responsible for a booth/game. Our class was in charge of the dart throw.




Brantlee wanted to enjoy the festivities but she was worn out by 7:00 that day.... only a sucker would help her feelings.



Collin's nursery buddy and friend Princess Blair.



Brantlee's nursery friend Melanie. They are one month apart, and have been the only two "babies" in the nursery this past year.


Check out Collin throwin those darts! Anything for some candy, right?



LCS Harvest Festival
This year I am teaching part time at Laurel Christian High School. Every year the entire school hosts a HUGE fundraiser with activities for small children.

On our way to the festival !!

Future farmer... feeding the animals




Naturally his favorite part

A little nervous about the big slide, but he finally went for it :)

Brantlee, I promise next year will be more fun for you. Thanks for being a good sport and tagging along this year ;)

Once again, a sucker makes it all better

Riding like a little man