Christmas in Pell City

We had a wonderful time celebrating Christmas in Pell City this year. Nathan could hardly stop for a few minutes to visit with Grandmama Murphy on the way because he was so excited to be going to see FeFe, One, Amanda and Jonathan. Christmas Eve Nathan attached himself to Jonathan's side and didn't want to be separated. Since Jonathan was willing to get close enough to Santa for a picture Nathan decided he would to. That and the promise of a Santa cookie. And Nathan knows that Jennifer comes with Jonathan now too. She was sweet enough to read his new book to him since he couldn't go to sleep on Christmas Eve. Christmas morning was lots of fun again as Nathan found gifts in his stocking that Santa brought. He was very into presents this year. He wanted to open his and everyone else's too. I think the act of opening a present was just as exciting as the toy inside. We had a wonderful time with all our family, Aunts and Uncles and Cousins and a wonderful Christmas dinner with Grandmother too.

Our Christmas

This year Nathan really began to enjoy Christmas with the excitement of decorating the tree and seeing all the Christmas lights. And he is beginning to understand it's Jesus' birthday we are celebrating and likes singing Happy Birthday Jesus. He amazed me as he stood up in a chair and sang "Away in a Manger" for our Senior Adults at church all by himself. But one of my favorite memories this year is the night before "Our Christmas" at home. We all got in late around 9:00 and we were all exhausted so Shane and I decided to let Nathan curl up in the bed with us until he went to sleep. After all "It is Christmas!" So we all put on our jammies and snuggled up in bed. The lights were out and all was quiet. As I was drifting off to sleep I felt Nathan's pull on my shoulder as he leaned up and whispered in my ear "Merry Christmas Mommy." One of those memories I hope stays etched in my mind forever. - Meredith








This was the best morning for all of us to do the present thing so Nathan had Christmas early. Meredith will write more later I am sure, but I wanted to give you pictures of our family Christmas. Also Nathan and I went to the Auburn Basketball game tonight. He made it all of about 10 minutes, but he had a great time in those few minutes. It felt like a real father/son type thing. - Shane

Christmas Traditions

A sweet lady where I work gave us one of the big popcorn tins for Christmas. We haven't had one in several years but it has been quite the hit with Nathan. He loves popcorn and now he has a new love "brown popcorn". I wish I had the camera ready to catch how big his eyes got when I opened that tin full of popcorn. He knows he can have the yellow and the brown but the orange will make him sick. But he has hardly touched the yellow. The caramel is halfway gone and we've had it less than a week. I've had to do some serious snack spreading with that caramel popcorn. This is a daily repeat.

Nathan: Good morning mommy. Let's have popcorn.
Mommy: Not for breakfast. Let's save it for snack.
(Popcorn for snack.)
Mommy: Nathan it's time to eat lunch.
Nathan: No, not lunch. Let's have brown popcorn.
Mommy: Eat your lunch then you can have brown popcorn.
(Popcorn for dessert.)
Mommy: Nathan it's time for supper.
Nathan: No mommy. Not supper. Let's have brown popcorn.

It's going to be a sad day for Nathan when the popcorn tin is empty. But this may have to become a Christmas tradition for our house.

Pee Pee in the Potty

It may be just a random event again but last night we had another "pee pee in the potty". He tried again this morning but no pee pee. He was pretty excited last night. We gave him a skittle because he's allergic to M&M's and he was wired so we'll have to find a not so sugary reward that still works.

Our Baby's Heartbeat

Yesterday in the midst of recovering from stomach viruses, fighting off a cold, and trying to finish up Christmas shopping I had a doctor's appointment. After the first store I dropped off Shane and Nathan at the bookstore and hurried over to the doctor's office thinking "Oh, I hope this doesn't take forever" so I could get back to Shane and Nathan and we could be on with our shopping and evening of dinner and Christmas lights. The nurse called me right back and I was in the room waiting on the doctor in no time. And I waited and waited and waited. Finally the doctor and the nurse came in and she began to roll the doppler thing over my belly and then I heard it... our baby's heartbeat. In that moment the peace and joy of God just washed over me. I realized I already have the greatest Christmas present I could ever ask for this year. God has given us another child. I don't really feel pregnant yet and I don't look pregnant yet but I want to shout to the world it's true! It's real! We are having a baby! We are blessed and I am so thankful and full of joy this Christmas.

Handy Manny

Handy Manny a.k.a Nathan appeared at our house today with a new haircut. He had a great time cruising the backyard in his truck with his tools and using his tools to repair the truck engine.

Santa Dancing Nathan

When Nathan was a baby we were at a friends house and he saw this reindeer in a rocking chair that sings and he would laugh and squeal everytime we made it sing. Ann couldn't stand for him to enjoy it that much and not have it at home so she sent it home with us. This year I got it out for him not sure how he would react. He still loves it. He immediately went to singing and dancing and went and grabbed his guitar so he could rock out with the reindeer. Thanks Ann for the reindeer and thank you Shane for doing the video and posting it.

Wellness Update

Well, Shane and I have finally recovered from the stomach bug. This one was a rough one and took a few days to recover. Nathan came down with it Wednesday night and is still having tummy troubles. Hopefully another day or two and we'll all be well.

A stomach virus...

...has attacked the Yancey household. Nathan apparently had it Sunday (even though he just threw up once). I had it yesterday, and Meredith has the worst of it and is still sick with it. So there may not be new blog updates for a couple of days.

This is one of those things that they don't tell you about in the "so you want to have kids" brochure. In 8 years of marriage I threw up maybe once. I have been sick to my stomach at least 3 times in the few years that Nathan has been around. Kids are great, but they also are little carriers for all sorts of germs. They should let you know that upfront.

Christmas Parades

This year we got to see two Christmas Parades. We went to the Eufaula Christmas Parade tonight. Nathan was all prepared with his new sheriff car and his jingle bells. He loved seeing the police car (Sheriff) and fire engine (Red) and marching band (that plays trumpees) and horses and Santa.



We also got to see the Mayfield parade last Saturday night. They actually still throw out candy at their parade which was a big hit with the boys but yes we moms gave them suckers to entertain them before the parade even started.

Hill's Bar-B-Que & Santa

Saturday, we all went to Hill's and ate lunch. Hill's is favorite of Shane's that dates back to his childhood. We can't go home to Mayfield without having a Hill's hot dog on a round bun with a fountain cherry Sun Drop. Saturday was a special day because Santa was there. Nathan was very excited when he entered the restaurant and smiled when he came over to see us. When it came time to sit in his lap and have his picture made he was having none of that. Nope, not even for a sucker.

Nathan's New Train Table (Thanks One!)