Seriously? Could it be any better?

After we had our small Chrsitmas at our house, we went over to Nannie and Grandad's house to be with the whole family. The cousins had a blast!

When it was time to open presents the kids piled onto the couch and chairs awaiting to rip open the packages! I have to say this was one of the funniest moments this Christmas! Before we could stop Scooter, he opened the big gift from Nannie and Grandad before Walker and John had opened theirs. As you can see, they were all a BIT shocked! The boys did not know that they were getting this fancy new toy and the look on their faces were priceless! Scott opened up an I TOUCH and the dropped jaw look that John and Walker gave was the funniest thing I have seen in a long time. Needless to say, Nannie and Grandad outdid themselves this year. I think they are a little excited about being so close to all of our madness!

Another funny moment, after Scott and the boys, came from Anna. Everyone had a few gifts in their laps and Anna just had one. When she opened her wonderful gift she said "is this all I get??" Now, if this had come from an adult, it would have been a bit rude but since it came from a 4 year old and we totally understood! Anna she saw that we all had many gifts and she only had one..it made sense. After her comment, we all laughed so hard because little did Anna know but behind her was a huge covered DOLL HOUSE! Grandad worked for months constructing this beautiful thing and Nannie decorated it, of course! We were so excited to surprise her! When the sheet was taken off, Anna was SHOCKED! I think that she loves her new present! I can not wait to watch her play with it for years to come.

Christmas 2009 was a wonderful time! I look forward to many more years of Christmas at Nannie and Grandad's home in Chapel Hill!

Santa is awesome!

We had a wonderful Christmas morning this year! We did not have to rush anywhere and was able to stay home and play all morning! Mom and Dad came over for breakfast but then left to get ready for all of us to go over there later. We had such a great Chrsitmas. There is something to be said about being able to actually stay home and enjoy the day rather then rushing around. I love that my parents have moved here. It really made the holiday that much more special.

Santa gave Scott a keyboard, lots of games, a soccer ball and a few other nick nacks! Anna got a cradle, games, bedtime slippers, fuggs (fake uggs) and barbies! They were really excited and have had so much fun playing with their new loot! I think that parents like the new loot as much as the kids. It keeps them occupied longer so we can actually clean and get stuff done around the house! Needless to say, it is 3 days later and I have not seen the kiddos all morning!

YAY NEW TOYS!

First Annual Griswald Christmas with the Bowersox Family

Since our families are no longer at the same church, it was fitting that we had dinner together the night before Chrirstmas Eve. Brooke and I had to make sure we all were able to see each other before the big day! Thus begins the Bowersox/Gilliam Griswald Christmas dinner! We ordered pizza, had chocolates on toothpicks and gave each other "regifted" gifts. It was fantastic! I love our new tradition and will look forward to this event every year. I think I need to start working on my attire. Brooke's earrings and sweater took the cake!

Neat Freak!

I am thrilled to say that I may have a little neat freak as a daughter! For the past month, Anna has been making her bed. The amusing part of this is how she displays her friends and animals. Anna takes her sweet time walking back and forth around the bed to make sure there are no wrinkles and that everyone has their special place. It is so cute. I am wondering if this will last or if she is thinking that Santa is watching. We will soon see in 2010!

Thank you, Anna for being so darn cute!

Christmas Caroling

The Chapel of the Cross gets together in December and goes Caroling to the retirement communities in the area. Dave was so excited to be able to bring his guitare to church! As you can see, the kiddos were excited to wear their ears! Caroling is not complete without super cool Reindeer ears!

Fun was had by all.

Just a few pictures

It is beginning to look a lot like Chrstimas! Scott and Anna are so excited. I wonder if Santa is going to come this year! We will soon find out!

Anna - 4 years

Scott - 6 years

Ohhh Christmas Tree!

We had a wonderful day going out and purchasing our Christmas Tree this year! The kids absolutely loved it running in and out of the trees! I forget how fun these things can be. We should always try and look through our kiddos eyes every once in a while to remind us about the wonderful in the simple things in life.

Unfortunatly, this was the last year we used the angel below. She has been around for 10 years and we finally decided that she was not very purdy. Angel is gone and now we are in search of a new angel replacement. Bye Bye cheesy Tuesday Morning angel. You were great while you lasted but now it is time for bigger and better!

Fancy Schmancy

If you go to Scott's school, then you have most likely been entertained by Anna's clothing choices over the past few weeks. Rain or shine, this girl was decked to the nines to pick up her big brother. I must say that a few heads are turned as she walks by. However, we did learn that dress up clothes and the playground do not go well. Anna walked away with a few scrapes on her face from trying to climb a rock. I am not sure princess clothes were designed for all terrains. We now have new dress up rules around here. She may only wear them around and in our house. She may not wear them on field trips to pick up brother. It is dangerous being a true princess.

Could she really be four?

It is hard to believe that our little Anna is already four years old. She is growing up so fast! Anna has turned into quite the young lady these days. As you can see in the picture she is sitting like a true "princess." Since we just got back from Disney, she was able to learn the ways of the experts. Cindy and Snow White really made an impression on our little one. Anna is really coming into her own. She loves playing upstairs in her room with her dolls for hours. You can hear her little voice up the steps taking care of everyone, feeding and making sure they are all cozy in their beds. I never knew that Anna would turn into such a little "mommy." She is so nurturing and loving with her animals, babies and friends. Along that theme, I am learning that this child LOVES flowers. Everytime we go on a walk or are just playing outside, she will stop and try and pick the flowers. When we were in Florida last week, she was mesmerized by the gorgeous flowers! We even took a a few to Atlanta to give to Grammy and Angie. They were very impressed that those beautiful red flowers lasted our 10 our car ride. What the kiddos didn't realize is that I was impressed that they were so perfect during that 10 hour car ride! I did not hear one complaint or peep! That will be for another blog entry some other time.

Another thing that I have noticed about our little Anna is that she LOVES music and singing. It is wonderful hearing her little voice in the back of the car or up in her room. She has the sweetest little voice that is on pitch. (as Dave would say) I hope that this continues and becomes something that she loves like her Daddy. It would be amazing to have one or both of our kiddos have that kind of talent! Anna, we will just have to wait and see..ok?

Lastly, I want to let you know about the things that you are able to do at this age! I think that the hamster might be on the wheel and ready to go because you are really showing a love for learning! As of right now, you are able to write and spell. You love sitting down and asking us to spell things for you as you write. We have a lot of thank you notes to write but I am not sure this is the year for you to take them over. It would take a long time..maybe next year is your year! You also love to try and do math like Scott. Sometimes you get the answers right and we have no idea if it is because you truly understand what you are doing, it is memorized or you are guessing. Either way, it is really cute!

Another thing we have noticed is you have really started to show interest in drawing. You love to draw people with big heads! These heads have arms and legs coming off of them and it is so cute. They are like Egg people. I think you are a budding artist! You also love to color coloring pages. You have moved away from scribbling and really take your time actually coloring and staying in the lines.

I see a little bit of perfectionism in you but have no idea if that trait will stick. Besides your coloring you really show this perfectionism when you try and make your bed or clean your room. You take such pride in making sure that there are no wrinkles on your blankets and have everything folded so neatly. I might need to take lessons from you!

Anna, thank you. Thank you for being an amazing addition to our family. Your silly smiles and loving ways keep us on our toes all the time. Who knew that baby who literally screamed all day would turn into such a wonderful, happy and loving little four year old. I would love to bottle you up right now and never let you grow but I know that there is so much more for you to do. I can not wait to see what happens next. As of right now, we are already proud of the little star that you already are.

Happy Birthday Sweet girl.

Your Mommy and Daddy are very proud of you!

What happens when you get the Gilliam family together for Turkey Day?

Wine!

Gilliam family, what are you going to do for Thanksgiving?

We are going to Disney World!

I must say, it really is a magical place. It was truly an amazing week with my adorable family.

Anna is almost 4

Scott is 6 1/2

Dave is old.

Fun in the Village!

Living in Southern Village has not gotten old yet. I hope that it never does, especially since Dave says that we will be in this house until both children graduate from high school. In saying that, we met our neighbors up at the Green and found lots of hay bails! Halloween had come to an end and what was left of the fun...HAY! We spent over an hour playing and climbing on these things. It was a wonderful afternoon with our wonderful neighbors.

We are blessed.

Go Heels!

Nothing could be more fun then going to a Carolina football game with Daddy! Scott found his love for football this year! Every weekend Daddy and Scott have glued themselves to the TV cheering and throwing things like a true American family. Anna and I try and steer clear of the craziness and stick to dress up clothes and princesses. Sometimes ,Anna will join the boys and try and watch what they are watching. It doesn't take her very long to realize she is not having as much fun as they are watching these boys run into each other on the TV.

Go Heels!

Halloween 2009 - A fairy and Mario!

A super fun time was had by all!

Scott said he wanted to be Tyler Hansborough next year and Anna is planning on being a butterfly.

I wonder if that will stick!

Be loud and proud!

It is Avon Walk time for our Pink Pacer's Crew! Let's just say, we make a bold statement and hope to up our level of committment each year with fantastic costumes!

Look kids, it is your Daddy!

Don't be afraid!

Dave's Birthday Dinner round 2!

Mom and Dad took us to the Angus Barn for a multiple celebration dinner. We celebrated Ginger and Dave's birthday along with Nannie and Grandad's move to Chapel Hill. It was super fun and I am sure it will be a LONG time before we all are taken back!

Ginger and I were given a tour of the whole kitchen and private rooms. It was so fun..especially the wine celler!

2009 Walk for Education

First of all, I want to call attention to the fact that my son actually DOES look like me! I have never had a child look like me over the past 6 years and finally...I see some commonality! YAY, my son does look like me! (yes, I said it again) Now, Anna is another story. She is 100% Dave is every way except personality. Lucky her!

Below are pictures from the Walk for Education. This is a big fundraiser for the Carborro/Chapel Hill school system. It was a fun, cold event that we may not do again! :)

Happy 35th Daddy!

I guess when it is your birthday, you can do silly things!

Happy 35th Birthday Daddy!

This is the first of 3 birthday dinners we had for him! He was very loved.

Pumpkin Patch time for Gilliams

Obsessed, I tell you!

I am not kidding. My girl is obsessed!

Maybe she will be a writer some day?

I guess the hampster is on the wheel! We have brain activity!

Choir for Scooter

Just a sweet photo before Scott sang with the Choir.

I love this photo.

There is something about Scott and a choir robe. He just looks so angelic. I love this boy so much. How could you not? Look how precious he is!

Mommy, how do you spell....

I spent many years of Scott's young life being asked "how do you spell..." everthing! I thought I was going to have a big break from that question until Anna hit about 3 3/4! Every day Anna is dying to write and spell words. I must say it is nice that she is intersted but it can get very old when you can't even spell yourself! Both kids will have me figured out in no time! I feel them catching up to me and my academic abilites!

What Mommy will be known for.

Shock Shock, I know.

If you have known me over the past 4 years then you know that I do a lot of walking(and talking)! Luckily, Scott and Anna have learned a lot from Mommy's platform! I hope it continues to teach them to give back as we will continue to stay involved with the Avon Walk and our new adventure, Get Real & Heel!

So far the Pink Pacers have raised over $111,000 for breast cancer. I am honored to have been a part of starting something so amazing and life changing!

Walk on...