Walker's Newborn Photo-shoot

We are so lucky that one of our good friends is also a wonderfully talented photographer. Amber came to our house when Walker was just 4 days old, also only 3 days before Christmas, to document our newest little addition to our family. My sweet baby boy was the perfect model--he slept the entire time. My sweet little girl was another story---she ran around like a crazy person the entire time. Somehow Amber still managed to get a couple of beautiful shots with the two of them. Unfortunately we didn't get a single framable family photo. Oh well, maybe next time.

Here are just a few of my favorites:

Welcome 2013!

Ever since Savannah was born our New Years Eves have been very quiet and low-key.  We usually spend them at home and I think I'm the only one still awake as the ball falls.  This year Walker and I welcomed the new year together during a late night nursing session.

January 1st was spent just like all past years---taking down Christmas decorations, watching the Rose Parade, watching football, and eating stone crab claws.  Fortunately Grams was still here with us so she did most of the decoration work.  Had she not been here I'm almost certain we'd still be looking at our Christmas tree.  Having a newborn doesn't leave me with a lot of spare time.

Savannah learning the finer points on cracking the claws.

a little midday dress-up

S helping to label Christmas boxes---check out that crazy hair

sibling love

Here's to a wonderful 2013!

Christmas Time 2012

This year our Christmas celebrations began on Friday, December 21st, my birthday. Grandad arrived the day before and Michael arrived that afternoon. Oscar only worked half a day so we all loaded up to head to the mall to see Santa. Savannah had been saying for weeks that she would finally visit Santa once baby brother arrived so I was really hoping for a cute photo of the two of them. Unfortunately that did not happen. Once it was our turn she refused to go sit on his lap so only Walker was in the picture. Oh well....maybe next year.
For dinner that night we all went to the country club for dinner. Then we came home to my favorite cake, mandarin orange cake, for dessert. The next couple of days were spent wrapping gifts, baking, and getting ready for the big day. 

helping Grams make my birthday cake

sampling

the finished cake--it appears I'm only 23 this year

happy birthday to me!!

3 days old--first trip to the mall to see Santa

Savannah refused to go near Santa so this is my only Santa pic for this year

Lauren stopped by for a quick visit

On Christmas Eve the day flew by and before we knew it, it was time to head to the family service at church.  Little Walker only made it through a few songs before he had had enough so I spent most of the service outside walking him.  When we finally returned, I found Savannah passed out on top of Grams.  So much for a nice family Christmas Eve service.  

We returned home and had a yummy spaghetti dinner before we settled in for the night.  But first, Savannah had to get Santa's plate of cookies and milk prepared and then sprinkle the reindeer food out on the lawn.

sprinkling reindeer food on Christmas Eve

getting cookies ready for Santa

baby Walker almost ready for bed

Santa's gifts for Walker

Santa's gifts for Savannah

hoping for a silent night

Walker's first Christmas ornament

Savannah's Cinderella ornament for this year

Savannah woke up bright and early Christmas morning and she almost made it down the stairs before Oscar and I stopped her.  I would have hated to have missed her expressions when she saw all her Santa gifts.

first look on Christmas morning 

time for presents

trying to get to the bottom of her Santa bag

Michael was in charge of distributing gifts

Grandaddy, Grams, and me opening gifts

Walker missed out on all the fun

Michael trying to retrieve the last few gifts

even Harlan was able to be with us

woohoo! I got an ipad mini!

Michael's excitement over receiving a massage gift card

I can never have enough Lilly!

Oscar got a new Smathers and Branson belt

baby Walker with his toys

Savannah and her easel

attempt #15 for a good sibling photo

attempt #25 and still no luck

attempt #40.....yikes!!

S trying out her new iron and ironing board

The morning quickly passed as it does every year.  That afternoon we took a walk around the neighborhood before Grams and I did the finishing touches on dinner.  Because I was caring for a one week old I chose not to prepare a full meal from scratch.  Thank goodness for Honey Baked Ham.  We had a great dinner with enough food left over to feed a small army.  

all ready for Christmas dinner

family photo......minus Harlan :(

my sweet babies

two overly stuffed men after dinner

Savannah's candid photos

opps! someone decided to not paint on the paper

little brother and big sister

the meltdown is coming

and here he goes

sooooo much cuteness

Unfortunately all good things must come to an end.  Michael had to head back to base after dinner and Grandaddy flew back to Texas the next day.  We were so fortunate to be able to spend this special time together to celebrate the birth of Christ, my birthday, and the birth of little Walker.  What a wonderful way to finish off 2012!