One Hot Momma, If I do say so myself

TJ, upon my strong suggestion, got me a makeover and photo shoot for Mother’s Day.  This, to make up for the IOU that I got last year for the mother’s ring which conveniently arrived under the Christmas tree.  But I digress.

This Mother’s Day package was with our Photographer: Photographed by Ed and the lovely ladies at the Main Street Hair Company. I gave Kyri carte blanche with my hair; my only criteria was that I had to be able to blow dry and go once I was released on my own.  They talked me into highlights and I am so glad that they did. They turned out so nice. I’d forgotten that blondes do have more fun.

There ended up one other lady that was doing the same gift package at the same time. We ended up tag teaming in front of the camera and we had great fun “helping” each other with poses. I was on the receiving end of more support, I must admit. Ed told me I was his only client who had ever asked for a cleavage shot (which I think is good since he does mainly families and seniors) but  I figure that one will be TJ’s next gift.  And I must admit it was more of a challenge to get said shot than I imagined.  Thus all the previous mentioned “help”.

This is a sneak peek that I was given. 

I asked Ed later how much Photoshopping he had to do and he claims it was all done with lighting and makeup.  But I know there should be chubbier cheeks and multiple chins.  I don’t know what kind of magic he pulled to make them disappear!! 

This was such a great experience and one of the best afternoons of “me time” that I’ve ever had.

Many thanks to Ed, Missy and Kyri for making me one Hot Momma.

Christmas Decorating: Me vs. Tucker

I love this little sled.  It’s got a metal base and a little Longaberger basket that sits on top.  I usually add some pinecones and add it to some little ensemble.

I just love it.

But Tucker got ahold of it and gave it a whole new decorating spin. 

He was so proud.  And I was so proud of his creativity and context.  He was giving all of his “guys” a carriage ride. He has about a million horses but he picked all of the ones that were the same size.

Is this not funny or what?

2011 Hole Family Christmas

Christmas Eve is always the annual Hole Family Christmas. Long ago we outgrew Nanny’s house and now have it at the Clubhouse at the golf course.  Nanny, the eternal matriarch of the family feels obligated to host. She is just starting to accept help, at age 95.

This is Nanny and her brood of 9 grandchildren (2 were missing), 13 great-grandchildren (2 were missing) and 3 great-great grandchildren.

(One day Nanny was lamenting that she was so old that she was a Great-great Grandma.  I told her it had nothing to do it with age, but rather that she was just doubly great.)

I know I am biased but I think she has done well and has reason to be so proud of the family that she reigns over.

You are one in a million, Nanny, and we all love you so much.

Have I ever told of how Nanny got her nickname: Nanny Hoo Hoo?  When we were little, whenever she would come over, she would poke her head in the door and holler “Hoo Hoo, is anyone home?” And so that translated into our young lives as “Nanny Hoo Hoo”.  And we always differentiated our Grandmothers as Grandma Dora and Grandma Nanny.  It wasn’t until I was well into my 20’s that I came to realize the redundancy of the title.  It was always just the way it was.

I have been so blessed to have such wonderful women to model and look up to.  Thank you Nanny Hoo Hoo for all that you have done and taught us.

I love you so much!!!

Kora is …

Kora is:

…starting to talk more. Her favorite color is “lellow”. And she often calls Tucker “ca-ca”.

…taking speech therapy with Angie and First Steps.

…jumping with both feet off the ground although her landings are less than graceful.

…a tomboy. She prefers to wrestle with Tucker to playing with dolls.

… a blue-eyed beauty.

…full of attitude.

… a choc-o-holic.  She LOVES the stuff and can sniff it out of a cupboard.

…sleeps with her Dolly and polka dot blankie. She is such a good sleeper, usually from 845 to 630.

…a good helper.  She picks up her toys and throws things away and sets the table.

… a silly kid.  She teases and has the BEST laugh.

…31” tall and 23 pounds.  My little shrimp.  But the Doctor has finally taken us off the watch list since she grew 3” in 6 months.

…still in a size 3 diaper and could likely wear a 2 still.  She is using the potty a lot but still not reliably.

…has figured out how to take off her clothes, all by herself. Now she shows up sans clothes randomly throughout the day and we find clothes all over the house.

…a milk lover.  Her recipe is half whole milk and half half and half.

We love you, my sweet!

Tower Construction

Tuck has become quite the engineer.  He spent a whole afternoon working on this tower, building, tearing down and starting again.

 

That last block got him every time.  He was so proud that it was so tall.

And I won’t lie and tell you that Lil’ Sis didn’t knock it down a time or two as well. This is the face of innocence.  RIGHT!???!

4th of July Parade

Every year Missy does a 4th of July parade for the kids.  They get to bring in their bikes or trikes and decorate them and ride them around the block.

This year the weather did not cooperate very well and the parade was just squeezed in at 4 pm in a break in the rain.  The kids still loved it.

Here they are all ready to go.

Tuck and his buddy Cole.

Kora brought up the rear.

She can’t reach the peddles so she just scooted along.  She ended up getting lapped but was having fun nonetheless.

The whole gang posing under duress.

Whenever a car drove by they would wave their flags and most people would honk and wave back.  The kids loved it.

TJ was at the grocery store and planned to drive by but the whole thing only lasted about 15 minutes and he missed it.

What a way to celebrate our freedom.

Tuck Has Mastered the Pedal

Tuck got this GREAT tricycle last August for his 3rd birthday from Grandma Connie.  Just this week he has mastered the pedaling. 

The seat is as far up as it will go and he has not been able to reach the pedals.  And when he did he had to shift from side to side and couldn’t keep up enough momentum to keep himself propelled.  He got really frustrated.

But now he has it down.  He even took it to Missy’s for a parade.  That will be another post.

Way to go Tuck man!  I am so proud of you!!!

Happy Father’s Day

We had our Dad’s over for dinner on Sunday.  We ate REALLY well.  Pork chops and zucchini on the grill, corn, Beef House rolls and strawberry jam.  TJ is so good at grilling.  And I made an apple pie that Dad claimed beat Marie Calendar’s. 

Afterwards, we went outside for some game time.  First it was football.  Tuck is pretty good at making up his own rules.  “Hike it to me” “Chase me” “Tackle me”

Then some catch with Papaw and Daddy.

Can you say Charlie Brown?  Don’t do it, Tucker!

Silly faces

The kids were helping Daddy try to set up the new game: Big Birdie Golf

Kora was very good at fetching the golf balls.

The kids with Daddy.  This was JUST prior to Kora doing the ants in her pants dance.

And more football.  This time with Grandpa Charlie.

We had a good time.