Breath of Fresh Air

Since Joseph's been sick and it's been so cold, no one has been able to get outside since we've come to MS, and for us that is a BIG deal. We love getting out in Mamaw & Papaw's big yard and playing. Yesterday the sun was out and it was alot warmer, but the wind was blowing a good bit (that's why Joseph looks like Ralphie's brother off the Christmas Story movie). Joseph enjoyed watching Dutchess as usual.

Emily found her a tree to climb in and be silly!



Yesterday afternoon we had a surprise visit from Mr. Harry and Mrs. Ruth. Both kids were napping when they got here but woke up before they left. Its suppose to be another warm day so maybe we'll get outside and enjoy it before the rain moves in. Hope you all enjoy these last 2 days of 2010.

Christmas in MS Issue 7

Emily had one more present to open from her Mamaw, a bath robe. She's been wanting one for ever and has been wearing mine, so her Mamaw found her one at Dillard's. I'd been looking everywhere but not found one. Also, Sunday when we drove up from church we were surprised to see Uncle Jason and Aunt Rhonda here waiting on us. They were on their way home from their "mini-vacation" and stopped by (after getting a message from sweet Emily on their cell phone pitifully telling them she missed them). We didn't get to see them long, but they are coming back on Thursday evening.
Tonight I walked out in the other room to find this...Emily sitting in her great-Mamaw's lap. Emily's being in a bad mood tonight (because she didn't get a nap) and has been ugly to all of us so it was so sweet to walk out and see this. Of course little brother had to hop in for a picture.
He loves his Mamaw Costilow holding him...for a few minutes, then he's ready to get down and crawl, but he sat their for a little while looking at her.

Joseph playing with his activity table from his Mamaw and Papaw, this has been the big hit obviously. Emily "fights" with Joseph over it and it's his, a baby toy. It really has some cool music on it, and good variety too. It has "La Cucaracha", Classical, blugrass and mother goose, & children's songs.


Joseph trying to get past me on the step off. If you've been to my parents you know that there's a step leading out to the breeze way and "other room" as we call it. He's really been standing up lately and trying to get up to walk. We took him to the pediatrician here in Philadelphia today to re check his ears. He had been pulling at them and was running a slight fever so I wanted to check them in case they were infected since we aren't heading back to GA for almost a week. His ears are fine, thank the LORD!!! I think it's just teething. They did weigh him and he's 17 pounds (only 3rd percentile for a 9 month old), and he's almost 30 inches long (almost 90 percentile for a 9 month old boy). He definitely is my LONG, SKINNY boy. I hope you all are staying well and warm.

Christmas in MS Issue 6

We spent Christmas day down at my Mamaw's in Newton, MS. Everyone got to come, except my brother, Rhonda and Brandy. We missed them all alot! Below is our 4 generation picture. Virginia Beck Costilow (my mamaw), Virginia Sherry (Costilow) Alford (my moma), Jennifer (Alford) Walker (me), and Emily and Joseph Walker.

Emily and Joseph in front of Mamaw Costilow's Christmas tree.

After lunch Joseph was so worn out he just fell asleep with me holding him. We were all just talking in the kitchen and he just laid his head down and fell asleep. Of course when we got a blanket to lay him on the floor he woke up crying.

My cousins daughter, Lindsey holding Joseph.
All the great-grandchildren (from left to right): Emily, John Michael, Lindsey and Joseph and Brennan, & his girl friend McKenzie.
Larry with his "present" from Mamaw and "fake" TV. She put me up to making this for him since he'd been asking her for one for Christmas.
Joseph was amazed with Lindsey's glittery shoes. All in all we had a good Christmas day. It was a COLD day and we got to see some snow too...so we got to sing 2 Christmas songs this year..."I'll Be Home for Christmas" & "Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow".

Christmas in MS Christmas Morning

All is calm...before the unwrapping...quiet in the house...ready for smiles, laughter, and excitement!!!
Joseph woke up before Emily, and enjoyed crawling around checking out all the presents, and since he can't read it didn't matter whose name was on it.
I have MANY more cute pictures of Joseph Christmas morning before his sister awoke, but will have to post those later.
Before we open any presents or look in any stocking we always read the Christmas story. This year we found the neatest children's book at Walgreen's. It focuses on the real reason we give presents, Jesus!!!
Later in the morning we gave Mamaw and Papaw the cookbook I made for everyone in the family with recipes I'd gathered from Glenn's family and mine.
You can tell I'm excited about my Starbucks gift card that was in my stocking.
Joseph's not to cure what to think about the presents, he enjoyed playing with the paper and boxes more.
Emily with her "3 seated" stroller. She had asked for a 2 seated one, but we decided to just get one with 3 instead. This was the only thing she actually asked for believe it or not, so we had to order it from Toy's R Us online since no stores around had them.

We actually got to see some snow the morning after Christmas. It snowed a little bit Christmas morning, but didn't stick to anything, but this morning (Sunday) we woke up to see it on the cars and rooftop. Now I know this is nothing to you Yankee's from the north, but to us southerners it was just exciting to see it falling from the sky.
When the kids all woke up I had all (or most all) of their presents in the living room all organized. They both thought it was Christmas morning all over again, just without the mess of tissue paper and wrapping paper all over the floor to clean up. There are some gifts missing from this picture so don't get your feelings hurt if you don't see something you purchased for them, that just means they either slept with it, or played with it and I couldn't find it for the picture.

If this isn't a picture of two spoiled little kids I don't know what it. PLEASE keep in mind all of this was presents given to Emily and Joseph by, Glenn and I, Glenn's parents, aunt and sister, my parents, my Mamaw, my aunt and uncles and cousins!!! SO do not think that Glenn and I bought all this for our own 2 children. We try to not buy as much because we know our families will over do it for us! The Dora book below "It's Sharing Day" is especially for Emily considering she has been having a hard time sharing her toys with Joseph...or even sharing his toys with him. She seems to like alot of the toys he got. I will post more from Christmas day later.

Christmas in MS Issue 4

We went up to Columbus, to Glenn's parents Wed.-Friday, and got to spend a little time with everyone. His sister and family drove down from IL and got in on Thursday evening. Emily enjoyed playing with them all and wishes she could see them more. Below are a few pictures...I'll try to narrate more later, but I've not been on the computer much the past couple of days.
His daddy gave all the grandkids a book filled with all the state quarters. It's neat to look at them all because there are some I don't think I've ever seen, or noticed.