Baby Love

A welcome to the new beautiful babies in our lives:

Our newest nephew, Jackson Ray Cook, born on December 31, 2008 to Billy, Teresa, and big sister Jaedyn.



John Chambers Garrison II born to our friends, Kevin, Jess, and big brother Moseley, on December 12, 2008.

65 Gutwrenching Years

Grandma and Grandpa Van, Andy's grandparents, took the entire family on a cruise to celebrate their 65th wedding anniversary. We were a loud rowdy group of 30 some odd people! We had a blast.

Andy participated in The Chuck Ketner Memorial Fishing Tournament and received the "Ugliest Fish" award while Sam and I chased roosters and rode a Conch Train in Key West. We hung Lily up in the room in her life vest so she would be safe while we were gone. Just kidding! Cousins Katie and Tiff were kind enough to babysit her for us. I ziplined and rappelled through the jungle in Belize. Andy explored wherever it was we docked in Honduras and pronounced it very depressing. He was afraid to put his ATM card in an ATM there and said even if he had the equivalent of an ATM card condom, he still would not use the machine.

Aboard the ship, Sam made quite a name for himself while sporting his "Sam I Am" t-shirt (Ha! Get it?) and trying to sneak into the casino. He repeatedly tried to convince the staff he was eighteen so he could gamble. "'I'm Sam, I'm eighteen. I try those machines? (the slot machines)" Throughout the week, the staff would tease him about it whenever they saw him. Of course Lily was as sweet as could be and charmed everyone with her precious smile.

I forgot to mention that baby girl brought a cold aboard and shared it with Sam and Trey (I'm sorry, Katie!) We're still recovering.

Thanks Grandma and Grandpa Van! We love you.







In case you are wondering about the post title:
At our wedding, when someone asked Grandpa how long he and Grandma had been married, he shouted out, "Fifty-nine gutwrenching years!" Classic.

Merry Christmas

Oy vey

A conversation with my son after he had an accident today:

"Mom, you feel mad I pooped my pants?"
"Yes, Sam, Mom feels mad and sad when you poop in your pants. You know how to use the potty! .....How do you feel when you poop in your pants?"
"I feel better."

I bet you do, you little s**t, I mean, darling angel.

Dancing Queen

Hang in there. He doesn't really hit his groove until 1:30 or so.

I can't wait to embarrass him with this video when he's older ;)

Happy Birthday Lilybug!

Today Lily is eight months old. Where did all the time go?? Sometimes I lie down next to her and whisper in her ear, "Slow down! There is no hurry to grow up. Stay my baby as long as you can!!"
I remember being so excited to see Sam do the next thing, make the next milestone, but I don't feel that way with her. I want her to be my baby girl a little longer.
I love you, Lily.

O Christmas Tree

Our tree was so easy to decorate this year...



because we can't find the ornaments.