Mini Family VaCa

Friday morning Athen and I meet Ninnie, Eric, Jett and headed North to Atlanta. Kevin was already up there with work. Friday we went to Stone Mountain. The boys really thought it was neat to see a BIG mountain like that. We rode up to the top of it - that was Nikki's FAVORITE part There was also still snow on top of the mountain... So Athen got to see real snow for the first time.... He thought that it was 'cool' =)

Then Saturday we went to the Georgia Aquarium. I think we all really enjoyed that. It was pretty neat. After that we went to Discover Mills Mall. Now, when I think of a mall I think of just simple shopping.... yeah, not so much at this one... they had all kinds of things to do. ((Which all cost!! No indoor castle for free play here)) They had this thing where you strap on a harness and jump on a trampoline. Athen did that... he really liked it. We also did glow in the dark putt putt. There was a bounce house in there - but it cost just as much to bounce for only 30 minutes as it does for all day at Money Joes.... so we dropped the big boys off at the golf store and took the little ones to money joes.

That was pretty much all we had time to do and headed back home yesterday (WOOOHOOO)

We had a good time.

I forgot my camera so all the pictures are from cell phones...

Instead of....

If you are FaceBook friend of my sister's, you have probably seen this.... If so or if not still feel free to join it... its very uplifting and just makes you stop and really think....

I (she, Nikki) began a list of "instead Of's"
It's a way to help us think in a more positive way. May people tend to be negative and its contagious. So on the reverse of that, being POSITIVE!

Add one "instead of" to the comments list....
I will start...
Instead of complaining about going to work......I will be thankful that I am able bodied enough to get up and go AND that I have a job to go to.

Now your turn.... I hope our efforts to be more positive are contagious!!!

One of my Christmas gifts...

my snicky sister got some pictures of my baby boy when I wasn't looking. LOVE him!!

As close as brothers....

Christmas 2009

The pictures are pretty self explanatory.... We had a wonderful Christmas. Athen was really into the present opening portion of the day. =-)

I got a beautiful "Open Heart" necklace from my sugar doodles, cause he love me so good! =) ((and a toaster oven, cause he love my cook'n so good))

Stocking...

What was in the stocking.... yes, 10+ years later, Barney is still around....

Muno 'tar'



And now for Athen's BIG present............................................




....................................................................................................................................... This is what he saw!!!!


Grammie and Athen walking down to see Aunt BJ. She had a really good morning. She is almost done with her second round of treatment. Four more after that one... She was to have her head shaved today =( please keep praying for her, she is having a TOUGH time.



The Boys.... Grammie bought them matching PJ's - how cute are they?!?!

Jett's gift from us
Pretty sure I am Jett's FAVORITE aunt =)

Athen's 'big' present from Grammie and Papa.... a LIFE SIZE 'ROVIE'!!!!

Grammie and Papa looking at their gift from us... its a photo albme with all the pictures I have of The Bradford's ((Kevin, Athen and I))

Gift from Aunt Ninnie and Uncle Eric - it was a musical Christmas for Athen!! =)

Athen's "MP3 Player"

OH!!!! Almost forgot! Nikki did a DVD with music and pictures of Athen from 2009 *tear* Gets me every time!!!

Catching up.....

Its been a while, I know.
Lets see, what we have been up to.... well I have gotten 98% of my Christmas shopping done ((which really isn't saying much when all I had to buy for was the kido's-that would include Kevin =) )) Everything is wrapped other than Athen's. I am going to wait and wrap it Christmas eve and put it out when he goes to bed. Odd, I know since The Bradford household doesn't participate and/or encourage "Santa" (don't judge) Although we do not believe in Santa, I do want Christmas to be special for Athen. One thing that we did that was special is that today Athen, Jett, Me, Nikki, and Mom all went to the nursing home and delivered Christmas cards. It is very important to us to instill doing for others in Athen. Last Sunday we took him to deliver presents to some children that wouldn't really have any this year. ((I say NONE of this to 'pat ourselves on the back') Last Monday we had Papa's birthday at Nikki and Eric's house. The boys (J&A) put on a show for all of us. Oh my. I really think Nikki and I need to put them on YouTube or something and CASH in on all that energy!!
Last night we took the boys to look at Christmas lights. Let me just tell ya - its NOTHING like it use to be. Or what I remember it being like. HOWEVER, Grammie and Papa are taking the boys tomorrow night to the Spirit of the Suwannee Lights. I am so grateful and thankful for Athen to have active grandparents. It truly is a blessing. One that most take for granted.
We are very excited about Christmas. Athen is getting a swing set!! I can't wait for him to see it!

From Our Family To Yours.....

O Christmas Tree....

Well I did it. Not that its a 'huge' feat, but I did it. I wasn't going to put up a 'big' tree this year. Just Athen's small UGA one. Well once I started digging through our stuff, nostalgia got the best of me... =)
This is Athen's 2009 Danbury Mint Collection UGA ornament. Kevin's mom started it for Kevin with the 2004 & 2005 ornaments. I Continued it in 2006, the year Athen was born. I am STILL trying to find the 2003 one so We would have on every year that we are married. No luck.

This is Athen's 2009 Ornament for Grammie. I am usually very picky about which on she picks out for him so it will "match" his UGA tree. Then it occured to me this year - its not about ME. Its something that Grammie does for Athen, he should have whatever ornament that she wants him to have. ((I know, I know... I am growing up =) ))

Last but not least - the "big" tree. Of course the pictures do not do it justices =-)

We can't wait to take Athen to see Christmas lights. He gets so excited when he sees ANY, just think how he is going to LOVE seeing A LOT - ALL AT ONE TIME!! Oh, its the simple things in life.

Athen's Stats:

at Athen's 3 year check up he weighed 40 lbs and was 40 inches tall. Now, I personally think that he is 'perfect' however, the so called "doctor" said we may want to cut out some carbs. Really? HELLO he is THREE. Plus I do monitor his sugar intake. That's good enough for me. Side note: I am trying to cut out all chocolate. He gets cracked out on it. Thus, no point in it.

She really didn't spend much time with him going over what he can and can't do. But as you all know, he is a genius and wise beyond his years - just like his mama =)

My birthday boy...

I think this is the moment that he felt the MOST special, he loved it!!

((see the wholes in the icing??? that would be Athen eating just the icing - its his party he will eat how he wants to.. =) ))

Work that Brobee hat Grammie!!!

Well, at least its a good picture of me =)

"Rovee! Get down, right NOW"

Where's the love Uncle Brent??

Leiland is in there somewhere...???

Well, yet another year has come and gone. My "baby" is three. *tear* I know every mom says it - but really! Where has the time gone??

Again this year we had Athen's birthday on Thanksgiving day so out of town family could be there. Kevin and I only do 'family' parties for Athen. For many reason, one cause it falls on a holiday and that is a lot to ask to fit in with everything else that is going on.

Anyhoo with that said, we had us a Yo Gabba Gabba party. If you know who/what that is, jealous much? and If you don't - google it. ((Its up there on the 'fun' meter with Barney, Wiggles, etc...))

But Athen LOVES the show and LOVED his party. He is still talking about it. That is what matters. So I got on the Internet, order some party stuff. That was going to be it. A nice quite family party with a hint of YGG here and there. Nothing too big or fancy. WELLLLL in comes my husband. He called the costume shop here in town, yes we have one, WHO KNEW?!!?! Found out that they had a "Brobee" ((again google it or see above for pictorial references)) costume. Order it. Picked it up on Tuesday. And it was ALL he could do not to bust that thing out that night to show Athen. ((Kevin was WAY excited - He is a GREAT daddy!!))

We also got a bounce house since we knew we were going to have some kido's around for a couple of days. They really enjoyed it I do believe. As you can see, so did Brobee.

Word to the wise - Do not underestimate a three year old. Athen totally knew it was Kevin in that costume. But after a while, Athen played along. calling him "Rovee"

We had a great time. Athen enjoyed playing with his cousins. He thought it was too neat that everyone sang to him. So much in fact, that he went around the room and hugged everyone and told them "Thank You" Then it was cake time. Mom made the cake, I decorated it. Wasn't just how I wanted it, but it was 'ok' ((the decorated part, don't know about the taste - didn't eat any))

Athen enjoyed the icing most. ((See picture))

Then presents. Brobee had to hand every one of them to Athen. If they were handed to Athen first he would hand it to Brobee and then ask Brobee to hand it to him... ((OCD much???))

He liked everything he got, of course =)

A cute story: ON Athen's birthday "Maw" called him and sang to himon the answering machine. Athen plays it over and over. The other night he was playing it and at the end when she said "Love you Athen" he says, to the machine "Love you too Maw" - HOW CUTE IS THAT?!?!?! Oh I love that!! I am going to have to call and talk on the machine to him. Thanks Maw for remember booboo on his birthday and SINGING to him =)

Well that's all I have in me for now... will update later with three year check up and what's going on his Athen's little world...