Holiday reunion

I recently got a text from our former nanny Layla to check in with us. We mutually decided that a little visit was in order and we arranged for Lala to come visit this past Saturday afternoon. The boys were so looking forward to seeing her. It's been about 5 months since we saw her last. Layla was so sweet to come by and brought some gifts for the boys. She knows them too well. She brought them each a matchbox car, a Clemson keychain and key (they love car keys!!) and some nice snacks and treats. She brought some fancy truffles for Thomas and me. How thoughtful!!! The boys love their cars, of course, and insist on carrying their Clemson keys with them everywhere. It's so cute. We had a blast visiting and catching up with Layla. We were so glad that she took time to come by and see us. Hopefully it won't be 5 months until we see her again!

Checking out the gifts

Time to open!

Thank you and hugs for Lala

We love Lala!

Holiday weekend in Knoxville

We had a lot to celebrate a few weekends ago in Knoxville, Dec. 10 - 11! Thomas's cousin Louise got married and we had our annual Peery cousins Christmas get-together at Aunt Ashley and Uncle Zack's house. It was a fun-filled and busy weekend and we loved it!

We left our house early on Saturday morning and went straight to A & Z's house for a BBQ lunch with Abby. In uncharacteristic fashion, I didn't take a single picture of our lunch. The boys loved the food, getting to see Abby and they enjoyed playing outside on the swingset/playground that Taylor and Anna have in their backyard. We got to meet their sweet dog, Dixie, for the first time (that's only partially true because Thomas and Stokes got to meet Dixie back in the fall when they came to Knoxville). After a fun luncheon and some cousin play-time, we had to get downtown and check in to our hotel to try to do a little nap/"quiet time" before we had to be at the wedding.

The boys didn't really nap, but we did lay down and and kinda, sorta rest for a while, while Thomas went with his dad to get a local beer! It was a bit unfortunate that the solid nap didn't work out, but hey, what can you do?!?! It was their first time in a hotel room and they thought the phone was awesome - it was their first time to see a landline phone in reaching distance. They were "calling" lots of people!

After a short rest, we got everyone dressed and ready and downstairs to the hotel lobby, where I insisted on getting a quick pic of the boys all dressed up in front of the Christmas tree.

How ADORABLE do they look with these blazers?!?! I die.

Stokes has gotten good with his "camera ready" face.
We have some work to do with Ryan and William. :)

Then it was wedding time! Louise and Clay had their wedding ceremony and reception at The Foundry and it was absolutely gorgeous! Everyone looked so beautiful with their wintery dressed up attire and the setting was incredible. Louise was a stunning bride and the wedding was just awesome. We loved having a get together with so many family members all in one place. Here's a picture that Thomas was able to snap of the ceremony.

Uncle Jim Ed and Louise <3

I, on the other hand, did not get to see the ceremony. As soon as we sat down, William started crying...loudly. So we made a hasty exit and waited out the ceremony behind closed doors with lots and lots of tears and illogical demands. It was one of those kinds of days, post no-nap. Once the ceremony ended, William seemed to calm down and was happy to be the center of attention for anyone and everyone that might want to pay him some mind during the cocktail hour.

We sat down and had a delicious dinner and then the band started and the dancing begun. The boys were troopers throughout much of the evening (excluding William's ceremony time melt-down) and then had a blast dancing to the music. The room where the ceremony had been was cleared out during the cocktail hour and so by the time the band started playing, it was a big open space for the boys and their cousins to run and dance and play. They had a ball! It was so sweet seeing them all playing together and having so much fun with each other. Thomas and I got to dance with each other and with all the boys and we loved the music and the band. We hung out long enough to get some wedding cake, but around 8 pm, it was time for us to head out. We went back to the hotel, got the boys all tucked in to their sofa bed and by then, Thomas and I were worn out, too! Around midnight, William ended up in bed with us and then by 6 or 6:30 am, everyone was in our bed watching cartoons. It was a fun night and a sweet morning.

We didn't rush around to get ready on Sunday morning, and ended up getting out of the hotel a little later than we would have liked, and went straight over to Ashley and Zack's again for a Sunday brunch with MaSha. We had a delicious brunch and got to open up presents from aunts and uncles and cousins and MaSha.

Everyone gathered around Uncle Matt

MaSha with Stokes and Ryan

Lots of love

Brunch spread

Playtime with the piano

Thomas helping Ryan open a gift

Presents!!!

We love gift opening time!

Yayyyyyy - lots of happy kiddos

MaSha with the boys

MaSha with all her grands

What a sweet bunch

Siblings with spouses pic

Making some "beautiful" music

Loving family time

The day wasn't complete for Stokes until
he could get on Uncle Zack's tractor!!!!

This was already 2 weeks ago and I'm behind on posting, due to travel and just craziness around the holidays. Our weekend in Knoxville already seems like it was a long time ago since we've been so busy, so writing this post was fun to go back and remember our good times. I can't wait to see the professional pictures from Louise and Clay's wedding. I'm disappointed that I didn't take my camera and didn't get any pictures, but I'm sure the photographer was able to capture some really great moments. I must conclude by saying that Ashley is a wonderful hostess! We typically have the big Peery family get togethers in Greenville since it's in between Knoxville and Charleston, but this time, since we were all there for the wedding anyways, we got to go to Ashley's house. She has the best taste and style and decorating IQ. Her house looked spectacular and her hostessing skills make me want to polish up my game before everyone comes to our house next time. She raises the bar - on life. Can't wait until we can go to Knoxville again for another visit. We always have a wonderful time!

2016 Christmas Card

Here's our Christmas card for 2016. Merry Christmas to you and your family. Prayers for a happy and healthy holiday season and for a wonderful new year!

Christmas tree

We usually like to get our Christmas tree on the weekend after Thanksgiving, but this year, with the travel and just feeling busy, we didn't get around to it. Instead, we got our Christmas tree last weekend. We went to a local tree lot and picked out a "beaut".

At the local tree lot

The tree lot employees roped off our chosen tree so quickly that I didn't even realize that I needed to get a picture of the boys with our tree so quickly! By the time I turned around, Thomas already had it loaded in the back of his truck. Oops.

In Dada's pick-up truck with our tree

I started feeling bad on Saturday afternoon after we got the tree, so it wasn't decorated as quickly as I would have liked. Stokes and I eventually got around to putting on the ornaments on Sunday evening. William wasn't interested in helping me decorate and Stokes had a minimal level of interest, which suited me just fine. He liked to cluster all the ornaments on the same branch - haha! It took a bit of intervention from Mama for all the ornaments he wanted to assist with.

Yay - tree is finally up and decorated! I made the boys get Christmas jammies on and take a picture in front of it.

Adventures in Potty Training, part IV

You were missing these updates, weren't you?!?! It has been since late September when I posted last about our potty training adventure.

Well, Thanksgiving was interesting this year. In terms of potty training, it was horrible. Everything else was great. We had Stokes and William in underwear on Thursday but by Friday we were alternating between diapers and pull ups. There were just so many accidents. And there was a lot going on and so many people around, that it was not conducive to being on potty alert constantly.

Both of the boys had regressed somewhat and were starting to fighting going to the potty. They did NOT want to go at all. Since we've been home, William has even said that he's "scared" of the potty. I'm not sure if that's true, or if he just wanted an excuse to not have to use it, but that's where we are right now.

Candy as a treat no longer works. They aren't interested. I think I'll have to start a sticker reward system or maybe a grab bag type of reward. Other moms that are reading this, do you have any fool proof suggestions?!?! Pretty please?!?! :)

I was feeling a bit stressed with the whole situation when it dawned on me that maybe they aren't ready and it's not the end of the world to take a step back and try again later. Right now we ask them in the morning if they want to wear underwear or a pull up. Stokes has come around and wants to wear underwear again. He's once again doing OK. Not quite so many accidents. Thomas and I have talked to their teachers and they agree that Stokes is probably a little more ready than William, so we have him in underwear most of the time and William is wearing either diapers or pull ups. We're talking about "big boy underwear" almost like it's an honor or a privilege to get to wear it. Maybe that will make it sink in a little and we'll have more interest.

Oh, hello, old friends.
Welcome back.
I missed you. NOT.

In the meantime, I'm not going to try not to stress about it. I know they won't go to kindergarten in diapers, and in perspective, it's not a big deal at all to take a step back. My sanity needed a step back, I think.

I just thought we might be done by now. UGHHHHHH. We're hanging in there. Maybe by 2017 we'll have two potty trained fellas.... :)

Thanksgiving 2016

We followed our typical tradition this year and went to Nana's house in Georgia for Thanksgiving. This year, however, we were able to stay all day on Friday as well and left on Saturday morning, which gave us more time for family. 

Our family Thanksgiving feast was even bigger this year than it has been in previous years. SO MUCH FOOD. And so, so good!

Here's a picture of our Thanksgiving buffet!

We had a great time hanging out with everyone and the weather was so warm, we got to eat outside again this year.

Stokes with Nova

Get a plate and get your dinner!

Jamie and Ryan reading a new book

Two sweet fellas

Fresh air and good food!!

William with his plate

Stokes and William - ready to eat Thanksgiving dinner

 After dinner was over and we had some time to digest and hang out, we once again went to Nana's friend's house with the fun Christmas lights. Our snafu was that Stokes and William both fell asleep on the way (since they didn't have an afternoon nap) and when we got there and woke them up, they were a bit...ummm...how do I put this...GRUMPY. We took one pass through the lights and had to get them back in the van to head home and to bed.

Stokes and William in awe

Look at the tractor!

Yep - this sums it up.
Tired and cranky Stokie

I tried to get one picture of all 3 of them. Don't they look
happy and excited to be there?!?!?

Ryan with Dada - he was still being a sweetie!

William holding Nana's hand

William with Mama in front of the snowman

William with Dada

and with Kacie

Since we didn't have to leave on Friday, it made for a much more relaxing day. We got to watch some football and just chill out.

The boys watching Paw Patrol in Nana's bed

We had Ryan in a pack n play in our room (that sleeping arrangement isn't going to last much longer because Ryan is almost too big for it now!), Stokes slept in our bed with us and William slept with Nana and Papaw. William slept in a little later than normal, which was awesome, and it was really sweet because when he woke up, he called out for Nana. It made her day!!!!

During the morning, we got to do a little Christmas exchange with this side of the family since we won't see them again during the holidays.

Dada and Ryan

Nana and William

Time to open some gifts!

I believe his exact words were, "Mama, you can open it?"

Nana helping Ryan unwrap a present

So fun

Nana was having a blast

Stokes started playing with his new cars immediately 

We have more stuff to open!

After gifts and a leisurely morning, we ate some yummy leftovers for lunch and then headed out for an adventure! There is an old tunnel that was dug for a railroad back in the 1850s. It's no longer used, but they've turned in into a little tourist spot with tours on golf carts and everything! We opted to skip the tour and just walk through the tunnel and it was awesome and so fun. It was just the thing we needed after consuming so much delicious food.

Train props for a photo!

William (and yes, he is wearing an Auburn hat,
thanks to Kacie)

Stokes

Ryan (Thomas is back there holding him up)

Kacie and Stokes in the covered bridge

Mama and Stokes on our way to the tunnel

A look at the tunnel. My flash really
brightened it up because it was actually
pretty dark in there!

Stokes at the beginning of the tunnel

My Uncle Jay standing in a man area where people could go
if they were in the tunnel and there was a train coming. SCARY!

I got Stokes and William to stand in
one but couldn't get a picture fast enough before
they were on the move again.

A plaque on the other side of the tunnel

I thought you might be able to read this a little better - ha!

Michael and Stokes

The girls and the boys:
Marla, William, Kacie, me, Stokes, Kelsea and Ryan

Making a path to look at the nearby
current train tracks

These train tracks and this tunnel are basically parallel to the
tunnel and path where we were and are still in use

Michael, the daredevil!

William being silly in the kudzu

Potty time!!

My cousin Marla was so sweet and offered to take my camera and do some family pictures for us while we were out at this cool location. There were several different areas that we thought would make a good background and I so appreciate her offering to do this! I love how the pictures turned out!

That's all from the far side of the tunnel. We took more family pics on the other side when we were heading back to our cars.

Dada and Stokes in the tunnel

Hanging out and waiting on the golf cart tour to pass us

These guys climbed up to the top of the tunnel and sat
on the edge. I was OK with hanging out below and watching
them.
Jacob, Michael, Kacie and Kelsea

This gives you an idea of the size
of the tunnel and of how high up they were

 More family pics!

This one of all of us!!

Our tunnel adventure was awesome but it wore us out and we were all a little tired, so we went back to Nana's house for some "quiet time" for the boys before we had our evening outing.

Later that night, I was so excited - we went to Rock City Enchanted Garden of Lights. It's basically a really amazing Christmas lights display. You walk through different areas and see all sorts of lights and Christmas themed displays and such. I thought the boys would just marvel at seeing all of it. Rock City is only about 30 minutes away from Nana's house so it was a no-brainer since we stayed an extra day.

It's on an actual mountain and it was pretty cold up there so I was glad that I brought hats for the boys. I wish I had thought to bring my selfie stick so we could have gotten a picture of our whole group, but I'm realizing that I didn't get many pictures and we had a large group there! It turned out to take a bit longer than I had anticipated, and the boys eventually started acting up, so we didn't make it all the way through Rock City, but we had a good time nonetheless.

Nana with Ryan

Stokes, the stinker!

Kacie and William

Marla with Ryan

Nana with Stokes

So CUTE in that little hat!

Dada with Ryan and Stokes

Nana, Tim, Stokes, Ryan, Thomas and Whitney

Dada with Ryan

Kacie and William

Nana and Michael

In front of the Nativity

By the time we got home it was almost 9 pm (well past their bedtime) and we sat down to eat a quick bite of pizza for dinner before putting the boys to bed. They were just so tired and their behavior was starting to deteriorate.  I don't think Thomas and I stayed up much later than they did!

Saturday was game day for our Tigers to play our big in-state rival, the Gamecocks, and although the game was at 7:30 PM, we wanted to get on the road fairly early so we could make it back in plenty of time. We had breakfast and just a little playtime before getting on the road to come home. I really enjoyed being able to stay for an extra day this year and loved our outings that the extra time afforded us. Hopefully we can make a Saturday departure more of a tradition!

Jacob pushing William on the swing

Jacob and Whitney with Stokes

Ryan was shaking Uncle Jay's (Papaw) hand!!!