Exercising with Dadda

Saturday Dadda decided to try out some of the fitness exercises on our new Wii Fit that Santa brought us for Christmas. While he was "working out" Braden decided to join in with him and help him out just a little bit. Dadda will be a real body builder if he keeps this up.

Christmas at the McCarthy household

Christmas Day was packed with excitement, we decided to do Christmas at Nay-Nay and Pop's house on Friday. That afternoon we got in the car and headed down to Nay-Nay and Pop's. Elijah and Ethan were already there waiting very patiently to open gifts. Boy did they ever have fun. Santa brought Wii games for the boys, shoes for Elijah and Ethan, a D.S game for Braden, Ethan got some chunky Leggos and Elijah hit the jackpot with Star Wars Legoos that he had me help him put together. One took so long to assemble that we have yet to finish it. Braden got a Lightening McQueen helmet to wear while he rides his bike. Of course Santa knows Braden all too well and the best gift the kid got from him was a container of Nesquik. Braden unwrapped the paper and all we heard was "Chocolate milk for Braden!!!!!" He was so excited.

Christmas at the Allen household

Christmas Day afternoon we took a drive over to Grandma and Grandpa's house to see what Santa left for the kids there. Abby received TONS of princess things (dolls, clothes, a tent, etc.) and Braden received Lincoln Logs, a Fisher Price addition to his computer, clothes, a Lite Brite, and so much more. The kids had a blast opening gifts. Abby flew through her gifts and was a little upset when she was done and Braden still had 4 left to open. He took forever because he was busy reading the names on everything. Eventually we were all done unwrapping and then it was time for a nap.

Christmas at our house

Christmas morning came before we knew it. Braden was still asleep at 7:30, but Travis and I couldn't stand it anymore. We went upstairs, woke him up, and walked with him into the living room. He was a little puzzled when he saw the tree with all the gifts, but within 5 minutes he figured out what was going on and woke up. He made sure all the presents were for him and started digging in. Then he saw his big boy bike that Santa brought for him and right behind that was his scooter.
Braden really hit the jackpot when he saw the Wii Fit Dadda got us and his brand new computer that he asked Santa for. He was so happy.

Santa Breakfast at church

At the beginning of December Santa made a stop at All Saints church here in Knoxville to visit with the kids and pose for some pictures. Nay-Nay and Pop brought Elijah and Ethan with them, but Elijah didn't feel like visiting with Santa that day. Here are some pictures. Braden loved having his picture taken with Santa that we had to do different shots. It was a day of smiles and laughs.

Braden's Letter to Santa

This afternoon while Dadda was at work I helped Braden write his letter to Santa. I know we are a little late, but I figured we could leave the letter with the cookies tonight. Check out what he wants. Braden of course wants all video game stuff, but I don't get the cheeseburger.

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO EVERYONE!

We are having a . . . BOY!

Travis and I went to the doctor today to find out what we are welcoming into this world in May and just see how things are going. Well, we are having another Allen BOY! The baby is fine and moving around like crazy! We are in trouble!!!!! Here are some pictures. They are kind of hard to see if I can get better ones, I'll re post and put those on instead. But try to see the non bashful little guy showing off.

This is what goes on at home

Braden has made an new game. I'm not sure what the rules are, but he plays it well and on his own. He takes his ABC's and 123 flash cards and lays them out like the game of memory and some how he matches them up. He loves it and it keeps him busy, plus he learns along the way. Here is a picture of him playing it yesterday.

Then this morning while I was checking my email Braden wanted to write Nay-Nay and Pop's names. Here is what he wrote. I think it's pretty good for a 3 yr old!

Santa made a stop at Braden's school

Today was Braden's last day at his Mother's Day Out program until the new year. The older kids put on a little program and at the end of everything before it was time to go home, Santa showed up! Braden wasn't too excited to see Santa, but he went up on his lap willingly. I took a couple of pictures and Braden told Santa what he would like for Christmas this year. Here is his list . . . 1) a wii game 2) a computer. Simple, yet not the cheapest of toys. Oh well, he is a techy kid. (Don't you just love Braden's smile?!)

Y-12 Christmas Party

Saturday, Dec. 13, Pop took us all to his company Christmas Party for Y-12 employees. They had games, face painting, tattoos, food, balloon animals, and of course Santa. Here are the three boys showing off their balloon animals and their picture with Santa.

Moms & Tots Christmas Party

Today we had our annual Moms & Tots Christmas party at church. There were tons of crafts, a sing a long, a story, and plenty of stuff for them to play with. Nay-Nay and Ethan came with us and the boys had a blast! They made reindeer food, painted a candy cane, made a gingerbread man, and decorated a star. Here are some pictures of them doing crafts and having fun.

Braden's Shiner

While we were getting ready to leave for the Christmas Parade, Braden accidentally ran into the edge of the bathroom door. He had a nice big bump on his forehead and we were kind of worried for a while. He let us put a cold pack on it and eventually he was back to normal. This morning Travis took a picture of it and this is what it looks like. Poor kid.

Christmas Parade Downtown Knoxville

Last night was the Christmas Parade in Downtown Knoxville. Braden loved watching the bands, and all of the different floats. Here are some pictures of his on Travis' shoulder while he watched everything go by.

Thanksgiving with the Allen Family

We celebrated Thanksgiving on 2 different days this year. On Thanksgiving we spent the evening with my family at my parent's house. The boys were in Indiana with their mom, so Braden was the only kid enjoying all of the fun. Then, Friday we spent the afternoon at Travis' sister's house. Braden and Abby had a blast playing together and just having fun. Here are some pictures of their day. After dinner Abby decided to put on one of her princess dresses and have Braden dance with her to music. They were so sweet.

Fun at the Fantasy of Trees

Tonight, Thanksgiving Eve, we went to the Fantasy of Trees. All the ticket sales benefit Children's Hospital of East TN. They have a carousel, Santa, tons of crafts, and other fun stuff to do. Also, organizations or groups throughout east Tn can decorate a tree to be sold off and all the money goes to Children's Hospital as well. Good cause!!!! Our Moms & Tots group at All Saints decorated a tree this year so all our helpers were given free tickets to enjoy the Fantasy. Braden had a blast!!! He loved the carousel, and decorating a cookie. He made ornaments, and other fun crafts. Here are some pictures from our evening of fun including a picture of our tree. Happy Thanksgiving to all!!!!!

Someone likes powdered doughnuts

Braden has discovered powdered doughnuts. He loves them. When I asked him what kind of doughnut he wanted for breakfast he loudly told me "the white ones momma!" Here is what his face looked like this morning after 4 small doughnuts.

Bab y Allen #2 Update

I went for another doctor appointment yesterday to check on the new addition to our family. This kid is going to be a little stinker. It's already giving me a heart attack before it is out of the womb. The nurse had a hard time finding the heart beat and when she did find it, she heard it for about 5 sec. (I missed it) and the doctor heard it too. Then the little baby kicked the censer and we lost the feed. I talked to the doctor and she reassured me that everything was fine. The heart beat was strong at 155, but she could tell I needed to hear it loud and clear. The nurse came back and well, little baby didn't want to perform. So after about what seemed like 30 minutes of trying again, the nurse talked to the ultrasound tech and I was able to see and hear the heart beat loud and clear. I thanked them both like 10 million times. When I checked out at the front desk I made my next appointment. Are you ready? We go Tues., Dec. 23 for a check up and to find out what we are having. I'll keep everyone posted!

Crazy Fingers

Braden and I were having another lazy day at the house on Friday. We had been playing with Legos, bowling, playing golf, and coloring all morning long. After lunch Braden decided to take all of his marker lids and put them onto his fingers. I asked him what happened and he told me "it's ok momma, its just lids my fingers are ok." What a nut, I love it!!!!

Braden is ready for winter

Braden decided instead of eating his lunch today that he would put on his and Travis' hats plus Travis UT slippers. This is what he looked like. Too funny!

Freezing Flag Football

On Sunday, the coldest day yet, Travis got together with one of his Fantasy Football Leagues to play flag football. They met up at Tyson Park close to UT Campus and had a freezing, yet fun time. I love the picture of Braden and Shelby, they look so happy to be there watching their dads play. The other photos are just of random shots I took that were quite amusing.