Deep Conversations

Garner was in deep conversation with Grandma over where he wanted to eat for his birthday.  He told her "um, I not know!"  At least we have a week to decide and figure it all out!

Smiley girl!

Blakely is all smiles!  It's nice for someone to feel good and be happy!  Garner is starting to feel a little better.  He felt good enough to play a little and line up all of his cars.

The Flu Strikes!

After we went to see The Nutcracker Raleigh got sick.  I took her to the doctor on Monday and she was diagnosed with strep.  They said she didn't have the flu, but didn't test her for it either.  Tuesday I woke up sick and after going to the minute clinic they said I had strep, but no flu.  I still felt pretty bad several days later even with an antibiotic.  Garner and Jason ended up with the flu and no strep a week later!  After getting some tamiflu and lots of rest Garner started to feel better.  Jason took a long time, but he was stubborn and wouldn't take any tamiflu.  Thankfully Blakely stayed well the whole time!

Garner slept most of the day Saturday.  I hated seeing him this sick, but the extra snuggles were nice!

Blakely's 1st Christmas!

I think Blakely had a wonderful first Christmas and we were all so glad to have her with us this year!!

Signing I love you! :)

 Raleigh being silly had to be like Blakely!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas from the Collums!  We started off our Christmas celebrations on Christmas Eve at mama and daddy's with the Stephens family.  Unfortunately we had several that didn't get to come this year, but we did have a nice surprise when Scott and Vivian showed up!  We had so much fun and stayed a little too late.  We had to hurry home to get everyone in bed so Santa could come.  :)

Christmas morning...Blakely woke me up early and instead of going back to sleep I went ahead and got up and ready for the day so I didn't have to rush later.  It was really nice because I was able to begin preparing our breakfast and just enjoy the quiet morning with the Christmas lights lit!  I love quiet mornings like this!  This year I decided to do something a little different.  I set up my tripod and hooked up the remote and then I sat and really enjoyed watching Raleigh and Garner open presents.  It also meant that I would be in some pictures so they will know I was there.  They may not be perfect, but I love them!  Garner was hilarious and could not open them fast enough.  I think he really loved the gift part this year and kept wanting more red ones (the color of his wrapping paper).  And the hit of the morning was the gift of a trampoline!  Hoping it will provide lots of fun and exercise for many years!

 If only they were really asleep!

After breakfast and reading the Christmas story (which Raleigh asked to do this year because it's something we've been intentional about doing every year since she's been born...yay...something is working!) :) we went over to Jason's grandmothers for lunch.  We enjoyed some time with them, came home for a little bit and then went over to mama and daddy's for some leftovers and gifts with them.  I'm so glad we were able to see Lacy and so was Raleigh!

It was a really long day of running around, but we had a wonderful day spending time with family!