A Real Tree: Part I

Growing up, we always picked out a real tree at Christmas time. Although you have to vacuum needles up from the carpet and water the tree, the act of picking it out was half the fun! Since James' allergies make a real Christmas tree problematic, we opt for a beautiful fake one. However, thanks to Gammy and Granddaddy, the tradition continues for Sadie! We have been going to the same place on Highway 3 for quite a while. When we pulled up, Sadie was delighted to see Gammy and Granddaddy peering into her backseat window. We could have been doing absolutely nothing, but she was jazzed about it.

YAY! Daddy!\

Off to inspect some trees!

Once on the premises, Sadie wasn't quite sure what to think! She touched one of the trees and looked up at the tall green forest and said, "Whoa. Big trees." Indeed. Some were upwards of 8 and 9 feet tall! We needed a bit smaller tree than that so we kept looking, all the while taking pictures along the way.

Cheese! Mommy!

In the Woods!

Sadie and Daddy - I LOVE this shot!

Whoa! Up high!

All smiles!

Acting crazy

Sadie being silly!

James also taught her how to go in between the trees without letting the branches poke her in the eyes. That's all the lesson she needed and she was off - darting in and out of the trees, playing Christmas peek-a-boo!

Peek - a - boo!

Filled with excitement

Sadie also found some lovely greenery for us when she was running around with Daddy. She was so kind to bring it over.

Look what I found, Mommy!

Whooooaaaaa. (And yes, that is a tiny bear on her jacket!)

We finally decided on the perfect tree so we took a picture with it (courtesy of the man assisting us) then looked at the pretty white flocked trees while Granddaddy was checking out.

The Whole Gang

Sadie loved the white trees, but seemed confused at why the white stuff just stayed "stuck."

Daddy letting Sadie fly!

Before we left, Sadie saw an entire giant bin of lollipops for your yard. She kept yelling, "PINK!" so Granddaddy bought her one. She is holding both it and her little tree base souvenir for all to see.

"See it?! PINK!!!"

A Real Tree: Part II

After picking out the tree, the other part of our Cox family tradition says that you must consume Mexican food immediately following the tree selection, but before the decorating. We obviously could not go against the rules, so we had dinner at Don Pico's on Bay Areal Blvd. Great food and Sadie loves the restaurant because there are stuffed birds hanging all over the place from the ceiling. 

Daddy, multitasking by smiling and dipping at the same time!

Sadie enjoying her lovely chicken tacos...or at least the tortilla.

SMILE!

Sadie is actually saying cheese in this picture...

When we returned to Gammy and Granddaddy's Sadie said hello to all the gingerbread people, then went upstairs to play in "her room" with her pretend food. She found a book she read to me and we passed the time having fun while Daddy and Granddaddy brought the tree into the living room downstairs.

Hi! COOKIE!

Before we started decorating, Gammy gave Sadie an Elmo that sings Jingle Bells! It took her only one or two plays before she was singing along and showing everyone. After that, she requested to have some "cake." Gammy set her up with some gingerbread and she watched an episode of Sesame St. on Mommy's iphone while we put up the lights.

Jingle Bells Elmo!

Ahhh, life is good. Gingerbread and Sesame Street.

We trimmed the tree and Sadie helped too, but she became more interested at one point in the bathroom. We brought a stool in and she got up on her own to wash her hands. She went to town, washing her hands for probably at least 15 minutes. At least we knew they were nice and clean.

Sadie washing her hands in the powder room.

One last hilarious experience of the evening was Gammy's Santa outfit. She put it on and ran into the bathroom laughing, "HO! HO! HO!" Sadie looked at Gammy, blinked, and said casually, "Hi, Gammy." The she returned to washing her hands. No fooling her. I tried on the beard and something in her clicked. She told me something (who knows what, it was a verrrry long story) when I put the beard on, then I sat down and she proceeded to bring me all of her toys one at a time, naming each one as they were brought to my lap.

Sadie telling me something in toddler language VERY important. See that finger?

Santa Mommy

Sadie loves the ornaments that have pull strings for jumping!

Daddy got in on the fun too, as he dawned the outfit and Sadie brought him even more toys. What was hilarious is that she would not allow you to sit without the beard on. Each time he took it down, she came running back to him and said, "Again? Santa?" as she helped him put the white scratchy (and hot, I might add) beard back in place). By this time it was quite late, so we headed home so Sadie could go dream of sugar plum fairies and all things wonderful. :)

Here's one last toy, Santa Daddy!

Lynnai Comes To Town!

During the Thanksgiving break, we received a call from Lynnai (a childhood friend of mine now living with her sweet family in Colorado). She was in town with her kiddos and wanted to meet up for a few hours to visit before they started back for their own personal Winter Wonderland of Colorado. Before we left to meet them at our favorite Barnes and Noble, we took a few shots of Sadie in the front yard dressed in the red plaid outfit given to her by Jim and Mae, close family friends of the Hamons who live in Scotland!

Sadie's Scottish dress AND bear from Scotland!

A Plaid Princess

Lynnai's son, Dylan, was the ring bearer in our wedding. It was so sweet to see our little girl now meeting him. He's all grown up and such a little gentleman. Sadie gave him a hug and enjoyed listening to him read her the Veggie Tales book. Sadie was also enamored with Lynnai's sweet little girl, Madison, who was younger than Sadie the last time we saw her at our wedding!

Huggin Dylan!

Thank you for reading to me, Dylan!

Lynnai and I didn't skip a beat, picking up where we left off last visit. We talked about the joys of being a mom, life in Colorado, her brother Kendall and were sad when we realized hours had passed and they needed to be heading out (and Sadie needed her nap soon!). Mom couldn't help snapping a picture of all of us together. To think we were friends in kindergarten together and so close all through elementary school. They even moved from Jersey Village over to Clear Lake when we were young. We were in each other's weddings and although we live states away, I still treasure my relationship with this special and Godly example of a beautiful woman - inside and out. I cannot wait until we can head their way some time soon to enjoy their company again.

Childhood friends

The Whole Gang!

Sadie loving on Madison

Loving MiMi

Sadie gives great hugs. You would think that for a little being to be so tiny, the hugs would somehow be a representation of her size. You know - the way a gerbil could hug with all its might and still left you feeling, well, unhugged. However, Sadie's hugs seem to multiply in power due to the love she pours out when giving them. She squeezes your neck so tight,  you almost forget she is just a toddler. Her hugs are a testament to God's goodness and providence that there are joys beyond what you could ever expect. For when I held her as a tiny helpless infant, sleeping peacefully in my arms, I could never imagine a feeling as wonderful as holding your child, that is, until my child hugged me back. It is the best. So, when I watched Sadie walk over to my Dad's mom ("Mimi") I knew Mimi was in for a special treat when Sadie begin climbing up her chair and into her lap. She looked at her and said, "MIMI!" Then, she hugged her around the neck for what seemed like a toddler eternity. She just kept on hugging her to the point that we realized this may be the longest hug she's ever intentionally given. Mimi was so pleased. She has been struggling with Alzheimer's the last few years and has good days and bad days alike. However, no matter how out of it she may seem, she always seems to light up when Sadie visits her. 

After she hugged Mimi, she got down and went to visit her wooden kitties and painted ceramic weenie dog. She counted the kitties "ONE! TWOOOO!" then gave the doggy a kiss - making Mimi smile all the while. I have always appreciated having 3 out of 4 of my grandparents living, but never really realized how special it was until I considered James' unfortunately had to say goodbye to all of his before we met. I watch Sadie and know that surely Granddaddy Lewis is up there with James' sweet grandparents getting just as big of a kick out of Sadie's hugs as Mimi does.