Happy Thanksgiving!

Jamey's working tonight so Addy just stayed with Jamey's parents. We had a really nice day! Addy and I got up early and Jamey was able to spend a little time with us before going to sleep from working all night. We had a really nice dinner and then I came home. I'm so glad it's Jamey's weekend off. Looking forward to a great weekend!

eating crunch and munch

photo by addison:
cousins at Thanksgiving dinner

Andrew, Nathan, Luke, Addison, Ben and Sarah kate in the front

Oh Christmas Tree!

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care, In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there....

This Christmas is SUPER exciting for us at the Hopkins' residence!! This is our very 1st family Christmas in our very own home!!! We started decorating a little early because we couldn't wait! We have put snowflakes in just about every place that we can! I know Jamey is so excited that it's getting colder outside so he can see real snowflakes... me not so much!

Addison and Daddy putting the angel on our "Christmas Treat"
PERFECT!


LOVE IT! Not bad for our 1st time! :) Addison says "look at our christmas treat, but dont touch!!" HAHA I think she's still stuck on halloween (trick or treat) If only santa could just bring candy, right? :)


Speaking of Santa, Addy is still a little unsure of what the whole "Santa" thing really means. She has found out that santa brings toys.. so we're in for it! I keep asking her "What do you want Santa to bring you? She says "toys!!" I say, "what kind of toys?" She says "A blue bear!" umm. ok, a blue bear? Done. I'm thinking it's because she ran across a "Pink bear" (that she ever so cleverly named, Pink Bear) and that's her new #2 BFF -2nd to Tyrone of course. So, this year should be really interesting when it's time for presents!

Well, we used the potty at school this week!! YAY! See below- her prize! (M&M's) I arrived to pick her up one day and she started crying b/c she thought she wasn't going to get her prize from Ms. Amanda (Tootsie Roll) Little did she know mommy had another prize at home!

She also went #2 in the potty at home this week!! Double YAY! I'm hoping very soon we will not ever have to buy diapers again!

I had to get a snapshot of this. Addison always has to go show daddy her outfits in the mornings that he's still sleeping from working! Of course... she always gives him a sweet bye bye kiss~

Cutie Pie!

My little DIVA! She had to have rollers in her hair too!

Addy and mommy loving the fall view from our freshly stained deck! Good Job daddy!!!

OOOOK! The story of the week: This is our new baby "sarah kate". Yes, the same name as her new cousin. I thought that this may be a little weird.. but then I remember that she's only 2 and since Andrew, Luke, Ben and Nathan have a new Sarah Kate..why can't she? She loves her new (not exactly new...but brought out from the toy box) baby. She has this hilarious voice when she makes her babies "talk". In the picture below she was making Sarah Kate say CHHEEESE!!!

Please watch this video more than once so you will get the full effect. I laughed forever at this! I love this child so much!!!

I love you through and through...

I usually post picture blogs… but tonight I just wanted to write a little bit. Addison wanted me to read a book to her for the 1st time in a while. It was “I Love You Through and Through”, a cute little book that I kind of forgot she had. It was so fun because she acted out the book as we went along and she couldn’t stop giggling. It was the cutest thing ever. I’m definitely thinking of making this book part of our nightly ritual.

I haven't updated in a while and I feel like there's so much to say but of course when I actually sit down to type, my mind goes blank. I wish that I could write down all of the hilarious things that my child says, everyday she comes up with something new to make me laugh. The fact that she talks ALLLLL the time also helps! :) To say that Addison Reese is a "mini-me" is to say the least. I really have to be conscious of what I say and do in front of her. I try to always speak to her in a mild voice..even when I am upset because I've noticed that she even replicates tone! Amazing.

One morning on the way to school she said "mommy, I wanna look" and I was a little confused of what she wanted. I looked back and she was putting on her lip gloss and wanted to see my mirror... So, I gave her my mirror and here's how that played out..

Speaking of school... Addison really really loves her school. She knows everyone there! It's so funny when we get there and when we leave she tells everyone hey and bye and she knows who's parents are who! One day she told me that "Mrs. Chantel *teacher* was going to the dr to see if her baby was a girl or boy" I was surprised that she would say that but I kind of forgot about it b/c I thought she was just talking. Sure enough the next day they told me Mrs. Chantel found out the day before she was having a girl!! WHAT? so funny. She seems to have a lot of friends at school. Her favorite girl friend is "danielle-y" and her favorite boy friend is "Stephen". Stephen has already pushed another little boy down b/c that little boy pushed Addison!! UH OH!!!!!

Tonight, we were talking and I asked her how old mommy was.. I expected to get her usual "coached" answer.. OLD!! *Thanks daddy!:)* but instead she said "22" I said "22!" Ok, I'll take that! Then she said, "no, mommy's 25 no 28! HA HA... Ok, I didn't even know she knew those numbers. Addison and I have a lot of quality girl time so we have the best conversations.. sometimes I have to remind myself..she's 2! LOL. She loves talking to daddy too. She is definitely daddy's girl and I feel like she's going to give him a run for his money one day soon. We are so so proud of the super smart, super sweet little girl that we have!!!

part of our morning routine! :)

dancing stars!

It has taken forever for me to write this because every 5 minutes I've heard "mommy!!!!" coming from Addison's bedroom. I've gone in twice now because she usually doesn't call my name unless she really needs something. The 1st time it was "I have a hair in my mouth" Um..ok so we turned on lights and looked and found nothing.. The 2nd time it was "I'm wet" ok so I changed her..again.. this time I came to senses and realized I was being duped! I mean really...Stalling starts this early!?!?! Grrreat...

****MORE RANDOMNESS****

Determined to get that buckled!

Helping daddy stain the deck!

Daddy's girl

Just Buzzin' along

Our little busy bumble bee was back and ready for action this weekend! Trick or Treating was so much fun this year!! Addison was SO excited! We went over to MacDonald Farm to let her trick or treat there and see the boys....and of course Miss Sarah Kate! That was another thing she was super excited about. She has been talking about Sarah Kate for weeks now. She wanted to hold her at 1st but then when she was given the opportunity she quickly changed her mind! Addy was very sweet to her though. Back to trick or treating... I had to record this just once for everyone to see. Before I started recording she was skipping and squealing with excitement! This is how she was for every house... full of joy!

Spiderman AKA: Luke Bumble Bee AKA: Addison

Addy with the candy bucket!

After trick or treating for a while, Addy decided to "man the candy bucket" at her cousin's house. Every time the doorbell rang she was one of the 1st ones to the door. All of the kids were so funny and excited to help. We ate dinner there and after tons and tons of candy, we went home and crashed! Sunday Addy and I got up and ran last minute errands to get ready for Amy and Laney's baby shower. A great group of girls came to our house and we had a lovely baby shower for Amy. I think it was a great turn out. I can't wait for little Laney to get here!!!

Addy and Amy at the baby shower. (addy refused to look at me lol)

some of the gifts for baby Laney!

Addison with her new friends Chloe and Kiley

These are a couple of outfits that Miss Amy gave Addison! She really liked them all! haha

Homecoming, parade and parties ...oh my!!

Busy Busy Busy!!! This weekend was full to say the least! Addy and I packed up for another road trip and set out for Monroeville Friday after I left work. It took us 4 hours to get home and when we got there I had a migraine headache. I haven't had one in so long and now I remember just how awful they are. Thank goodness Ashlee is so great with Addy. She took over immediately and let me try to sleep that off. SO, I feel like the weekend really started when we woke up Saturday morning. I felt much better and was ready to get going, we had soooo much to do! Saturday was Excel High School's homecoming. Our beautiful little sister Rhiannon was 12th grade maid! We went to watch her ride in the parade later that afternoon. Addy had a lot of fun and we got to meet sweet Karson (My friend Chastity's little boy) for the 1st time. Addison and Kiley watched the parade together and had fun! It was good seeing Chastity again too! After the parade, we changed Addy into her Bumble Bee costume (in the car) and headed to Mia's birthday party... late! Mia's party was so much fun! Addy always loves playing with Mia when we are in town. After leaving Mia's party we rushed home to get ready to go to the football game and watch Rhiannon on the field. She looked great and we were so proud of her!! The game was so packed and Addy actually fell asleep, so we didn't stay long. We did get to see my sweet friend Temeshia and her little girl Kaitlin. Who is growing up so fast it makes me sad! :( We finally made it back home and crashed! What a day!!!!! Sunday Addy and I got up and left for home. We were supposed to go to Lucy's birthday party but we didn't really make it in time. We got there really late but it was still so great to see them. Addy and Lucy haven't seen each other in such a long time and they were both so excited! We had a really great weekend visiting everyone!!! I'm really sad that I didn't get more pictures.... that's how busy we were!!!! (I'll add more if I come across any!)

Addison playing at Mia's party!

Addison and Kiley at Excel's Homecoming Parade (little mini-me's!!)


Chastity, Karson, Addison and me at the parade

Rhiannon - 12th grade Homecoming maid

Addy digging in my purse before going to the football game!

Sitting on the counter at Grandaddy's house. I wonder how many times I sat there when I was small?

Mommy and Addy!

Addison and Lucy- so excited to see each other!

Family Vaca 09!

This past weekend we had our 1st annual family vacation! This year we chose to take it to the beach...in October! haha. We figured since there was so much to celebrate during this month, it was the perfect time. Plus we got a great deal on a super cute condo! Thursday we set off pretty early for our long road trip. Jamey and I dropped Addy off in Monroeville to stay with Sissy and grandaddy for the night so we could have a teeny bit of "us" time. We finally arrived later that day and did a little shopping and went to the condo to unpack. We had a great time hanging out and talking (mostly about Addison) and just relaxing! We actually ate a couple bites of our year old wedding cake! Friday Ashlee brought Addy down and we were so happy to see them both. It wasn't the best weather while we were there but we tried to make the best of it and went down to the pool for a few minutes to let Addy "Fwim"! Before we left that was all she could talk about... she even packed her own bag... with only her swimsuit!!! LOL Saturday we got up and had a wonderful breakfast. I didn't feel any older...even though I guess I should have! LOL We took a trip to the zoo and went around to a ton of shops and stores around town. Addy's favorite store was the "Purple Octamapus" We went there several times. She had to also get a "Baby dolphin" airbrushed shirt! haha. The zoo was SO much fun!! If you ask Addison what she saw at the zoo she will tell you "a horsey (donkey) was SO LOUD... he said "heeeee HONK!" Of all of the animals we saw, that is what she remembered! Poor thing... she happened to be sitting in the wagon right in front of him when he started on a "Hee Haw" kick! Saturday night was supposed to be couples date night b/c Joah came down to go out to eat but Addison was just pooped from the very long day we had and was ill. So, we decided to go in shifts. It turned out fine and we had birthday cake when we got back. Sunday was the dreaded pack up and leave day. The 5 hour trip wasn't really as bad as we thought it would be. Addison pretty much peeled the paper off of crayons the whole time that she was awake! What a mess.. but it kept her entertained! :)

view all of our awesome pictures here!
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=166321&id=503090349&l=b74e704425