Smith Plantation

The Smith plantation is about a ten minute drive from our home. It was decorated for Christmas and really interesting to hear about the history of it being built and the family.

Brief History of the Smith Plantation

Hidden among the trees in historic Roswell, Georgia, sits a graceful home constructed by one of Roswell's founding families, the Smiths. In 1838, the Smith family and 30 of their slaves left two struggling plantations along the Georgia coast to make a new start with 300 acres of cotton farmland north of the Roswell Square. Their home, built by slave labor in 1845, was preserved by three generations of the Smith family and is now open to the public as a museum.

Three generations of the Smith family lived in the home and saved many of their belongings. For over 160 years, Smith Plantation stood the test of time as all around it the small mill village of Roswell transformed into a bustling metropolitan suburb. The home has since become one of the best examples of vernacular architecture, as well as cultural and historical interpretation, found in the region. 

Happy Holidays

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year 2015!

Peachtree City

We have been loving this Georgia weather. Part of me misses the snow at Christmas time but looking at all the snowy pictures people have been posting has been enough to get me by. Honestly the older I get the more I would take warm weather year round.
This last weekend it was 75 degrees so we drove to Peachtree City and soaked up as much sun as we could. If we were to settle down in Georiga this city would be on the list of options for sure to live in. It has 90 miles of paved paths for walking, cycling, and golf carts. You see see people in their golf carts all over the city. It is so fun!
We picked a nice fishing spot to relax for a little while and the boys especially had fun spitting over the dock. Everett loves anything that has to do with drool.

Beginning to look like

Christmas is my favorite Holiday. This year we are celebrating Christmas as a family of three at our home. We are actually really excited to have a Christmas just us and wake up Christmas morning, have some family cuddles, then open presents together.

To get into the Christmas spirit we have been drinking plenty of hot chocolate even though it has hardly gotten cold here. Christmas music has been playing continuously for about a month now and presents are under the tree. We have been reading Christmas stories as a family and trying so hard to focus on the true meaning of Christmas. Our church had a nativity festival and we were able to go look at nativity sets from all over the world. Then we listened to musical numbers by people and children in our stake. It was such a spiritual night. 

This truly is the most special time of year. I hope as we celebrate Christmas this year we can focus on Christ and start some family traditions that we will cherish for many years.

Everett: 7 Months

Everett, you continue to be such a happy content baby.

This month you no longer liked to be rocked to sleep for naps. It was a little rough the first week getting you to fall asleep on your own at nap time but now you put yourself to sleep really well.

You are now wearing 12 month sleepers to bed.

We've noticed you have the cutest little shoulder and elbow dimples.

New foods this month were bananas, sweet potatoes, strawberry's, apples, pears, and baby oranges. You don't like anything with banana in it and have recently stopped liking oatmeal.

Your new sound for the month has been roaring like a lion. You roar all day long.

People everywhere we go are amazed at how alert and happy you are.

We think you dream like your dad because you flip around in bed all night.

Morning cuddles with mom and dad in their bed have become common first thing when you wake up.

Frustration Farts: When you get so tired and/or upset you just let one loose.

Funny Farts: Farting while you are laughing and/or laughing after you fart.

You now think it is hilarious and laugh every time we suck boogers out your nose.

When we come to get you out of your car seat you are just sitting there with a big grin on your face.

Dad had a beard this month and you loved to stroke it.

Everything still goes into your mouth and you drool about a gallon a day because of teething.

We thought your two bottom teeth were coming in but instead your two front top teeth decided to come in first. You have one bottom front tooth that just decided to start coming.

Sitting up has gotten easier for you this month and you hardly need the boppy anymore for help.

You are still not rolling over but are beginning to get in the position for crawling. So you may just be one of those babies who skips the whole rolling thing.

Your favorite thing is being tossed up in the air by dad.

My favorite thing this month has been your sweet smile. You just melt mommy's heart.