Hopkins Family Fun 3......

Hopkins Family Fun 2....

Hopkins Family Christmas

Christmas Take 3 Granny and Grandpa's

Christmas Granny and Grandpa's Take 2

Christmas Day at Granny and Grandpa's Take 1

Whew....christmas sure seems like a whirlwind but what fun we had and Callen is in little kid heaven. Thank you all for such a wonderful holiday.

More Christmas Eve....

A little more Christmas Eve...

Christmas Overload

Twas the Night before Christmas Eve.....

It's the day before Christmas Eve......Mommy and Callen have been snuggling tight and we have found ourselves sleeping early night after night. The presents were wrapped but to a little elves dispare he unwrapped and clapped and laughed as mommy pulled out her hair. The stockings are hanging by the tree that shines so bright hoping mommy and daddy can make it to Christmas night. The days are long the weather so cold.....the to do list is growing in rapid speed but it looking like time is all that we need. We anxiously await the arrival of love ones to kiss and hold but dear "ol mommy know there is more to be told.....The daddy has been busy running the tractor at night......when we awoke to a terrible fright. Twas 10 till 2 and no daddy in bed poor 'ol man is running crazy working in his head. Finally we all snuggle in for some rest when low and behold the little elf decides whats best. He awakes us both just before dawn as it is time to get his morning ritual on......The time is coming to an end will we ever make it to see our family and friends....Sure we will we squeal in delight....IT CHRISTMAS YOU ALL....morning, noon and night. So as we eagerly try and get things done just please know there is one that is having oh so much fun.....he may deliver your gift half open or eaten but please know this Elf does it in good stride he's just trying to help with his parents by his side. The Christmas tradition is changing fast he may be in charge and nothing may last...we are doing our best to fill his time but please know this little one has his own mind! We just are hoping his presents he doesnt find. The rest will be history in no time to soon as long as he doenst send his mommy to the moon.....The Elf is in good spirits and a really good boy its ashame he cant find a many a toy.....it may pass the time and keep him from harm but we will never know because he is being raised on the farm! It's in his nature to stay busy and quick lets just hope St. Nick comes really quick. The days we are counting till this phase is through but who knows the fun is just beginning as he will be truning 2. So wish us luck on this Christmas Journey as we settle in tight it may be a very very long night!!!!

Blessings Surround Us....

Welp.....now that most of you have gotten your Christmas card or heard the news I think I am safe to tell you about the talk of a little one that has been fluttering around our house for weeks or should I say the NEWS of the little one. After speculation from some and lots of wonder from others we are PROUD to announce that Callen is going to be a BIG brother. We couldnt be more excited! Baby will make his or her debut by July 1st. Sorry for keeping you all at bay but we figured it was the best option for a little while and I really wanted to give us time to adjust to the news as well.......

More then anything I LOVE how Callen has been reacting to the word "Baby" ever since we told him and showed him my tummy he gives kisses and sings (or hums) a little tune to the sweet little one growing inside. Every night just before he falls fast asleep I will catching him pulling up my shirt kissing my tummy then giving me a sugar then we sing You are my Sunshine (this has been Callens song we sang since the day he was born) and snuggle in for a nice long slumber. Although to my dismay we are going to transition Callen out of our bed into his big boy bed because Chris said 4 people cant sleep in one bed so for now we are planning on Callen in his room and baby will sleep in the baby bed in the baby room.......(shhhhh oh the perks of being the 1st and I must say I will sure miss my snuggles and morning wake up with Callen snuggled close in bed)although I am sure we can defiantely still squeeze in those special nights where he gets to sleep with mommy and daddy.

While it is still one of those bitter sweet moments I think in the end it will all work itself out and my mind will be put to ease....part of me is sad Callen will no longer be "The Baby in our house" and part of me has continuous fears about how he will treat his new brother or sister but in the end the biggest part of me cannot wait to see how close these two become and the many joys of having two!! At times I just remind myself that Callen will have gotten 2 years of 100% mommy and daddy time that baby #2 will never have and that Callen and baby will be OH so close and 2 of the best buds......

So from our home to yours Merry Christmas and may all your blessing be filled this year!

He's Making a List.....

How did it get to be 17 days before Christmas already? This month always flies by for me, and this year is no exception.
So, what have we been up to in the mad dash before the holiday? Well, Chris has been steadily working in the field and helping me control a wild little heathen that lives in our home. We have both been busy running and going and I must say the Thanksgiving holiday was wonderful we were able to see so many of you and Callen really enjoyed himself and having other kiddos around was a nice change for him.
Callen has been cracking us up lately. He has such the personality and is full of opinions and facial expressions. If he doesn't want something, he will shake his hand in a shooing motion until you offer what he wants. At meal times, I often have to go through a long list before he hears something he wants most of the time it is mashed potatoes or mac and cheese. Then, he gives an enthusiastic "mmm hmmm"- his newest and arguably cutest word.
Callen has been a very good helper lately, and he loves to help me unload the dishwasher. He will get everything off the bottom rack, and then go over and stand on the dishwasher lid to get the top rack too. I'll try to enjoy this while it lasts and hope the dishwasher survives!
I love to see Callen interact with other kids. He loves to give hugs, although for some reason he does this by grabbing the recipient of the hug around the neck unless it is a baby the he is in awwww and amazement and just sits there and watchs closely. Speaking of love, Callen must be very fond his Bebe because last night he carried on a whole conversation with her not much of which you could understand but he sure had me a Chris rolling with his expressions and excitement to be talking on the phone at one point Chris just shook his head because we were laughing so hard if I had the camera close it would have been a perfect video.
I have been trying to get all the gifts purchased, do the laundry, clean the house and prepare for our holiday extravaganza. On top of this, we have been trying to enjoy the last few days outside which Callen has been trying to adapt to being inside but in reality he LOVES the outdoors and with the cold it has been a little harder to get him outside as much since he HATES all things sweater or jacket like and now tries to undress himself from those types of items.
Despite the constant chaos, I really love this time of year. I love seeing Callen look at the Christmas tree with wonder. I love cuddling my boys under the covers because with the colder weather defiantely comes more snuggles. I love the little extra bit of magic that seems to be floating around. It makes it all worth it. I am sending new pictures yalls way with football playoffs (way to go uncle matt) and the everyday chaos I have been lacking but just wait once I get my new camera yall are gonna be in picture overload!!!! I must say isnt the little laugh adorable...my favorite picture of Callen these days....Have a great week!