Marist Christmas Brunch

Caroline and Brooks Eddy son of Mike and Whitney Eddy

Michael and Whitney Eddy hosted a get together for Christmas. They are old good friends of David. It was a lot of fun but I didn't get many pics. The above pic is Mike and their newest addition Wade! Precious!

Caroline is 8 months!

Caroline celebrated 8 months on this wonderful planet on Sunday and here is a quick update. Diet has branched out a bit and being a southern girl she LOVES grits. She had a few eggs over the holidays, cauilflower (pureed of course) and she still loves her puffs. I am just so nervous about her choking on stuff I am cautious. She loves her peas, beans, squash, pears, and apples....trying to work on the bananas though. Not her favorite.

She is moving too and pulling up. Mom gave her a table for Christmas that she can stand and lean and play on and she LOVES it. She is also waving Bye-Bye!!!!!!!! Too precious. She likes to say dada....and her bbbssss,,, and hhhhheee,, and even her gggsss. But not big on saying Mama!! Only when she gets really upset will I hear mmmama!! She loves to be held and does not want me or dad to put her down for anything!! If I make eye contact when she is playing she like huh huh come get me Lady and when I do she kicks and bounces in my arms!! The little stincker has so much personality.....she is just so happy still and I really hope she stays that way.
Anyway-joyous bundle of love she is. We had a wonderful Christmas and I think her favorite gift was being with Emma Kate and Taylor Malone! Those little angels entertained us all the whole weekend.

A Benson Christmas

Caroline REALLY wanted the paper and all the beautiful ribbons!

One of the funniest gifts ever, a pair of boots/house shoes with a baton to match reminding me of the glory days!!!!!!!!!!!!

Caroline's first Madam Alexander Baby Doll!
Mac and Dave

Tonight we celebrated Christmas with the Bensons and had a great time. The menu was prime rib, barley, and creamed spinach with key lime pie for dessert. It was DELICIOUS. Lynn is so thoughtful and she always puts so much thought in to gift giving. Lil bit enjoyed herself too. Michael Caudill, Dave's best friend and college roomate joined us. It was a great time...a few gift highlights were gas logs, a silver tray, and an i-pod nano for my birthday among many other wonderfully thoughtful gifts!! I must say though that giving the gifts is as fun as receiving!!!!!

Baby's Been Sick

Caroline had her first ear infection last week. She started coughing last week and after taking her to the doctor, she was diagnosed with an ear infection. It really hasn't affected her evening sleep just cranky and irritable during the day. Here are just a few pics I snapped while we played last week!

Date Night Christmas Style!

Somebody was having a good time!!! Laughter is always on the menu when I really enjoy myself. Making fun of life and laughing at yourself is just good medicine for me! And witty people well I just can't get enough of them!

Jonathon, Elizabeth, Me and Dave

It will be three years of marriage for us in January!!!! Thankfully he has committed to putting up with me for life and I do hope he earns something in heaven for that!!

Saturday night Dave and I did what is typically unheard of which was have a date night. Though I missed lil Caroline, it was so fun to get dressed up and go out in Buckhead with good friends. We had dinner at Bones and then went over to St. Regis which is new hotel in Atlanta. Bones has great food and you can bring in your own bottles of wine. We went with Jonathon and Elizabeth Ford. Dave and Jonathon have a lot in common and both enjoy wine. Lots to talk about and many laughs were shared....

A Week in the Life!

She loves this little toy....great Christmas gift Friends!! It's in all the Targets, Babies R Us's around town.

Probably going for the Remote! One of the dirtest items in a home!

I've almost got it.....

Big News: Last night we let lil cry herself to sleep. Now this is a big deal because Dave and I have normally picked her up. I think/know she is ready for this transition. When I have attempted this in the past, she cried for longer periods which told me she wasn't ready. She needed me then. Sweet little thing smiled the biggest grin when I picked her up this morning!!!

Reaching, Crawling, and Moving makes it hard to get Lil's picture. Here are few I snapped this week!!! Thanks for caring!

Jingle Bell Brunch

They even had a buffett for the children!!!

Lil Bit made it quite difficult to take her picture. She wanted to look anywhere but in the direction of the camera and she loves to climb up her Mother!!

Such Beautiful Decorations

Caroline and Daddy about to go see Santa!!!

Today Caroline met Santa!!!! We went to the Jingle Bell Brunch in Buckhead at Cherokee Town Club. It was so Beautiful!! The Christmas decorations were magnificant complete with ice sculptures and Snowmen. Caroline was all smiles with Santa until Dave and I attempted to join her for a picture. When she realized I wasn't going to pick her up, she quickly became upset. The food was delicious, decor gorgeous, and Cara entertained!! What more could you want in afternoon with the family?!

Cornucopia Salad

I wanted to share one of my FAVORITE salad recipes. Tori tagged me and I thought I would share a Benson favorite. Now, the salad is a meal in itself. Though we usually serve it with steak or fish as a side, it calls for added grilled chicken or shrimp. Downfall is its pricey for a salad but oh so good!!!!!!

Ingredients

1 head green leaf lettuce(Boston)

4 green onions chopped

1 avocado sliced-optional

1 granny smith apple sliced

1 can mandarin oranges drained

1/2 cup slivered or sliced almonds

1/4 cup dried cranberries

1/2 cup crumble blue cheese(Maytag)

Combine all ingredients into large bowl

Remember apples and avocado turn so wait until end to slice them

Dressing

1/4 cup vegetable oil

2 tbsp. white wine vinegar

1 tbsp. chopped fresh parsley

1 to 2 tbsp. sugar

salt and pepper to taste

splash of water

Combine ingredients and shake vigorously until sugar is dissolved

Dressing can be made ahead of time and refrigerated but do not toss with salad until ready to serve. Serves 3 to 4.

This is a guideline....we add more of just about everything than the recipe calls for regarding the actual ingredients of the salad.

ENJOY!!!!

Thanksgiving at the Bensons

The Taylors, Holleys spent Thanksgiving at the Bensons this year and it was so much fun. Lynn made delicious food and Tom fried a turkey. Delightfully good!! Aunt Jackie, Jack, and Uncle Butch joined us as well. It was a wonderful time had by all. Caroline was the center of attention and as you can see from the pics she didnt mind it a bit!