Winner Winner!!!

I WON A MAGELLAN ROADMATE 760!!!!! Thanks to TiVo I watch the Ellen DeGeneres show everyday and about a month ago I entered the Freak Your Freak prize giveaway. I WON!! Today FedEx delivered my new navigation system!! My freak has been freaked. For one week you may call me by my new alias "the Winner."

Whew!

A lot has happened since my last post. Here are some of the things we have been up to:
- Matthew started walking and is now trying to run
- We were in Atlanta briefly for Carol's 60th birthday party
- Matthew had his first busted lip
- Mary Margaret, Pete, Sam, Matthew, Champ (welsh corgi), and I drove from Atlanta to Clarksdale
- Matthew drinks whole milk from sippy cups
- Matthew turned one!
- I turned twenty-nine
- Caroline Shaul, Matthew's God-mother, visited us!
- We had Matthew's first birthday party (Thank you La La, Mimi, Meredith, Mary Margaret, Pete, Sam and Caroline for traveling to Clarksdale for the occasion)
- Matthew had his first cold
- Matthew's top front teeth are cutting through the gums

I think that sums it up!

Birthday Photos

More Birthday Photos

Uncle Robert Brought the Fire Truck!!!

Pictures from Today

Before Bed

Matthew and his Daddy played with Tigger the other night. Matthew insisted on carrying it himself. Keep in mind, you gotta hold your mouth right in order to carry Tigger effectively.

Wow

I was changing a poopie diaper the other day, and as I opened it I said "wow!". I then heard an echo!! Matthew's new word is "wow"! This morning he threw a toy across the car, and said wow! It is so funny!

Thank you Robert and Robert

A DRUM KIT - are they out to get me or what??

Of course Matthew loves it...I am doomed.

Getting Involved

I am getting involved in the goings on in Clarksdale. I am a provisional member of Junior Auxiliary. This is a service organization and not a sorority - I assure you this is true, because I have not been hazed yet! I am also a member of a Circle Group within our church. It is sort of like a women's community group or small group. It meets once a month. I attended my first meeting Monday morning, and I really enjoyed it. I am also attending a women's Bible study every Wednesday morning. We are studying 1 Peter. Today was the first meeting of the new year - I really think this is going to be a wonderful thing for me to do. Plus, they have a nursery! Matthew was in the nursery Monday morning and again this morning. He actually took a nap both days!! I was flabbergasted. Since moving here I wanted to do this Bible study, but I was so worried about Matthew missing his morning nap. I finally let go of my anxiety, joined the Bible study, and God showed me that I didn't need to be anxious about it at all! Praise God for his blessings!

Happy Thanksgiving, Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year!

It was the most wonderful time of the year and a big, huge heartfelt THANK YOU to our families for making it so wonderful!

Our Christmas celebrations began in Jackson with the Johnsons. MaMa, Nancy, Rinnie, Patrick, and his girlfriend, Dinah, and Precious and Papa were all there with bells on. MaMa pulled out the fine china, and Nancy made a delicious beef wellington. It was a lovely and fun evening!

Next we headed to Natchez, Mississippi for Christmas with Mike and Joni. We stayed at the Briars Bed and Breakfast and thoroughly enjoyed Christmas around their beautiful tree. We loved catching up with Mike and Joni and laughing at Mike as he made Matthew laugh!! Thank you Mike and Joni for a perfect Christmas!

Home For Christmas!! Christmas at home was magical! Precious, Papa and Nam pulled out all the stops this year. Santa Claus even dropped by Christmas Eve! Matthew had a great Christmas morning - he reacted perfectly to every gift much to our delight. Now, let me explain how Santa does Christmas for the Downings and the Neals. Santa only brings three gifts for each child. Mary Margaret appropriately named the concept "the Magi." This year Santa brought Matthew the Leap Frog Learning Playground, a bin full of different kinds of balls, and a Radio Flyer Rocket. He loved them all!!

Tuesday after Christmas we traveled to McDonough, GA for Christmas with Carol, Maxine, and Glyn. Matthew racked up! He had so much fun playing with every gift and putting his "lick on" (as Uncle Glyn says) everything within his reach. His Grammy spoiled all of us rotten with a traditional English Turkey Roast Dinner. Then, Thursday afternoon we were treated with a visit from Steve's high school friend, Eric Bertelson, and his family. We all loved seeing the kids and meeting their fourth addition, Mindy! We had a great Christmas in McDonough - Thank you for all of your hard work, Carol!

Steve and I rang in the New Year at the Junior Auxiliary Charity Ball while Matthew slept under Gussie Mae's care. Happy New Year Everybody!!

Johnson Family Christmas Photos

Matthew and MaMa got along fabulously well. She gave Matthew a stocking she cross-stitched herself! It was the stocking in our Christmas card picture.


Oooh Pretty Presents


Matthew's first Christmas present was from Nancy. Thank you, Nancy!!

More Johnson Family Christmas Photos

Matthew really liked Rinnie's necklaces.


Nancy really liked her present! :)

Christmas in Natchez

It was so much fun opening presents!


Thank you for the talking dog, Joni!


It's an 'at!

Christmas Day!

Pete and Matthew in the den/staging area before we went in the living room for the big reveal.


Good Morning Pete!


First look!


Matthew and his Leap Frog Learning Playground.

More Christmas Day

The little green ones are his favorites.


Yummy!


Radio Flyer Rocket


Little rocket tastes good too!


What did Pete get?


Sharing the Rocket!

McDonough Christmas Photos

Cool Phone!


Thank you for the yummy blocks, Auntie Max!


Playing with Mindy Bertelson

7 Pounds 7 Ounces, 19 Inches Long

This morning, Mary Margaret gave birth to Samuel Wallace Neal. Both are doing great and everyone is healthy! Please join us in praising God for such a wonderful gift!!

Taken

Steve and I are absolutely taken with our adorable Matthew. He is crawling around everywhere and tries to pull up on anything. He requires constant attention. Good thing we are taken with him!


Check out those gums! Still no teeth!