The Nutcracker

Every year, I try to take Emily to do something special at Christmas time.  So far we have been to the Polar Express, to see The Rocketts, and to see The Nutcracker.  Chris and I tried to take Emily to see The Nutcracker when she was younger and I do believe we tried to start making magical memories a little early because she could have cared less!!!! And we left in the middle of the show.  So I decided to try The Nutcracker again now that Emily is a few years older.  Emily and I asked Mother to go with us and we had a great time!!! 

Gran and Emily getting ready to go. 

I was excited because I've never got to see the end of The Nutcracker.  It was really great!! 

We ran into our friends, Jennifer, Carleigh, and Avery.  It was so good to see them!

Ava Caroline's Birthday

We celebrated my cousin/niece, Ava Caroline's birthday way back at the beginning of December!!  Where has the month gone!!  I say cousin-slash-niece because Ava's mother Jenny is my first cousin, but more like a sister!  So when people ask us how we are related, we just look at each other.  And if its a total stranger we usually say "sisters".

Look who we ran into on the way to the party.  LITERALLY, on the way to the party!!!

Jenny had the party at Ace Gymnastics and as you can see it was a big hit!! 

Michael, Ava's dad and his mom. 

Mrs. Yocum, Jenny and Aunt Carol (Jenny's mom)

Kids of all ages loved the foam!

Sweet Baby Kate

I hate that this picture is blurry because it cracks me up!!  Gracie always thinks she's as big as everyone else!!

My SIL Tessa, me, and Jenny

The whole gang!

We are so glad you had a Happy Birthday Ava!!! Love you!

The Flu Blues

Okay y'all, the flu bug hit our house last Thursday and we are just now getting back in the swing of things!!!!  Luckily, Gracie and I are the only ones that were blessed with this wonderful sickness and we are keeping our fingers crossed and saying lots of prayers that it will stay that way!!!! So be looking for post after post. I have a few things to tell you about!

 Thanks to my husband, mom and neighbor who helped us make it through.  My mom cooked for us. My neighbor brought us food, and my husband helped around the house without even being asked.  Now to get ready for Christmas!  It'll be here before you know it!!! 

Sophie Clare turns 2

As always, I'm behind.  But as the old saying goes, "Better late than never". The Saturday before last, we celebrated Sophie Clare's 2nd Birthday.   

Everything looked great! Maggie did a wonderful job as usual.

SC got a little shy once everyone started singing.

I love this little face!

We got her a Pillow Pet and she loved it!  That is right up until Natalie and Zac gave her the cash register! Then she dropped that Pillow Pet like a bad habbit!  LOL

A fun time was had by all. I'm so glad we could celebrate this day with you. 

We Love You, Sophie Clare!!! 

Take a look here, here, and here for ALL of her birthday celebration.

Game Day!

I must say, I'm a little sad football season is already over.  Well, at least for Bama it is. They are going to a Bowl Game, but to me, it's just not the same.  I hope Auburn can pull it out for the state of Alabama AND I hope Cam Newton wins the Heisman!!!  He's got my vote!

We had big plans for game day....or at least I thought we did.  My neighbor invited the whole street down to his house.  Since the game was during Gracie's nap time, Chris was going to go for the kickoff, and I would come with the girls when G woke up.  When I called Chris, I found out all the other ladies had either gone shopping or stayed at home.  So, we had a "Girl's Night In"! It was great....right up until Bama lost.  But that's okay, we had a good time anyway!  Better luck next year guys!  Roll Tide!! 

Thankdsgiving Part 2

Thursday we spent the day at my in-law's house. We got there around lunch and stayed until dark!!!  I must say, I was a little sad that I was missing out on my Mother's Thanksgiving meal because she is the best cook!  But my mother-in-law, Cheryl, blew lunch out of the water!!!  It was SO GOOD!!!!  Thank you for all your hard work because it was WONDERFUL!!!

It was unseasonably warm, so after lunch the girls went outside to play.  Sorry for Gracie's dirty shirt.  I think she was playing in my father-in-law's workshop. We had on our Bama best  for the big game on Friday. 

My beautiful angel!!!  Oh, how I love Emmy!!!

My sweet Sophie Clare

Chris took the girls on a 4-wheeler ride

Don't forget Gracie!!!  She was there too....holding on for dear life!!!  HaHa

Emily's cousin Madyson was down from South Carolina.  Emily loves playing with her! 

The fam. Jamie, my brother-in-law,  had already gone home and the babies really didn't seem to care about being in the picture. 

It was a great relaxing day.  I can't believe we are finished with Thanksgiving and rolling on to Christmas.  But I am so ready! 

Thanksgiving Part 1

We had a fun filled Thanksgiving!!  Emily was out of school for a whole week and it was great to have her home during the day for a change. 

For the past couple of years, Chris and I have swapped family gatherings at Thanksgiving.  One year we go to his family's house and the next year mine.  It works out wonderfully because we actually get to spend quality time with the family instead of eating and running to another house.  Because it was our turn to spend it with Chris' family, my Mother planned a day of fun on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving. 

The girls and I met Mother, Tessa (SIL) and Robin (niece) at Target so that Mother could get a few gift ideas for the girls for Christmas.  It was so fun watching the girls look at all the toys. 

Gracie thinks she's just as big as the other girls.

We let the girls decided where we were eating lunch.  They chose McDonald's!  I tried to change their mind, but it didn't work.  McDonald's was the place!

We headed to Hobby Lobby after that.  Mother is going to make the girls a pillowcase and she wanted them to pick out the fabric. 

I can't wait to see the finished product.  The girls also got to pick out ornaments.

This was how the Robin and Emily where all day.  They loved being with each other.

 

When we got back to Mother's house, she and the girls made two pecan pies for Thanksgiving.  The big girls did most of the work, but Gracie loved being in there with them.

Robin and Emily took turns pouring and stirring. 

I know this is a memory they will keep with them forever!

It was a really fun day!!!  I love spending time with my family.  And Tessa, I want to apologize for not getting a better picture of you. But Christmas is coming and I will do much better then!!!  Love ya!