Entering the Thirties

I turned 30 on December 6 and we got to celebrate a couple of times... it made 30 pretty painless!  On my real birthday, Addy & I were treated to lunch by JJ & KK at City Cafe - I hadn't been there in forever and it did not disappoint! 

For my birthday I told Courtney I did not want a surprise party but that I would like to get together at our house with a few friends... he enlisted the help of a few close friends and my sister and we had a fun evening eating, laughing and talking.  I love having people at our house but this time I did not have to cook or worry about any details so that was a treat! 

Courtney took me to run errands before everyone came over and the party planners redecorated my dining room for to make it a pink & black & white birthday theme! 

They had Celebrations bakery cookies as party favors - yummy!

Kayla, LeAnn, Jennifer, Courtney, Katie & Jennifer

They had a few fun props for us to take pictures with...

Everyone was a good sport and tried on a clown nose or funny hat for a photo op!

Jennifer & Courtney gave me a "This is the Year To" bracelet like the one we have given each other to celebrate turning 30 - love these girls!

Courtney was so sweet to plan a special night!  I felt so undeserving!

Kayla made the cute "The Big Three O" sign to match the party invitiation - she's so crafty!  I love my sis!

A week later, my parents had us & Mia & Pop over for dinner to celebrate one last time... I like having a whole week of celebrating!  We had chicken spaghetti and birthday cake and opened a few gifts - Addy was the self-appointed helper for gift-opening time!

Kayla got me a fun assortment of favorite things... Addy & Mia read a book... Addy got a skirt for our elf Lucy to wear!

Cake time!

Our traditional Christmas tree picture!

Country Christmas

The Sunday before Christmas, we drove to Centreville to visit Courtney's grandparents.  We had lunch and opened gifts at Nanny & Babby's house then after a short nap, we went to Grandmother & Granddaddy's for dinner.  Addy's buddy Sophie wasn't at Grandmother's house because of sickness - we really missed playing with our friend!

The "red side of the table" before lunch!  Melanie, Myron, Kyle & Pop

We took lots of pictures during present time... click to make bigger!

Addy got lots of play jewelry and a pretend smart phone and sequined purse that have been everywhere with us!

Melanie & Myron, Mia & Pop with Nanny & Babby; Courtney & Kyle with Nanny & Babby.

Kyle read the Christmas story from Luke at Grandmother & Granddaddy's house.

Addy wanted to be best buddies with Kyle!

Courtney spent lots of time in the floor putting together a dollhouse that Addy received - with her help, of course!

Addy with Granddaddy, Grandmother opening gifts, Barbara & Margaret.

Christmas in Gadsden

We drove to Gadsden on the 16th to celebrate Christmas with our extended family on my mom's side.  We missed Jordan & Keithon but it was so good for us all to be together!  Addy loved playing marbles and matching games with Slate and Mackenzie's "elf yourself" app was a hit :)  We made lots of funny videos!  Although things are not the same as I remember growing up, there is just something wonderful about the house being full of the ones you love at Christmastime.

The "kids table" in the dining room.  I didn't have one where Addy was making a normal face!

Lynne, Granddaddy, Lisa, Grandmother & Mom

The Grandkids minus Jordan... Kayla, Addy & I, Mackenzie, Erin & Slate

Nico & Erin with Grandmother & Granddaddy

Courtney, Addy & I with Grandmother & Granddaddy

Merry Christmas!

I have been uploading Christmas pictures this afternoon... all 749 of them!  I am going to catch up on all our Christmas celebrations with all our families over the next week or so (but I won't post all 749 pictures!)  Here are a few random ones to start with...

Hope everyone had a Merry Christmas!

Trying to get a good Christmas card picture...

We went to visit Santa last Thursday - Daddy got to come!

Addy told Santa she wanted a piggy bank, Barbie doll and a Hello Kitty camera (this was the first we'd heard of  the camera and it was 5 days before Christmas!)

Addy helped me make some Christmas cookies

Courtney gave Addy a pre-Christmas manicure :)

Fashion 101

I feel like Addy's picture (and I guess mine too) should be next to the word particular in the dictionary! She is so funny about certain things - mostly clothes related. Sometimes it is frustrating when we are in a hurry but most of the time it makes me laugh because I realize I'm paying for the grief I caused my parents when I was little!

Addy wakes up each day and gets fully dressed - including shoes - before she comes to our bedroom. There is no telling what she will pick out...see exhibit A and B below!






Her shoe choice usually involves boots (her favorite) and she rarely wears socks. She hates socks! They are never "right" and if the seam is not lined up just so, we can either fix it or have a meltdown.



Tights are usually not our friend and neither are ruffle pants - they interfere with boots and dress up high heels! In fact I gave her two outfit choices yesterday both involving pants with a small ruffle at the bottom and she quickly protested that she "didn't want no pants with ruffles!"


She changes clothes at least 4 times a day (not exaggerating!) and loves to accessorize with lots of bracelets, necklaces, earrings, purses, etc.



I love this girly girl even though she sometimes wears me out with the amount of laundry she creates!




Lauren

Oh Come Little Children, Oh Come One and All!

Addy's preschool Christmas program was last Sunday night.  We were SO excited to hear the songs that Addy had been practicing at home!  They sang (loudly!) Away in a Manger, A Babe Was Born on Christmas Day, He is the King, and Oh Come Little Children.  She had a lot of fans come and support her... Maw Maw, JJ, Daddy Jim, KK, Mia and Pop!  I snuck up to the front row to take a few pictures and when she saw me sitting there I think it messed up her concentration!  Oops!!  We thought she and all the boys and girls in her class did a marvelous job!

Addy and her friend from church, Mary Linnley

Addy & KK

Mia and Pop

Thanksgiving

I just realized I never uploaded any of our Thanksgiving pictures!  Oops!  We usually take turns each year for Thanksgiving (my family one year, Courtney's family the next) and this year we spent time with Courtney's family in Centreville and Brent, AL.  We had a great day!  Addy got to be a rough and tough cowgirl at Nanny & Babby's house and then got to play with her cousin Sophie at Grandmother & Granddaddy's house.  We ate way too much and reflected on all the things we have to be thankful for!

This is huge for a little girl who didn't want to be put down near the puppy dogs when we arrived that day... she was showing me how Tiny could lick her hand :)

Chasing her new best friend...

We climbed up the ladder to the top of the big barn where Babby used to keep lots of hay

Addy and Courtney were big buddies this day... with their jeans and boots!

Babby drove us on a long, bumpy ride out through the fields to find this mama cow and her calf. 

Addy & Courtney rode the four wheeler around looking at cows

Addy & Babby

At Grandmama and Granddaddy's house, Addy could not wait for Sophie to get there! 

Sophie will be 2 in March... she is so cute!!!

They played with the Little People Thanksgiving toy that Mia brought and made several trips up and down the steps!