Christmas with the Smith's

The Sunday after Christmas, we were invited to Darren and Celeste's beautiful new home for Christmas with the Smith family. We had a delicious lunch and had a blast visiting with family. Ayden, you, Connor, Reece and Kayla spent the day riding the golf cart and shooting the BB Gun. You guys always play so good together and it is so much fun watching how close you all are. The adults all played Chinese Christmas. This is a game in which each person brings a gift. Everyone draws a number and the person with number 1 goes first. They choose a gift and the next person (person 2) gets the option to steal it. This goes on until the gift becomes 'dead' - it has been stolen 2 times or the last person draws. The person with number 1 gets to choose whatever 'alive' gift they want. It was soo much fun and we shared alot of good laughs. We had a fabulous day but were worn out. This Christmas has been filled with lasting memories and good times but very exhausting. I look forward to spending the rest of my time off unwinding with you guys and sleeping late.

Christmas Night and The Day After Christmas

Christmas Night, Aunt Camie, Uncle Greg and Mimi came over to see the kids for Christmas. We had a great time just hanging out and watching you guys play. Aunt Camie and Uncle Greg exchanged presents with us and Mimi brought a few gifts for you guys as well. Ally Brynn, you were so excited to get some more makeup. You wanted to share it with everyone and everyone to put it on you. You are such a girly girl and love everything girly. Aunt Camie and uncle Greg gave you a little puppy in its own carrier and you don't know quite what to think about it. I have a feeling it won't take long and you will look like these celebrities walking around with their dogs in their handbags. Soo Paris Hilton. This has been a wonderful Christmas and we are so thankful to have such blessings!

The day after Christmas, we had a delicious lunch with Mimi and exchanged gifts. Ayden, you and Ally Brynn spent the day dancing and showing Mimi all of your cool dance moves...the worm, the backwards puppy (I don't know what this is...Ayden made it up) and lots of others. We luaghed at you two so much and really enjoyed the time together. Ally Brynn you looked so cute in your red velvet dress that Mimi gave you. You were our little Santa Baby. Here are a few pics from the day and the cute dance moves. I hope the video will play.

Christmas Day with the Davis'

After opening our gifts Christmas morning, we headed to Nana and Pa's to do Christmas with Aunt Debbie, Uncle Ken, Nana, Pa, Laken and Clay. Everyone was waiting for us at 10:30 when we arrived and you guys were so excited to show off your presents. Ayden, you and Clay both got scooters, camo overall's, camo boots and guns and were in heaven shooting around Nana and Pa's house. Ally Brynn, you and Laken both got baby dolls and lipstick and had such a blast playing dress up. After opening presents, we got lunch ready for all of our family to arrive. Once Mammy Tine and all of the Aunts, Uncle Mike and cousins arrived, we had lunch and opened more gifts. It is always so much fun spending time with our family and just talking. This Christmas, everyone wasn't able to come which is expected since everyone is married (or will be this coming year) and has children. Speaking of marriage...Matthew surprised Jessica with a diamond this Christmas and we will now be having 2 weddings (Jess and Matthew and Chris and Nikki) in our family this year! SO EXCITING! We are looking forward to many more memories this Christmas.

Christmas Eve 2008

Every Christmas Eve we spend the evening with Daddy's family. We attend the Christmas Eve service at First Baptist Church (my favorite Christmas tradition) and then head to Papa's for supper, gifts and time with family and friends. This year, you and Ally Brynn did so good in the church service. You both LOVE music and spent the entire service listening and Ayden you even joined in the singing of Away in a Manger. Ally Brynn, you sat on Aunt Camie's lap thru the whole service and did sooo good. Aunt Camie loved every minute with you. Ayden, you really enjoyed the lighting of the candle during Silent Night and looked so big standing there holding your candle. I can remember the first year we took you to the service. You were so tiny and you slept thru most of the evening. Not this year... you were both so full of energy as usual and kept everyone at Papa's entertained. Manning Westbury, Mama Jackie, John David, Mrs. Connie, Mr. Billy and Katie Varn, Melissa Neeley, Elizabeth Neeley Mitchum, Papa, Annie, Aunt Camie and Uncle Greg all got tons of hugs and kisses from you both. Opening presents was so much fun for you guys and we had just as much fun watching your expressions as you opened your gifts. What a great Christmas Eve. We are so blessed to have such a big, loving family. Ayden, since turning 5, you have turned over a new leaf with Papa and Annies puppy dogs, Cocoa and Chloe. You were so excited to show everyone how you can get them to do tricks. You even requested they be in our family picture. We are so happy that you are over your fear of puppies. We are looking forward to tomorrow morning and hope that Santa brings you both everything you want.

Happy 1st Birthday Ansley Riley

Today we went to celebrate Ansley Riley's first birthday. She is such a cutie with those big blue eyes. Ayden had a blast riding the gator with Jake and Ally Brynn loved playing with the kids. The playground with slide was one of her favorites though. It was a cool day but we got some great photos and loved spending time with our friends. Happy Birthday Ansley!

Happy Birthday Lil' Monkey!

Today my baby girl turned TWO :-( I cannot believe it. I wish I could put us all in a vaccum tube and keep us at this period in time forever. We would never grow up, just stay right here. Ally Brynn, you are getting so big. You are talking in sentences now and love to say "HUG, KISS." You are so lovable and I just eat it up. We cuddle forever and you will let me just get as many hugs and kisses as I want. Ayden barely ever sits still for kisses anymore so I LOVE it. You weighed 30 lbs at the DR.'s office and Ayden weighed 44 lbs. Dr. Mac says that you are in the 85 percentile for your age range...Ha Ha.. my back could have told her that. You love to be carried. You also love having a big girl cup now and are very interested in your little girl potty beside Ayden's big potty. You haven't been sitting in your booster seat at the table because you say you are a "big girl" and prefer to sit in the big chair. You eat anything I give you and still LOVE to sleep. You are the perfect baby. This weekend, you woke up at 9:00am, told me at 10:30 "go night night, my pappy" so I laid you down and you slept until 12:00. When you got up, we had lunch and played until 3:00 and then you were ready for nap two. You slept until 5:00, woke up for supper and more play time and then went to bed about 7:30 or 8:00 for the night. At daycare you only get one nap midday. I can't believe you make it since you sleep so much at home. Baby dolls, puzzles and books seem to be your favorite toys right now and you are very much a girly girl. You watch me put on my makeup and love to get "ipstick on." You always put on my underwear and bras and walk around the house. Too funny. You are my little angel and I thank God for you everyday. We decided to theme your birthday party in monkey's this year since you have your room done in girly monkies and you are into everything...soo curious. I baked two monkey cakes, one with a strawberry cake and chocolate icing and the other yellow cake with chocolate icing. You LOVED them and loved eating them. We had bananas, banana chips, chips and dips, mini corn dogs, deviled eggs (that daddy filled) and chex mix for your party. Ally of your friends and family came to wish you a great birthday. Because the party was in the evening, and cut into your bedtime, you were really tired half way thru opening presents and we have to wait until tomorrow to open the rest. Chi and Carley let you borrow an adorable monkey smocked dress to wear to your party and you looked like a little princess. Watching your smiles and excitement tonight was priceless. Happy Birthday baby girl. I love you so much! Mommy.

Ayden's Christmas Program 4K

Well today was a doozy! It is Ally Brynn's 2nd birthday and I was up until midnight last night baking monkey birthday cakes for her party, birthday cupcakes for her birthday party at school, wrapping Ayden's Christmas gifts for his Christmas party at school today and getting clothes ready for their busy day. After gathering all of our goodies to take to their schools and getting everyone out the door, I had broken a sweat. After taking Ally Brynn to school, we headed to OP to watch Ayden's school Christmas program. Me, Daddy, Mimi and Nana all came to watch Ayden and his class perfrom two beautiful Christmas songs. You did so good Ayden and we really enjoyed watching you sing, play with Skylar and wave at us. After the program, Mimi and I went to help with your class party. You were so excited to have us their and couldn't wait to go home. You knew that we had alot to do for Ally Brynn's birthday tonight. I had such a great time with you this morning AD! Here are the pics.