Birthday Fun!

The birthday party was a success! Though we had an early morning (AW woke up ready to go at 5:45!), she seemed to have a great time!! We had her birthday party with our good friend Copeland Holley whose birthday is just 10 days before hers. It was at Wee Flip Gym which is a kids' gym in Vestavia. It was great in that they took care of everything-invitations, decoration, favors, and food-so all we had to do was show up! The main events for AW were the cupcakes and getting to take a balloon home. She also played on the equipment and loved the parachute games!

Copeland, his sister Ellie, and AW before the party started

Her favorite activity-the ball pit

Jumping on the trampoline

There is also a new post below about Christmas/New Years!

New Year

We had a busy and wonderful Christmas starting with Christmas Eve morning at our house. We did Christmas with my parents that afternoon, went to a candlelight service at Trinity, and had a feast at the Jones for dinner. Christmas morning we opened presents at the Jones and then headed to Opp for lunch with one grandmother and dinner with the other. Whew, it is crazy but so great to spend time with our families! Then we rang in the New Year at the best possible place-the beach! The Jones graciously took us all to the beach for a long weekend. I'm thinking we should make that a tradition :) AW loved playing in the sand, especially with a daddy and 2 kind uncles there to entertain her. Next up, AW's 3rd birthday party tomorrow!

All our presents loaded up to take to Montgomery

New basketball goal from Santa

Coming down the stairs Christmas morning!

Santa brought AW this Tigger and the new Winnie the Pooh movie. We probably watched it 10 times that weekend!

Don't you just love those blond curls coming out of the hat??

Loving being at my favorite place in the world-the beach!!!

Holes are so fun-thanks Uncle Rich!

AW modeling her wings and 2 bows (her new thing) and playing with Mommy's Christmas gift-a keyboard! I took piano for 6 years growing up and have really wanted to get back into it. So I am now in business with a keyboard and headphones so I can play during naptime. It is super relaxing, and I am loving it! Thanks Mom and Dad!!!
We finally got fed up with the paci-she was begging for it more than ever!- so one Sunday morning after church we went to Toys R Us and let her pick out a toy to sleep with instead of the paci. Her dad may have influenced her choice on this huge elephant (the National Championship game was the next day though he says that had nothing to do with it). It has been a bit rocky but overall the transition has gone much better than I expected-I am so thankful! Now when the new baby comes and pacis are back in sight it may be a different story. AW has also done great with potty training-such a big girl!

Christmas Slacker

So yes, I was a total slacker this year and did not do Christmas cards. I thought a birth announcement coming out early March might be close enough, but I have a had a few friends tell me otherwise. I just want to make sure everyone knows that you were not dissed by the Jones this year! Thank you for all the beautiful Christmas cards we have received, and Merry Christmas!

Christmas Happenings

Here are a few things we have enjoyed doing lately . . . making (and eating!) Christmas cookies

Getting all bundled up to go to our church's Walk Through Nativity

And even visiting Santa! Anne Wesley told him she wanted a dog for Christmas!

We have really enjoyed watching Christmas movies like Curious George's Christmas, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, and Max Lucado's A Fruitcake Christmas. AW also told me she got to be Mary during Sunday school (I guess they acted out the manager scene). Next up our Sunday School Christmas party and AW's Christmas party at school. She is definitely much more excited this year about Christmas and LOVES our tree!

Thanksgiving!

We had such a wonderful Thanksgiving spent at the farm! The weekend before we went ahead and put up our Christmas decorations. AW loved playing with my Snow Village, but after 3 or 4 casualties I had to put a lot of it up.

We also got to meet my Aunt Beth and cousin Jason and his family at the McWane Center for a little family time the Monday before Thanksgiving.

Anne Wesley had a great time at the farm-running in the fields, playing in the dirt, watching the adults play corn hole, playing basketball, and riding the Ranger.

We had an amazing Thanksgiving dinner with all the trimmings, and then Steve did a shrimp boil on Friday that was so tasty!

As always, Steve and I watched the Iron Bowl at separate locations on Saturday, and then we headed back to Birmingham on Sunday. It was a fun time with family and great food. Now time for Christmas!!!!

A few things we've been up to . . .

We took AW to the Galleria to try out the Carousel-it was a big hit!

Showing off her headgear she made at school

Awful expression I know but cute outfit! Thanks PatPat and Papa!!

Now we are really looking forward to Thanksgiving-spending time with family and fried turkey!!! We have so very much to be thankful for this year and every year!

Happy Halloween!