Landry's first sleepover with Cal Bug!

I have been wanting Landry to have a friend over for a while now.  It's been difficult because I haven't felt well, but the Lord has given me a couple  of weeks free of sickness.  Callie was the first girl to stay the night with Landry!  She was the PERFECT guest!  The girls both had so much fun!  Landry had to have some lessons in sharing her things and Cal did a great job teaching her how to share.

Callie loved the kitchen!  Both girls played with the kitchen for a while!  When we are home alone, Landry doesn't like to be in her room.  She likes being with mommy or daddy.  When Callie was over, she followed Callie!

Landry had two balloons from her birthday and the girls loved trying to jump high enough to grab the balloons.

We can't wait for our Callie bug to come back and stay!  She really was the perfect guest!  She makes us laugh and always has something fun to say!  We love you Callie!

Decorating the Christmas Tree 2014

Decorating for Christmas was more fun this year! Alan and I had extra help and a whole new level of excitement! 

We still haven't finished, but we are super close!

One of the traditions we started the year we got married was drinking hot chocolate, listening to Christmas music, and watching Polar Express on the night we decorate the tree.  The truth is, we only were able to get the hot chocolate down and tree up in one night.  Everything else had to wait, because poor Alan hurt his back.  Landry had to drink her hot chocolate out of a small cup and she only got a little taste.  It kind of looks nasty in this picture, but I assure you it wasn't.

She enjoyed her hot chocolate! 

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

One Big Family Christmas

One of my favorite times of year is getting together with my big family.  My dad comes from a family of eight children and there are eighteen of us grands!  I have lost count of the greats.  This was our first year getting together without my grandmother.  She was very missed and it would have warmed her heart to know many of us still met together to celebrate Christmas this year.  I remember her saying she didn't want us to stop getting together after she passed.  My heart aches to see her again. 

Jennifer, Abbi, Grace, and Jude!

Jen and Alan swear they are the "outsiders" and are always huddled in a corner together during our get togethers.  This is NOT true!  My Jenny is the most outgoing person I know so she is definitely mingling with others and Alan, well who doesn't love his smile?

Jenny and Cali

Sadie and Rylie are growing up so fast!

Our oldest cousin Jennifer is a special person!  She read the story of Jesus and his birth.  During certain points of the story she had her oldest daughter, Abbi, light a candle.  Everyone enjoyed the story.

 After she finished she asked if any of the kids wanted to pray.  Cami and Sadie both jumped at the chance to praise Jesus.

Landry was given three puzzles. Each had 27 pieces!  It made her smile so we will put it up until she is four and can actually attempt putting the pieces together.  She will be excited all over again!

 The traditional brother/sister picture.  Aunt Rowena and Uncle Greg couldn't make it this year.  They were very missed!

We were missing a lot of people in this picture.  Yes, I said missing people!  There are a lot of us and I wish we could get together more often! It is always fun seeing everyone.

My baby sisters!

Sarah-Beth will be having her baby December 19, if not before.  Our grandmother passed away on December 19 last year.  SB was a little afraid of having her c-section on that day, but our grandmother loved babies.  No matter what the circumstances were, she loved babies.  I believe she would want the baby to be born on that day, because Memommy wants us rejoicing and when she saw a baby that woman's face LIT up!  I wish she could meet Brady and my new baby, Briley.  She always wanted to see me have a baby.  She lived to see it with Landry and almost a year after Memommy was taken home, I'll be having another baby.  She would cry tears of joy all over again.   

This man is a blessing!

My sweet baby girl!  She is growing so quickly and she makes life so sweet!  Each time I look at her, I am reminded of God's love.

Landry is two

The past two years have been so full of joy and they have flown by too quickly!  We started Landry's birthday off with birthday cupcakes on her birthday plate.  The tradition began last year and it's one I hope to continue.  

This is one of my favorite pictures, because her little crossed eyes looking at the candle just make me laugh. 

My mom aka nanna put together a birthday party for Landry.  We mainly had family this year.  Last year was such a huge event and this year was laid back.  It has been a super busy season with Morgan's wedding, Thanksgiving, and a family Christmas all on back to back weekends.  Plus this mommy hasn't felt well enough to plan a big party. 

Mickey Mouse made an appearance and….

this is how Landry felt about him.  In her defense he was the tallest Mickey EVER!

 She stayed in Daddy's lap, because she knew he would protect her from the huge Mickey!

All the other kids loved Mickey!

Sadie would have definitely won this fight against the 6'4" Mickey. 

This was my chair when I was a little girl.  My mom had it painted for Landry this year.

Landry at one

My two year old!