Birthday Party

Since the girls' birthdays are 3 weeks apart, we chose to do a combined birthday party again this year.  Surprisingly, they both agreed they wanted a inflatable birthday party so we had their party at Pump It Up.  I am very glad we had an inside party because after such a mild winter, it was freezing and windy.  We had a great time at the party and are so very thankful for our friends and family. 

Show Us Your Singles

I frequently read a blog called Kelly's Korner, and every Friday she does Show Us Your Life link ups.  This Friday is Show Us Your Singles, as in single friends, relatives, etc.  She has done these before and so far 4 couples are either married or engaged, and I think 5 other couples are dating.  Each time she had done a singles link up, I have thought of my wonderful sister, Lauren so this time I am actually posting.

Lauren is 27 years old and lives in Nashville, TN.  She is a graduate of Auburn University (War Eagle) in elementary education and she is passionate about Jesus, Auburn, sports, friends, family, and her nieces (which happen to be my daughters).  My daughters love their "Lolli" so much and I am so glad they have her in their lives. 

Lauren is a wonderful sister and my best friend.  She loves Jesus and seeks Him with her whole heart.  She teaches a children's Sunday School class at church.  She is a great listener, very humble, and loves to laugh and have fun.

(she's on the left)

Typically in Nashville you might find her hanging out with friends or on the intramural fields playing softball, flag football, or kickball.  She is very athletic and actually played softball at Auburn. 

As I said before my girls love spending time with her and she is always willing to make the 3 hour drive to visit us to be involved in their lives and even babysit for us.  She is a nanny in Nashville to two sweet little girls and is basically apart of their family because she puts her whole heart into anything she does.  I love her so much!

If you are interested in talking with Lauren or know someone who might be, leave me comment and your email and I will make sure she gets it.

Circus

This weekend as part of Emma Catherine's birthday celebration, we went to the circus.  Ryan and I both had childhood memories of going to the circus and when out neighbors suggested going, we knew the girls would like it.  The girls were in awe and to be honest so were Ryan and I. 

Happy Birthday Emma Catherine

Today Emma Catherine is 6.  Is this really happening?  Do I really have a 6 year old?  Why yes, I do!  It is amazing how much she has matured this year and also to see the confidence she has gained.  She started off kindergarten a little apprehensive and unsure about her abilities and now she is blossoming.

She has been excited for her birthday this whole month.  She was especially looking forward to this week in general because it was her "Marvelous Me" week at school.  The week started with Ryan reading a book to the class and eating lunch with her.  She choose Wibble Wobble, which is about loosing teeth. 

On Tuesday she took a poster she made with pictures of our family.

On Wednesday they did 100th Day of School activites all day we didn't do anything extra.

On Thursday Bailey and I went to school to do a craft with the class.

On Friday I ate lunch with her and she shared a treat with the class.  They really don't like treats like cupcakes or cookies at their school so she picked fruit snacks to take to school (as recommended by her teacher). 

Friday night we celebrated her birthday by going to Build A Bear, eating at CiCi's Pizza, and having cake and ice cream at home.  She had trouble deciding on a dessert and at one point she was set on making chocolate cupcakes but at the last minute she picked out a chocolate publix cake. 

Happy birthday to our sweet Emma Catherine!

Christmas

On Christmas Eve we headed to my grandpa's house which is where we spend Christmas day.  We all wore the same Christmas shirts that we wore last year even though they were long sleeved and it felt like it was at least 85 degrees outside.   I think we got more compliments this year then last year and people kept coming up to us saying, "I believe." 

We went to lunch at Olive Garden like we always do and then we went to look around the mall.  We then got ready and went to church.

Last year I took Emma Catherine to the Dollar Tree to buy presents for everyone in the family.  We decided that she could give out her presents on Christmas Eve so that the presents wouldn't get lost in the shuffle of Christmas day.  This year I took both girls to the Dollar Tree to shop for our family and we again, let them give out their presents on Christmas eve.  We all have to hold in our laughter because the some presents they picked out were pretty funny.  When I took the girls shopping, they were each VERY certain about what they were picking out.  They were so excited to get each person their gift.

We ate our Christmas eve traditional dinner, Mexican, and we read the girls a Christmas book about the meaning of Christmas and then it was time for them to get to bed.

On Christmas morning we all woke up before the girls to make sure everything was ready.  Just as we were about to open a few presents of ours before the girls woke up, we heard them talking in their room.  We went in their room and took a good morning picture...hilarious.

They then ran to see if Santa came.  They checked out the cookies they left out and their stockings. 

 Next, the checked out their presents from Santa, and then we all started opening presents.

We had a fun morning and Bailey kept us entertained with lots of dancing.  We listened to the Jersey Boys CD most of the morning, with a little bit of Christmas music mixed in.

Happy birthday, Ryan

Not to be forgotten in the busyness of December is Ryan's birthday.  The girls and I try make Ryan's birthday special each year and set aside a day to celebrate him.  Unfortunately it doesn't always happen on his exact birthday because like this year, we were in Prattville on the actual day.  He chose to go to Buffalo Wild Wings and then we came home for cake.