Thanksgiving 2013

Thanksgiving holiday was the week after Wells' birth so we kept it super low key. Mimi (Jordan's mom) had visited us once we came home from the hospital and brought homemade food for us to eat. My mom sent food with my brother Jeff, and we ordered a turkey breast from Honey Baked Ham.

 

It was just us plus my brother Jeff for the holiday. It was a nice, chill holiday. We needed that. Especially looking back now as our world was about to hit another bump.

 

I am not even sure if I left my pjs that day. Now that, my friends, is awesome :o)

 

We closed the day with a movie and snacks. Perfecto.

 

 

July 4 Weekend

My mom, the kids and I drove to Hartselle, AL Saturday morning. We visited first and second cousins, aunts and uncles. The kids cousin was there too, and I loved watching them interact. I keep thinking how special these pictures will be to them when they're older. 

My aunt and uncle went down Friday morning and set up shop on the land in their camper. My dad (Paw Paw) came down Saturday night. :-) 

The rain caused us to postpone our trip a day because several roads were flooded and detours hadn't been marked. 

My first cousin and her husband built a gorgeous home on 7 acres of land. Only about 2 acres are cleared, and the house, barn, chicken house and yard area were a perfect getaway for us. 

All three kids loved the chickens. Mac was into the chickens themselves, and LS was into the egg laying. 

My cousin- DeLaura- and her husband built most everything themselves. She even designed the house plans from scratch, and it's pretty amazing. 

This barn swing was quite a hit. 

Richard and DeLaura's road is on a flood zone so the bottom of their road floods with springs that drain into the Tennessee River. We walked down the road, and muddy bottoms were inevitable. Everyone had a good laugh when the kids refused to walk around the puddles- they walked straight thru them. 

Wesleigh got the award for the best print on her tush ;-)

Now for the road spring...

Mac rode the 4 wheeler, Lilly fished in their pond and Paisley was free to roam and discover. 

After this morning's play and muddy britches removed, the cousins enjoyed the front porch swing. 

Busy and memorable holiday, and we are so glad to be home! We missed Jordan, but we are excited to all visit the family again soon! 

as always,

ashley 

NYE 2012

Carsen saved the day! She stayed in town a few extra days and until the new year. She let us go out for dinner for NYE, and we so appreciated the adult time! 

Before the dinner, Jordan decided that 'no shave shutdown' at the plant was over. He shaved in stages, and here's the grossest one. I had to get a picture of he and Mac with 'scruff' on their faces.

 Our last family picture in 2012.

 Date night!!

 To thank Carsen, I took her to see Les Miserables at the theater. I think she enjoyed it, and I cried three times. It was so good!

as always,
ashley

Christmas 2012

My word. It's February, and I'm just now sharing our Christmas. I have GOT to do better with this... Honestly, I don't want to resent the blog and sharing, so I take a break when needed. I enjoy it, I do, but there's times when I have 3957392 other things to do, and blogging doesn't happen. I guess that's been my past few months, huh?

This is the picture we used on the front of our Christmas card:

For the first time in several months I had three kids at home. It was certainly an adjustment at first, but we got into our routine and enjoyed the time together. Lilly Scott's imagination ran wild, and I was able to get a picture of her creativity. Here's our picture story:

 Southern Stamp represents with the Christmas shirt

 Snack time!

 

 Onward...
 We celebrated Christmas with the Allens a couple weekends early. We all stayed at Mimi and GeeP's and had the regular: board games, hot drinks and party mix. Yum. That's- of course- after a delicious Christmas traditional meal of steak, savory side dishes and Mimi's homemade rolls. Calories, anyone?;-)

 Paisley and Paxton

 Uncle Kyle and Jordan help open gifts

 

The cousins decorated a gingerbread house

 

Mac and Paisley went to bed before we opened the gifts so we opened theirs the next morning. 

 Lilly's classroom Christmas party

 Lilly Scott and her one of her favorites, Taylor

 A few of our random pictures. When there's too much fuss, we get out the camera and get silly.

 LS put M and P in the laundry basket and pulled them around the house. They loved it.

 

We didn't have a high chair suited for the new baby, so LS invented one. Hysterical. 

Can Paisley wear these forever? ;o)

The weekend of Christmas we traveled to Knoxville and Oak Ridge to celebrate with the McKinneys.

After cookie decorating

 Granmom and Paw Paw bid us farewell. (LS was already in the car ready to watch a movie.)

 Christmas EVE!

 Our Elves working hard!

 The monstrosity of Christmas.

 LS is SUCH a fun age on Christmas morning!

 Dad's turn...

 Cole Haan shoes!

 Our Christmas traditions... breakfast muffins and monkey bread :o)

 After clean up... relax. Notice the socks... They were put on as a joke, but he wore them all day.

 My loves.

 The next weekend Carsen and Bailey came to visit and brought the kiddos more gifts. I had to show y'all this hair Paisley wakes up with...

as always,
ashley