girl's day

After I dropped my little monkey off at school today, I met my Mom, sister in law, and niece at the nail salon.  

Mom had a gift certificate that was expiring tomorrow so she asked us to join us in a little spa treatment.  We didn't mind since all their services were 30% off!! 

 I was absolutely amazed at how well Olivia did getting her manicure.  She didn't move a muscle the entire time. She was a perfect little angel.  All of the ladies were eating her up.  I'm sure she felt so special getting the royal treatment and lots of attention.  

 Ashley and I just got manicures, but Mom got a pedicure too!  When Olivia was all done she had to go show Lolly her pretty pink nail polish.  

One of my New Year's Resolutions (in 2013) was to quit biting my nails and although I didn't officially complete it 2012, I can officially say that I have quit biting my nails.   They are all finally grown out, so today was a much deserved manicure!! Now if I can just keep them this way!!  

christmas day

I'm so thankful that both of our families live close and we can always have Christmas morning at our own home!!

In true toddler fashion, Pearson walked right past his big Santa gift and went straight for his stocking.  

 Who needs a scooter when you can have 14 cent matchbox cars. 

 Once he was finished opening his stocking we got him to notice his scooter and he loves it.  It's so cute to hear him say "I scoot!"

 Before we opened any presents he helped both of us open our stockings.  

 Pearson loved opening up his three presents.  After he unwrapped each present he would say "Oh wow....wus dat" before he would even open the box.  He loved all of his presents but wasn't even interested in playing with anything because he was ready to help us open our presents.  

 I loved having a littler helper open my presents with me. 

 After all of our presents were opened we headed outside for a bit to test out Pearson's new scooter.  He knew just what to do!!  I think we are going to have  alot of fun with his new scooter. 

 Our normal Christmas morning tradition is to have a big breakfast just the three of us, but this year we just had banana bread and chai tea lattes because we went to my grandma's house for brunch.  I missed having our normal big breakfast but it sure was nice to not have to spend any time in the kitchen this year!!

Oh man y'all, this stupid belly pain that I have been having was like The Grinch that Stole Christmas.  I only have two pictures to show for our afternoon/evening on Christmas.  Normally I don't start hurting until later in the afternoon or evening after being up and about alot, but today the pain started around 9:30am and never really went away.  I was pretty miserable on Christmas day so I didn't really get any good pictures after we left our house.  So sad.  I need to train Matt to take more pictures for me!!

Pearson got a cool remote control car at Oma's house after we had brunch.  

 After brunch we headed home nap time then headed to Matt's sister's house for Christmas with his side of the family.

We had lots of yummy appetizers, played on the girls new XBoxOne, watched the little ones play, ate a delicious dinner,  enjoyed opening gifts together, and of course play some Mexican Train!!  I'm just so sad that I didn't get any pictures of our time together.  Next year I WILL be better!!

christmas at lolly & pops

We started our Christmas Eve at church with my family.  One of my favorite tradition is going to the candlelight service each year.  Pearson enjoyed "singing praises to God" with us.  After each song he would say "I yike dat song!" I love that he is truly learning the real meaning of Christmas.  I hope he always remembers that Christmas is about celebrating the birth of our Savior and not about what Santa brings us or how many presents we get.

For as long as I can remember we have celebrated Christmas with my family on Christmas Eve.  Even when we were kids we would always open presents as a family on Christmas Eve (after we didn't believe in Santa) so we could sleep in on Christmas morning!! 

I just love the little matching outfits that Mom made for the kids this year!  Pearson called it his "tire" shirt instead of his tie shirt. 

Since we had been opening a new book every night for the past 24 nights and then had Christmas at Nonnie's house the night before, Pearson knew just what to do with all the presents at Lolly & Pops house!!

He got some cool gifts from them including some power tools and tool bag.  He was so sweet telling them Thank You!!

Once he was finished opening gifts, he ran off to play with one of his new trucks and trailers while the adults opening gifts.  

Dad is always so hard to surprise for Christmas but Mom and I pulled off a surprise for him and got him an iPad.  It wasn't actually from me, it was from my Mom, but I had to help her pick it out and buy it online!!

My big gift from my parents this year was a Kitchen Aid Mixer.  I can't wait to get in the kitchen with my little helper!!

After presents with my family, my Dad's side of the family came over for dinner and more gifts.  I got really lazy with the picture taking and didn't take a single one because my belly was really starting to hurt from being up and moving so much.  

the eve of christmas eve

On the Eve of Christmas Eve as I like to call it, we celebrated with my Mom's side of the family at Nonnie's house.  We had lots of yummy finger food, chili and an abundance of desserts.  This year my Aunt Phyllis planned lots of fun games for us to play throughout the night.  We had a great time with our family eating, playing games and opening gifts.  

And here's an abundance of  pictures to prove it!!

Pearson has my cousin, Kennedy wrapped around his little finger.  He could get her to do anything for him!

 He loves my cousin Ashton too! He mainly loves all the attention they give him!

 One of the games we played you won a dollar when you guessed the character on your back. 

 Carson showing all the cousins his iPod. 

I love this guy!! 

Getting a family picture with a 2 year old is not that easy!!  This wasn't what I was going for, but I love it!!

 This was the best we could get for the night!

 My uncle Richard and his fiancé Jo.  They got engaged the night before.  We just love her and are so happy for her to be a part of our family. 

 My sweet aunt Phyllis and cousin Walter.  I can't believe how big all of my cousins are getting.  He just got accepted to LSU and will be attending there in the fall. 

 I just love how these two sweet cousins have starting getting along and playing together.  They definitely have their moments when they fight but they really do love each other. 

 Kennedy teaching Pearson the art of selfies.  

 Cole-Man.  

 Nonnie, Lolly and Pearson.  I should have popped into this picture and it would have been four generations. 

Not a good picture at all but I thought it was so funny that both kids have their fingers in their nose.  

 Nonnie gave me a gift certificate to get my house cleaned before Baby Nash arrives!! Best gift ever!!

Carson got a DJ table from Nonnie.  Pearson and Carson were putting on a show for us.   

After Pearson opened all of his presents he had to help everyone else open theirs.  

 Love my Mom & Dad!

Lolly & Pops and all three of their little blessings.   

I can't wait to add Nash to this crazy bunch next year!!

thanksgiving 2013

We switch off which family we spend Thanksgiving with each year.  This year we spend the day with my family.  It was a smaller crowd than normal because my older brother and his family were with his wife's family and one of my uncle's hosted his in laws at their house.  Pearson was the only little one there so he soaked up all the extra attention from my teenage cousins.  

I didn't get a picture of any of our delicious food but trust me, it was all yummy!! We don't set the table all pretty, have our food prepared in a fancy way, or eat on fine china, but my Mom and grandma's cooking totally makes up for it.  It's really the best!!  Plus, I couldn't care less about things being fancy.  The most important part about Thanksgiving to me is spending time with the ones I love.  

After lunch we had a little birthday celebration for my cousin Cole complete with presents, a pinata and ice-cream cake (on top of all the typical Thanksgiving desserts).

While some of the family spent the afternoon in a turkey coma, the rest of us just enjoyed the afternoon hanging out, chatting and watching the Cowboys play football. 

This silly ball provided hours of entertainment for Pearson.  My cousins would bounce him on it and he would roll around and fall.  We kept telling him to "be careful" because he would get really close to hitting his head on the fireplace.  By the end of the evening he would hop on the ball and say "I be careful".  It was so funny!!

We all had a good laugh when my cousin Kennedy played a little prank on my Uncle!!

We had such a fun day with all of my family.  I am so bless to have such a wonderful family.  I am incredibly thankful this year for my THREE boys.  I can't wait to have little Nash in my arms in February!!

Happy Thanksgiving from our family to yours!!