Christmas Outakes

 We decorate the Christmas tree and like usual, Gabby was in the thick of things! She was a HUGE help putting the ornaments on the tree. Unfortunately, we had to start the ornaments about 3 feet off the ground so she wouldn't be able to reach!

A few nights later we tried to take a picture for our Christmas card. What a nightmare that was. Trying to get a 14 mo. old to sit still and look at the camera at the same time is like asking for the Pope to visit our home! Here are a few of our many outtakes! Enjoy!

Thanksgiving

This year Thanksgiving was a lot of fun. We hosted Thanksgiving at our house because (1) I had never used my china. And (2) we have never had a meal in our dining room, so I figured it was time to finally do both of those things! Thankfully our Thanksgivings are small affairs, with my parents, brother, Brian, Gabby and me. It was my second time to prepare a turkey, and really, I have found that as long as you are watching the clock, the turkey is the easy part. It is much more difficult to work on having the sides ready at a time close to the turkey.

I think my favorite part of Thanksgiving are the traditions. Ours aren't anything fancy, but my brother and I always watch the parade and football (of course!) and we eat from breakfast through the turkey dinner. And honestly, we could probably do without the turkey dinner because breakfast and snacks are plenty!

This year, just like every year, we have a lot to be thankful for.
1. Everyone is healthy and happy.

2. Gabby is thriving and becoming more crazy than ever!

3. Brian is a loving husband and father.

4. We have very supportive families.

5. Our warm home.

6. We are employed.

7. Wonderful friends.

8. Even though he hasn't been as included as he used to be, Sam is the most loyal friend a family could ask for.

9. Our freedom and safety.

10. The day after Thanksgiving bargains that you can get just as easily at 10:00am as you can at 4:00am.

Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving!

1st Birthday Party

What a day it was! Gabby's birthday turned into a weekend long celebration! She is one very loved little girl by friends and family. We were fortunate to have Uncle Steve, Aunt Tracy, Grandma Mary, my Aunt Carol, and my Grandma Charlotte fly in for the party. The party was a lot of planning and a huge success with lots of friends to help celebrate.

The best part of the day was the cake. Oh boy did Gabby love it! Some little ones gracefully eat the cake; not Gabby. She dug her hands in and shoved it in her mouth! She was quite drunk off of sugar when she was finished!

We had a house full of people and we set up cornhole and other games outside to play. The weather couldn't have been better! Also, Brian's newest project, the kegerator, was up and running in time. Needless to say, that is where we found all the dads hanging out!!! Thanks to everyone who came and helped make it a very special day!

1 year pics

Here are a few of Gabby's one year pictures. She was a little under the weather and uncooperative, but you would never know it from the pictures! They were taken by the lovely and talented Sara Rose of Sara Rose Photography!