It's Official ~

She's found 'em....

and there's no turning back.
No bootie or sock will stay on without becoming a chew toy!

A few of my favorites....Christmas 2009

We had a great Christmas celebrating the birth of our Savior. Interestingly enough, Stirling was more infatuated with the fact that Santa ate the cookies and drank his milk than the 3 gifts he brought her. She surpassed her gifts to check out the situation by the fireplace. It was pretty classic and we're so glad we have it on tape. That just proved the gifts really weren't that important.

Unfortunately our elf, Jelly Bean, has made his way back to the North Pole until next year. Stirling is very disturbed he can no longer be found in a different place each morning. While opening gifts yesterday she said in her most sweet, sincere voice, "Oh, Thank You Jelly Bean!" It was so cute.

While we did try to instill the true meaning of Christmas by having a birthday cake for Jesus and talking about getting gifts because of Jesus, it really is hard for a 2-year-old to truly grasp the whole concept. I mean the whole world is celebrating His birthday! However talking about it so much really did help Brad and I sit back and enjoy the hustle and bustle of the season even more than in previous years. It really is so fun to watch the magic of Christmas through our child{ren's} eyes. Here are a few snapshots into how our Christmas Day was spent....

Still singing Jingle Bells!

the definition of sweetness...

the definition of sassyness {is that a word!?}

Check out my new trick!

Talking, talking, talking....while multitasking!

Still being as sweet as ever

Digging her new rain boots

We spent Christmas Eve with the cousins and they had a blast...

Read about it here....

Loving Aunt Molly!

Happy, Merry from our house to yours!

Jingle all the way....

We had some carolers show up tonight and it got Stirling fired up to start singing Christmas songs. SO, she sang Jingle Bells about 465 times and I probably recorded {or attempted to record} about 460 of those outtakes. So - here are a few cute ones. If anyone has any tips on how to get your 2-year-old to not want to stop to watch her "movie" while recording, please share. Merry Merry to all! {Put pause on the music to the left.}

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Please Pray.....

For my nephew Nathan .....I love him like he is my own. He is the sweetest boy in the world!

Baby it's COLD outside....

We went to Callaway Gardens with the Fosters to see the
Fantasy in Lights and Baby was it cold outside!

Merry Sippin'

This past week we our BUNKO group of 4 years {so can't believe it will be 5 years come Jan!} celebrated the season with dinner and a night at Sips 'N Strokes. We had such a good time {we missed you Debbie and Joanna!} Brooke took lots of great pics and even captured what the finished products look like -- I must say they turned out mighty fabulous so she will be posting those on her blog shortly!

Just for Fun...

I came across this picture of me when I was little. I'm not sure exactly what age I am, my guess is close to three. Anyhow, it's fun to compare how Stirling looks today in comparison to how I looked back then. Let's face it - this is my child -- I know and hear that everywhere I go. Maybe Bradley will continue to morph into her namesake Daddy!? Only time will tell....

Class Program

This was pretty much the ONLY smile I got when Stirling was on stage singing for her class program...Note it was when it was over.
I was so looking forward to her singing b/c she has been practicing at home each night.

However, this is how she looked for the ENTIRE program. Let me tell you she is just now cutting her 2-year-old molars and so I guess that had something to do with it - and besides the fact that shes TWO! And yes, this is how she has been for the past week. Hands in her mouth NON-STOP during this horrible flu/RSV season! Sigh....

These sweet shoes are some of Stirling's faves -
They are vintage for sure....they were Aunt Molly's when she was little

Other than hands in her mouth -- she did lots of this..

Not even stopping for a photo opp with Mommy

And more....

Until she was done....or at least we thought...

Because she was eyeing her food during this picture and had a fit to sit back down. She was the last one eating -- my girl loves her some sweets. She is her Mommy and Daddy's daughter for sure!

My Gifts....

James 1:17

p.s. Stirling fell out of the chair they are sitting in on WEDNESDAY and landed on the hardwoods face first-- She has had the same band-aid on since then and REFUSES to take it off. It's been through baths, naps and night time sleep. The funniest part of it is there isn't anything under it and never has been....The goose egg was to the right of it!

5 Years & looking forward to 55 more

It's hard to believe we've been married for 5 years. A lot has changed in the past years - 2 kids, new homes and lots of memories. They have been by far the best 5 years of my life. Brad is not only my husband, he is my bestest friend, leader of our house and the best daddy to our girls. God has blessed me beyond belief bringing us together. *Side note - These pics were taken in Jan. 2009 in Maui -- I was 3 months pregnant with Bradley. Cheers to 55 more happy years! {And no, there was no alcohol in my tottie!}