To help me feel better

So we are again sick around here. I'll spare you the details. Just wanted to add a few new pictures to help me feel better. Hopefully we'll be back up and going soon.

Shep is almost 9 months old. Can't believe it. He's my little man.

These are  GG's new shoes she's showing off. I love how Shep is sneaking up in the background.

Sometimes they hold hands in the car.

Sophie once again is on a picture hiatus. I'll get her soon though. 

 

Wordless Wednesday

 

Baby Lily

Finally. Finally, I got to meet sweet little baby Lily. She is 3 months now. I was so happy and she is so precious. She is Keri and Joe's daughter. Keri is my friend from a long time ago and I don't know what I would do without her. She is such a sweet soul. We went Saturday morning and got there in time to eat lunch and spend the evening with them. Sunday was her dedication at church and it was a really sweet thing to witness. You can read more about that here.

 

Look how beautiful she is! I couldn't get enough of her. 

 

All the kids.

 

and the mommies.

i knew it was too quiet...

Home...

After all our travels, we were finally home. This was the first time in many, many years that we were home by ourselves for Christmas. In Memphis, we would always spend Christmas Eve with my mom and Christmas Day we would go to my dad's house for the afternoon. When we moved, Josh's parents would come and spend that time here with us. This year was a first.  I had these big plans to spend Christmas Eve baking with Sophie and doing some crafts with both the girls. In reality, I had to do a little more shopping and Josh and Sophie stayed home and cleaned. I did get home in time to bake one batch of cookies. We went to our Christmas Eve service at church and then drove around and looked at Christmas lights. We came home and had chili and then it was time for bed. Santa was on his way!

Our advent calendar. We let the kids open it each night after dinner and they have a treat inside. 

We got all new stockings this year. I have used the same stocking my entire life (made by my Aunt Doris, as was Sophie's). But this year I needed to get GG and Shep one and I thought it would be cute if they all matched.

We started a new tradition this year with " The Elf on the Shelf". His name is Bernard. He was a lot of fun and GG really liked looking for him every morning. 

Josh always reads this book right before bedtime.

Our tree.

Santa ate his cookies and drank his milk. GG was really excited about this all Christmas morning. She told everyone that called about it.

And, the presents. Sophie is on the left, GG in the middle and Shep on the right.

We really had a good Christmas this year. Spent with all the people we love. And remembering the real reason for this season, the coming of our Savior. I am so thankful for all the blessings He has given me. 

I hope all of your holidays were wonderful.   

Playing catch up...

it's the story of my life right now.

 We had Christmas with my Dad and stepmom two weekends before Christmas. It was nice to be back in Memphis/Somerville for a little while. 

GG helping Shep with his present

Sophie and Hayden

Hattie!

More presents!

Shep and Grandpa Mike bonded over trains.

We had a great time and it was nice to see family I hadn't seen in a really long time ( Aunt Marsha!)

Aunt Doris

The day before we traveled to Memphis, my great Aunt Doris had a stroke and fell into a coma. I was able to spend some time with her and her daughters in the hospital on Saturday. It was such a blessing to be able to be there and have that. She passed away the following week. 

Here she is holding newborn GG in the hospital.

She is already greatly missed.

Kentucky, here we come!

After Doris passed, we thought we might not have our Kentucky Christmas. My grandma decided it would be a good thing to do. Doris would have wanted it that way and we needed to be around each other and be happy. So the weekend before Christmas we packed up and headed to Kentucky.

We had Christmas with my mom at her house Saturday morning. She cooked breakfast and we were all there: my brother Jason, his wife Jennifer and her son Josh and my brother Andy, his wife Megan and their kiddos Hattie and Hayden. 
Breakfast was great and the kids loved their presents from Grama.
This is Hattie and GG playing with Grama's stethoscope.

They thought that was really fun.

After that we were off to Nana's house...

Nana's house

This is our annual Christmas tradition. We all ( my mom, brothers, aunts, uncles, cousins, etc..) meet at my grandparents house the weekend before Christmas. We have done it from the time I was a child and now my children get to enjoy being around their cousins and having fun. I think we have over 40 people there. It's a crazy weekend, but lots of fun.

My cousins, Anna and Rachel, thought it was funny letting Shep attack Maddox.

 Not nice , girls. :)
Anticipating Aunt Gina's " ready, set, GO!"  to begin the opening of presents.
Shep working on his.
Hattie and GG were inseparable. They played so well together. 

Whew... we really packed a lot in over two weekends. But it was worth it. Family is important and it was so nice to see everyone and visit.