Mr. Declan Jones

Tuesday afternoon, I got to meet this handsome little man: 

 Declan John Jones - isn't he a cutie?  

I was hoping Rhys and Natasha would be able to come visit at Christmas (they live in Australia) and they finally invested in a couple plane tickets so Declan could spend his first Christmas with his (American) friends and family.  I was so excited when I found out Natasha was expecting earlier this year and have been counting down the days until they came.  It's amazing how much can change in a year.  Last year, they left Tallahassee as a family of two and now they have returned as a family of three!

Declan is the sweetest baby and he gave me lots of smiles and coos during my visit.  He and I had a talk and we both agreed that I was his favorite "aunt". :)  Although he is only two months old, he already weighs over 14 pounds.  Mailin has already nicknamed him Double Dec - which seems appropriate.  

Can't wait to see you soon Declan! 

Christmas 2011

It was a hot Christmas (a warm 83 degrees) but it was still a wonderful weekend.  Christmas Eve (Saturday) we had our traditional Christmas breakfast at my parents, spent most of the day at the Evers' with Uncle Evan, Aunt Melanie, Erin and Ryan (who came from Texas) and later that evening we went over to Uncle Jordan and Aunt Katie's house for dinner.

Christmas day (Sunday), Kate opened her gifts from Santa at our house and then we rushed off to church.  After church, we had lunch at my parents, opened gifts and spent the rest of the day at the Evers' house.  

 Kate's gifts from Santa and a couple of her friends and family.

 This was mommy and daddy's gift from Kate - a picture of baby Jesus.  Look closely at the manger and you will see her footprint.  I love it!

 Santa dropped off a couple of gifts for mommy and daddy too!  Thank you Santa and thank you Kayla for our beautiful photo book (pictures from Uncle Jordan and Katie's wedding). 

 Erin, Kate and Ryan

 Gaga (Justin's grandmother) and Aunt Linda came up late Sunday afternoon.  Kate adores Gaga and talks about her all the time.  She thinks Audrey's great-grandmother (who attends church with us and resembles Gaga) is Gaga and every time she sees Mrs. Reavis, she waves and says "Hi Gaga, Hi Gaga".  

 Kate with Nanny (my grandmother) and Gaga.  Not many little girls get to spend Christmas with two great-grandmothers (Nene, her other great-grandmother, was not able to come up but hopefully we can visit soon).  Kate is so blessed!

Aunt Melanie, Kate and Erin. Aunt Melanie and Erin are so creative and come up with the best gift ideas.  For Christmas, they gave Kate a vintage suitcase full of dress up costumes - what a perfect gift!

Hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas too!  Merry Christmas!

Pajama Day at School

Monday was pajama day at Kate's school. The school had been collecting pajamas the week before for needy children in our area and on the last day (Monday), the kids were allowed to wear their pajamas to school. I was lucky to find these adorable pajamas at Kohl's (one of my favorite stores) and knew they would be perfect for her to wear to school.  The shirt says "I'm Snow Cute" and I couldn't agree more!

Getting ready for school - Mommy wishes she could wear her pajamas to work! 

The school posted this picture on their Facebook page - Kate can hardly contain her excitement. :)

Church Christmas Party 2011

Tonight was the church Christmas party - good food, fun with friends and family, and a visit from Santa!  Kate was so excited to see her friends tonight and I managed to get a couple good pictures while the kids were waiting for Santa Claus. 

Peyton joined in the fun and then Maddox.  We were hanging out in the room where Santa was going to be so we would be ready for his arrival.

Kate is still not a fan of Santa this year.  I was hoping we wouldn't have another crying Santa picture, but I'm kind of glad we didn't wait in the long line at the mall for this reaction.  Kate started crying while waiting in line despite Audrey trying to cheer her up.  Maybe next year she won't be scared. 

Christmas is one week from today!  Where has this year gone?

Christmas Program at GSA

Thursday, Justin and I went to Kate's school for her Christmas program. Sometimes we wonder why we go at this age because as soon as she saw us in the audience, she ran over to us and refused to sit with her class. I tried to sit up there with her, but she was not convinced. Her class sang a couple Christmas songs, heard the story of Jesus' birth, and then the parents joined the kids in their classroom for cupcakes.  

This picture sums up everything - it was Kate's first day back that week after being sick and she was not in a celebrating mood.

The Christmas place mat Kate made for Mommy and Daddy.

This morning, a group of kids from Faith Lane went to Broadview Assisted Living to sing Christmas carols during class and several in our bible class decided to go with them.  Kate was bashful at first but quickly warmed up and walked around waving to the residents.  I had to take a couple pictures of Kate in her new Christmas dress, which Aunt Katie surprised me with this week.  She bought the dress at Jingle Jubilee and added Kate's monogram to it.  I love it (especially the unique color combination)and hopefully she can wear it another Christmas or two.

I hope this week goes by fast.  I have been counting down the days until my Christmas vacation - which starts Thursday night!  The Governor gave all state workers an unexpected day off this Friday so it's already off to a good start.  I can't wait to see our extended family and enjoy some time with Kate!

Aunt Katie's Baptism

Monday night Aunt Katie was baptized!  Jordan called us and invited us to meet them at the church building along with my parents, Nanny, Lamar, Katie's parents and sister and a couple other friends from Timberlane.  We are so excited for her and the decision she has made to put on Christ!

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.  1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

First Bad Report

Wednesday Kate had a "first" that I did not expect to happen at the tender age of 2.  She has always had good reports since starting at Good Samaritan and over the past couple weeks her teachers have bragged on her about how sweet she is. I picked Kate up from school Wednesday because I was home sick that day (usually one of her grandparents picks her up for us).  I walked in the classroom and saw my little angel sitting quietly, coloring a picture.  Ms. Sam pulled me aside and said Kate had been very grumpy all day and kept telling her "no" so many times that she finally sent Kate to the office.  Oh my goodness.  I was embarrassed and shocked.  My sweet little girl was so defiant she had to be sent to the office? 

When we got in the car here was the conversation:

Me: "Kate, were you not nice to Ms. Sam today?"

Kate: (sigh) "Yes"

Me: "Did you have to go to the office"

Kate: (sigh) "Yes"

Me: "That makes mommy sad"

Kate: "Oh no, poor mommy, mommy sad"

As much as I wanted to take away a favorite toy or her TV privileges, I know she wouldn't be able to make the connection at this age as to why.  Thankfully we haven't gotten a similar report since then so I'm hoping  that was the first and last time that will happen!

A New Christmas Tradition

Last night we ventured out for a night on the town with my parents and Uncle Jordan and Aunt Katie.  Justin went out of town to duck hunt so us girls didn't want to stay at home by ourselves.  We met the family at Sonny's for a quick dinner and then we headed to Dorothy B Oven park to see their Christmas light display and listen to the Christmas songs.  Although you can choose to stay in your car and drive through (a very short distance), we decided to walk so we could get the full experience.  Kate loved running all around the park and managed to stop for a couple minutes so I could get some pictures.

I hope this is something we do year after year because Kate LOVED it (along with the rest of us)!