Christmas Day

Christmas morning we got up (way to early, Thank you Lola!) and Lola wasn't interested in what Santa brought her. He knew she needed practical items but she so wasn't into practical... We then started opening gifts under the tree. It brings tears to my eyes when I have flash backs of Lola's face when she would sight what was behind the paper. She would just light up! I can only imagine what next year will be like.

She was so excited to open this big gift! I think this was one of her favorite, Magic Doodle!

Ryan surprised me with a new toy! Now if I could find the time to put it into practice!

I got this for Ryan, he loves it! Thank you Target for running a great deal!

While we were opening presents, this was baking in the oven! Yummy!


We then headed out to Ryan's family for Christmas there... We had a long but great day visiting with his family!

Lola got her dog!!!

She also got another shopping cart, this one stayed at their house so she can play with it when she goes over for a visit!

Quick family photo moment!

She was all finished opening gifts! I just can't get enough of this little girl!

We had a great Christmas! We are so blessed with everyone in our lives! I told Ryan today that I haven't even given my gifts much thought(although if you are reading this Mom, I am thankful don't get me wrong) but, all I have thought about is how blessed we are with family, friends and a sweet little girl who lives life to the fullest! She is my motivation in life and has brought me so much closer to God and my daily appreciation for life! I would give every gift back for the opportunity to see how excited she was during this Christmas holiday!

Our Christmas Eve

We started off our Christmas tour on Christmas Eve. We headed to see my Dad! We ate breakfast and then hit the gifts. Their Christmas is a bit different than the average family. Every year the girls always get "girly" things and the guys get their manly items PLUS a "macho" toy (I'm not sure how much "macho" you can add to a nerf gun, marshmallow gun, fly shooter, and this years toy of the year... a ball gun.) I would like to say that my family is mature but once they open the LAST toy their parenting skills, manners, and age gets left behind as the war is on. Balls flying everywhere, men running around hiding behind anything they can find, and the man "jargon" begins (you know how boys talk when they try to act tough...) I have no pictures because you just get out of the way or something is liable to get broke... So needless to say our morning began with a bang (no pun intended!!!)

Yummy

The women essentials

And the mans...

I just love this photo...ruffles and keds!

Lola got gloves...who would have thought she was more excited about these things than presents???

Sweet Gracie loving on Lola!


We then headed to my moms. After a quick trip to Wal-Mart that turned into almost an hour we finally made it to her house a couple hours late. Luckly we didn't miss much but we were a little pushed to get to the candle light service we always attend at my moms church. I have been going for several years and it is something I look forward to every Christmas. It is just signing and reading about the birth of our sweet baby Jesus, but it is just so special to me!

"Come let us adore him"

After the service we all go back to my moms and feed our bellies. We don't do dressing or turkey (we do that at Thanksgiving) we like to eat shrimp, ham and simple finger foods. It is also something I look forward to every year!

Just a few of the sweets!

After dinner we start opening the gifts. I got some neat gifts and so did Lola!

From clothes I didn't even know I was getting to a few pieces of pottery (I knew I was getting) I was blown away with all my goodies! Lola got clothes, a cell phone (because she loves cell phones) toys toys and more toys, and....

a Barbie Bug... Yes I didn't miss type, she got a pink slug bug. Her Uncle J (who spoils her rotten) surprised her with this power wheels car! She is still trying to figure out how to make it go!

We were just blow away with all the great gifts through out the day! Thank you all for everything! We are so blessed to have you all in our lives!

Making our way home LATE LATE LATE, we were cramped in the truck like sardines!!!

Traditions

This past week, we took Lola to see the lights at the capital. She had a blast! When Lola was a baby last year I told Ryan there are traditions I wanted to start and taking her to the capital was one of them. I have wanted a family from well, I think I was born wanting to be a mommy. As a little girl I woke up playing "house" and went to sleep playing "school." In high school I lived to babysit and then in college I kept a few kiddos on a regular basis and in some cases I became part of the family! Children mean so much to me and now that I have my own I am experiencing children in a whole different perspective. With that all being said having Lola has allowed me to do those things mommas do! Like well, I may go a bit over board but who is keeping track ha! BUT doing some of the things I do with little Lola I have waited a LONG time to do! So we will make the capital a "must-do" every year!

She loved this dog, don't ask ha

I do believe we have a beautiful capital, something Arkansas should be proud!

She loved running in the grass

Loving her face

Its a horrible picture but I had to have a family photo!

Ryan and Lola by the fountain that was by the big bell that Lola was scared of. Is anyone else kiddos afraid of the weirdest things?

Branson family vacation

I will start off by saying I have been trying to write about our Branson trip for a week now! ha I have just been tied up with Christmas. We took our annual vacation to Branson and we had a great time! We took Lola to see the lights at Silver Dollar City, let her see the fountains at the Branson Landing and last but not least had breakfast with Santa. It was so neat watching Lola interact with everything this year and the best part was watching her interact with Santa (she wouldn't have touched him with a 10 ft pole.) Bless her heart, she honestly didn't know what to think of that jolly old man... Here are a million pictures of our trip!

Lola is feeding the fish

The cooks at the hotel make gingerbread houses every year, they are so neat

Our hotel

My sweetness

Freezing at Silver Dollar City

We got up and went to Cracker Barrel for breakfast and as we were leaving Lola lots her pants.

Checking out the fish at Bass Pro Shop

She loved the fountains at the Branson Landing

Chowing down on the bread pudding at Texas Land and Cattle Steakhouse

The man let Lola play a beat

Breakfast with Santa

Need I say more...

But Santa did get her some new bath toys

On the big sleigh at our hotel

I just pray giving holds a BIG place in this little girls heart!

I thought this face was priceless!