Monday, January 6, 2014

Christmas with Amma and Granddad

What a difference one year makes!  Charley is a present...opening...machine!  We had the best time opening presents this year with Amma and Granddad.  Charley helped everyone and was such a little cutie.  I think we had one of our best Christmas celebrations yet.  Craig is always bummed when Amma and Granddad's Christmas is over, because he says its his favorite part...and I have to agree!


Amma’s stocking are AMAZING!!!!  She always out does herself, and this year was no exception.  She had to use extra gift bags for each of us, and she decided she needs to get bigger stockings for next year.  I don’t think there is anyway I can remember everything that we all got, but Charley’s stocking had puzzles, stickers, lip gloss, big girl panties, a night light, Princess Pez candy and necklaces.  




Uncle Justin’s stocking was full of his favorite things...but my favorite thing he got was the return of the Stormy Kromer hat.  When Amma and I saw it in the store, it was a must-have.  The winter when Craig and I got married was when Justin got his first Stormy Kromer.  He LOVED that silly looking hat, so much so that it was worn at our rehearsal dinner...notice the picture below! 



December 2007...Craig, Jess and Justin’s Stormy Kromer
Charley helped her Daddy open his stocking...she giggled the whole time.  Before he opened it she got so tickled telling him what was inside...notice “look it’s a new coffee cup!”  



Uncle Justin did most of his own shopping this year, and Amma loved her new perfume and Charley really loved her princess drawing/coloring book that he picked out!  And you could say that I was pretty pleased by my bubble umbrella!  






Don’t get me wrong, I loved to rip into a present, but my hands-down favorite thing is to buy a gift for someone.  I think I get this from Amma, because she is and always has been so good at it, but there is just something special in being thoughtful and buying the perfect present for someone.  Uncle Justin was surprised with his “adult” present of a Keurig, and Amma was thrilled with her Tory Burch wallet. Granddad Mike was also super excited about his new creeper...aka garage tool that helps you work underneath your car...aka stage for Minnie Mouse toy!







Some of my favorite highlights include Charley getting excited about Mommy’s bra, Amma smooching Granddad for her new coat, Craig’s excitement level for all of his gifts, and Charley getting her very first Bitty Baby Doll...meet Little Baby Charley.









We finished our night with some family photos, pizza and a puzzle...quality family time at its finest!






(Disclaimer for Charley: Mommy is trying something “out-there” with looks for my “30 before 30"...hence the experiment with red lipstick.  It’s a staple for the 2013 Christmas season...don’t worry, I won’t and don’t wear it every day!)

Saturday, January 4, 2014

Christmas with Friends

During the weeks leading up to Christmas, we made sure to spend time with some of our special friends.  We started off the holiday fun with Ray-Ray, Baby Harper, Tuck and Baby Finley.  Cooperation was minimal from the girls, which may just be the beginning for us Momma’s.  Rachel painted the girls adorable stools to match all of their rooms, which Charley loves and uses to get in and out of her big girl bed.  Courtney got the girls ColorWonder books, which is sure to keep Charley busy since she loves to color any and everything....luckily, ColorWonder only colors on special paper.  Charley and I gave the girls matching Giggle Moon outfits for the summer...after our fail of getting the girls in a picture in last year’s matching swimsuits, I am thinking of picking a picture date now!  Who knew it would be so difficult to plan a play date with three mommas and three babies???




On another night, the Artley’s came over so Charley and Sam could give each other their Christmas presents and play.  Charley got Sam a cool pirate treasure box, and he gave her an Ariel doll and crown.  Both kiddos really loved their presents and getting to spend time together.  Craig and Josh gave us an extra special present by allowing Rachel, Amma and I time to go see the second Hunger Game’s movie...which was amaze!





Once we got to Kentucky, we went by Keyton’s house to let the girl’s open their gifts.  Again, not very cooperative....Keyton had just woken up from a nap, and Charley kept asking what else she could open.  I didn’t get a picture, but Charley gave Keyton fancy Sophia jammies, and Keyton gave Charley her very first nativity scene (Michelle couldn’t believe that I hadn’t bought her one already) and a Sophia book.  

Our last friend’s celebration included a stop by Haley and Logan’s house.  After taking their future wedding slideshow picture, the kiddos exchanged gifts. :)  Logan loved his new Under Armour shirt, and Charley can’t stop playing with her light-up Princess crown and wand.




Saturday, December 21, 2013

Seeing Santa

Craig dressed Charley up in one of her Christmas outfits and brought her to the Mill where we were having our Holiday Expo for Priss and Grits.  She was a little skeptical of Santa, so Momma and Daddy went with her.  However, she was clear in letting him know what she wanted this year (please imagine these words being said in the most adorable, matter-of-fact voice), “a baby doll, a princess Barbie and a castle!”







2 Years 9 Months Old

Busy, Busy, Busy is the only way to describe these past few months.  Here are some iPhone pics from the last three months.

Helping Momma make Banana Pudding
Swimming in the bath
Seeing the new kangaroo exhibit at the zoo
Amma sent me this picture...Granddad Mike braided and fixed her hair!
Helping make dinner!
Yep...she fell asleep applying lipstick!
Snow White helping Momma put up the Christmas tree.
Our Christmas tree has never looked better thanks to such good help!