Songbirds

Zoe has been practicing at church to sing with the Songbirds, which is the children's choir at church.  They put on a little Christmas program during the morning service and it was precious.  I loved it and our girl sang her heart out!  She was the most beautiful one singing on that stage - do you think I'm biased?!?

Hermie

We have a new elf this year named Hermie and he has been getting into mischief!  

Check it out:

Brenner & Griffey's Joint Birthday Party

The Sanfords always have a joint birthday party for their boys since their birthdays are so close together.  Honestly, I can't say that I blame them either.  It just makes sense and it's easier, too.  Anyway, they invited us and, of course, we always jump at the chance to spend time with them.  Zoe had an absolute ball!  Thanks for thinking of us Sanfords!

Too Cute for School

How did my Zoe girl get to be this big?!?

First Starbucks.....

I think she's addicted now.....

Happy 4th Birthday Brenner!

I can't believe this little cutie is actually four years old!  Wow!  The Sanfords invited us down for chili and to hang out, which we love doing so we totally took them up on it!  Check out the birthday boy.....

Thanksgiving 2012

“We tend to forget that happiness doesn't come as a result of getting something we don't have, but rather of recognizing and appreciating what we do have."

~ Frederick Koeing

I am beyond thankful this year for my husband and daughter and for the life we've built here in Mt. Juliet.  And I'm beyond thankful that when we think of our family, we consider some of our closest friends our family for we've learned that family doesn't have to be defined by blood.  

"Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life.  It turns what we have into enough, and more.  It turns denial into acceptance, chaos into order, confusion into clarity....Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today and creates a vision for tomorrow."

~Melodie Beattie

Mark was off the entire week of Thanksgiving and I was actually off on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.  Tuesday was Zoe's last day of school for the break so I had to make sure she looked super cute.  I think you'll agree that she did.....

On Wednesday, Mark and I had our yearly physicals with Dr. Shaw and then Zoe had her six month checkup with her allergist, Dr. Sanders.  I'm so very thankful to say that all appointments came out great!  We had told Zoe that we would stop by Bass Pro to let her see Santa and try to beat the rush - and it would've worked - if Santa came on duty before 3:00 p.m. during the week!  Sheesh!  I did get some cute pics of my girl at Bass Pro......

And, Daddy, I know you want one of these and that seeing Zoe on them makes you want to purchase one; however, the answer is an emphatic "NO!"

We went home and put up the Christmas tree, which was eventful.  Let's just say that some certain person...ahem...Daddy....decided to fall through the spare bathroom ceiling like Clark Griswold.  Thankfully, he was fine, but we did have to pay for a ceiling repair.  Let's just say that he won't be living that one day anytime soon!

And to add insult to injury, the tree wouldn't light completely so we had to go and buy a new one.  Mark's truck looked like Sanford & Son - I was so proud!

Here's our girl putting the first ornament on the tree.....

Now with the fully decorated tree.....

I cooked a rather large meal and I would like to say that Martha Stewart ain't got nothin' on me.....

And Thanksgiving just wouldn't be the same without my Black Friday shopping spree with my bestie, Shelley.  We actually made it a 14 hour shopping spree and it was beyond fun!  I think it wore me out because I slept 12 hours that night and then 12 hours the next night.  However, it's my favorite thing to do and I can't wait to do it again next year!

I'm not sure what Shelley and I will do next year because we've always gone to see each movie for the Twilight saga on the Sunday of Thanksgiving weekend.  We carried on that tradition and saw Breaking Dawn - Part 2 and it was, by far, the best one.  I don't know what we'll do without it......

I guess it's time to start a new tradition - right Shelley?

Happy, Happy 40th Shelley

My bestie Shelley has turned 40 and I can't believe it!  How on earth did this happen?!?  I tell you that life just passes you by, but I can also tell you that she doesn't look it and she definitely doesn't act it!  God knew what he was doing when he put us together in our Sunday School class years ago!  Anyway, Katie and I took Shelley to eat at Jonathan's and we had a wonderful time!  

The Spelling Award

For the first nine weeks our girl was given the spelling award for her class!  Way to go Zoe girl!  We are so proud of you and love you!

Fall Carnival - Family Fun Night

The Fall Carnival was scaled way down this year and I have to say that it was much more enjoyable.  The PTO put all of their focus on the Bash & Dash and, with the money raised, didn't have to do another fundraiser.  I forgot to take my camera, but managed to snap a few pics with my cell phone.  They had karaoke in the gym and Zoe actually got up and sang this song with her buddy Maddie..... This is the UK boy band One Direction and to say that Zoe is a little crazy about them would be an understatement. Ha!

Happy Halloween

We changed things up a bit this year and actually stayed in our own neighborhood to trick or treat!  We really missed the Riggs, but we've gotten to know so many in our own subdivision that it makes it hard to leave it, especially when Halloween falls on a school night.  So, we made our way up to The Sanford's house where we ate and had a last taking the kids out.  Zoe was Super Girl and she looked so stinking cute!

Sydney's Party

Sydney, a little girl in Zoe's class, had a birthday part at The Sparkling Tiara and, of course, Zoe was all about going to it.  I can't say that I blame her because that place ROCKS and is a little girl's dream come true.  Zoe had such a good time and looked BEAUTIFUL all dressed up.....

Happy Halloween - Spirit Week

In the week leading up to Halloween, Zoe's school has spirit week and the kids get to dress up on different days.  One day was wacky tacky/wild hair day, another day was decades day, etc.  You get the idea.  Check out my girl in all her glory during spirit week:

Zoe's First Cavity

How on earth was all I could ask myself!  Mark and I religiously brushed Zoe's teeth, but you have to (at some point) let your children take the reigns and learn to take care of their own teeth.  Obviously, our child wasn't brushing and/or flossing good enough!  She still has lots of baby teeth, but those have to last until the permanent teeth come in.  I guess if she's going to have a cavity, I would prefer that she have one in her baby teeth while we're still in the "practice rounds" so to speak.  This was Zoe after getting her first filling - swollen cheek and all!