Beautiful Bridesmaids

Mandi, Tiffany, and I went to David's Bridal on Saturday morning to look at bridesmaids dresses. Even though Tiffany is 6 months pregnant and Mandi has a newborn, we managed to make some time to go together. The girls tried on several different dress styles, while the little girls, Taylor and Abby, amused themselves by trying on veils and tiaras.







After we chose the bridesmaid dress, we switched to flower girl dresses. The little girls LOVED that, and gladly swirled and twirled in front of the mirrors, trying on the fluffy dresses. I loved them all, but managed to pick one out. (The one Abby's wearing in the first picture) Wedding fun at it's finest!

Stir-Crazy Silliness!

Here are some random and silly shots from this winter so far. It was absolutely FREEZING here for about a week, and we were housebound for some of that time, so we had to come up with ways to amuse ourselves. :)

Snow Day!

We got a little snow and a LOT of ice at our house on January 8. School was canceled for Grace and I both, so we bundled up and headed outside to check out the white stuff. She kept insisting she wasn't cold, but we did not stay out long. She enjoyed writing names in the snow on our driveway, but didn't want to pick any of the snow up. She can be so prissy sometimes!

Holidays in Houston

Our family visited Houston the week after Christmas. It was so good to see all of DJ's family and spend time with everyone! We exchanged gifts with DJ's mom and siblings the first full day we were in town, and Gammie had gotten Grace a new kitchen and pots and pan set, complete with a chef outfit! It took Deej quite a while to put it all together, but the chicken tacos Grace made once the kitchen was ready were worth the wait!




This is DJ's younger brother, Kirby, and his fiancee, Christine, with Gracie. Grace is one of the flower girls in their June wedding this summer.



Katie, DJ's youngest sister, and Grace.



Almost done now!



DJ's dad, Darrell, made homemade milkshakes for Grace several nights while we were in Houston. One night, he bravely let her help. She asked Granddaddy about a million questions, but loved being able to get up on that stool and help like a big girl!







New Year's Eve was spent at Gammie's (Stacey, DJ's mom) house. We enjoyed dinner and then Deej wowed everyone with his pyrotechnic display. Grace, my little daredevil, enjoyed the action and was right in the middle of it! Happy 2010!

Katie, her boyfriend, Matt, and Gracie










On New Year's day, we went to a barbecue with DJ's dad's side of the family. We exchanged gifts with them all and enjoyed an afternoon of watching the kids play.

DJ and Cooper, our nephew


Grace and Ellie, our niece and one of our flower girls, opening presents


Gigi, also known as Gina, opening her gift from Grace, while the girls try to entice her to play with them instead!


DJ and Whitney, his other younger sister...Grace is a flower girl in Whit's wedding in March!





Gigi took the girls to see Alvin and the Chipmunks, the Squeakquel, while we were there. They both loved it and did so well at the theater!

The Princess and the Frog

Grace went to the movies for the first time over Christmas break. DJ and I took her to see the latest Disney Princess movie, The Princess and the Frog. She loved the whole movie experience, even though she was antsy during some of the movie, and wiggled up and down the aisle. Thankfully, we were sitting in the front and had the row to ourselves. DJ and I really enjoy movies, so here's hoping that this movie experience was the first of many more for our family!

Christmas Blessings

I have so many things to be thankful for this Christmas. My life has been so blessed this year. Getting engaged to a wonderful, Christian man, enjoying the opportunity to get closer to his family, watching my sweet angel grow and thrive, landing a dream teaching job, being a part of my family and friends' lives, including new births and engagements...God is so good!

This year, we spent Christmas Eve with my parents. We had Christmas dinner early, then enjoyed a candlelit Christmas service at our church. We took communion, and it was Grace's first time seeing it done. She was upset that she couldn't have any juice and "crackers" of her own! She really enjoyed the music and we enjoyed our time together as a family. After the service, we went back to my parent's house to exchange gifts and celebrate Christmas together!












Next, we came home to get ready for Santa. We had baked Christmas cupcakes earlier, and left some out for him, along with some milk.



The next morning, we woke up to see what Santa had left for us. Grace must have been very good this year, because Santa left her so many new toys, including a princess bike! I love the picture of her peeking around the stairs that morning!










This is our gingerbread house. DJ and Grace made it, and I have to say that it is quite possibly the ugliest gingerbread house in the history of the world. And I say that with all the love in my heart...




Grace loved riding her new bike, but we definitely need some practice! DJ tried giving her some tips, but I have a feeling we will be working on it a lot more this spring.






Merry Christmas, everyone!