Wheels are wheels

Here is a fun video for you. Nothing exciting (well as excited as an exploding dish anyway) has happened lately. Just everyday fun cuteness with Annagrace. I've gotten on a scrapbooking kick again, it comes in waves for me. So, my attention has been turned to it instead of the blog lately. I haven't even taken many photos lately, does that tell you how distracted I am???? I still haven't finished her first year and I really want to get it done before her second birthday.

Tyler is still working away on the room remodel. We are almost at the sheet rock stage which is exciting. It feels closer to being done when you actually have walls. It's all the prep stuff that has to happen first that takes forever but doesn't make a drastic impact when you see it daily. Stuff like electrical lines, cable lines, insulation, etc. I'm ready for real walls and floors. I want to paint and decorate - that's my department!

I had a little hairbow mojo this week. A new store would like to carry my bows on a permanent basis - FUN FUN!! I haven't made any in a while. I haven't had any orders but it looks like things may be picking up again. We'll see.

I'm also excited that I get to do a newborn photo shoot tomorrow. I'm looking forward to capturing all of the cuteness that is Baby Will. (I think Annagrace thinks that's his name, it's not just Will, it's "BabyWill")

I guess that's all for now. I'll post Super Bowl party pics tomorrow. And maybe a tidbit of BabyWill.

Well, even my mom . . .

pointed out today that I haven't blogged in a while. And really, there have been several fun and crazy things happening . . . the truth is I hate to blog without pictures. I won't name any names but a certain MALE at my house decided to install a different version of Windows on my laptop and in the process my pictures were moved from here, to there, and around the world before they ended up back safe and sound on my trusty laptop. So . . . enough with the excuses . . . something really exciting happened a couple of weeks ago . . .
While taking down our Christmas decorations I kept smelling something burning. Tyler didn't smell it and kept right on working. I investigated (sniffed like a hound dog with my heightened sense of smell that I acquired during pregnancy, 2 years ago!) where it was coming from with no luck. Then finally I decided to check the kitchen . . . on the stove top was my 8x8 Pyrex dish of cookies - STEAMING. The plastic lid on top was melting and dripping onto the stove. I quickly turned off the eye and debated moving the dish. Tyler ran in and we decided that it should be moved off of the hot eye. I grabbed a metal trivet and tried to scoot the pan over to a cooler eye when it EXPLODED!! Glass and melted cookie goo went EVERYWHERE. After the initial shock, I stepped back, onto glass, and realized that I wasn't hurt anywhere else. Annagrace came in to see what the commotion was about so Tyler scooped her up and out of the room while I started cleaning up the mess. As I cleaned I started getting really mad at the fact that the Pyrex actually exploded. They aren't supposed to do that are they? We discussed suing Pyrex- it could have severely harmed me, Tyler or ANNAGRACE!! As I calmed down, I mentioned that we could probably file it on our Home Owner's Insurance because we have HOLES burned into our vinyl floor and burn marks on the counters. We thought our deductible was a $1000 and a new floor probably wouldn't even cost that much. But, we pulled the paperwork to find that our deductible was only $250!! I called the insurance company the next day and the adjuster was at our house the following day. Within a week we had a check for over 2 grand!!! That sweet little check is going to get spread much further than just a floor and counter tops. Remember - I have Mr. Handyman for a husband, a cabinet maker for a father, and some sweet bargain shopping skills of my own. So, our 4th bedroom is receiving it's much needed, much deserved makeover. It bore the brunt of the damage during the tornado 2 years ago. And while there weren't any apparent interior damages, per the Insurance Company, we didn't receive any funds for a remodel. The room was an addition - many, many years ago - that was meant to be a work room for a previous owner. My parents converted it to a fourth bedroom when I came along. Anywho, because of my wonderfully talented husband the bedroom is now going to be three feet longer and have a walk in closet (we are taking over a good portion of the utility room that was at the end of the addition). He also ripped out the old sliding glass door, framed in a new French door, installed a pocket door (for the walk in closet), and is currently installing 6 can lights. I am so excited!! When it is completed I will have an 8'x6' L-shaped Scrapbook desk with cabinets above to store ALL of my supplies, a hardwood floor, and sheet rock walls (they were paneled)!! I just can't wait for this spring when I can leave that french door open, let Annagrace run in and out to play outside while I scrapbook at my new desk!!
With the money we are also putting tile down in the kitchen and laundry room. AND finally putting my granite tile on the counter tops. I bought the tiles a few years ago (it was a deal I couldn't pass up) and they have been moved MANY times by my very strong husband. But, now he only has to move them ONE MORE TIME!
I videoed him working the other night and will try to get that added ASAP. Alright, if you are still reading, thank you and I'm sorry. I know it's a long post but, I told you things have been happening!
Oh, I almost forgot - we still don't know how the burner got turned on in the first place. We are assuming Annagrace did it. But, she has never done it before and hasn't tried it since ? ? ?

Family Portrait

On Christmas Eve, we all gathered outside for a big family portrait. Tyler got the camera all set on a tripod, set the timer, and ran and jumped into his spot. As soon as the shutter clicked, it started to rain. Tyler bolted out to the camera and ran back inside along with everyone else. We ONLY got ONE shot, one photo with 9 kids and 7 adults. I just knew that we were going to have to start all over when/if the rain ever stopped. Tyler went and uploaded the one and only photo and it was this one.

I couldn't believe every single person was looking at the camera and most of them smiling. Joshua said "it's a Christmas miracle."

New Year's Continued . . .

Our BIG fireworks show. Notice how the sparks are landing in the grass?? Yep, the grass caught on fire. Tyler and John were dodging the sparks while stomping the flames out. It was hilarious! You might also notice the ground looks wet - it is. They wised up and sprayed everything down after the flare up. We safely enjoyed the rest of the fireworks. This was taken at 15 till midnight, during one of her "dozing off" moments.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!! (a week late)

We had a very low key, but very nice, New Year Celebration. John and Angie (thanks to high fluid levels) came over to celebrate with us. We played Trivial Pursuit, shot off all of Tyler's HUGE box of fire works and then hurried back inside to watch the ball drop. And our little Annagrace stayed up for the whole thing!! She was nodding off towards the end but we managed to keep her awake until the end. She promptly crashed as soon as John and Angie walked out the door at 12:15. I think the sweetest moment had to be when John hugged Angie and said "I'm going to be a Daddy this year!!"
On New Year's Day we napped a lot and then headed over to GGs for some Blackeyed Peas and Collard Greens - Yum Yum! Tyler didn't go. He refuses to eat practically anything southern. But, I need all of the luck and money I can get, so I gobbled them up.

Christmas Morning

The week leading up to Christmas ...

Tyler and Annagrace made Melbas (Grandma Welch's secret candy recipe). I attended the cookie and ornament exchange at Corinne Holton's home.
We waited patiently . . . to seeSanta Claus!!!
On Christmas Sunday, we got all dressed up and went to Pine Mountain to go to Church with Grandmother and Granddaddy.
Then she got undressed to do some more baking
and eat some Granddaddy cookies aka Oreos. Chuck, Cindy, and their kids got here late Sunday night. So, we went to Grandmother's on Monday to play with the kids and do some baking for Christmas Eve. Grandmother had made matching aprons for all of the girls.

Meanwhile, Chuck cooked up some lunch on the grill. We went back to Grandmother's on Tuesday. The girls decorated a new tea set and when they were finished they enjoyed . . . A Ladies Tea Party (with one Gentleman)

Everyone was very Lady-like

well almost everyone.

She got just a little bit wet.

After changing clothes, we headed home excited to be returning the next day for the CHRISTMAS EVE festivities!

Actually, I had to go to work. But thanks to a wonderful Charge Nurse, Kathy, and other RNs that love me, I was able to leave by midnight so I could get some rest to be bright eyed and bushy tailed for our very busy Christmas Eve.

Santa Claus CAME to town

More to come soon. . .

A thought . . .

I have been meaning to blog about this and share it with you, but just haven't had the time to actually sit down and type it out.
Unconditional LOVE - this is a hard thing for me. I admit - I'm pretty judgemental. First impressions stick with me and I form opinions and assume things way too soon about people. A few weeks ago, I was slowing down for a red light and noticed a homeless man with a sign "will work for food" near the light. I immediately reached for the lock button but feared I was too close to him already and he would hear the clicking of the locks. Not wanting to be rude, I didn't push the button (but kept my finger in place, ready for action). When we came to a complete stop he was right outside our window. I was feeling very nervous and scared. I kept looking at him out of the corner of my eye. If he even budged - I was locking the doors!! And right in the middle of my mental dilemma between being rude and safety, Annagrace looked out the window, saw the man, grinned from ear to ear, waved with excitement and said "HEY!" It stopped me dead in my tracks. Who was I to judge this man, he had done nothing to make me frightened of him. I assumed because of his dirty appearance that he would try to harm us.
The moment brought me to tears.
I rolled down the window and handed the man all of the cash in my wallet.
Annagrace didn't care what he looked like, where he came from, why he was there. He was just . . . there and she was happy to see him.

Hand-me-down

I am so excited that Annagrace is old enough for me to pass down my table and chairs set. I spent many hours at this little table as a child - coloring, drawing, and eating pretend meals with all of my cabbage patch children.

She couldn't have been more excited. She loves sitting at the table like a big girl and coloring with Mommy. I can't wait to see what Santa brings her. I have a feeling it will make this little table EVEN more fun!!

M-I-C-K-E-Y

She absolutly LOVED it!! We had fun too - dancing, singing, and acting like five year olds.

Ward Christmas Breakfast

We started off the day with our Ward Christmas Breakfast with Santa.

The kids did some cute crafts while getting to know their new primary teachers for next year.

Then everyone sang the 12 days of Christmas in family groups.Waiting for Santa ...
SHE DIDN'T CRY THIS YEAR!!!!She didn't really know if she could trust him and didn't want to talk to him. I was just happy we didn't have any tears.

Fantasy in Lights

We really enjoyed the lights this year. Annagrace has gotten so big and so smart. She would get so excited about each display and had to name everything she saw - frog, flower, Tinkerbell (the fairies), turtle, teddy bear, soldier, snowflake . . .

Some Recent Photo Shoots

The Shells

The Cummings

Wow, where do I start

It has been a LONG time since I blogged last, I've been a really bad blog keeper lately. With the holidays and working = no free time for me. BUT, here goes - one month in one post!!

Thanksgiving!!

We celebrated at the Chapman's (our tradition). The food was yummy and the company was great. We played a couple of rounds of bingo then headed outside to play with the neighbor's horses and run/walk off some of our food.

We discovered Annagrace loves Red-Velvet Cake

(a true southerner - hehe)

And who doesn't love "horsies" and high flying. Feeding the horsie was another issue. Annagrace was excited and wanted to hold the carrot. But, when the horse came over to actually take a bite, her smile started to look a little more like worried than happy.

Cousin Conner

Then last week, we tried to do a fun creative photo shoot with Annagrace for this year's Christmas card. Unfortunately it gets dark WAY too early and they didn't turn out so great. But, she still looks adorable so I thought I would share ...

We also attended Caden's Birthday party last week. We had fun feeding the ducks (throwing bread AT them), collecting sticks (and poking me in the eye in the process), and of courseCAKE

But, little Miss did not dive right in like the boys. She politely took the decorative stick out of the cupcake and used it as a spoon to eat tiny bites of icing. While the boys tore trough 2 or 3 cupcakes a piece, she barely ate half of the icing on ONE.