First Christmas Party & Cookie Magic

Hanging with Audrey Blake at Ms. Debby's Christmas Party

Only Ms Debby could get all of them to sit sit long enough to take multiple pics! She's the best!

Fun cookie making with the Smallwoods

Icing the cookies

Opening presents 

Christmas Fun

Another visit with Santa at the Lake Carolina lights

S'mores fun

yum

Parker and the Howe's were so sweet to let us join

Family Pic

Tucker and Santa

Parker and Santa

We love you Howe family and we had a ton of fun! 

Our First Visit with Santa

I love Christmas and all of the celebrations and traditions that come with it :) So I was thoroughly excited to have a reason to do more of this fun stuff I love but have a real reason with Lucas this year! So first we went to the Columbia Christmas parade, which was long, and not too kid friendly, but it kicked off the season.

But we planned many more activities. Starting with Lights Before Christmas at the Zoo. And Lucas's First Visit with Santa (more to come as the season goes on....)

Andrew even bought us hot chocolate in collectible cups. Yum Yum

Here's a look...

When Your Cousins are More...

I did not grow up with siblings. Later in life I gained a step sister and step brother, but that experience of a sibling didn't happen for me as a kid, and that's ok. However, as an only child, I think I found my substitute for siblings, it was and is my cousins. All of my first cousins are younger than me except one, and I still remember them being born, me spending time with them at my grandparents' house, vacations and holidays with them. They are my best friends, but they are more, they are my siblings.

I can't imagine life without each of them.

I have other cousins who are my age and are children to my parents' cousins. So although they are second/or once removed cousins, we still consider each other cousins. We don't question it, we grew up together and have created some wonderful memories.

But my first cousins, those are the ones I am in constant contact with...holidays, birthdays, vacations, and more. My younger cousins are all boys, and I love each of them as a baby brother. I wish they could truly understand my love and admiration for them. I am so proud of the men they are becoming, and I hope they know that I love them so much. My other first cousin who is older than me is my other girl in the immediate family. Brandy and I grew up together at our Grannie's house or at her house--playing and goofing off a lot.

A few memories in particular that are some of my favorites--

• We would spend the night at our Grannie's house every year the night before Christmas Eve to help wrap presents and be there when everyone arrived on Christmas Eve. One night I remember us being put to bed, but not going to sleep. We played and made a giant mess in our room. Brandy told me if I didn't clean up, at this point it was about 1am, then we'd get in trouble in the morning because Grannie would know we hadn't gone straight to bed, like we were supposed to. So I proceeded to clean up the room, alone. :) She was a few years older than me and clearly a little sneakier, and I was very compliant and didn't want to get in trouble.
• Spending weekends at your house hanging out with Aunt Kim and feeding the pet pig...yep! 
• Being introduced to some popular music at the time, like Chumbawumba's Tubthumpin
• Or learning how to play games on the original Nintendo...it's a good thing you introduced it to me because no one else had one in my family :) 

Here's a throwback that will always make me think of you...

But the thing is you were taken too young. On Thanksgiving, almost a week ago, we were sitting at Grannie's enjoying lunch together. Our plans for Thanksgiving changed and we were able to come to Grannie's house for lunch. God knew what he was doing. God knew I needed to be there with you. God knew you needed to hold and love on Lucas. God knew we needed those memories together. And although, we cannot make any new memories with you, we will have all the memories you left with us to hold onto. Tuesday morning was a shock for me and all who received the news. I was in disbelief, there were no signs, no reasons, it was all completely unexpected. I'm glad to have grown up with you. I'm glad to have these memories from so many different times with you. I'm glad to call you my cousin. You are like a sister I didn't have growing up. So many are left hurting and missing you right now, but we know you'd tell us to suck it up, dry our tears, and move on. It's going to be hard, but one day at a time, we will. Be sure to give Uncle Erv, Uncle Bubba, your Uncle Craig, and Your Grandaddy our love, and let them all know we miss them, too.  I love you dearly and until we meet again...

Lights for Lucas

We got Lucas a Christmas tree for his room. I think the pictures speak for themselves. 

*Note, to recreate those cute baby pictures using a strand of lights, you might NOT want to wait until they are toddlers. Lucas was having no part of it. I'm not sure if the lights were hot, bright, or it was because my camera was out. Because when the lights were unplugged, he loved them, of course. But I still got some fabulous shots, and knowing me I'll try again before it's all over. 

My Little Turkey & Traditions

We've enjoyed our Thanksgiving break. It has been jam-packed and full of some of our favorite things-- family, friends, food, traveling, shopping, and decorating!! We enjoyed Thanksgiving lunch at Grannie's house and then visited Daddy, Ms. Mindy, Grandma, and Grandpa. And we finished the day off by visiting the Oliver's.


Then we went over to the Howe's house and had a little sleepover--in order to go Black Friday shopping. We ended up having a GREAT experience and we got home before too many people really got out on the road and in the stores. All of the employees were helpful, friendly, joyful, and kind-in addition to the shoppers. We got the things we wanted/needed, and some extra stuff that we found :)

After Black Friday shopping, we went home and began decorating for Christmas! One of my most favorite times of the year! I find it even more fun this year having Lucas to enjoy it.

I think I'm most looking forward to all the traditions we get to start with him.

We will decorate on Black Friday each year.
We will go get a family personalized ornament each year, that Lucas will get to hang on the tree.
We will give Lucas a gift to start off the holiday season-Christmas pjs, books, and a toy/stuffed animal. (maybe as he gets older-a Christmas movie). And maybe next year we will add an Elf on the Shelf to the mix.
We will get pictures taken with Santa.
We will go visit the Lights at the Zoo.
We will make and decorate cookies for Santa.
And as I think of other things, I'll add to this list.
Maybe one day, we'll add cutting down/picking out a Christmas tree from a farm.

I love traditions, especially for holidays. I hope Lucas loves it and appreciates it as much as I do the older he gets.

I love my sweet family and over this break, all the emotions of my baby boy turning 1 and growing up so fast hit me. Many times I was just so overcome with joy, I was tearing up. He is just such a joy and so sweet. I love watching him explore things and learn new things. He is happy, healthy, and beautiful. We are so blessed and I'm just so thankful, for so many things this year and each year. I have a wonderful family of my own, along with such a wonderful family and group of friends. I am so thankful to have spent so much time with them over the past few days, and I'm excited for more to come with Christmas.

Santa's little helper

Oh to experience this through the eyes of a baby

I love this sweet smile 

and his sweet new Christmas pj's 

Kisses for Momma

Thanksgiving 2014

LBO is ONE

This weekend was hectic and fun! We started celebrating our baby boy on Friday, his 1st Birthday, on November 21, 2014! We went to Chick fil A for breakfast-all 3 of us! Then I picked him up from Ms. Debby, and he got his first present-a box of Legos from Ms. Debby and Mr. Don-he LOVES Legos!

Once Andrew got home, Lucas (or we) opened his presents-we got him a small wagon he can pull around, some books, and some bath toys. We video taped it and took lots of pics of basically us opening presents :)

Next, we went out to eat at San Jose's! One of our favorites and I believe will come to be Lucas's favorite, too. He loves quesadillas and cheese dip :) Sounds a lot like his mommy!

Then, we celebrated with our family and friends on Saturday. The party was great! There was lots of prep, lots of time and energy spent getting ready, and I'd do it all over again because it was so much fun...but I'll wait until next year!

Oh, and no doubt, Lucas LOVED his cake, and made quite the mess :) it was a lot of fun!

We had lots of visitors and love and we are so appreciative of all of the love and support we have received for us and Lucas. Thank you to each of you, whether you were able to come celebrate, sent a message or gift, Thank you so much!! We love you!!!

Take a look at our Facebook album for more pics