A message from Santa

http://www.portablenorthpole.tv/watch/tNxhmGQ4k_Bs-mbpzKF2fg

Tubberware queen

Belle and I went over to visit with Grams on Sunday for a bit and Belle had a blast playing with Grams tubberware!

Annual Christmas Tree trip

On Saturday we headed up the mountain to pick out our Christmas Tree at the most beautiful tree farm, Sunnyside Christmas Trees.  We were able to enjoy some shopping and lunch with Bri's family before we set out to find the perfect Christmas tree this year.  I was extremely pleased with my purchases: getting Bri the coolest little tree for his man room and some beautiful decorations for my wreath!   Can't wait to get started on it!! 

Picking out the Christmas tree was a little interesting this year, Belle didn't get much of a morning nap so needless to say she was a little fussy and it was very windy.  Plus a 14 month old that isn't a pro at walking yet trying to walk through a mountain Christmas Tree farm doesn't work too well.  We found a tree and Belle and I waited at the car while Bri was able to finally cut down his first Christmas tree. Most years they cut them down for us, but they were extremely busy.  We were also only able to get 3 trees for our bridge event this Friday for church since we had to cut and drag them ourselves.  You should have seen us...very funny dragging Christmas trees up the hill!

Overall, it was a great day and we all slept wonderfully Saturday night!

Somebody used the potty

On Black Friday, Bri and I decided we would go out to dinner and do a little shopping after the crowds had ceased.  We went to Babies'r'us and bought Belle her first potty.  We have decided to have one in the house and introduce her slowly to the potty, knowing she will use it when ready.  Well, when we got home I couldn't wait to let Belle check out her new potty.  The potty we bought is a little too big but it has a lid that she can open and close which is a plus and you can also move a portion of it to the toilet as a training seat.  So we will see how she likes it long term.  When I asked her if she wanted to sit on the potty, she shook her head yes and sat down and pooped!  I am sure it was a fluke for sure.  But, here is a picture of Belle's first poop in the potty, which someday she will kill me for showing this ;).  At least I didn't have her in action, since I didn't think there would be in presents left in the toilet, no camera during the act.

Stay tuned on this....

So very Thankful...

I just love the Thanksgiving Holiday, it gives us all the opportunity to reflect on our wonderful blessings we have in our lives and realizes how wonderful God is to provide for us.  It doesn't have all the commericialization that society has pushed on Christmas which as we have explained to Belle is the birth of our savior :)...along with a little Santa Claus.    Bri and I really reflected on how fortunate we are at this point in our lives!  We enjoyed a relaxing Thanksgiving with Bri's family this year!  Gigi cooked a fabulous meal and the all the cousins enjoyed playing throughout the day. Belle loved the feast and I even let her try a bite of pumpkin pie!! We missed Grandpa and Lizzie this year though!  Thanks Ledbetters/Kigers for a great day of Thanks!! 

All she wants is a hair bow

 I went to pick up Belle from her wonderful babysitters last week and when I got there she was upset.  This was extremely unusual since she always has so much fun playing with her friends.  Lennette told me that Belle was upset that she couldn't put a hair bow in her hair like her two girlfriends, Emerson and Brinley!  As you all know, Belle has been somewhat of a bald little girl, but this week her hair actually is starting to grow!  Soon enough you will have hair bows sweet girl! Don't grow up too fast for your Mommy!

Gabriel's Baptism

Brian and I were able to celebrate with his sister's family last Sunday as they Baptized the newest addition to our family, Gabriel Todd.  It was a beautiful service and we enjoyed a wonderful lunch at Graylyn.  It was such a nice treat to enjoy the afternoon at Graylyn, bringing back so many memories from our wedding.  Since the big day was during Belle's nap schedule she didn't join us but was excited for her little cousin to be given to the Christian faith. 

Thanks Amy, Todd for such a wonderful day!

Mommy oh so sick!

I was unfortanate two weeks ago, food poisoning blessed me and I was so sick!  Belle went and had a spend the night at Grams so Daddy could take care of mommy!  She had so much fun hanging out and I was so happy to see her on Saturday.

Little Teapot

Belle just loves her teapot toy from my cousin Troy and his wife Amy!  She loves to carry it around and pour tea for the dogs...Too cute!

I love purple sweet potatoes

As Belle is getting older I am having to get a little more creative when introducing new foods.

This one was def. a hit!

Old Salem

Bri and I have made a decision to try to visit interesting places locally with Belle.  On Saturday, we decided to take her to Old Salem since the weather was beautiful.  We are so fortunate have such a special piece of history in our community.  Check it out at http://www.oldsalem.org/!  Every year we attend the Love Feast and Christmas Eve service at the beautiful home church on the campus. Bri and I both went on field trips here in Elementary School and we can't wait for Belle to get a little older so we can tour the exhibits with her. Grams even completed her Masters Degree here!  So there is a lot of special meaning to us.

The Moravian Cemetary has a ginkgo tree located on the grounds. http://scidiv.bellevuecollege.edu/rkr/ginkgo/ginkgo.html

The leaves hit a beautiful yellow peak for a brief time and then all of a sudden with a quick wind they leave the tree completely naked of it's beautiful leaves.  I wouldn't say we saw it at perfection but pretty close!

We enjoyed walking and letting Belle take in all the sites and sounds!  I wasn't going to post any pictures of us because I didn't want to ruin Belle's Christmas Eve dress, but she is just too adorable, so here you go!

Obviously, just a few shots and of course she isn't in her entire Christmas outfit, but still close...isn't she just adorable :)  We are so fortunate to have Brian's work schedule dying down for the rest of the year.  Since business has slowed, that means no more weekends the rest of the year.  As my dear friend Linda said, "What a great early Christmas present!" Indeed it is!

Girl's Night Out!

Brian watch Belle for me on Friday night while my friend Ashley and I went to a jewelry party at a church members of mine and then out for dinner!  It was so nice catching up and having some "me" time!  We are so excited for her and Jeremy to bring their sweet little "Ellie" into the world in January.  Belle especially can't wait to have a new playmate :)

Seriously, do they make this in my size?

Of course little girls clothes are so adorable, but I really want this dress in my size, too bad Janie and Jack only goes up to size 7-8 (that is in little girl sizes)

We braved the madness

On Thursday, Grams and I took Belle for her first "girls" shopping experience.  We braved the new Tanger outlets in Mebane, which I must say was madness!!  We had to park across the street at the outpatient hospital and Grams seriously wait in line for 45 minutes for a subway sandwiches!!  Belle loved checking out all the people and enjoyed "OFF Saks Fifth Avenue" a little too much, guess we are in trouble already :).  We had a great day and enjoyed a little Christmas shopping as well.  On the way back we stopped by our fabulous fire department, where our knowledgable firemen installed Grams "big" girl carseat.

Thanks for a great day Grams!

Trip to visit Grandpa and Lizzie

We are sad that we won't be able to spend Thanksgiving with my Dad and Liz this year!!  They are heading down to Florida early so we headed up to the mountains this weekend to celebrate Christmas with them a little bit early.  Since we have been so crazy with work and church lately I haven't had time to do much shopping so we will be shipping their gift to them this year!!

We heading up Saturday evening and enjoyed some catching up!  We haven't been able to get together since Belle's Birthday party!  Brian and I feel extremely fortunate that Ms. Belle left us sleep in with the time change.  She was up for about 30 minutes then went back to sleep so we all able to sleep in until 9:00am...YIPPEE.

We enjoyed sometime playing with Buddy(Grandpa and Lizzie's Dog)  Isn't he adorable?

Belle enjoyed trying to brush his teeth.  As she does everyone these days...maybe a career in dentistry is in her future?

After playing with Buddy and a yummy breakfast it was present time!  Belle enjoyed opening her gifts this year, which was so exciting!!  Grandpa and Lizzie got her some great books, a generous contribution to her college fund and an adorable book bag that she just fell in love with!  She walked all over the house carrying her books!  I think she is already to go to school:).  Thanks Grandpa and Lizzie for such a great Christmas this year.

After a late lunch/early dinner due to Belle's extended nap we headed back to JL to take some pictures outside.  Since most of the leaves were down we didn't get the vibrant colors, but the scenary is still gorgeous!  Bri and I are going to use one of the pictures taken for our Christmas card this year so enjoy some pictures of Belle/Bri/Grandpa and Lizzie...our family picture to be seen at a later date!  Thanks guys for a wonderful trip and we will look forward to seeing you in  Florida for our visit in 2011 and then back  in NC for the summer!