Christmas Eve

For Christmas Eve, Gran came to our house and we cooked a delicious dinner (I learned how to make a standing rib-roast - go me!) and opened some presents. My favorite gift EJ got from her Gran was these adorable duck boots. For those of you who didn't grow up in a barn, you may be unfamiliar with these awesome and versatile waterproof boots. Thank goodness my toddler has a pair!

Thanks Gran!

Holiday Photo Shoot

I couldn't pass up a great opportunity for a photoshoot, so I set up some cute decorations in the family room and went to town. As usual, she was a consummate professional.

EJ really enjoyed her first candy cane. =)

EJ meets her BFF.

Kristen & Pete came into town over Thanksgiving and we finally got to meet their newest addition, sweet baby Peyton (aka EJ's future BFF). Everett also got to spend some quality time with her future husband, Brayden.

The betrothed.

Thankschristmukkah

We had a great time over the holidays spending some good QT with family. The festivities began way back in November, when we trucked over to Charleston for Thanksgiving. We spent several days relaxing with Pop E, Mama J, and EJ's aunts & uncles over a little family holiday we like to call Thankschristmukkah. As usual, there was great food, lovely walks, and some fierce board game playing.

Christmas girl!

We spent a lovely day at the local park.

Luckily daddy was there to give a ride home after an exhausting day sliding & swinging.

Aunt Merrill and EJ in front of the tree.

Mama J and EJ get silly.

The two Everetts.

The Great Pumpkin

At Halloween we went to a pumpkin patch with the Rossi boys, Elliott & Ethan. They had a fun time picking out pumpkins and eating leaves.

Luckily EJ had the perfect outfit to wear, thanks to her Gran.

Elliott & Everett in the rocking chair.

She's ONE!

It's not just the title of our blog, it's true: the years really are short. It is so hard to believe that our little baby girl is ONE already, where did the time go???? For her birthday, we invited our friends and family over for an afternoon celebration that was really more of a relaxing cookout with football and beer, with a break for cake of course. =)

Everett had a special birthday outfit, complete with a custom onesie made by my friend Teresa and an absolutely adorable tutu (because every little girl should wear a tutu on her birthday!). We were so lucky that all of our family could be there to celebrate with us!

The two Everetts. She likes his scratchy beard, it reminds her of her Touch & Feel books. =)

With Papa & Nana

With her Aunt Naj. Love her poofy tutu!

With her friends Anna & Brianna, who are about 3 months younger than her.

The birthday cake was a Georgia Tech theme (of course) and she

absolutely LOVED it!

Cousin Mimi models one of the adorable GT cupcakes and I model an icing-covered baby.

My dad handmade this wonderful rocking horse for EJ for her birthday. This is such a special gift and we are so thrilled to have it. She loves it and learned very quickly how to climb up and rock it on her own. Thanks, dad!

Fall Festival

In early October we went up to the North Georgia mountains with my mom and Omar's family to check out one of the many apple festivals. So fun! There were hay rides, live music, apple picking, a petting zoo, and tons of fun activities for the kids!

Feeding the baby goats and being silly with Papa.

EJ's cousins Mimi and Alina help her drive a tractor and ride a horse.

Her first real pony ride! That's my girl!