Home for the Holidays

Hey everyone!  Hope your week has been wonderful so far!  I am pretty much done decorating our place for Christmas and thought I would share.  It has been so fun experiencing Christmas with both of my kiddos already.  Alyssah has done great with the tree. She loves looking at it but hasn't tried to mess it up YET.  I may have just jinxed myself ;)  I still have to get her her 1st Christmas ornament and take the kids to see Santa. I think we are going Sat.  Mark is actually excited about it, but we'll see what he thinks when we get there.  I'm hoping for a smile this year [fingers crossed].  Merry Christmas...it really is the MOST wonderful time of the year!

The tree is a free-for-all this year.  I usually do a theme, but it's just a random collection this year.  I love it  :)

And the stockings were hung by the chimney, er kitchen bar area, with care ;)  I hope to have a mantle next Christmas!  Alyssah is using Mark's "Baby's 1st Christmas" stocking until I can find one that sort of matches Mark's "M" one.

Don't you just love Pinterest!!!

the kids' hallway

Thankful 2011

I feel so very blessed this year. I have a precious little family, awesome friends, and an amazing family!  I can't wait to see what our next year has in store!  Mark and I made these cute little pilgrim hats (pictured above) the day before Thanksgiving.  They weren't as cute as the ones on Pinterest, but they were pretty yummy ;)  I like finding cute, new ideas for the holidays.

My sweet friends!  I'm very thankful for them...they rock :)

my beautiful daughter and Matthew

Taylor made Mark's night by letting him bowl with her!   I'm so glad to have this pretty girl as a new friend.  I feel like I've known her for years.

Mark and his Aunt Joo, who he adores ;)

Happy Thanksgiving from the most handsome boy I know :)

the Adams girls :)  

my crazy, wonderful babies!

I seriously have the most gorgeous girl on the planet!

Happy Thanksgiving from the Adams family! 2011

Alyssah-10 months!

My sweet girl is already 10 months old!  She is all personality and is happy all the time.  At her 9 month appointment she weighed 18 lbs, 8 oz. and measured 27 1/4 inches long.  She is crawling everywhere and pulling up on everything.  She will be walking in no time.  She has started trying to cruise along the couch but doesn't stand for long.  She is wearing size 4 diapers and eats anything!  She is on solid foods for the most part now.  She just stopped wanting to eat baby food, so she eats what we eat for the most part.  She is resisting her sippy cup right now, but in time I know that will get better.   Here are a few recent pictures.  We had a studio session done a few days ago with Alyssah and Mark.  I'll be sure to share those soon.  Hope everyone is enjoying their Thanksgiving holiday!

before Auburn's homecoming game-A's 1st game (Mark's 2nd)

Alyssah on her 10 month b-day; decorating the tree

Brittybird's Favorite Things Giveaway

http://brittybirdbaby.blogspot.com/2011/11/favorite-things-giveaway.html

One of my favorite etsy shops is doing a huge giveaway with things from some of her favorite etsy shops.  You should check it out...it's a good one :)

Chris and Brandi Nicolais

My sister-in-law got married on November 5th, and it was a beautiful, fun-filled day.  This time Mark was the only one in it, so it was less stressful for me.  He did a great job being the ring bearer.  He's kind of a professional now-this was his third one and he's only 3! :)  The ceremony was gorgeous, and the reception was so fun!  We got to spend time with some dear friends and enjoy some family time.  Here are some of the pictures I took.  I can't wait to see their professional pictures.  I know they will be wonderful!

Sweet Alyssah

My adorable Marky Mark

Me and the hubs!  We never get pictures anymore...I'm always behind the camera!

My Mom-in-law and Sis-in-law

Me and the gorgeous bride

the kiddos...I think A was sleeping ;)

during the ceremony

beautiful cake...I loved the colors!

Me and my friend, Jess

Janine and Dustin's wedding

Our sweet friends were married on October 22nd...yes I'm late getting this post up!  The day was so much fun.  This was the 1st wedding that I was in that I knew all the bridesmaids, so we had a blast :)  Marky Mark was the ring bearer and is now a pro at it.  He was also in my sister-in-law's wedding this past weekend.  More on that soon ;)  Here are a few pictures I took and some I borrowed from facebook.  Congrats to the newly weds and God bless your marriage!  Love you both!

My sweet little family!

Me and my gorgeous daughter!

Cutting the cake

1st dance :)

Janine and her girls (and boy) before the wedding

Just the girls!

Perfect :)

Sweet kiss

Gracie and Mark! These 2 were great sports all day!

And this is what happens when you think you can light a handful of sparklers at once....My face is priceless. haha

Just for fun!

I kept all of Mark's clothes from when he was little.  I have sold some now or given them away since we were having a little girl.  We're not sure that we will have more, so I just started getting rid of some things.  Well I have kept special outfits or ones that Alyssah could wear too.  I have recently taken her picture in some of the same things and wanted to compare to see how much they resemble.  I think they look alike, but she is definitely changing a lot lately.  You tell me what you think ;)

Mark at  7 months (almost 8).

Alyssah at 9 months.

Alyssah at 9 months.

 

 

Mark at about 7 months.

Thanksgiving meal ideas

http://familyfun.go.com/recipes/marshmallow-pilgrim-hats-682463/

Of course I started with a cute little dessert idea ;)  I love trying out new, cute recipes.  These little hats are precious!

I also like these.  For a snack...

http://familyfun.go.com/recipes/pigs-in-pilgrim-hats-1027250/

And this.  SO fun!

http://familyfun.go.com/thanksgiving/thanksgiving-dinner-recipes/thanksgiving-appetizers/fruit-gobbler-688370/

I love the holidays and love having kiddos to make it more special!

Pumpkin Patch 2011

Last weekend I took the kids to the pumpkin patch.  We met some friends and my parents there.  Mark had fun picking out pumpkins and riding the hayride.  Alyssah took it all in and even got in a nap, thanks to Uncle Joe :)  Here are the pics.  Can't wait for next year when both of my punkins will be walking around picking out pumpkins!

Mark showing me the fish.

Alyssah looking at the pond.

I just love this sweet face!

Telling me which way to go ;)

Yes, this was the only one I got of them together...oh well.  There's always next year!

Mark's, mine, and A's

Handsome thing! :)