Merry Christmas from our Growing Family!

Gobbling, Wobbling & Earning Dessert

This might be the only race we have ever run together! {Not competitive at all.}

Happy Easter

 

Preschool Spring Festival

One of the perks of my job is being right on campus with my favorite little girl and having the flexibility to attend most of her school functions. Today was the Preschool's Easter Parade, Egg Hunt and Picnic. I am going to miss being able to just pop over!

  

New Tradition?

Once again we kicked off the new year with a family hike and I certainly am ready for a HEALTHY one. Jim & I were in bed the earliest we have probably ever been on new year's eve only to be woken up by a sick little girl in the middle of the night. The next morning we were a bit slower moving but the little "party animal" still wanted to go hiking so off we went to McDowell Nature Preserve. She did fall asleep on the way but fresh air was great medicine and we had a great day!

#familyselfie

A girl can never have enough shoes!

I was happy to fill munchkin's Christmas requests this year... cowgirl boots, cowgirl hat and running shoes!

I think those are a step in the right direction. Now go out and conquer the world!

Not So Scary Santa

Turns out Bass Pro Shop is an excellent place for a Christmas outing, who knew?!

 

Pickydust away!

With the craze that is Frozen, I would have gone with any costume idea that was NOT Elsa but when she asked to be Izzy from Jake and The Neverland Pirates I was immediately all for it. I love the non-stereotypical princess costume but really love that she wasn't doing what everyone else was doing. {Addie, may you always have the confidence to make decisions for YOU and not be swayed by the masses.}

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

National Holiday

Happy National Dog Day to the BEST & MOST PATIENT pooch out there! We love our Teva and she certainly deserves to be honored after all she endures from her big sister.

Happy Hearts & Happy Bellies

Since we had been home-bound (thanks to the snow and my leg) most of the week, the day was not as filled with special treats like last year but we had a fun day! Highlight for everyone was easily the food though.

I love you THIS much!

Happy Valentine's Day everyone!

First steps of 2014!

We started the year out a little differently this year and I liked it! Instead of our traditional massive breakfast/brunch & all day mimosas we met friends at Crowders Mountain State Park for a hike and picnic lunch. (We hosted breakfast for dinner for New Years Eve instead... and I was asleep by 10:30pm!)

 

Feliz Navidad

Christmas morning highlights!

 

Family First

We woke up to Santa is our own house Christmas morning but being in charge of Christmas Eve dinner and more amazing is that we used the china we got for our wedding! {Only took 7 years!} The meal wasn't very fancy, certainly wasn't a Nonnie or Grammy spread and ignore the casual place mats, but it was delicious and kid-friendly so we all enjoyed it. Munchkin especially enjoyed drinking out of the tea cup.

Driving back into town on Christmas Eve didn't leave time to prepare much at home so I reserved a ham at HoneyBaked Ham Company. Picking up in the afternoon on Christmas Eve could have been terrible but it was a great experience! Fantastic customers service, very organized and the most pleasant staff, one even scanned a previous customer's coupon on my order saving me $4.

Unseasonably Warm!

December 22 and today's agenda included running (in a tank top and shorts), washing the car and swimming in an outdoor pool! These activities don't exactly say Christmas time but for this warm-weathered gal it was wonderful. #christmasinthesouth

Happy Holidays

Just approved the proof of this year's Christmas Card... well, with an estimated delivery date of December 27 I think it is safe to call it a New Year's Card! (I did change Merry Christmas to Happy Holidays to help cover my bases.)

Didn't realize there was a week less between Thanksgiving and Christmas this year until recently. We just had these pictures taken this past weekend. Then, never found time to do my favorite standing holiday tradition of decorating Nonnie's tree or the new tradition-in-the-making of doing cookies with the little cousins.

{Photo Credit: Emily Barnes} 

All Aboard!

These two were too cute at The Polar Express event we went to tonight. Seems everyone thought they were sisters but they look more like prom dates in this picture.

Happy Thanksgiving from The Marques

Before the Greensboro Gobbler. They changed the 5k course this year so you only went around the hilly park once but still couldn't convince anyone else to join us this cold morning. Thanks dad for chauffeuring us! :-)

A good attempt at a full family photo. Teva was not sure about getting up on that sofa with us.

The next generation of  "The Kids' Table"! I think it is safe to say the girls liked it.

Halloween Prep

Re-purposing one of her dance costumes into a kitty cat and the brown boa I found on amazon totally makes the outfit. Could not find brown pointy ears anywhere which means I am going to try and rig some up myself. Should that fail I painted this mask that she can keep in her trick-or-treat bag. She enjoyed my make up test for whiskers and is already practicing being in character so will be fully ready for the upcoming holiday! Meow, Hiss Hiss!

 

July Fourth!

Since red and blue are this one's favorite colors and July 4th may be my favorite holiday... you know we sported something with Patriotic flare every chance we get this week. Now if I could just get her enjoy fireworks we would be all set!