Sick Day

After many close encounters with friends who had the stomach flu in their house, we thought we had gotten lucky and avoided it.  However, it finally came our way and poor Samantha dealt with it in December (luckily before the holidays) - she was such a sad sight for a couple of days.  To make her feel better, Daddy got her a new stuffed piggy and this adorable Elmo balloon that she toted around everywhere.

Snow Day

Well, I am outnumbered - I guess I need to learn to like the snow, because Samantha (like Keith and Sadie) think it is the best thing ever!

Meeting Santa

We were so excited this year to have Samantha meet Santa.  She has been so excited about Christmas - talking about HoHo nonstop and helping me with the daily countdown hanging on our fridge.  Last year we didn't have her sit on Santa's lap, but this year we really talked it up to her and she seemed ready for it. 

So early Saturday morning we got up and went to "Cookies with Santa" at the Fishers Town Hall.  As we waited in line to see Santa, she kept pointing at him and saying "sit on HoHos lap" - she was so excited.....well, until we got to HoHo.  ;)  Once there, you could not pry her off of daddy!  Hence, why he is in the photo - that was the only way she would sit there - she was terrified!.  However, as soon as she got up and got a free candy cane, she smiled and all she could talk about ALL DAY was how she sat in Hoho's lap.  :)

An Early 2nd Birthday

Of course while in NC we wanted to celebrated Samantha's 2nd birthday with my family, albeit it early.  So the Saturday after Thanksgiving we had a full day of celebration.  We took all the girls to see the Tangled movie (by the way - AMAZING - it is now one of my favorite princess movies and all the girls loved it!), then we went to Deadwood restaurant to celebrate Samantha's birthday with rides, great food and gifts.  What a special birthday this was - thank you Nana and Papa for putting this special day together!

At Deadwood, which is mini amusement park on the outside, great steaks on the inside -- love it and bonus, so do the kids.  :)

 Tara, Allyson and Nana on the playground

 The Three Amigos - I think this photo alone proves that Tara and I married as close to our father as possible.  (I mean that in a nice way Dad. ;) )

 Tara and Keith enjoying a moment sans kids.  :)

 Me and Tara - We had so many wonderful chances to hang out this week.  Thank you Tara for everything - the Zumba classes, making over Samantha and getting lots of chances to catch up.  I miss you already!

I love this picture of us - usually the rare shots of just us are sad and will never be posted on this blog.  But we clean up okay when we try.  ;)

After much fun outside we went inside to begin the birthday party!  Mom put together gift bags for all the kids and the waiters even came by to sing to Samantha - even though she was so shy that she was buried in my shoulder for the whole song.

 Blowing out candles on the princess cake.  We went princess themed for the day instead of Mickey, since we saw the movie Tangled.

 This is my favorite pic of all time - does it get any sweeter...love that smile and giggle

 Yes - of course she had to wear a princess crown - not just for the theme, but also the girl loves this kind of stuff!

 I had to show off this cute ponytail - I love that her hair is long enough now.  :)

 Allyson and Tara - love this pic!

 This is mini-Reagan right here!  ;)  This is her "look" and she will give it on command - God help us all :) haha

The much adored Nana and Papa surrounded by all the kids as Samantha opens presents

What a special, special birthday - thank you everyone!

Thanksgiving in NC

This year we were suppose to go to NC for Christmas, but planned changed a few months ago and we decided to go Thanksgiving again in NC.  We will be sad to be away from my family at Christmas, but what a wonderful time we had together over Thanksgiving.  It was great to spend time with Mom and Dad, as well as my sister and her wonderful family.  We also got to see some extended family and friends in the area.  We definitely packed in a lot for a 5 day trip, including 2 Zumba expos I taught at my sister's gym, Samantha's early 2nd birthday party (next post), a movie date, and lots of gorging ourself on Mom's ridiculous food spreads (I know I probably came home 5 lbs heavier - but SO worth it)!  Needless to say, it was an amazing week!  However, I did not take as many picture as I should have - just too much going on.  :)

Here are some pretty pics Mom took of Samantha in her back yard:

 When everyone came for Thanksgiving, we enjoyed the mild weather outside.  The guys played football and all us girls played on bikes, swings, etc.  So much fun!

Enjoying some family time indoors:

 Laughing and being silly with daddy

 My cousins - Luke and TJ acting SOOO tough - too bad I have known these guys since diapers, so they cannot fool me.  ;)  Love you guys!

 Typical kid pic - Dani, Allyson and Sami playing around

 Uncle Theo, Luke, Aunt Sue and TJ - you all mean the world to us!  So glad we could spend Thanksgiving together!

 Okay, seriously!?  Any ladies interested  in these studs - I'll raffle them off cheap.  hahaha

Finally, the kind of picture I wanted - thanks TJ  ;)  In all fairness though, I think I only got this picture because they were exhausted from a bunch of little girls hanging all over them.  :)

Finally got a picture of me and my baby doll. 

Christmas Pictures

This year we went to Portrait Innovations to get Christmas pictures and new pictures of Samantha.  We were quite proud of some of the great pics we got!

A Visit with Kris

Recently I was blessed with a call from my one of my dearest friends, Kris, asking if she could make a road trip and come visit.  Of course I was so excited and we cleared the schedule to make time!  We had a wonderful week of girl time - including lunches, shopping, taking her to my Zumba classes, a lot of late nights sitting up talking, an adults-only movie night and just catching up.  I wish we could see each other more often, but cherish these moments together.

My Southern Belle

If you have ever met my mother you know that she embodies the south and is PROUD OF IT!   One thing she always taught me growing up is that a proper woman does not leave the house without a dab of makeup and a curl.  Granted times have changed and much to my mother's chagrin, girls now flatten their hair more than curl it and motherhood has made my makeup days less - but she'd be proud to know that her dear granddaughter is a lover of curlers (I know my Grandma and Great-grandma are giggling from heaven).  Luckily, don't under-estimate Miss Samantha she is much like her mama as a child, rough and tough while wearing a tutu.  ;)

"Monsters Mama, Monsters"

This Halloween showcased what a change their was between Samantha at 10 months and her at 22 months old. Last Halloween she was no aware of monsters and would have been happy in any outfit I stuck her into. This year she definitely had something to say about both! :)

She (at some point) became very aware of what monsters were. She was now scared of every monster in the stores and even became convinced that shadows were monsters. She get timid and cling to Keith and I saying "monsters, monsters" in a whimper. Daddy did come to the rescue and convince her that monsters could not come in the house and that there were a lot of good monsters, like the sweet ghost decorations in the house. Samantha would even comment "no monsters in the house mama." As adorable as this was, we were worried about what Halloween night would bring.

On top of that, I had visions of her being a beautiful princess, but after our sister and law gave us a chicken costume, which Samantha found hysterical, the princess was out the window. She'd wear the chicken costume around the house weeks before Halloween, looking at herself in the mirror and getting into giggling fits. It was adorable!

Also, in the days leading up to Halloween Keith's parents came in and we embarked on the holiday traditons - making yummy apple-filled goodies, carving pumpkins, and going to the Halloween celebration at Indy's gorgeous Children's Museum.

Sporting some cow PJs in the spirit of Halloween dress-up.  :)

Heading into the Children's Museum with Papaw and Yaya

Yep - that is her reaction to the "monster" ;)

Dressed up like a dinosaur and playing with one of the many amazing exhibits.

The toddler room at the Museum is SO cool - Samantha loves the fishing pond, tractor, playhouse, and all the opportunities to dress up and goof around.

Enjoying the Carousel ride with Yaya

On the way home - worn out after a busy day.  Getting in a nap before trick or treating that night.

Her Halloween basket from Mommy and daddy since I didn't want her to go crazy on candy.

Finally it was time to get bundled up and dressed up.  Here is our Chicken Little:

Okay, so we did have to let her dive into the candy a little bit.  :)

What a magical Halloween this was!