Christmas Wrap-up!

Can I just say that despite these hard economic times and a very tight year for us financially,

WE HAD THE BEST CHRISTMAS!

Izzy was so much fun and it was just so special to watch her reaction to all the gifts. It took us over 2 hours to open presents Christmas morning, not because she had so much (even though she did), but because she wanted to play with everything the minute she opened it. I know she is still so little but she seemed appreciative of her presents and we tried to make a big deal over each of them so she would realize each one was special (or we hope so). Obviously, this is not everything she got, but it's a sampling of her favorites; the Backyardigans Flip Open Sofa, books & tea set and her babydolls. She also got a mini TinkerBell Power Wheels from Ya Ya & Mike, a shopping cart w/ play food to keep at MeeMaw & PaPaw's and a kitchen set to keep at Pap & Nanny's. The best part is though, all those gifts and all she wanted to do was get in Daddy's Shop Vac box and play! Ha! I also managed to get one half-way decent pic of Izzy in her in her Christmas dress on Sunday to post. We really enjoyed our gifts to each other and from friends & family as well. I think they all really there's from us too. I had to start shopping in July and I had to get up at 4am and go out with the crazys on Black Friday to get everything I needed, but it was all worth it in the end. I hope you all had as wonderful a Christmas as we did.

Christmas Va-K Has Begun!

Let the partying commence...I'm on vacation until January 5. Halleaujah! and as you can tell by neglected blog, I need it. This has been one of the absolute worst weeks; deadlines, staff out, technical delays on web applications, face breaking-out in multiple places, bad wreck in front of the Y on the night of Clark's Work Christmas Party, major back pain again (hmmm...I wonder why?), 4 hours of sleep every night, had to address 50 Christmas cards, the printer for my staff's gifts was behind, Izzy's 15mo check-up=shots (and I was alone-ya'll know I hate those), Izzy was scared of Santa, forgot my camera for pic of Santa, at work till midnight Tues. night-ALONE, shopping at SAMS Club until 9:30pm Thurs night and then unloading it at the Y until 10:30pm, crying uncontrollably at the bank (of all places) and in front of my baby which only made me cry harder b/c I had just had all I could take (and in my last apprx 6 years of life might have cried like that maybe 5 times-I'm not a cryer anymore people-which made me again cry that much harder)!!! Ahhh...but let's recap yesterday; I gave my staff their drawstring bags...which they LOVE, mailed my Christmas cards and TJ, Eli, & Jakes package and Brian & Jennifer's baby package (that I've had for about 4 months), delivered more can food to the CUOC, got the ornaments for the Y's members, played with Izzy, had a wonderful dinner-made by my hubby, found a chair that goes perfectly with my new desk (that Clark got me for Christmas, ha!) on craigslist for only $15 and the best part...I slept from 11:30 pm until Noon, ohhh it was wonderful! It was the best sleep I've EVER had and what a great way to start off a vacation. I feel sooo good! I told my man that's all I wanted and he made it happen. Ahhh...yea! and already today Candi has come and taken Izzy's pics in a super cute green and red tutu. Can't wait to see them! More good stuff: had a wonderful visit from Kristin and Kristi last weekend. We went on the tour of homes with Candi and Ashton and had the absolute best time and so much fun. Then we had a little partay that night at Candi's and Frissen finally busted out the news that she was expecting a wee little tiny sweet baby of love! We are so happy for her and Brooks. I cannot wait! Oh and all the girls gave us the BEST gifts! Frissen made us adorable throws, K-dawg made us some sweet smelling body scrub & little post-it note holders, Candi put some recent pics in frames for my bedroom and ironically enough, bought me a framed initial, that I had just been talking about wanting minutes earlier. Of course Izzy got tons of super cute clothes from Candi & Kristi (that we've already been wearing this week) and Kristin made her some fabric books, which she loves and has one in the car already. Those too we had seen at the Holiday Market, but refused to pay the price they wanted for them. Yeah Frissen for making them! Whooo, this is a long one. Well, I've got presents to wrap, cookies to make and a house to clean and we are taking Izzy to see the lights at Castle McCollough (sp?) tonight too. I gotta share these pics and then

I'm off to fa la la la la la la la la!

Kristi's reaction to Frissen's big news!

All these great presents and we play with an empty box and a ribbon ;)

Just us girls!

So Daddy left at 3am today for training in Machine Computer Programming in Ohio. He will be gone until Saturday in the wee hours of the morning. All I can say is one day down and five more to go. Marshall and Kaylee were here today to help me out with Izzy, but as predicted, she knows her Daddy is not here and she's more attached to Mommy than ever! However, she did play with them enough for me to get my laundry folded & put away, dishes washed and 2 gallons of sweet tea made. I knew I had to get the tea done, b/c Mee-Maw is coming tomorrow night and Frissen is coming Thursday! I gotta have sweet tea for those two ladies or they just might become dehydrated while they're here ;) I'm going to wrap some gifts tonight after she goes to bed in a few minutes and hopefully wear myself out enough to go to sleep pretty easily tonight too. We shall see how the rest of the week goes. Clark's never been away from Izzy and I've never been away from him for more than a couple of nights myself! Atleast she and I have eache other though, poor Daddy is all alone :( Surely, we will all make it ok and truly have something to celebrate on Saturday! But a few prayers for us this week are always appreciated! Here's a couple of pics...just for fun!

Big Girl Day!

So, I didn't plan for any of this today, but I guess you never really "plan" anything when it comes to kids...especially toddlers. Lil' Miss. Izzy has shown me she can be Big Girl Izzy today and try to do everything by herself. I have to say she was pretty successful at most of it!

She can put her hat on by herself.

She tried to put her shoes on by herself.She can sit at the table by herself.

And she did all this Big girl stuff with lil' girl ruffles on her lil' butt ;) Such a cutie patootie!