Yay! Turkey Day

Over the river and through the woods... to two sets of grandparents houses. First, we had lunch at Gran Gran and Pop's (Chris's parents), and then it was off to Nana and Papa's for dinner. Both Mom's totally outdid themselves with the feast they prepared. Thanks so much for all the work you put in, Mom and Donitta. You're amazing!

Of course, we are so thankful that Wayne is back safely from Iraq. Here's Willow enjoying a few moments with her strong and brave uncle.


And now, back home, the three of us are exhausted. Willow just crashed.

I think she's thankful for more than just Mommy and Daddy. She's thankful for the same thing Chris and I are... a warm bed.

Angel Girl

This is Willow Grace when she was just four days old.

Glimpses of Willow

Chilly Night!
This little pram suit is too big for her, but she looks so adorable in it, and it definitely kept her warm.


Finally in the Swing!
We've been trying to put her in the swing, but she always hated it. However, in the last couple days, she's started enjoying it.

She liked it so much that she drifted off to sleep!


Hanging in the Bumbo

(For those of you worried about the Bumbo recall, Willlow is sitting safely on the floor and is being supervised. It was recalled only because people were putting them on tables and not properly supervising the babies.)

My Brother, My Soldier, My Hero

In the fifteen months he’s been in Iraq, he has weathered many storms -- those literal sand storms that engulf everything there in the desert making routine tasks near impossible as well as unimaginable obstacles and duties which he either can’t or won’t tell us about. Serving his country, he has endured more hardships than I could even begin to recount or will even know including the burning of his barracks and his vehicle being bombed. This is his third tour in a hostile environment, and yet he serves with dignity and honor and bravery.

He hasn't been here to share birthdays, holidays, family dinners and get-togethers, his sons sporting events, the birth of his niece, and so much more. We’ve missed his presence, his laugh, his perspective, his conversation, and his goofy antics.

All of our lives have been altered.

Soon, however, he will return. The wait will be over. This Thanksgiving will be richer. Our lives will be more complete. My brother will be home. I couldn't be happier... or prouder.

What's in a name?

I snagged this from my sister-in-law's blog who got it from someone else. Thought it was fun and interesting.

1. YOUR ROCK STAR NAME: (first pet & current car) Bandit Rover
2.YOUR GANGSTA NAME: (fave ice cream flavor, favorite cookie) Vanilla Fudge Twirl Chocolate Chip (That one didn’t really work out well for me.)
3. YOUR “FLY Guy/Girl” NAME: (first initial of first name, first three letters of your last name) M-Ree
4. YOUR DETECTIVE NAME: (favorite color, favorite animal) Green Bunny
5. YOUR SOAP OPERA NAME: (middle name, city where you were born) Kay Nashville
6. YOUR STAR WARS NAME: (the first 3 letters of your last name, first 2 letters of your first) - ReeKa
7. SUPERHERO NAME: (“The” + 2nd favorite color, favorite drink) The Red Tea
8. NASCAR NAME: (the first names of your grandfathers) Nathan Robert
9. STRIPPER NAME: (the name of your favorite perfume/cologne/scent, favorite candy) Divine M&M’s
10.WITNESS PROTECTION NAME: (mother’s & father’s middle names ) Frances Wayne
11. TV WEATHER ANCHOR NAME: (Your 5th grade teacher’s last name, a major city that starts with the same letter) Greer Gainesville
12. SPY NAME/BOND GIRL: (your favorite season/holiday, flower) Winter Tigerlily
13. CARTOON NAME: (favorite fruit, article of clothing you’re wearing right now + “ie” or “y”) Apple Caprisy
14. HIPPY NAME: (What you ate for breakfast, your favorite tree) Cereal Dogwood
15. YOUR ROCKSTAR TOUR NAME: (”The” + Your fave hobby/craft, fave weather element + “Tour”) The Painting Snow Tour

And for your viewing pleasure, a couple pics of our fam.

First Halloween

Willow Grace is, of course, too young to trick-or-treat. However, she's not too young to look cute on Halloween.

Playing with Pumpkins


Asleep in Nana's Pumpkin Patch


We wanted to visit both sets of grandparents, but circumstances beyond our control prevented that, and we were only able to visit with Nana and Papa (my parents). I really wish that we'd been able to go both places, but hopefully we can make up for it today or later this week with a trip to Gran Gran and Pop's (Chris's parents).

This morning, I rose bright and early to run down to the Walgreens to pick up a costume for next year for Willow. I'd seen it there last night and knew that it'd be half off today. I ended up buying three costumes, all for under $20! I bought her an adorable princess bee costume for next year. I also bought a Renaissance dress. If she gets the chance to hang out with my during one of the Renaissance Festivals at school, she'll be all set. Also, I bought a Belle costume for her. I already have a Beast costume, and Chris promised me that when she's older he'll take her out and wear the Beast costume so that the two of them can be Beauty and the Beast!

Here are the costumes:



While I was at Walgreens' I received a great tip from a fellow shopper which I will undoubtably do when Willow is a bit older. She said that her friend had gone out just after Halloween and bought a bunch of costumes for her daughter for a costume trunk that she gave her for Christmas. I love that idea! Of course, anyone who knows me is aware that, being theatrical, I love to dress up in costumes. I don't think it would be out of the ordinary for someone to stop by our house sometime in the years to come and to find both Willow Grace and I in costume enjoying a tea party. There's so much to look forward to!