Catch-up #2: Christmas!!

AAAAHHHhhhhhhhhh....Christmas. My absolute FAVORITE time of year. I know that sounds like a cliche, but it's completely the truth. I begin looking forward to Christmas in January :) I think the reason why I am so happy during this season is because growing up it was always magical for me. Christmas was such a wonderful time for my family. My grandfather, Pappy, was the master of Christmas. He spent days, weeks even preparing his tree and his home for all of the festivities. Mamaw always had special treats to eat (not that she didn't the rest of the year, too!). I remember counting packages, then finding excuses to go back to their house later just to update the count. I remember staying up all night with Gretchen listening to see if we could hear anything, such as presents spilling out of a large velvet bag into our living room. I remember opening up our christmas PJs and the way the new material always smelled and felt the first time I wore it. I remember Mamaw in the kitchen preparing Christmas dinner and then eating it off of her special plates. But most of all, I just remember my family. The fun, the laughing, the love. That feeling is something that I crave all year. It makes me miss Mamaw and Pappy so badly I can taste it. But in place of that sadness, I remember all the good times. I remember how I felt and how much I want Claire to experience what they gave me. That isn't to say I don't feel loved the rest of the year, but there is nothing like that Christmas feeling. There is nothing like those fun times. There is nothing like those memories. I wouldn't trade them for anything in the world. I hope Claire feels the same way one day.

The Arledge Home

Preparing to bake cookies for the first time!

The gingerbread family was hugging :)

Daddy's idea of cookie-making fun!

My little cook!

Opening Christmas PJs and finding a new friend to spend Christmas Eve night with!

Modeling her new gown and slippers before heading to bed

Wow, I think Santa tripped in our living room!

Hooray! Mom got a laptop!!

Claire got mommy a printer, too!!

Is this all for me???

My sweet Mama helping prepare Christmas brunch

My first solo batch of homemade biscuits. Aunt Debbie, I hope I made you proud!!

Christmas Brunch

Claire's new doctor kit

Her new 'noculars!

Who's that???

Daddy, Claire, and Annabelle watching the snow fall

Claire playing with her new buddies

Gigi and her gifts

Mama helping open the gifts

Keyboard=FUN!

Lee and his brothers, Jamie and Michael

Claire opening gifts from G-Daddy and La-La

Daddy and Claire playing with the doll house. Claire has such a good daddy!

Grandaddy putting together the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse...with Claire supervising, of course.

What a perfect ending to a perfect day!

Catch-up #1: Bells and Biscuits

I'm starting the big update! I'm going to back up to December 19th, the evening we hosted the annual Bell Family Christmas party. It was wonderful to see everyone all together and catch up and visit. The food was yummy, the presents great, and the company even better! Later that week, Claire and I were lucky enough to have Aunt Debbie come over to teach us how to make homemade biscuits. She was so patient with us and our biscuits turned out perfectly! In fact, we've made about a dozen batches since that day :) Thank you, Aunt Debbie, for the sweet and yummy memories.

Papa, Claire, Aunt Debbie, and Baby Audrey

The family sitting around and visiting

Sarah and Baby Audrey

Claire opening her gifts!

Crazy Papa! This is what he's really like when no one but family is around ;)

Sweet baby Audrey and her new Elmo

The little ones opened gifts with their mamas

The family

3 generations! Julie, Audrey, Aunt Debbie, and Sarah

Uncle Michael was the lucky recipient of the headless Joseph and Toddler Jesus nativity scene...

Aunt Debbie showing Claire how to pat out the biscuit dough

Forming the dough

Putting the finished biscuit in the pan and adding the knuckle prints...ready for the oven!

New Year's Resolutions...

I usually don't make new year's resolutions, but this year I am making an exception. In fact, I am making 2 exceptions. My first resolution is to cook more. I realized over the holidays that I truly LOVE to cook, when it's something I want to eat :) So, I've decided to start planning more meals that are creative and yummy (and healthy, too, if I can manage it). My second resolution is to UPDATE THIS BLOG REGULARLY!!! I got in major trouble during Christmas for being such a slacker, so I have made a decision to put the blog back near the top of my to-do list. I have become a victim of Facbook addiction, so most of my pictures and updates end up there. So, stay tuned for more posts...and friend me on facebook in the meantime :)

Thanksgiving Fun!

Greetings from Claire!!

Claire helping Ahni snap the beans

The great turkey fryer....and his frying contraption, too :)

BEFORE...

AFTER!!

All that chocolate sure does wear a girl out...she slept through the meal!

Delicious buffet!

Beautiful table!

Family and Friends

Still out--and no poultry seasoning to blame!

Now she's awake and raring to go!

Hello? Hello? Is this thing on??

Did you think I'd completely quit blogging all together? It seems that my new business, Baby Belle Bowtique, has taken on a life of its own. In fact, I think it's taken on MY life as its own! I have been so overwhelmed with events and orders that I've hardly had time to spend with my beautiful daughter and loving husband, much less tell you about it! But I'm trying hard to get my life in balance and spend time on the important things.....like keeping you up to date on Claire's latest adventures and new vocabulary words ("Get Big"=turn up the volume, etc). I have a lot of very cute pictures to share, so stay tuned this week. There will be much to see!!!

Happy Halloween!!

This year Claire LOVED trick-or-treating! She really got the hang of saying "trick-or-treat" when the door opened and told everyone thank you when she got her goodies. When she was finally ready to come home, she wanted to hand out the candy to the guests at the door. She would put one piece of candy in each bucket or bag and say "there you go!" and "fanks!" before they left. It was so cute to watch. She keeps asking to do it again, and doesn't seem to grasp the concept of waiting a whole year to get more free candy :) I have to say my favorite part was watching her walk around in her adorable snow white dress, perfectly accessorized with ruby red shoes, gloves, headband/bow, and purse (in addition to her candy bucket, of course). She wouldn't take any of it off the entire night! She is definitely my daughter :)

She is growing so fast and changing so much--it kills me. I am amazed at the way her precious personality is developing. I love who she is and who she is becoming. She is so precocious (no, that is not a typo) and hilarious, but yet so tenderhearted and gentle. She is pure joy and such a blessing in my life. I know I sound like a broken record on here sometimes, but I can't help it. My heart is full.

Daddy and his princess walking up the sidewalks...

Waiting patiently

All that walking got very tiring...Snow White had to get in her carriage!

Checking out all of the goodies she collected

Yum!!

"Hmmmmm...where should I begin??"

My precious girl!