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!

Best Wishes, Kathryn!

Last weekend I had the pleasure of hosting a bridal shower for my cousin, Kathryn. She is getting married in November. We had a wonderful time visiting, catching up, eating yummy food, and watching her open all of her gifts! Best wishes, Kathryn, for a long and happy marriage.

Yumm-O!

The bride's mother, grandmother, and aunt sampling the goodies

The bride's grandmother and aunt (and Claire snuck in, too!)

Part of the group enjoying the day celebrating Kathryn

The bride and friends

More cousins!!

Duluth Fall Festival

Hi! I have really been neglecting my family blogging lately. I've been so wrapped up in preparing for the Duluth Fall Festival, that much of my regular routine has taken a backseat. But, the festival has come and gone, and hopefully I will be able to keep everyone up to date on our family adventures again! If you'd like to read a little about the festival, click HERE. Otherwise, enjoy these few pics from the past few weeks!!

Claire and her buddy "Ka-key" doing lunch at the Frosty Frog

A real woman always grocery shops in high heels...especially when she has a duck in her basket

Redneck tow. I took this picture on Chastain Road. Go figure.

I'm back!!

Sorry for the HUGE gap in posts. No excuses, just been busy, busy, busy. I figured that rather than boring you with a bunch of details of our recent activities, I'd just show you! Enjoy!

Mom realizing that her surprise from Dad for her birthday and their 40th anniversary is a trip to Maui!!

Opening the coconut bra that Lee gave her for the trip :)

Celebrating 40 happy years!! I'm so thankful for the beautiful example of a loving marriage they've shown me. I am a blessed daughter!

Princess Claire during potty training

Claire sitting in "time out". Her daddy likes sports WAAAAAY too much. By the way, we do NOT make her sit like that--she does it on her own.

Princess Claire

Silly cowgirl in Daddy's boots

All ready to go to church

Playing with her balloon monkey at La Parilla

Claire's first Georgia game!!!

She was sooooooooooo excited!

Getting ready to watch the Dawgs play!

She cheered so hard she wore herself out by the 3rd quarter

Daddy and his football buddy :)

JACKSONVILLE!

Playing in the surf. Rip currents meant we couldn't actually get in. Oh, well--it didn't seem to matter...

Daddy rescuing Claire from a giant wave. She was soaked!!

Post-giant wave...

Okay, so she didn't have a change of clothes. Bad mama, bad mama!

Checking out the fish at the port

Enjoying the pool. She swims like a fish!

Pretending to be a puppy like her buddy Zeke

Yum! Krispy Kreme!