Party!!

We had Josie's birthday party at Fun Zone in Jackson this past weekend.

It was our first time to have a big party with friends and I'm so glad that we did it.

Josie had such a great time and loved seeing all of her friends!

They were all sooooooo busy jumping and playing that I didn't get a lot of pics of the action.

Get ready for picture overload......... :)

THE BIRTHDAY GIRL!!!!!!!!!!



Izzy... love this girl!

goodie bags for her friends :)

(oops....pics are out of order!!)

Reilly, CJ and the birthday girl!

Cousin Jack & Josie

Even the "big kids" had fun :)

"Ash" and Ben going down the big slide!

Popee & Josie playing ball

Josie & sweet Ellie

the birthday girl was on the go!!

the party room

Josie wasn't sure about us singing "Happy Birthday!"

Presents!!

I'm so happy that my birthday girl had such a special day!

Josie's Bday Party at School!

We had a little birthday "party" for Josie at school last week.

Josh and I took Dora cupcakes to her school so that she could celebrate with her classmates.

We arrived at 2:30 and all of the kids were still asleep. Josie was actually across the hall visiting in her new classroom and they said she had just fallen asleep (hence the pitiful face below)

The Birthday Girl..... very sleepy!

And... how fun! Cousin Addison was "visiting" in Josie's 2 year old room since she will soon be moving up (just as Josie moves to 3 year old room)

cute CJ

"Tom Tom" went head first for the cupcake ;)

The whole crew.... aren't they cute?!?

These 3 gals are "movin' on up" to the 3 year old class NEXT week!!!!

Happy 3rd Birthday, Josie!!!

HAPPY 3RD BIRTHDAY TO OUR SWEET, PRECIOUS, ADORABLE, NURTURING, FUNNY AND SMART LITTLE GIRL!!!!!

We began the morning with birthday donuts and a Dora balloon!

We ended the night with presents

and playing with new toys!!!

Josie, You are the most precious little girl I could ever imagine. You have the kindest heart. You have really changed so much over the past few months. You are no longer our little baby, you are such an independent little girl. It's so fun to watch you grow and explore new adventures in life. We couldn't be more proud of you, sweet girl! These past three years have been the most fun and amazing years of our life. Your daddy and I love you more than you will ever know.

Happy 3rd Birthday :)

Christmas Day 2011

MERRY CHRISTMAS :)

I know one little girl who must have been extra good this year..............

Santa came!!

Josie's two requests this year were that she wanted a Dora book and a new baby doll.

Josie's favorite thing these days is to watch Dora DVD's and take care of her babies.

I think that Santa got the message from Elfie (because we certainly didn't go visit Santa this year to tell him in person after Josie's traumatic meeting with Santa at the Christmas lights show earlier in Dec!!)

Josie having a tea party with Daddy

taking care of her sweet baby....

Olivia, Stella and Josie with their birthday cake for Jesus!

Our one and only family photo!

Mott-Mott showing off her new jacket!

Josie with one of her many babies (she named this one "Hunter")

This is Josie's new dollhouse. This is actually the dollhouse that my grandfather made me by hand when I was a little girl. I'm so happy that Josie can have it now!


We enjoyed having my brother and his family here for a few days after Christmas! Josie was very sad to see them go. She really looks up to Olivia!

Whew! We had a wonderful Christmas and are so incredibly blessed to have such wonderful friends and family that we can surround ourselves with during this special time of the year.

This Christmas holiday has been really unique. Josh has been on Christmas break, but anyone who knows my husband knows that he cannot sit still! He has literally worked non-stop on house projects for the past 2 weeks. It's unreal what all he has accomplished! He pulled up the hardwood floor in our bathroom and put down new tile, pulled up carpet in a hallway and put down new carpet, ripped out the sheetrock above our mantle (had water damage) and put up new sheetrock and painted, put new baseboards in our living room, repainted all of the kitchen cabinets and practically all of the crown molding and baseboards in the entire house (painted them a bright white opposed to the creamy white they have been for the past several years), etc...... It's crazy! Josie and I really appreciate all of his hard work :) We had a lot of damage to our roof several months ago and we will be getting a new roof tomorrow and Josh is going to continue his list of projects! We have really enjoyed having Josh home more and I have certainly enjoyed having him home to help me get Josie ready in the mornings. I think this break has been good for all of us as we prepare for Josh to begin his second semester of law school. Next week is going to be awfully tough as we get back into the routine!

We ended 2011 by enjoying dinner with good friends in Memphis at J.Alexander's. Josh and I both were in the bed by midnight!

I know a special little girl who will be THREE on Thursday :) The celebrating continues...... :)

Christmas Eve 2011

Christmas posts.... FINALLY!!!

We started our Christmas Eve with a family tradition.... making my grandmother's "cereal mix!" Josie and I had asked my grandmother to come over and assist us, but she had recently fallen and was not feeling well. So, Josie was a great helper! There is just something about my grandmother's cereal mix that makes the holidays (or any occasion) better! I can't remember a Christmas or trip to Destin without it!

Then, we got cleaned up and got ready for church. My parents were also at church and then they headed to Memphis to my dad's family Christmas afterwards. We loaded up and went to Grandmommy and JJ's!!!!!

Josie, Grandmommy and Addison

Then, we had a surprise phone call from our friend, Elliott. His dad was dressed up as Santa and was making house calls! Oh, goodness!!! Josie is terribly afraid of Santa, but it was difficult telling Santa not to come by! So, he did................


Santa (a.k.a Mr. John Simmons)

Boy, I wish I had a picture of Josie's face when she saw Santa!!!
UPSET!!!!!!
She screamed and held onto Josh so tight that I thought she would never let go. Then, of course, Addison followed Josie's lead and didn't warm up to him either. We appreciate Santa thinking of us and coming by for a surprise visit.... Maybe the girls will be more friendly next year :)

Josie LOVES baby dolls!

The evening of surprises continued..... GM and JJ had a HUGE surprise for their two favorite gals......

A Barbie Jeep!!!!!!!!

Look out, everybody!!!

There are two wild girls out on the loose!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

They were soooo excited!!!!



We ended our night by settling in at home, sprinkling reindeer food in the yard and putting out our homemade chocolate chip cookies and milk for Santa!