it.was.perfect

Our Christmas

2010

Christmas Eve 2010

For as long as I can remember we'd always have Christmas Eve at my parents house.

My grandma would make her delicious and famous, Posole soup (a mexican stew) with her green chile and tortillas.

We'd have cheese balls.

My mom would make her famous rolls.

My uncle DeeJay would bring a smoked ham.

And everyone else would bring Christmas goodies.

I miss that.

But I was not going to go without it this year!

Was.Not.

So I took on the roll of making the Posole soup.

I started it at 9:30 in the morning and our house smelled of Grandma Sally all day.

I made rolls.

Pecan Pies.

Sugar cookies.

Cheese balls.

A green salad.

But no ham.

I knew I couldn't beat my Uncle DeeJay's.

Everything else was absolutely perfect!

We invited the elders in our ward, along with Lance's parents and brother, and Starling, Wendi, and Brooklyn to join in the fun of Christmas Eve.

Thanks for coming everyone.

 It made Christmas Eve so special for us in our new home away from home!

 {I'm 22 weeks, Wendi is 19 Weeks.}

lewis lights is what it's called

Last weekend we took Layla to see the lights again.

Lewis Lights to be exact.

Only this time she got to take her daddy for his first time.

We also went with Uncle Dane, Aunt Lacey, Jared, Katie, and their 3 adorable boys.

It was packed!

i do believe these are the best santa pictures at this age...

Our ward Christmas party.

Dec. 10th, 2010

Layla and I stood in line patiently, waiting our turn.

With every step I took, inching closer to Santa, she'd grab my arm a little tighter and say,

"No mama, no no!"

I'd then give her a little pep talk and she'd be fine.

I'd take another step and she'd say it again,

"No mama! No!"

It finally was our turn and as I went to put her on Santa's lap to clung

onto every bit of me. Including my hair.

I was saying under my breath,

"Hurry up Lance! Take the dang picture!"

She survived. But as I picked her back up she said,

"I scared mama. No Santa."

Am I horrible for making her do this or what?!

i think the wait just about did him in!

December 10th was the day.

I had another doctors appointment.

I was scheduled to do my 2nd trimester ultrasound which meant

we could find out the sex.

Lance wasn't able to go because he had to work,

so after I found out what we were having I told him he'd have to wait till he got home from work.

I found out at about 10:45AM.

He wouldn't be getting home until about 6:00PM

Poor fella, huh?!

He actually left work a little early to get home because he couldn't take it anymore!

This is what was waiting for him...

Can you tell by the look on his face what he had just found out?!

He just knew it was going to be another girl.

And he was okay with that,

but when he saw that sonograhm, and the little blue stripped outfit

he looked at me and said, "Are you serious?" with tears in his eyes.

It was such a special moment for me to see.

 {i love how little miss is looking at him}

Yes, we're having a little

MAN!

and he wasn't afraid to show us either!

I cried and I cried when I saw this.

I just felt like it was going to be another girl.

And I didn't want to let Lance down.

He just wanted his little boy so bad.

The ultrasound tech kept asking if I was ok, but they were pure tears of joy.

I just couldn't wait to tell Lance.

  

{20 week Ultrasound}

My 24th

December 6th is my birthday.

Lance let me open one present a little early while my parents were here.

So far I L.O.V.E it..

 {i need book suggestions from everyone!}

 My parents spoiled me rotten, I just love and miss them so much!

My mom thought this would be a lame gift.
Umm...I think not!
If you haven't tried it, and you have some extra cash, go get some!!!

On my actual birthday Lance told me that he had to work that night and we'd celebrate the next day.

I was bummed, but made the best of it with me and Layla.

We went out to run some errands and when I got home Lance, Sue, and Preston were at our house.

All ready to take me out to this fabulous restaurant.

If you live in the Hattiesburg area, or close by, GO TO IT!

Loved every bit of it!

Thanks Sue and Preston for treating us!
After dinner we went home to some delicious cheesecake
and some great family time.

My birthdays just get better and better.

Thanks to all my family and friends for all the wonderful gifts and the

"Happy Birthdays!"

Here's to another wonderful year!

"ahhh wow, pitty mama!"

That's what little Layla will say when we pass homes with Christmas lights!

she l.o.v.e.s the lights.

There's just something so magical about them.

On saturday Wendi and I took Layla and Brooklyn to a cute little home.

It had a couple aches worth of lights put up with a little trail to walk through.

The girls just loved it, and so did Wendi and I!

about half way through we met up with some friends and their little girls.
we stuffed them all in the wagon and took some pictures.
of course, they didn't cooperate very well, specially Layla.
she was pulling off Brooklyn's beanie and pulling little Leah's hair.
my child... sometimes i just don't know what to do with her!

 {i love how alayna's giving layla the stink eye}