The Annual Hunt for the Christmas Tree

This year was bittersweet...bitter because we were of course missing GA AND missing our 3/4 legged best friend and sweet because Minnie and I didn't get stuck in the truck this year AND we brought along J.T.'s family! It was the first time they had ever cut down their own tree and they loved it :) What's not to love?? :) J.T. and I considered doing a buy one get one deal...while the guys examined, walked, and tried to figure out the BEST tree for their girls!

of course we stole the R kids again...it's tradition :)

and fun making new memories and traditions...

The T family deep in discussion about the "right" tree...

and "our kids" standing in front of our RIGHT tree :) Husband did a GREAT job picking this beauty out...

Minnie was a HUGE fan of 1) being outside and 2) being with her cousins ~ She had so much fun she didn't even TRY to take off her hat!! :) Miracle.

Meanwhile...:) hee hee hee

more on this Wednesday...what IS she so happy about?

uh..."WHAT just happened???"

ah....the "men" got the tree down!! :)

after we each picked our trees out we met back up for the traditional hot cider and candy canes...we threw the girls in for a cute LLBean shot...clearly they are impressed

Minnie: "hey, what's this in front of me?!??"

Dani: "SERIOUSLY. DUDE. LET GO OF MY JACKET! I'D GET YOU BUT I LITERALLY CAN'T MOVE!"

Minnie: "What's that? You can't move??" (insert evil laugh)

Dani: "I thought I'd be able to get you back...but I still CAN'T.MOVE. Mom!! Get me OUTTA HERE!!!"

AND to finish it off the traditional hot chocolate... and hey... another little friend. I planned ahead this year and asked Husband's BFF to meet us at our house to help Husband put the tree in the stand. I was getting sick of the "annual fight" and this worked out PERFECTLY :)

FUN DAY FOR SURE!!!!

DANI'S 1ST BIRTHDAY PARTY!!!!

We told Minnie that Dani was turning into an old lady just like her!!! and on Saturday we got to celebrate the big girl turning ONE!!! :)

yes she IS wearing an adorable headband with wiggly stars on it and no my daughter DID NOT try to pull them off... will wonders EVER cease!?!?! Of course the headband came complete with a weapon... I mean a wand... and Dani knew just how to use it... Minnie's no dummy :)

How are WE the Mom's of ONE YEAR OLDS!?!??

CountryDad either "raising the roof" or trying to get Dani-Girl to say "TouchDown" :) It's fun for everyone!

Pretty Pretty Birthday Girl!!

Honestly... these three might be THE.HARDEST.PEOPLE.EVER. to take a picture of... :)

and what's the birthday girl to do when it all just gets too overwhelming and there are too many people in her quiet home??? Go play in her room by herself of course :)

Opening presents with her Daddy...

J.T. "little" brother...

one of my FAVORITE pics of Dani EVER... I'm not sure why but I just LOVE her look, her eyes, her little pouty mouth... so sweet...

and when the Birthday Girl was all done with the action my girl stepped up! :) Here Aunnie J.T., I'll HELP YOU!!!! :)

AH the infamous first bites of cake pictures...

mmmmm

oh yeah, she was a big fan :)

Phew... all that playing, eating and cleaning up was tough business... let's relax with a drink and scope out the loot...

One YEAR old ~ Minnie's Stats

On Thursday last week we had Minnie's 1 year well-baby check-up.

Weight: 21.1 lbs and she is in the 50% ~ after being in the 2% I'll TAKE 50%!!! :)
Height: 30.5 inches and she is in the 88% ~ down a little from her 9 month when she was in the 90ish
Head Circumference: 44.5 cm and the 40%

The Dr. did say she noticed that during her eye exam she has a little white going into her right retina that could be the early signs of an astigmatism and wants us to get referred to a Pediatric Eye Doctor. She said it was nothing to lose sleep over at night but she wants us to have it check. Easy for her to say... doesn't worrying just come with this parenting territory??

How are these girls ONE!?!?!

On Wednesday, two days before Dani's b-day she came over to play with all Minnie's new birthday toys...Minnie LOVES to share... at least right now... (just TAKE the soggy Cheerio when she gives it to you people! :) )

Dani was a BIG fan of one of Minnie's new birthday toys in particular...

nope... it wasn't the Border Collie from the Little People Nativity, though that IS one of Minnie's current favorites

of course it was the MONKEY!!! What one year old WOULDN'T love a dancing laughing monkey? It's fun for everyone! :)

Lovin' the monkey...

My girl just likes watching HERSELF on Aunnie J.T.'s camera... fun for her :)

For one year olds they did play VERY well together for about 30 seconds with the new Nativity...

but it kinda spoils the fun when Minnie steals the stable...

Ah well, fun days as USUAL with the T girls... Happy ONE YEAR birthday Dani... we love you to pieces and are so THRILLED you are becoming such a big girl!!!

Currently...

My favorite channel... plays Christmas music and EVERYTHING :)

I LOVE the Christmas season all cozied up in my home...:)

FREE Christmas Cards from Shutterfly!!

I have never used Shutterfly but Christmas seems like a GREAT time of year to try them!!! FREE is def. my middle name! I also have never sent Christmas cards before but it does seem like the time, now that Minnie is here and we have so many cute pics to choose from right?

Shutterfly also has so many neat things for Christmas presents such as photo calender's, photo coasters, mugs, jewelery, and prints.

Not only do they have great Christmas cards ~ (it will be hard to pick just one to send out) but they have super cute Greeting Cards and I'll keep them in mind for next year's Birthday Cards. They have so many great gift idea's for this Holiday Season to choose from!

Shutterfly is offering a special offer for Bloggers. Bloggers can get 50 free Holiday Cards by going here....50 Free Holiday Cards!!

Yes this IS a shameless plug but this time of year, who DOESN'T love FREE stuff!?!?!