Noelle was showing out for Bekah’s friends Friday night in Jacksonville.  Not sure what the tongue is all about, but I’m sure Noelle thought she was so funny!

Bekah went with Noelle and me this weekend to Poppa and Rara’s house.  Bekah, Ashley, and Abigail (all so grown up and cute) went to the movies…

…while Aunt Joe, Aunt Polly, Rara, Aunt Elsie, Noelle (back row Miss Shirley and Miss Kathryn) and I had lots of sewing and crafts to work on.  Noelle has a little strawberry in her teeth – I promise they are all still there!  🙂

We are so thrilled to announce our baby’s name!  Her official name is Anna Katherine, and she will go by Anna Kate.  She is named after Melissa’s aunt Joe Anna, who is Melissa’s namesake as well.  The name is so perfect – it already fits her spunky personality (lots of kicks)!

Anna Katherine means gracious and pure, and we pray her sweet spirit will bring these attributes to fruition throughout her life.

Just wanted to share our boy/girl sonogram pictures from the last couple of months!  We are so happy to have that confusion behind us!  

Noelle wanted a cheerleader gingerbread girl!

We had a cookie and gingerbread decorating party this week with some friends from my Mops small group. 

Sam checking out the enemy position below.  He is so creative in play!

Sweet Aiden and Jillian (and Noelle peeping from behind).

Pretty Isabella!

All the kids hung out outside while the Mommys switched out between keeping an eye on them, getting the cookies baked and getting the gingerbread ready to decorate (or adorn, as my sister would say)!  🙂

Decorating the good stuff!

Noelle straight up ate a spoonful of icing – yucky!

Lauren, Caitlyn, and Isabella having fun decorating their cookies. 

Noelle piling on the sprinkles (her favorite part)!

Lindsay and Melissa with our little girls.

We had such a great time today! 

That night, Devon came over and we took her out in celebration of our birthday month.  After supper, we exchanged Christmas gifts.

Devon gave Noelle a fairy princess dress-up costume, and Noelley ripped her clothes off as fast as she could to get it on! 

Thank you Devon for your precious gift and hanging out with us!  We love you!

Noelle got to dress herself today and decorate her tree however she wanted!  She was so excited and seriously asked me to take pictures the entire time (hence all of the different poses)!

Off to a great start – after Noelle decided it was okay to let the tree borrow her skirt.  Instead of calling it a "tree skirt," she says the "tree has my skirt."

Admiring her work and more posing!

Noelle really got into standing on the stool to hang the ornaments.  She knew right where she wanted each one to go.  We had on Christmas music, so of course, she had to take little breaks to sing using the tall and skinny ornaments as her microphones.

Putting on the star with Daddy!  I got her tree 90% off at Hobby Lobby last year and all the ornaments in a bucket at Target for 75% off.  Her entire tree ended up costing right at $10!  Just had to share my bargains… after Christmas shopping is one of my very favorite things!

I decided to put up the mini-tree again this year because it saves so much room at our sweet little town house.  With all the Christmas decorations, Mr. Snowy Snowman and Rockin’ Rudolf made their grand entry for the month.  Noelle loves her silly singing toys.

It’s official.  Mike and I have hired a realtor and a builder who are a husband/wife team.  As soon as we find a lot to build or a home already built (whichever comes first), we will be moving!  I’m getting so sentimental, but it is time.  I will miss our town house, which I endearingly call our little tree house.  It’s been such a sweet place to call home.

Noelle asked me if I would wear my "jacket" pjs with her (button-up).  Noelle was playing in our closet this weekend and came out wearing this shirt.  She asked us if we liked her new dress!

Noelle got lots of grandparent time this weekend.  Friday, Poppa and Rara came to play with Noelle so that I could do a craft show with some of my friends in Ft. Worth.  That night, Rara read the entire book of Snow White to Noelle (I guess we’re slackers because we always skip pages). 

Saturday night Mike and I had his company Christmas party (which was really amazing).  Noelle spent the night with Grand Papa and Kay Kay, and they went to see the Nutcracker.  Noelle came home saying, "I want to be Clara, Mommy!"  She had a ball and has been on cloud 9 all day!  I wish I had some pics because they were all fancy!

We had such a blast hanging out with Holly for Wonderful Wednesday at the Arboretum!  

While we were touring the nutcracker display, Noelle saw Santa through the window.  He was doing a promotional photo shoot (so he was off duty).  Noelle waved at him and the next second, he had come through a back door and into the room where we were to see Noelle.  They got to share a moment all alone, and it was really neat. 

Holly gave Noelle this adorable dress, and I thought it was perfect for going to see the gingerbread men!

I’ve never seen a Wizard of Oz nutcracker display.  This was Noelle’s favorite!  She asked me to tell her all of their names.

Holly was so sweet to think of my dad when she saw this nutcracker.  Miss Holly and Noelle look like two peas in a pod!

I think this expression is wonderful.

I felt something wet on my cheek right when the camera flash went off.  Noelle decided to kiss me in the picture, which was super sweet!

This pic is for Michele – Holly made homemade chicken salad, pita chips, and cut fresh pineapples for us.  I’m not going to tell you how many servings I ate!  🙂

Our yummy yogurt dessert!  Noelle was so sweet to Holly’s nutcrackers.  She treated them like she treated the scarecrows this fall.  Her whole demeanor was saying, "You poor thing!"  

This face sums up our day – super fun and special.  Thanks for coming with us and having us over for lunch, Holly!  We love you!

November 29, 2008

Tonight you colored your pink polka-dotted Pottery Barn chair BLUE with your crayola.  Right after I discovered your new little art project, I said, “You better pray this comes out.” You immediately said, “Dear God, thank you for my chair. Will you please clean it for me? A-men!” Daddy and I were both cracking up!

December 3, 2008

Tonight you came up to me while I was ironing, hugged my leg and said, “Mommy, I love you with all of my heart for all of my life!” I LOVE YOU NOELLE!

When we were leaving Santa, Noelle yelled, "Thank you, Santa Claus!!!"  She then squealed her Christmas list, "Fruit & knives (velcro play set) & pom-poms & music player – Yay Noelle!!!"  I then asked, "What did he say?" and she immediately answered, "YES I CAN!"