I Wouldn't Touch You With A Thirthy-Nine-And-A-Half Foot Pole

We started a tradition three years ago. We have Christmas at our house on Christmas Eve with My family that includes my Parents, bother, Sister who brings the whole McMinn Crew, Sonny's parents, and my Aunt Chell. My Aunt Doris and Uncle George have attended the last two years! I hope this tradition last for years and years to come. I love having everyone gather at our house to eat and open presents.

 This is just SOME of the food! I set a three dish limit because we always have way too much food! You can see we still had a ton!

 Sweet Nieces Shelby and Maggie! 

 Aunt Doris and Uncle George

 Deb and Jerry AKA the Parentals 

 Jerrad, Aunt Michelle and Allie

You can see by birthday flowers in the background! They last almost a month!!! Sweet Hovatter!

 Shane had to worked 11 to 7 the night before he was very tired!

 Shelby, Krista and I

 Aunt Michelle and Jerrad

 Present! and the Tree!

 Allie! Uncle George tried the whole day to play with her and she just wasn't having it! Brat!

 Our gift to Shelby Toms! 

 Okay so there is a story behind this present. Sonny and I made our christmas list and the family got him all the small stuff he wanted. Filet knife, spot light, Mud Hole gift cert. etc... He was convinced I got him a game camera while in Atlanta. I may have fibbed and told him I went to bass pro shop. Actually I met his friend who picked up his present in Mobile on my way to Atlanta and kept it in my trunk until the week of Christmas. I tried to send it to Laurel with Erica but it was too big to fit in her car! So the night of Shelby's birthday party my brother took it to my sister house because it wouldn't fit in her car either. She wrapped it and addressed it to Jerrad. I had told Sonny that Jerrad was getting a bike rack from Krista so that's what he thought the big box was. 

 You can see Sonny wasn't really paying attention because he had just gotten a present. Jerrad was the best actor! He was so fun and was so energetic opening the present!

 Sonny Took over the unwrapping I never can hold it in and keep a secret so I was so proud of myself! I think he was embarrassed and shocked because we always exchange presents alone!

 Sonny And I got Maggie a North face jacket for Christmas. She stayed with us one weekend and we went to Gander Mountain. She fell in love with this green jacket and wanted it so bad! They had only one and it was in her  size! It also was hanging on the sell rack! We found Sonny and I told her to tell him what she found. The whole time she was telling him I was mouthing to him it was on sale. She took him and showed him and I slipped out my keys so he could put it in the trunk and gave him my debit card! She and I went next door so I could get some fabric. Turns out it wasn't on sale just on the sale rack but they gave Sonny the discount any way!! She loved it so all the sneakiness was worth it!

 Jerrad wanted tools. Every time he opens a present he get so excited! I love it!

 The girls got Kindles!

 Cute calendar from my Aunt!

Make up bag! LOVE IT!

Sonny and I got my picture loving momma a digital picture frame and put about 300 pictures on it! She was so excited! 

 McMinns

 Sisters

 Hovatters!

 Sisters

Shane told us to be gangsters! haha RIGHT!

After presents we started our other tradition that we have been doing since Shelby was a baby! Making christmas cookies! We roll out our dough use are variety of cookie cutters! We make snow men, candy canes, Christmas trees, bells, stars and so much more! After cooking we decorate them with icing, sprinkles and candy! It is so much fun! Oh and how could I forget we eat them! Except for Santa's!

 I opened my present from Sonny after everyone left!

LOVE my market Tote! Sigh! Have used it so much already!  I got so much stuff from him! He really is the best!

 Christmas morning

 Sonny's mom and Mamaw on Christmas

 Sonny his mom and his Red Solo Cup!

Us with our Precious Mamaw!!! Just love her!


May your days be Merry and Bright!!!

“Mothers of Teenagers Know Why Animals Eat Their Young”

Well, it is  official we have teenager in the family! My sweet Shelby turned the big 13 on December 20th. She didn't  have a party because apparently that's not the cool thing to do =( What happened to dance parties at the communities center and the space jam? Instead we had a family party! We also waited a few weeks and my sister Krista and I went with her to get make overs!

These are a few of my favorite pictures from the party!

 Maggie and I had too much fun with these!

 They were hugging after Maggie gave her a present! A rare sight!! 

 Shelby and Grandmother

 She was so excited about her hat!

 Uncle Jerrad!  Love this picture!

 Aunt JuJu her Favorite of course!

 Sweet Maggie!

 Her birthday spanking haha!

A few weeks after the party I went to see one of her soccer games at Petal! Shelby started the game and played for the majority of the game! I was so proud of her! The day of the game had been really warm but I took a jacket with me incase the temperature dropped. We were sitting in the stand and the wind started blowing really hard. The temperature did drop about 20 decreases and then it started pouring rain! Krista and I took cover under the stand and watched the majority of the game from there!!

Fun times!!

For These Things I Am Thankful

So I decided to write a blog for my thirty days of thankfulness on this last day of November.

1. Comfy beds! There is nothing like a comfy king size bed to melt into and truly relax. I love my cloud and sleep wonderful every night!
2. My Hovatter! The source of my laughter and child like fun. My protector and best friend! There is never a dull moment and always an adventure around every corner!
3. Mexican food! No really there just isn't food that satisfies me quite like Mexicano
4. The greatest best friends a girl could ask for. I'm thankful for the two I see everyday and the two that have been around since school days and the one who lives forever away but as soon as we see each other its like we never missed a beat. Their support means everything to me!
5. My family: I am so blessed to have a brother and sister that are totally different from each other and both different from me but I can see parts of them in myself. Also for parents who taught me morals, respect, fun, and planted a seed for my faith.
6. For my savior who comforts me and leads me in all aspects of life and who has sacrificed to prepare a place for me when this life ends.
7. For my puppies who always keep life in the house and provide companionship for me while I'm frequently alone.
8. Travel. I have had the opportunities to travel so many places and I feel so blessed because of this. I love to travel and explore and I'm so thankful to be able to do it so frequently.
9. My co-workers. I have a wonderful job filled with great teachers and team players and I feel so lucky to be placed where I am.
10. Education. I play all day and do what I love! I'm so thankful for my occupation and my chosen field. I couldn't imagine ever doing any thing but pediatrics and I'm so thankful for the ability to enhance my knowledge and never stop learning.
11. The beach! My perfect spot. The place that hold so many memories for me and the place that always feels like home.
12. Exercise! Even though I slack and at times I feel like I'm dying! I love the stress relief it provides and the time I get to spent with my workout partner.
13. Our house! I love our house and all of our many projects!
14. I love that we have been provided with the ability to pay our bills on time and always have more then enough money left. I try to never take for granted that is a blessing and not all are so fortunate.
15. College Football. No other sport has the same magical feel for me! I can lay on the sofa all day and watch the excitement play out!
16.Netflicks
17.Bonfires
18.Fashion-boots scarfs, jewelry, dresses, jeans, tops! I love it all!
19. Pictures! I love to have a record of events and looking at how people and styles change over the years
20. GPS on Smart Phones
21. Laughter. Even if I do snort somethings and have been know to cry haha!
22. Social networks/technology
23. Hugs they just make everything better
24. Surprises
25.Children in general they just make me happy
26. Sonny's Mamaw who over the last eight years has become mine as well
27. Lunch break
28. Holidays especially Christmas just makes me feel warm and fuzzy!
29. The occasional snow we receive
30.  Music the perfect pick you up or chill you out! The songs that just feel like they were written for you!