Thursday, December 31, 2009

It's hard to believe...

that one year ago today I discovered this:

knocked up

and now I have this:

niki & lexi

What an incredible year it's been!

Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Snickerdoodles

Question: What is your favorite kind of cookie?

My Answer: Snickerdoodles.

I am just not that fond of chocolate (sorry, Ruth!) and as such have a hard time with cookies. Most everyone else on this planet can't get enough of chocolate, or nuts for that matter, and proceed to put them in anything they bake, including cookies.

If you are like me and would rather pass on the chocolate, but would still like to have a good cookie - I suggest you try these!

Nick over at Macheesmo posted a recipe for snickerdoodles back in November and I have been itching to try them ever since.

snickerdoodles in the oven

Eric, Lexi and I went to a Christmas Eve get-together with BJ and Amy this year and I made some. They were a big hit!

snickerdoodles

I will definitely be making them again!

Sunday, December 27, 2009

Merry Christmas!

Christmas morning my family came over and we had a big Christmas breakfast and opened gifts.

Alexis had a mountain of presents surrounding her by the time everything had been passed out.

surrounded

(Also, don't you love the hat Santa brought her?)

:)

Eric and I got Alexis this book, which I love.

read to me

Afterward, we headed to Knoxville where we celebrated with Eric's family.

Here is a shot of Lexi and Annie, Eric's mother.

baby and grandma

And Eric took this one of me and my little baby.

me and my baby

Once we finally got back home on Sunday, we started taking down all of the Christmas stuff. Lexi wanted to sit up and watch so we put her in her Bumbo.

Apparently, the busy weekend caught up with her.

passed out

I hope everyone had a marvelous holiday!!

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Chistmas Survey

Survey stolen from Manda.

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags?
I do love me a good gift bag, but for Christmas I like to use wrapping paper. Although I don't like to find boxes, so most things are just wrapped as is. Makes for some interestingly shaped presents.

2. Real tree or artificial?
Growing up we always had an artificial tree so I have no problems with them. But this year we got a real tree and I absolutely love it.

3. When do you put up the tree?
A couple of weeks before Christmas. Three at the most. And I always take it down in the days following Christmas. There's nothing sadder than a Christmas tree after Christmas.

4. Do you like eggnog?
I do, yes. Yum!

fa la la la la

5. Favorite gift received as a child?
Hmm... that's tough. Honestly, I think I would say the videotape of Disney's Cinderella I got when I was little. I remember watching that movie so much.

6. Do you have a nativity scene?
I don't. I don't like a lot of the ones I see. Too cheesey. Although I have seen some that are just beautiful.

7. Hardest person to buy for?
My uncle, David. Definitely.

8. Easiest person to buy for?
Depends on the year, but my mom and aunt are pretty easy to buy for.

ornaments

9. Mail or email Christmas cards?
Mail. At least I do when I get the cards in time.

10. Favorite Christmas movie?
Too many to name. Home Alone, The Nightmare Before Christmas, The Santa Clause, et al.

11. When do you start shopping for Christmas?
I almost always start on Black Friday.

12. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas?
Christmas breakfast. Eggs, sausage, bacon, biscuits, gravy, juice... Love it!

bebe in a bucket

13. Clear lights or colored lights on the tree?
This year we had clear lights, but Eric wants colored for next year. I'll let you know which I like better.

14. Favorite Christmas song?
Sleigh ride. I love to listen to it, I love to sing it, and I loved to play it back when I actually played my sax.

15. Travel or stay at home for Christmas?
Both. Now that we have Alexis, I want to be home on Christmas morning. But I also want to travel so we can see all of the family.

16. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer?
Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, and Blitzen.

And Rudolph.

christmas card outtake

17. Angel on tree top or star?
I'm open to both.

18. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning?
Christmas morning. Although opening one present on Christmas Eve is nice

19. The most annoying thing this time of year?.
Commercials. Thank goodness for DVR.

20. What do you love most about Christmas?
I love spending time with my family and giving gifts.

what is this thing?

Sunday, December 20, 2009

Hurricane Doyle

This past Friday I went out to the 5 Spot in East Nashville to see/shoot a band named Hurricane Doyle.
The band is headed up by this guy:

lair

hurricane doyle

Lair is a really great song writer / guitar player / vocalist.

lair

black&white

I had a great time and can't wait to see another show!

at the 5 spot

play

Oh, and did I mention that it was Lair's birthday?

happy birthday, lair

Happy Birthday, Lair!

Friday, December 18, 2009

Reid

I took some photos of little Reid the other day.

little santa

I also got some with his mother.
mother and son

And his father.
kiss

Thursday, December 17, 2009

Santa Baby

santa baby

She's sick with a runny nose and coughs constantly, but is still so smiley.

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Evelyn

evelyn

This little cutie arrived about 3 weeks after these were taken.

Monday, December 14, 2009

A baby tree for Baby

I saw where one of my virtual friends put up a small tree for her 2 year old in addition to their big family tree. I thought it was such a great idea and decided to get Alexis her very own tree too.

a baby tree for baby

I'm very glad I did, she loves looking at the lights.

looking at the lights

Sunday, December 13, 2009

I need some title suggestions.

b&w baby

Thursday, December 10, 2009

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Smile!

I finally got a good photo of Lexi smiling!

smile!

Monday, December 7, 2009

Saturday Fun

We went out this past Saturday with BJ and Amy to get our Christmas trees!

trees

Amy holding a bundled Lexi.

lexi bear

BJ hefting his tree.



When we got home, we set up our tree and then went over to BJ and Amy's house to set up theirs and have dinner. I sat Alexis up on the couch for a second and turned around to find her asleep!

asleep sitting up

Also, on Saturday I did a 12-hour photo project. One photo every hour for 12 hours.

12 hour project

Time on the play mat
Shower
Getting ready to go to the grocery store
Unload groceries and bebe from truck
Wash dishes/bottles
Sonic lunch in the car
Christmas tree farm! (with BJ and Amy)
Home Depot for lights and such
Setting up our tree
Setting up BJ and Amy's tree
Baked Potato Soup for dinner
Help decorate BJ and Amy's house for Christmas

Saturday, December 5, 2009

Thursday, December 3, 2009

Santa and Baby

Alexis went to see Santa yesterday.

santa and baby

santa and baby

Monday, November 30, 2009

White Beans

November 30, 2009

BJ made us white beans for dinner with some leftover Thanksgiving ham. They were delicious.

white beans

And that, ladies and gents, completes this years Photo-A-Day Project. :)

Sunday, November 29, 2009

Mesmerized

November 29, 2009

mesmerized

She spent a good 15 minutes talking to the hanging animals this evening.

Saturday, November 28, 2009

Cookout

November 28, 2009

We had a cookout at BJ and Amy's tonight with some of BJ's family. This isn't the best photo technically, but I was too busy eating to take any others.

cookout

Little Turkey

November 27, 2009

My little turkey is 3 months old.

little turkey

Carving

November 26, 2009

Happy Thanksgiving!

carving

Reflection

November 25, 2009

reflection

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Spotted and Dotted

November 23, 2009

version #2

Jammies from Target.

Monday, November 23, 2009

Mollie and Cale

November 22, 2009

Mollie and Baby Cale came to visit yesterday.

mollie and cale

Saturday, November 21, 2009

Rose

November 20, 2009

rose

Bebe

November 21, 2009

Alexis on her changing table.

bebe

Framed maternity photos taken by MBCochrane Photography.