Emily's Visit

Dear Abigial,

I am pretty sure we've had more visitors than not since we've moved into our new house. But all the more fun, right?! On Thursday afternoon, Mimi came to visit and surprised you with Emily and Katie! And I do mean surprise. When she got here, you actually were asleep on the couch (yes, we'll take a nap anywhere at this point!) but were just waking up. Mimi asked you to help her with her bags upstairs as Emily came and sat on the couch. When you walked down the stairs, there she was, sitting there. You just stopped and sat on the bottom stair. Didn't say anything. Didn't do anything. Just sat. Finally Daddy called you over and you became VERY shy and cuddled with Daddy. It was all very odd, indeed, but I'd say within, oh, 5 minutes, you were bouncing (literally) off the walls showing Em your new house! You guys played, and actually played "clean up". Em can come whenever she wants if she keeps playing that game!! We all ate dinner and it was time for bed. You are having issues with what bed you want to sleep in, so after a bit of a battle, you crashed in Mimi's bed. Mean Mommy made you get up and go to school on Friday, but that was because Mimi was going to get her hair done and we were having a party on Saturday morning (and evening!) and I had to finish cleaning the house, even though Emily did an excellent job on the playroom. But, good news is Mimi and Em picked you up from school! Bad news was it was right when you guys were celebrating Miss Whitney's birthday, more importantly right when you were given a cupcake with a cookie on top of it!!! So your teachers were nice enough to send you home with it. I don't know why, because the second you got home you and Mimi and Em made more cupcakes in her cupcake maker!!! However, you apparently snatched that cookie off the top of the cupcake before Mimi could see. She even yelled at Emily for eating it but it was you! Man alive you've turned into nothing but a sweet tooth!!! Such a contrast from a year ago! After making cupcakes, the 2 of you burned some energy (i.e. sugar overload) on the trampoline and even played hide and seek. At one point Emily ran into the house and said "Has anyone seen Abby?" and Mimi and Mommy COMPLETELY flipped out! We didn't realize y'all were playing hide and seek, and apparently you were just right in the back yard but we immediately put some major ground rules for playing outside with Emily! Shhheez, that scared us! It is nothing for you to just run off, hide a mile down the street, laughing the whole time!

After a few more minutes outside, we brought you in and got ready for Mexican. Mexican was a whole other experience because you and Ellie were on the end with no adult on either side of you. Made for an interesting night, no doubt, including your entire glass of milk falling on the ground underneath you. Thankfully there were 2 random ladies sitting behind y'all that were more than willing to help when you threw something, or spilled your milk! We all assumed they must work at a day care. I'm pretty sure I would have left! The 2 of you were pretty entertained for a while though because Ellie brought you a stuffed animal to play with. All this time we thought we needed to stick electronics in your face (i.e. iphones/ipads) to keep you entertained, but nope, just a giraffe for you and a bunny for Ellie! We'll see if that works next time! Em was being entertained by the phone, but we let her because she just got her braces on Monday and poor Em couldn't eat chips at dip at Mexican! Ugh, that's tough. She did let her chips soak a while in the dip, but it still didn't do the trick. I think the peanut butter cups i bought her seemed to make up for it!

On Saturday morning, we woke up and immediately started getting ready for Mommy's clothing party. Mommy decided to host a party for little kids clothes so all her friends came over AND most of their children, so you had a BLAST playing with all of them, including Ryan and Ellie! Miss Auburn came and you were immediately disappointed that Chloe wasn't here but Ryan was quick to point out that there WAS a Chloe here, just not the one you wanted to see!!! You guys played and played and played and DESTROYED the playroom but it sure was fun. After the party, you and Em continued to play and appeared downstairs as Buzz and Woody...

Later you appeared downstairs in a diaper!! Yes, a diaper. Apparently you guys were playing house and you were the baby and Emily found a size 5 diaper in Kate's closet (saved from when you were wearing them). It was quite the funny scene, you in a diaper, and you got a kick out of it too! You and Em and Mimi tried resting and watching the Chipmunks and Mommy and big Katie when to the store, and I'm pretty sure you were still in that diaper when I got home!!! And did not rest, to say the least. Who needs rest when your cousin's in town?! And who stops at just one cousin! That's right, around 5:30-6, Aunt Amy and Uncle Martin came over and brought Caroline! It was Uncle Martin's big 4-0 and all the adults were going to a nice dinner but first having appetizers at our house. Aunt Amy couldn't find a sitter for Caroline so Mimi again was a rock star and said she'd watch her. Keep in mind Mimi was ALSO watching you and Kate and Em AND Ellie!! That's right, again! Aunt Steph and Uncle Jaybee joined the adults and let Ellie stay with all the cousins! What a BLAST you guys had. We were here for most of it and we even put you youngins to bed before we left. Ellie didn't get to spend the night, but Caroline did and the next morning you and Em and Caro played and played and played AND all 3 of you appeared pantless with diapers on!!! Talk about a sight to see!!! A 9 year old, a 7 year old and a 3 year old in diapers. You girls are silly. And also destroyed your sisters closet, which I later found out... Everyone left later that morning after a yummy breakfast and when everyone left you immediately said "Who's going to play with me now?" You were VERY sad, so Mommy played with you. I bet it wasn't quite the same as all your cousins, though!

An AWESOME weekend for you, and now we're going to relax this week and get ready for the next one! No doubt we have a trend for 2012 - FUN FUN FUN! Love you!!!!

The best weekend of your life so far...

Dear Abigial,

Okay, well "The best weekend of your life so far" might be a stretch, but it sure was fun because it was the weekend that I, yes your one and only BFF (okay maybe you have more than one BFF), came to visit and see your new house. I know, I KNOW, you can't figure out what is going on here, but I, Sarah, am writing the blog this week. You and I had so much fun that your Mommy thought I would be better suited to put it into words. I love putting things into lots and lots of words, so I jumped on it. So, here we go...Sarah and Lil's weekend of FUN (with some Mommy, Daddy and Kate time thrown in for good measure).

I got up there Thursday night because it had been so long since I had seen you. Two and a half weeks I think. And guess what happened on the way to your house....it SNOWED. Not a big beautiful snow, mind you, but it flurried all the way. I decided I better leave work early to make sure I didn't have any problems, and I got to your new house a little before supper time. You had been to gymnastics that day, I know that because you still had on your leotard. I think you were pretty stoked to see me. When I got there you were playing with your little sister, which I have discovered is something you love to do. Then you had to show me your NEW HOUSE! I was so glad when you finally moved into your new house, though not half as glad as your mommy and daddy were I am sure. We walked all around the downstairs of your new house, seeing all the cool little ins and outs of it. Then we walked up stairs to see your bedroom, Kate's bedroom, and my favorite room, THE PLAYROOM! Man alive you have the coolest playroom. More on that later. Your daddy got home from work and you and your mommy made dinner, which was PIZZA! Well, you ate more of the toppings than helped make the pizza, but it's the thought that counts, right. Off to bed soon, for all of us.

Friday was a normal school day for you. I came downstairs just in time to sit with you while you ate your breakfast then you and your daddy headed out. Your mom and I went to do some exercising "to work all that food off" as you like to say then we headed out for some errands with your baby sister. I won't bore you with those details, but somewhere along the way I came up with this brilliant plan to pick you up from school and take you for a special treat. Now, if you ask your mommy she may say that was her idea, but don't listen to her, it was all me because I am your BFF. What's a better special treat than Sweet CeCes. Don't tell your Mimi we went to eat ice cream. That is also her favorite thing to do, but we all love us some sweet CeCes. Back home we all headed, and you and I got to hang out in the best room in the entire house, the playroom. You made me cupcakes in your new microwave (which I am sure Bebe will be glad to hear), we played with your new friend Sarafina, we played dress up, well you dressed up, I watched. At one point you had on your Woody outfit with your pink princess shoes. B-e-a-itiful! But the most fun was had playing with, wait for it...the empty paper towel roll. Yes, you heard me, the empty paper towel roll. I think you had the most fun because you climbed up the bookcase to hide it from me. It was bolted to the wall, so it can't fall over on you, so no harm no foul, right? Kate woke up from her nap and she and your mommy came up to play, too. We played a rip roaring game of chutes and ladders. We played and played for what seemed like hours, but I am sure was not;) Then guess who showed up at your house. ELLIE and baby Christopher, along with their parents of course. Why, you may ask? Good question. Because it was Friday and what happens on Friday...MEXICAN! When we got to Mexican you ended up sitting at the other end of the table from me, but that was cool. Ellie and Ryan were sitting down there and you all hung out and talked and played and texted and facebooked. Well, I can't guarantee what happened, but you all were quiet and used good manners and nobody cried (that I can remember. So we will go with that story). After mexican the three of you ran around in circles for a few minutes, then home we all headed. You went to bed pretty soon, and your mommy and daddy and I headed to the other upstairs to "watch a movie" in your theater room. I use the terms "watch a movie" very loosely for two reason. First, that is typically code for go to sleep and second it was the worst movie ever made.

Saturday morning started out pretty awesome because guess what your mommy made for us for breakfast...pancakes! Mmmm, mmmm, I love me some pancakes. You do to, I might add, though you don't like the syrup part as much as the rest of us. I love it when you say to your mom "Mommy do I like that?" in this case talking about pancake syrup. Your mommy made breakfast, while your daddy got Kate situated and you and I set the table. Then we all ate a supper yummy breakfast. After breakfast you and Kate and your mommy all had to take baths and get ready for our busy afternoon. I went to the Y for some exercising "to work all that food off" as you say, and your daddy went to Lowes. When I got back you indeed had a bath and were already in your leotard for gymnastics (more on that later). By the time we all had showered and changed clothes, it was lunch time. Time sure does move fast when you are having fun. We ate lunch then all the girlies headed out. Member when I said you had on your gymnastics clothes? I bet you said "What? It's Saturday, not Thursday." You are right, my dear, it WAS Saturday and you were going to your friend Chloe's birthday party at gymnastics. Now, I didn't get to stay because it was a little girl party, not a big girl party, so we had to drop you off and leave, but I bet you had a blast. And you got a cool party favor of a water bottle with your name on it. Chloe's mom sure does know what every little girl needs. Home we went, and your daddy was there. He really, really wanted to hang with you and Kate, so I let him. He is your daddy after all. I think you went on a bike ride and played outside for a bit. Your mommy and I went to run some errands. When we got back you were getting ready to eat dinner and hit the hay soon. Your mommy and I were going out for a big girls night out so you got to stay home with your daddy, again! Your daddy sure does love it when I come to town. He gets to spend a lot of quality time with you and your sister. Your mommy and I went to dinner and a movie and didn't get home until almost midnight, which is super late for the two of us. You of course were long asleep when we got home, like the good little girl you are:)

Sunday morning came and you were up bright and early as expected. As soon as I came down stairs you had to show me your COWS! I think actually you have shown me your cows everyday, but this morning they were putting on a show. We all ate breakfast, and then I had to do what I hate to do every time I come and visit you, pack up my stuff and drive back home to Munford. It seems like such a long drive after having so much fun with you and the family at your new house. I don't know what you did the rest of Sunday, I did leave pretty early in the day. I heard talk about going to see a movie or maybe going to the park and for a bike ride. But, you have to ask your mommy and daddy about that. I can't wait to come back and visit again. I miss you already...

Mimi & Pic-pics Visit

Dear Abigail,

Last week or so, Mimi and Pic-pic came up for a random middle of the week visit! Pic-pic didn't have much work going on, and we needed him to do a couple little fix me ups around here, so they came up on Monday. You were rather excited, to say the least, and Mimi had a surprise for you. She brought her cupcake maker! You mentioned multiple times that you needed to ask for that for Christmas. It's on the list sweetheart, it's on the list! So on Tuesday, Mimi took you to gymnastics that morning and when you guys got home and got Kate settled (Mommy was finishing up the unpacking of boxes!!) you got straight to work. Or tasting...

What beautiful cupcakes you made! You had one for each of us with our letter on it. M for Mommy, D for Daddy and K for Kate! And man alive were they delicious.

They were also 'mini' cupcakes, so Mimi thought it was perfectly fine to feed you 4 of them, however, I stopped her at 2. Two is PLENTY for you and you proved it because you were rather hyper that evening! Pic-pic tried to help burn off some of that energy by taking you on a bike ride...

Clearly he didn't know what he was getting into as he burned A LOT of energy chasing after you!

Then he tried to teach you how to use the breaks.

Thankfully you were wearing your helmet...
And I'm not kidding actually. The front of your helmet has a dent in it now. Apparently you went flying over the handle bars. Mimi said you were more shocked than hurt - again, because of the helmet. PLEASE ALWAYS WEAR YOUR HELMET!!! And tell your cousins, too!

Eventually the 2 of you needed a break...

But then you were off again

After bike riding, Pic-pic played hide and seek with you outside while we got dinner ready. Even after all this, you STILL had tons of energy, but soon enough you went to bed. On Wednesday, you had to go back to school and weren't too happy about it. Mommy and Kate and Mimi ran a few errands that morning, and they were gone by the afternoon. You were rather disappointed when you got home and could not find Pic-pic. Clearly he was your fave this weekend. Well, other than when you wanted to sleep with Mimi but couldn't because "Pic-pic will snore me up." Pic-pic also had to be talked to a couple times about things 3 year olds don't need to know, such as when Mommy starts counting to get you to do something you don't follow my "1!", "2!" with "3, 4, 5, 6". Pic-pic thought that was funny. I did not. Over all though, you and Pic-pic had a good time. Oh, and Mimi, too. I don't think she's bringing Pic-pic next time! LOVE YOU and love how you love riding your bike!

Back to Life...

Dear Abigail,

One day I will blog about our house. One day. But for now, I'm going to continue on with our daily life, just to be able to keep up with us! We're moved in, life is good, we FINALLY did Mexican on Friday night, and you had a birthday party to attend! This past weekend, we went to Jacob's birthday party at a gymnastics place and man alive did you have fun! It wasn't your gymnastics place, but you had NO problem adjusting to a new place! You did rolls and jumped on the trampoline and ran around and around and around in circles, or at least that's what it felt like to Mommy! At one point you were standing on top of this, thing - that thing boys run and jump over all while doing a flip, or several if they are real good! - anyway, your standing on that and said "Hey Mom, tell her to take my picture." You were referring to Miss Kristin who was walking around taking pictures. I said "YOU can go tell her, but I'm not" and, so, you did. Multiple times. She was happy enough to take your picture, too.

Oh and we had so much fun with the parachute. You ran under it and out and we made a tent with it. All kinds of fun. After a good hour of burning the energy, we FINALLY got to go eat the cake and ice cream you'd been talking about since the mention of the party. Well, that and if Monkey Joe was going to be there. Jacob had a Curious George themed party, so you were concerned when you saw a monkey on the invitation that a monkey was going to be at the party. There was no monkey. Unless you count all the crazy kiddos swinging from one thing to the other!

You thoroughly enjoyed the cake...

Which I have to say, were VERY delicious. Home made by Miss Kristin. Maybe Mommy will try them one day. Or just have Miss Kristin invite us over for a play date :) Also, you were VERY proud of your pink sparkly shoes and insisted on showing several people. You let them know you got them for Christmas and that Mimi got them for you. After you helped Jacob open his present, we had to say our goodbye, but not before getting a balloon string stuck on your hand - child, it's always something! A fun, fun birthday party!

Saturday afternoon, the gang HAD to get together to make up for all that lost time, so we hung out at Aunt Steph's. We had some excellent soup, which you accidentally spilled EVERYWHERE. I have no clue how it got in as many places that it did. Daddy and I both were on our hands and knees cleaning it up and still were shocked at where it all went. You kiddos played and played and finally it was bed time but for the first time ever (okay, maybe not ever, but I swear I can't remember when) you did NOT want to go to sleep at Ellie's house. You just kept saying over and over again, I want to go home, I want to go home. You couldn't tell me why, but watching a little Mickey Mouse on Daddy's 'puter' seemed to calm you down enough. It was odd and pretty much right after you fell asleep, we headed home! Oh well, one night out of 2,000 isn't too bad!

Sunday you and Daddy and Kate had a big day together. Mommy was determined to get the rest of the boxes unpacked so the 3 of y'all hung out for most of the day. Daddy took you to his work (and he wanted to take you in your pajamas but Mommy put her foot down!) and you somehow found chocolate there! And then the 2 of your rode your bike up the street and met a few neighbors. Later that afternoon, the 2 of you watched tangled in the theatre room and by that afternoon, I think Daddy was ready for a break!!! But, good news was I finished most of the unpacking. At least the main things! Hooray, life is getting back to normal day by day!

A great weekend to jump start the normalcy sweet girl! Now, if we can get you to sleep in your bed... Yeah, not working out for us at the new house. More on that later. Still love you to the moon! And back!!!!

On the 12th Day of Christmas...

The gang FINALLY got together!!!

Dear Abigail,

Yes Christmas day came and went, and you may have noticed that nothing was in there in regards to the gang. Well, a LONG time ago, we decided we'd do our Christmas on New Year's Eve AND in our brand spankin' new house! More on the house later BUT we finally moved on Thursday, Mommy had to leave town on Friday and on Saturday we threw a New Year's Eve party for the whole gang!!! We are indeed straight up crazy. No doubt. But that's just how we roll.

So the gang all came over around 6 where we had dinner ready for you kiddos AND you were all in your matching pajamas! Instead of matching Christmas outfits, this year we decided to do Christmas pajamas, which, if I do say so myself, was a fantastic idea! You guys ate and then played, or maybe vice versa, or really not much eating, just lots of playing. You guys hadn't seen each other in a VERY long time!

That poor playroom was already a mess with boxes everywhere, so after 4 toddlers ripped into it, well, let's just say it took awhile to organize. But look how much fun y'all are having! And how darn cute you kiddos look! Which brings us to the next event...

Pictures of all of you! We went with the big kids first, which turned out so cute...

And then we brought in the babies! Remember, we've got 3 babies, 6 months and younger, one only 2 weeks old!

Considering it was 7 kiddos, 3 and under, I think we got a pretty good shot! Or maybe the mommies have just lowered our expectations of pictures of all the kids!! Whatever the reason, you guys sure are cutie pies and love love love your little sister/brother.

After pictures, you and Ellie headed to your next 'party'! Mimi came and got you and Ellie and Kate and took you to our rental house for one last night stay, while the adults brought in the New Year adult style! You were very excited about your 'party at Mimi's' and very concerned that Ryan wasn't going with you! He was going to his K-k's with Jake and Grant was picked up by his Mimi. So Mimi got you all loaded in the car and headed to our house, but unfortunately you and Ellie both thought you were going to Mimi's house, so you were a little disappointed when you got to the rental place!! It's okay though because you weren't awake very long. You two shared an apple while Mimi fed Kate and then immediately went to bed, apparently with Mimi!!! What a great way to wrap up our holiday season and bring in the new year - with our bestests of friends!!

The next morning Mimi brought you guys over early enough for breakfast and everyone left after their bellies were full. We stayed in our jammies all day, trying to recover from staying up late and trying to unpack the million of boxes. Some of us were a little more worn out than others...

Yep, you fell asleep as you were playing your LeapPad! I'm pretty sure if I sat down I would have done the same thing!!

Merry Merry Merry Christmas and Happy Happy Happy New Year!!!! I love you so much and cannot wait to see what 2012 brings us!!! Love you!!!

On the 11th Day of Christmas...

You got a bike!!!

Dear Abigail,

I know, I know, it's not another day, but we had 2 big events on Christmas day, so I thought I'd separate them out. After we left Mammaws, you and Daddy took a much needed nap while Mommy and Mimi got food ready for that afternoon/evening at Mimi's house. Soon enough you were awake and the food was smellin' good! Although, I will add that Mimi's oven went out when we had a couple more things to cook. Sausage balls should not have taken 1 1/2 to cook! Not surprising at all, we had plenty of food even with the oven breaking!

We did things a little different this year, since everyone had a little different schedule. We decided to do all appetizers and everyone could eat at their own will rather making everyone eat at 5:30 even if you just ate at 1! It worked out perfectly, other than we ate and ate and ate all night long! And you missy, you kept grabbing the "CHOC-O-LATE!" that Chris' girlfriend made and brought! I had to yell at you on Christmas, so please forgive me :)

First things first when everyone arrived - take pictures!

Mimi and Pic-pic and ALL the grandkids!

And you always trying to pet your baby sister!
Here's our family of four - just perfect, huh!
And Mammaw and Pawpaw and the GREAT grandkids!

Soon enough we passed out the monsoon amount of presents to everyone and while we TRIED to get you kiddos to open one at a time (so we could see what you got, take pictures, etc.) there was no chance of that actually happening! You tore into your presents and got all kinds of things including stuff to do Mommy's hair, rain boots and a rain jacket, sparkly pink Toms (all the girls got them and Mommy so bad wanted a picture of all your feet in them, but who was I foolin - there were presents to open!).

So lots and lots of presents, but then, to top it off, drum roll please....

A new bike!!!!!! And it was a pinkalicious bike!!! even with a spot for your baby to ride! You loved it and immediately insisted on riding it, regardless that it was dark AND cold!

And Clara Lee got one too!!! Like I said, you HAD to ride it outside, so since "It's Christmas Niki" we let you!

Balloons and all. You cried when we had to go in but we promised you could ride it the next morning. And you did. And want to ride it all the time but it's been really cold and even rainy a lot. But the day is coming (and PS Mommy got a bike, too, so we can ride together!!!).

Kateland got an XBox kinects thingy so we set it up and every one did a little dancing. You girls were awesome, and hilarious, and had a ball dancing with Emily. Your BFF stopped by for a little bit and soon enough it was time to go to bed. Mimi did not have a problem putting you to bed because she was right behind you!! It was a very fun and exciting Christmas Day. You are truly blessed to have such a great family (especially cousins!) who loves to get together and play, play, play (and eat a little, too!!!).

Merry Christmas baby girl! One more day and we wrap up our 12 days of Christmas!

On the 10th Day of Christmas...

YOU GOT CHRISTMAS PRESENTS!!!!!!!!!

Dear Abigail,

OH MY GOODNESS. Apparently Santa forgave you for writing all over the couch because man alive did you rack up! And look at your sister's pile. She's only been here 3 months and was still able to get in good with Santa...

Mommy and Daddy had a little something, too, but nothing like you two...

You woke up a little earlier than usual, but not too bad - around 6:30 I think. You came down the stairs and came running into our room saying "Someone's been here!! Someone's been here!!" so naturally I jumped out of bed ready to defend. Not really, I had a good feeling I knew who had been here. Santa rocked it out. He brought you your own 'puter' just like Daddy's Ipad and your own soccer ball. That Santa's so smart - he totally knew you were starting soccer this spring!

And oh my goodness, you got a Woody AND a Buzz costume, both of which were worn while looking through other presents...

You got a really cool bean bag, too, pink, of course...

And some cool new sippy cups in your stocking...

You got several new books, including a couple Pinkalicious ones!

Oh, and I'm pretty sure out of all the things you got, you were most excited about the gummy worms in your stocking. (side note - when you finally went back to school and Miss Jamie Jo asked you what you got for Christmas, you told her gummy worms! I had to let her know there was more than that, but you LOVE you some gummy worms. Daddy, too.)

You helped Kate see what she got from Santa and she, too, got her own puter! Now everyone can play on their own computer - hooray!!!

And you helped with her stocking, too...

And even helped Mommy with hers! All dressed as either Buzz or Woody, of course...

Pic-pic got in on the action of all your fun toys, too...

After playing for a bit, reading a letter from Santa, and getting our teeth brushed, we headed down to Mammaws for the annual Christmas breakfast. Again, EVERYONE was down there, and super excited. The kiddos were all in their jammies (as usual) and were ready to open presents the second we walked in (as usual). Everyone talked about what they got from Santa and we ate a yummy yummy breakfast...

And then FINALLY it was time to hand out the presents. You, again, made out pretty darn good with a new wagon, and enough room for your sister, too - or 2 cousins :)

The big kids got scooters for Christmas so while they were out scooting around on them, I dragged you and your little cousins around in the wagon. It was actually a beautiful day weather wise so it was nice to be outside. Everyone played and played and played with their toys, some played with Skipper...

And some played with their new 'puters!!!

We all had so much fun playing, and laughing and talking and goofing off, all on Christmas morning! What a great way to start off Christmas Day!

Love you!!! Much more to come on Christmas Day!!