It was one of the things on Avery's list this year that I was not going to get for her. For crying out loud, the thing was $40.00! A Barbie...for $40??? Sure, it is a Collector Barbie, but still....

Well, she got some Christmas money in the mail today from Grandpa Myron (Thanks Grandpa!!!). Same day, I saw the Holiday Barbie on sale in town. Guess what she had to go get? Yup! Bapa Craig threw in an extra $5, and we bundled up and went and bought her. Isn't she sooo fancy?

She really is very pretty...ya know, for a barbie and all.
Avery was SOOOO excited to get her out of the package and look at her. She kept saying "She's just so pretty....I don't want to stop looking at her!"

Hold Cards, batman....

I just LOVE getting mail....I LOVE getting Christmas Cards! THANK YOU to all who have been sending them!!! My wall is covered in photos of all of your faces!

Sugar sent me her adorable family photo...after 3 boys, she just had a little girl, named Olivia!!!

Our good friends Marc and Monica, and their 3 sweet bright eyed kiddos, Lydia, Julia, and Boaz!

I received this card via email from Michelle today! Thanks Michelle!

One of my bestest blog clients Laura sent me this card...
I had to take 3 pics of it, because it was just THAT cute!
{front}

My Grandpa Myron....I wonder who talked him into this pose...

A blog client, Emmy, sent me a photo of her beautiful kids...William, Lizzy, Thomas, and Mary Harbin!

My blog friend Darby sent the CUTEST card...I think I may just have to do something similar next year!

And, a blog reader of mine, Danielle....what a cute family!!!

We had our Christmas get together with our buds Dustin and Ashley tonight! We went to our favorite Mexican restaurant, stuffed our faces, and then back home for some fun!

Oh yea, it was -7 out....much colder with the windchill (I hear it's going to be something like -47 tomorrow with the wind chill...joy)

Dustin and Ashley brought over their pug, Jack. Piper and Jack had fun chasing each other around and playing!!!

Dustin and Ashley bought the girls this super cool 20 questions game, so they had fun playing that!

My sweet girls in their matching shirts....bad photo of Liv...

I got the girls each a little something to open up too, so they weren't left out! Liv got a Dora book,

...and Avery got a chapter book. She's reading through these books SO fast...


The girls had a BLAST with Dustin and Ashley...so very hyper! I hope the ALL sleep well tonight!

We had a wonderful time with our friends....we just like them so much!

Hubby's cousin Tesa, her husband, and their 4 kiddos! Aren't they adorable?

Another family that I know from when I taught preschool...I taught Aaron...he's in 5th grade now! WOW! Kandy, Terry, Aaron, Jerrod, Analiese and Jesalyn...

I designed Ginny's blog for her! Here she is with her hubby Matt, and their baby Matelyn!

Another blog client, Brantley, and her little boy Mason!

THEN
October 10th
7 weeks old
2 lb 10 ounces

December 17th

16 weeks old

5 lb 7 ounces

An AWESOME card day today! We received 9 total, with 6 photo cards!!! WHOO HOO!!! Enjoy!

My sister-in-laws brothers family...Jace, Sandy, Jacey and Jadyn!

Our friends, Rob and Tammy, and their kiddos, Rex and Nadia. Rex was born 2 days after Avery, and Tammy was a babysitter of ours when Avery was little!

My long-time friend Leslie (my maid of honor), and her family....

Jennifer, from "On Our Side of Life", and her adorable son Anderson (LOVE that name!)

Our bestest friends, Dustin and Ashley, and their puppy Jack...how cool is this card?

Our friends, Jason and Andrea, and their 4 kiddos...Jarren, Maya, Karli and Kate. Jason and Andrea lived in the same apartment building as us when we were pregnant with Avery (and she pregnant with Jarren). She was Avery's day care girl when she was oh-so-little...

Only one card today...my mailbox was in tears...so so sad...

BUT, it was a GREAT card, no less! My Uncle Poly and his wife Sue sent off a card! Look at their beautiful house? He built this new home in the country at "Poly's Land" (named after, um, him). My dad hunts there, my child hood dog Peaches is buried there, among the pine trees, and it's where Poly took some photos of Hubby and I after we got engaged. Lots of memories of "Poly's Land."

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BUT, there was another package in the mail today, and boy was it a surprise!!! I designed a blog quite a while ago for a lady, whom I thought was just a mom who wanted a bloggie design! Was I shocked today when on the outside of the package it said "Author Gift" Hmm....who on earth? OMGoodness...she's a stinkin' author?...that is what I said. Look how fun this book will be...How true is that statement.....
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And, I am very behind on the teacher Christmas gifts this year. I'll let you imagination wander as to what I'm making, but here is a photo of 2 of the items I'm using!

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And, Piper is 4 months old today! Happy 4 months Piper!

Today we got a Christmas card from Uncle DJ and Aunt Rachelle....and their baby!!! Baby is due in the beginning of January, and we're very excited to have a little one in the family again! I will be an Aunt for the first time!

Here is Haley's son Jackson! I designed her blog for her quite a while ago when he was just a little bugger!!!

And, the last card of today.....The oldest boy, Alex, was in my very first preschool class that I taught. He is in 5th grade now, so it's rather odd to see him all grown up. Their parents are just the bestest people ever....

Alex, Adam, Aidan, Bobette and Paul

Avery and I decided to get creative this year with her cards for her friends! Super cheap, and oh so cute!!! Take a peek!

This is going to be for her BFF Abby....

She gave one of these to each of her classmates...

This was for her teacher, Mrs. S...

And, her card for her other teachers...

I hope they enjoy them as much as we did making them! :)

My sweet bloggie friend Leslie from South Carolina, and her adorable girls, Reese and Abby!

My cousin Heidi (who just started blogging a couple months ago), and her 4 cuties...Rebecca, Jaquelyn, Taylor and Teresa...Taylor and Teresa were my flower girls when they were oh so little...

One of my bloggie clients Malinda, and her sweet baby Sara Madalin...

another blog friend and her fun family...

and, our last card today is from a super fun and sweet mommy that I actually know IRL (in real life)...Kathy, and her kiddos Hunter, Austin, Logan and Grace!!!

Can't wait to see what comes in the mail today! The mailman should be here shortly!!!