Livvy's 1st B-day: Trip to the Aquarium

On Livvy's birthday, Joey & I took off work & as soon as he got home from school we took off to Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies for some family time! There were tons of people there, way more than we expected. But it was wonderful! Livvy loved every minute of it!! Since there are so many pictures, I decided to just make a slideshow for you. So enjoy!!

Livvy's 1st Birthday

March 31st was Livvy's actual first birthday. I can't believe my baby is 1yr old now! It has flown by!! We are so blessed to have Livvy in our lives. She brings out the best in us & makes us want to be the best we can. She brightens our days making us smile & laugh. Your heart melts when she hugs, snuggles, giggles, or smiles. Her laugh is SO contagious! She is so smart (I'm not biased, mind you..haha!) & loves to learn new things. She has a major personality (with attitude!) already, but it is such a sweet personality. She loves books, animals (particularly kitties, frogs, tigers, & giraffes, & turtles), fish, playing tea party, trying to talk like a big-girl, giving kisses (especially the really wet ones. Those are the best!), music, & dancing! She truly is our little miracle. The Lord's most precious gift he could have ever given us. She teaches us everyday- how to love, how to smile, how to find joy in the tiniest & most simple things, how to just be us, etc. I feel so blessed to have been entrusted with her. Happy Birthday, Sweet baby! You're growing up, but you'll always be my Little Stinker!

When we got home we found my aunt & her family at finally arrived to stay with us a a while. So, they celebrated with us! L to R: Garrett, Uncle James, Carolyn, Snow White (Livvy's present from Grandma & Grandpa (or as she says Gama & Guppa), Livvy, Me, & John.
We sang "Happy Birthday!" & Carolyn helped us blow out the candles.
We at another cupcake....

Here's a video of our "Cupcake Monster"! Sorry, it was loud. I love the look on her face when I holler at her, "Who, me?"


And this is what she was doing at 9:56pm, exactly one year from when she was born. Love it!

My very own Calico creation!!

I know I've told ya'll about my crafty-to-the-max friend Cally. Well, look what she made for me.

It's my "Working Mommy bag that can go on dates".

And my extra surprise...diaper attachement!


Yeah, I'm pretty lucky & excited! If you haven't already, you should really check out Cally's other creations. Thanks again, Cally! I love it!!

Even more Livvy's 1st B-day Party pics

Sorry, Papa. I had to. It's too cute!
Livvy was not as enthusiastic as Papa was about the hat.
We got lots of help opening presents!

More Livvy's 1st B-day Party Pics

It started off nice....
Little bites.....
But it ended like this.
Gotta love all the cameras. There's at least two more that are not even seen in this picture.
Rob looks so happy! (Don't hate me, Rob. I love ya!)

Livvy's 1st B-day Party!

On March 21st we had a little party to celebrate Livvy's birthday a little early with some of our family & friends. We had a lot of fun & Livvy, of course, loved the attention! Here's some fun pics to enjoy!

Livvy with her Baloons. She was scared at first, but learned to absolutely love them now!
Mamaw playing with Livvy, Sarah, & David.
Yeah, it's not much, but we had fun & Livvy's liked it!
Livvy hanging out with Papa
The kids seemed to like it too! L to R: Janele, Jalene, Brielle, & Benson

Valentine's Day '09

We had a very nice Valentine's Day this year. At midnight, after Livvy & everyone was asleep, Joey & I couldn't wait to exchange our gifts. We promised not to get eachother anything big since we were going out to dinner & to see the Features at World Grotto later that night. So we exchanged our cards & shared our chocolate (for Joey), & chocolate-covered strawberries (for me). We got Livvy a little stuffed cat holding a heart & Joey got her 1 dozen roses. They were yellow roses. Which just so happens to be my favorite. He said he thought she might grow up to like them too, & she already does! She loves to look at them & touch them softly. I'm so terrible, I never got a picture of them. We, all three, spent the day being lazy at home, making my parent's at least go out to lunch, running a few errands, & napping before our date night that night. We overslept a little & didn't have much time to go anywhere to eat & we both completely forgot to get reservations. So, we ended up eating a McAlister's Deli & then heading to the concert. It was awsome! Llama Train opened for the Features & they were both really good. We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves!
Here are some pictures. I apologize, I couldn't get a picture with Joey's eyes open. Apparently this was the day that no matter what we did he had to blink right when I took the picture. I finally got one, but now Livvy's not looking. Oh well!

Livvy & her "Da-di"

Joey & I on the town!

25 Most Random Things About Me

Yeah, I know...it's been forever it seems! Don't worry, posts with pictures are coming soon. But for now, here you go...

It happened, again. I got tagged on here & on facebook. So here it is! Feel free to read it you feel so inclined & fill one out for yourself!

1. I might not seem very organized lately, but I really am an organized person. Hence the fact that I panic if I am without my planner or I can’t find something because things are disheveled.

2. I’m just a little OCD. Especially about germs & dirt. To the point that when I was really young, I would wash my hands & disinfect everything so much my hands would bleed. I know, weird.

3. I did Hebrew dance for several years & was on a swim team in grade school. I also figure skated for 11yrs.

4. I play piano & am a piano teacher (when I can find the time again!). I would absolutely love to own a harp so I could teach myself how to play.

5. I love music! It just makes me happy. You can usually catch me, more often than not, humming & head bobbing to some song in my head.

6. I got married to an amazing man just shy of my 19th birthday, & had Livvy just before I turned 20.

7. I love documenting things with writing & pictures. Family, church, etc. I love keeping a history.

8. I love the Lord with all my heart and I have a strong testimony of the gospel & His plan for me.

9. There are days I’m a total girly-girl (love mani-pedis), & others I just don’t care. I suppose I'm hard to define in that respect.

10. I dream of being a stay-at-home mom/housewife one day. Hopefully sooner rather than later.

11. I love old movies & music. I was quizzed as a child about the names & background info on the performers. Let’s just say, I can hold my own on the trivia stuff.

12. I am an only child. Although, I consider my best friend & her whole family my siblings.

13. I love & appreciate my family & friends more than they will ever know. I don’t do enough to thank them.

14. As a child my career aspirations where to be a bagger at Kroger’s, a pretzel maker at Auntie Anne’s, & a singer/dancer in a show (Dollywood, Broadway, etc.). I know, dare to dream big.

15. Eventhough I don’t to it very often, I love to read. But it has to be a book that I’m almost immediately drawn into.

16. Try as I might, I’m just not artistic. My crafts always look like a Kindergartener made them.

17. I am a huge klutz. This would explain the random statches, cuts, & bruises I always have.

18. I have never broken any bones. But I have “stoved-up” a finger so bad that it caused permanent swelling, dislocated my hip, chipped the hip-bone, eliminated the cartilage in my knees, & have arthritis is my hip, knees, & ankles. Graceful come to mind?

19. I'm a blogger. Just a little addicted to that, I'll admit.

20. I love Italian food.

21. I am addicted to texting. Sad, but true.

22. People say I was “born old”. Growing up I spent almost all my time with my mom, Mamaw, & great-aunts. I spoke & acted like I was much older & more mature than I was.

23. I love to travel. I love to see new places & things & love learning about the history.

24. I’m a talker. I won’t deny it. Even a motor-mouth. But I really am nervous the whole time I'm talking. That’s when the nervous ticks & stuttering come out. And there are times I’ll act shy if I don’t really know you. I don’t like speaking to crowds, but if it is important I’ll suck it up & go.

25. I love watching sports. Funny thing is, I enjoy it more than my hubby sometimes.

Livvy's first toothbrush

On February 2nd, Livvy got her first toothbrush. And as you can see, she loves it! She gets so excited when it's time to brush teeth. Maybe it's just because I'm the mom, but I think it's too cute!
This is when she first saw the toothbrush. She's overjoyed!
"Don't forget the back gums, Momma!"
"Here, I can do it all by myself!"
"Cheese!" All squeaky clean!

"Once there was a snowman"

It finally happened. It snowed! Not just the little stuff we get every year that melts in miliseconds. But 2in of the wet stuff! It came yesterday. They told us we could leave early from work if we thought the roads would be bad, so I left an hour & a half early. I called Joey & suggested he do the same. So, as soon as he got home I convinced him we needed to go out & build a snowman to show Livvy. So we did & this is what we made. Handsome little dude, isn't he? He would be much larger, but the sun came out causing the snow to start melting & turn to ice. Plus, neither of us were wearing gloves or anything, so are hands where freezing & starting to hurt. By the time we were done, it was getting dark. We wanted to hurry & take a picture so we didn't take time to put on Livvy's snow gear. We just bundled her up in a thick blanket & ran out to take a picture. She didn't like being bundled up, so Joey kept having to fight to keep the blanket on her. So this is the best picture we have of her with the snowman. She might not have a clue what it was all about, but hey, we had fun! And we have something lovely to show for it, nice pictures & not-so-nice colds.

Livvy & Daddy with our cold, little friend.

Daddy got a nice picture of a winter sunset-sky.

One awsome week

So, this week has been pretty great. First we had Mamaw's Birthday celebration, then Hairspray, then a Hockey game, then we attended Jammin' In Your Jammies, & to top it all off Joey & I went out to dinner. I know, it's simple. But I thouroughly enjoyed it! But the "star" of my post today in none other than my favorite band, Emerson Drive. They were in town to sing at the start of the hockey game & play a small concert. I knew I wouldn't be able to go to the concert since it was a weeknight & it wasn't starting until late. So, Joey got some free tickets from the radio station for he, my dad, & I to go see them at the hockey game. I was thrilled! My pictures didn't turn out very well, & I didn't get to go talk to them after since they were whisked away to get ready for the show. But Joey did get this video for me. It's a little echo-y, but they still sounded great! I was happy! Enjoy! :o)

Hairspray!

That's right! My birthday present finally got here! Ok, let me explain. For my birthday Joey got me tickets to go see the Broadway production of Hairspray when it was planning to come to town in January. Well, they came. We went. We sang along. We loved! Ok, maybe I loved it more than Joey, but he still enjoyed it! It was amazing! If you have yet to see a production of it or the movie, you are missing out. It is definitely one of my favorites. I am a sucker for musicals though. Especially the corny ones. And this one is definitely that!

One thing I thought was funny was that while I was watching the cast perform on state, dancing & singing it reminded me. When I was younger, my family took me to Dollywood alot. We would watch the shows, & I would tell my family that my dream was to one day be one of those people on stage. Keep in mind that this is after my dreams of growing-up to be a bagger at Krogers (What? I was three & I loved the grocery store.) & becoming a professional pretzel maker at Auntie Ann's (I still fantasize about that one. Gosh, I love pretzels!). So, here I am almost 20 years later. I'm not a dancer anymore, or a singer. Things happen, things change, some dreams fade. But that one never did. I would still love be on stage in a show like that. Just for fun. But I'm afraid my Arthritis-inflicted joints would not thank me for that. Who knows though, maybe one day I'll be that woman who, when all her kids are grown, will take up dancing. But it will have to be before Joey retires & we sit in our rockers on our front porch all day. Haha....yeah, like we'll ever not be busy & have the time to do that! But who knows. A girl can dream! So now my question is, what have been some of your dreams? Feel free to share! And go ahead, laugh at my childhood dreams that for some reason revolve around food.

Happy Birthday, Mamaw!

On Jan 27th Mamaw (my maternal grandmother) turned 72. Who would believe it? She so doesn't look it! The Saturday before her birthday, Mom & Dad took her to dinner at Bravo then they took in a show. Not just any show, but one Mamaw had been dying to see forever; Hal Holbrook in Mark Twain, Tonight! We magaged to get 4th row tickets too! Mamaw said the food was amazing, but the show was even better!



Then on Mamaw's birthday we all went out to dinner at Red Lobster, where they sang to her...by Dad's request. After, we came home & opened presents. Livvy loved helping, as you can see! We didn't eat cake that night because we were too stuffed. And I didn't get pictures of her pretty cake before we did eat it either. Sorry!
Mamaw really seemed to enjoy her birthday festivities!
We are so blessed & thankful to have such a wonderful woman in our lives. She is an amazing wife, mother, sister, aunt, friend, grandmother, great-grandmother, etc. She teaches us everyday, makes us smile, is a wonderful example to us all, & one of the greatest people you could ever meet. She is everything to my family, including one of my best friends. Happy Birthday, Mamaw Jean! We love you!

Livvy liked helping Mamaw open her presents!
Reading birthday cards with Mamaw
Livvy loves her Mamaw

Happy Birthday, Honey!

January 5th, was Joey’s 27th birthday. Although we didn’t get to do what we had planned because it was cold & windy, we still enjoyed spending the day together. That night we went out to dinner at Wasabi’s with my parents, Mamaw, & our friend Robyn. It was delicious & fun, as always! I know Joey had fun…Even though my Dad ratted him out to the waiter & they came out to sing to him. When we got home, we sang Happy Birthday, had Chocolate-Chocolate cake, & opened presents. I think he enjoyed himself.

I'm so blessed & thankful to have such a wonderful husband, best friend, cuddler, peronal masuse, father of my child (one day children, maybe) & eternal companion. Happy Birthday, Sweetheart! I love you for eternity!

Doesn't he look thrilled?
Rob, Mamaw, Mom, & Dad enjoying dinner
Helping Daddy with the candles
Livvy really enjoyed Daddy's cake. She loves chocolate, just like him!
Joey the Fierce

The new year thus far...

So far, the new year is going well. At church, I received a new calling. My mom & I are now the Nursery leaders for our ward & we love it! The children 18mo-3yrs & are so sweet. We have a wonderful class of kids & it amazes me how much someone so little can teach us. Although I’ll miss my 6-8yr old class, I know they will be put in good hands & I look forward to learning in Nursery.

The weekend after New Year's we went up to Joey’s family’s cabin for a night, just the three of us. We had to come back the next day, but it was very nice to just spend time as just us. But in retrospect there are some things we should think about next time. 1) We packed & went up after I got off work one night. We should pack & leave earlier. 2) When it rains in the mountains, it gets really foggy. Which is bad on dark mountain roads. 3) We need to plan to either stay longer, or stop over-packing. It takes too long & too much energy to pack, unpack, relax, & repack in less than 24hrs.

So far the new year has been fun, relaxing, & very enjoyable. But things are beginning to pick up. Joey started a new part-time job with the church as the Maintenance/Custodian for our ward & school started back on the 7th with a crazy schedule. The good news is, the new job means a little more money to help out when we move & only 1 more semester of school to go after this one. :D Yeah….we’re happy. This month's schedule is promised to be busy. But stay tuned for the pics...however long it takes me to post them.
We’re very blessed & this year seems to have started off on the right foot!

The road through the park

A foggy morning in the mountains
Wearing Daddy's slippers
Chillin' with Daddy

Goodbye 08! Hello, 09!

As usual, we are pretty tame on New Year’s Eve. Joey & I went to dinner at our friends, Bob & Sally’s, while Mom watched Livvy for a bit. We came home around 10:45pm to find Livvy already asleep. So we changed into pajamas, poured a little sparkling grape juice, & the three of us snuggled on the couch while we counted down to the new year, very quietly. It was a small, quiet, calm celebration. But a celebration none the less! We are so thankful for all the blessings & experiences we have had in 2008 & look forward to the many that are to come in 2009. Best wishes for the new year, everyone!

Christmas Day 2008 cont.

We spent the rest of the day with Joey’s family, opening more presents, talking, & eating a delicious lunch with them. Everyone was so excited to see Livvy. Jalene & Janele (Joey’s nieces) were so excited to help Livvy open her presents. And Livvy loves watching them run around & play. As soon as she can walk I know she will be on their heels! Sorry, there's no video on here because it would never download.
Livvy opening presents... ...with a little help from her cousins! The loot from Nanny, Papa, Aunt Elisa, Uncle Dale, Jalene, & Janele.

We had a wonderful Christmas together & I know Livvy enjoyed her first Christmas. As you can see she racked up! Livvy enjoys all of her presents. All I can say is I am so thankful for everyone’s generosity. We are so blessed to have such sweet family (both sides!)& friends who care about our little family. Now, we are ready to prepare for Christmas next year & we can’t wait! (I promise, next year I will be way more settled & organized & you’ll actually get Christmas cards & pictures!) We hope you all had a very blessed & merry Christmas season!

Christmas Day 2008- Livvy's 1st!

On Christmas morning we woke up around 7:30am to Livvy lying in her crib talking. I put her into bed with Joey & I & we laid there for a while just snuggling, talking, & laughing. Joey said this is more than likely the only year we will get to do that. It’s true. But I look forward to seeing how excited she is in the coming years. After her morning bottle we went over to Mamaw’s to open presents. At first Livvy didn’t quite know what to do with the presents. As Joey says, 363 days of the year we tell her not to rip paper, but on Christmas & her birthday it’s magically okay. After a while she started helping a little, but was way more interested in playing with the boxes that the toys were in. We ate a wonderful breakfast with my family & then got ready to head to Crossville to visit Joey’s parents.

To be continued....

Amazed at all the pretty stuff....

Starting to get into it....

"Like this, Mommy?"

Our best present ever!

Livvy & her loot