magical

 

 A Magical Birthday Celebration

Both of my parents turned 60 this year, so we planned a family vacation to the happiest place on earth. More than anything, Mom & Dad enjoy us all being together, but it doesn't happen too often with Adam, Cathy, & Latham in Virginia and Bethany (until recently) all over the map. Well, Disney did not disappoint. We all arrived at different times on Friday. We spent Saturday, Sunday, & Monday in the parks before leaving on Tuesday. We packed it full and went nonstop. We visited every park (Magic Kingdom & Epcot multiple times) and had a wonderful vacation together. Until our next family adventure, enjoy the following pictures. I'm sure you will wish you were with us!!

 We stayed at the Caribbean Beach Resort

 Day 1 started at Magic Kingdom

 Dumbo was our first ride

 M loved all of the rides

 Magic Carpets

 Dad, Luke, Mom, Bethany, and me

By the afternoon, MK was getting crowded so we hopped over to Epcot for a few hours. 

 MK had late hours on our first night. Thanks to Gran & Granddaddy for keeping M, Craig & I were able to enjoy some rides with Bethany & Luke way past our normal bedtime.

 Day 2 started at Hollywood Studios

Doc McStuffins was one of the few characters M liked. It was so nice to enjoy a character meal each day, even if M screamed. Watching Latham with the characters made it all worthwhile!

 Toy Story Mania

 The lights at Hollywood Studios were amazing!

Notice M: She was a trooper. She was completely off her schedule and out way past her bedtime, but she did great! 

 The original Copeland gang

 Day 3 started at Animal Kingdom

The Tree of Life

 Gran & Granddaddy enjoyed being at Disney with Miriam & Latham

 We were sad Luke had to leave early and missed meeting Minnie & Mickey

 M liked the characters if they left her alone. Thanks Minnie & Mickey

We ended our trip back at MK with late hours. M slept through the parade.

Happy 60th Birthdays to Mom & Dad! I'm so glad we could celebrate & spend time together. We look forward to more family vacations in the future.

"Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it." Proverbs 22:6

party

 

  Baby, It's Cold Outside

We celebrated M's first birthday a little early, because let's be honest, December is a crazy month! I decided to use a winter theme, and I had so much fun planning the party. I love hosting parties and decorating, and this proved to be no exception. We had the party in the afternoon so we kept the food simple: fruit, chicken nuggets, sausage balls, rotel cups, snowflake pretzels, snowflake cookies, and mini bundt cakes. 

 The color scheme was white, pink, and gray with burlap and lace. I tried to use snow things I already had, but of course I had to add some winter decor to my collection. Oh well, hopefully, I can use it for years to come.

 M in front of her birthday stat board

 My Family

We were so excited Adam, Cathy, & Latham were able to come.

 Craig's Family

 College Friends

Meaghan, Emily, & Betsy

Our Memphis Family

So glad we are all in Nashville and living within 5 miles of each other. So much fun!

So thankful we could celebrate our sweet angel with so many special people. Thank you for loving us and her so well!

"For by me your days will be multiplied, and years will be added to your life." Proverbs 9:11

cake

I wanted to have some pictures of M "helping" me bake her cake. I hope to take some pictures like this each year. I love to bake, and it's something I hope we will enjoy doing together for many years. I loved cooking with my mom and learning from her and my grandma. Hope you enjoy some of the pictures from the "baking" night and the "smashing" day.

"This is the day the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it." Psalm 118:24

twelve

Twelve Months Old

Can you believe it? Our sweet baby girl is a year old. I don't know where the time went, but we tried our best to savor each moment and each stage. This picture at the top may be one of my favorites of our monthly photo sessions, and it was the very first one Craig snapped on this day. I think he caught her little personality. She is full of life, excited about so many things, and rarely sits still. She wants to be on the go and talks to you the entire time. She keeps us busy and on our toes, but we love every minute of it. What a joy she is!! 

Twelve Words to Describe our Baby Girl

beautiful * busy * stubborn * loving * caring * independent

bookworm * chatty * angel * active * smart * blessing

At twelve months, you...

weigh 21 pounds

measure 29 inches

take a few steps, but not walking yet

went to Disney World for the first time

"A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of." 

Luke 6:45

eleven

Eleven Months Old

In this season of gratitude, 11 blessings M is thankful for...

1. Mum Mums & Crunchies: My favorite snacks, especially when we are shopping

2. Food: I love to eat!! Mommy & Daddy can't feed me fast enough & so far I love it all!

3. Books: I love to pull all the books off the shelves before finding someone to read them to me.

4. Music: Any kind...people singing, toys that play music, the radio

5. Tucker Bear: I love to pet my puppy and talk to him!

6. Mommy & Daddy: Wow, I think I'm pretty lucky with these two.

7. Family: I'm blessed with lots of people who love me, hug me, kiss me, spoil me, & take really good care of me. 

8. Friends: Mommy & Daddy have some really cool friends who have little kids that I get to play with, which is always so much fun.

9. Hygiene: I love splashing in the bath tub & brushing my teeth.

10. Brooksie & Ellie: My wubbanub friends that help me fall asleep & keep me calm.

11. Trash: I love finding all the little pieces on the floor and giving them to Mommy. 

At eleven months, you...

weigh 20 pounds

measure 29 inches

say Da Da

are not sleeping well at night

Cute Turkey hat made by a friend in Jackson

Thanksgiving with Meme & Papa

Thankful Aunt B is living in Nashville!!

Thanksgiving in Florence with Gran, Granddaddy, & Eliana

"Giving thanks always & for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ" Ephesians 5:20

ten

 Ten Months Old

Yes, it's November, and it's almost time for her eleven month update...sorry! October was super busy, and our little pumpkin is always on the move, which makes our photo sessions harder and harder. This month I will simply give a recap of our 10 favorite activities of the month...

10. Cheering on the McMurray Falcons soccer team

9. Watching football

8. Enjoying smores & the fire pit in our backyard

7. Strolling in downtown Franklin during Pumpkin Fest

6. Riding on my first hayride at Gentry's Farm

5. Picking pumpkins & other fun activities at Gentry's Farm

4. Walking at Radnor on a cool, fall morning

3. Spending the weekend in Florence with the whole Copeland gang

2. Celebrating Daddy's birthday. (Mommy and Daddy went to the spa, dinner, and stayed at Union Station for the weekend. Gran and Granddaddy kept me. We had dinner with Meme, Papa, Uncle Charlie, Aunt Ashley, Gentry, and Carter the next weekend.)

1. Dressing up as a penguin & having a Halloween party with our Memphis Family

At ten months old, you...

weigh 19 pounds

measure 29 inches

have 4 teeth

clap your hands

play peek-a-boo

"You thrill me, Lord, with all you have done for me! I sing for joy because of what you have done."

Psalm 92:4