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