Christmas Eve

This Christmas was Isabella's third and Abigail's first, and each year I am always surprised that it becomes more special. This year we spent it with the Walkers, at Tim's sisters house. On Christmas Eve the family gets together for dinner (prepared by the siblings), stocking sharing, and late night game playing. Isabella enjoyed all the extra attention almost as much as we enjoyed watching her little personality shine through. Both girls are an absoulte joy. We're so blessed. Here are a few pictures from our Christmas Eve:

Auntie Laine & Mary Claire (3 weeks older than Abigail)

Aunt Melissa, Uncle Randy, and Grace going through Grace's stocking

Grandpa Walker reading/playing with an interactive book on flatulance. Isabella ejoyed the time with her grandparents.

Uncle Ted & Aunt Amanda laughing probably about the book mentioned above.


Cousins reading a book together. They did really well and it was fun seeing them together.



Our sweet Abigail with her Grandma Walker.

Aunt Amanda & Uncle Ted were great with all her new neices...we can't wait to visit them soon.

Although Isabella still cries at the sight of St. Nick, we still went through the motions. Before bedtime Isabella placed a plate of ginger cookies and a glass of milk near the fireplace. To our surprise she didn't try to eat them, so she must have gotten the concept to some degree. Had you told me six years ago that I would be participating in operation Santa Clause, I wouldn't have believed you. One thing I have found constant is that life & people have the habit of constantaly surprising us.

Pink Pig 2010

As we start thinking about what traditions we want carry out, one thing is consistent: quality time. So each year I want to do something fun with my girls. For now it will be the Pink Pig, and later, who knows...tea time at the Four Seasons?

Last year it took a while for Isabella to warm up to the ride, but this year she was eager to get on the train. The ride isn't as cool as it once was back in the day, but we're lucky to still have it in some fashion.

She was so proud of her "I Rode the Pink Pig" sticker.

We had lunch at Prime where Auntie Aimee showed off her two favorite nieces.

No kids meal is complete without dessert.

Isabella loves her Uncle Ben

It had been a while since we spent quality time with Ben, Laine, & Mary Claire, so we invited them over for Taco Night. When Isabella was smaller she used to be terrified by Uncle Ben. My hypothesis was that he looked too much like Tim and it was scary/confusing. Whatever the reason, she is now clearly over it. After this visit Isabella babbles about her uncle on a daily basis.

Mary Clair is only three weeks older than Abigail and dwarfs tiny Abigail. After having Isabella who was always in the 80-90th percentile of size, I am still getting use to a petite baby girl.
My beautiful sister-in-law. We're so lucky to have her in our lives.

Uncle Ben reading Polar Bear, Polar Bear What do You See?

Santa, Isabella and Abigail 2010

Last year Santa and Isabella didn't quite get along. This year, as you can see, was no exception. My friend Amy had told me that there was a free Santa at The Avenues @ East Cobb on Friday evenings. Since it was free and they let you bring your own camera, I was all over the opportunity. Isabella was wiggling and running so fast that this was the best picture I could get.

The bright side is that Abigail had a great time with Santa. It took Isabella some time to recover from Santa (picture below), but as soon as the horse and carriage drove by she had forgotten all about it.

Isabella & her sweet friend Mia holding hands. Mia is cautiously following along after Isabella dropped her to the ground while hugging her

The picture below reminds me of Isabella's sweet disposition. We had a great time watching the girls kill time while we waited around.

Tim stopped by to see if we could get a better shot. As you can see below, take two was not much better.

Happy Birthday Tim!!!!

Tim turned 34 this year, hard to believe that another year has come and gone; nevertheless, we would never let it go by without a little celebration. I started out with a hearty breakfast with one of Tim's favorite, cinnamon rolls.

Even Isabella got to take advantage of daddy's birthday with a little strawberry milk. Let the record show that she now sings happy birthday clear as day. The trick is getting her to say the right persons name, which she was successful in. Abigail & Isabella gave daddy a pair of house slippers. Might seem a bit small, but his big Christmas/Birthday gift was a shotgun.

For dinner we went to the all famous Provinos for the free birthday entree. The Shipmans & Aimee joined us making it for a very special birthday. Below is baby Grace, my sweet niece.

Tim, we hope this birthday was as special for you as it was for us. Thank you so much for being such a wonderful provider, father, and husband.

Before & After

I haven't made it to the salon since April, leaving my hair in need of TLC. A couple of weeks ago I decided to cut my hair and donate it . I had a little over nine inches cut off, so hopefully the excess hair will make a good wig for someone in need. Like it or not....below is the new me.

Thanksgiving with the Arreola's

My parents made the trip up to Georgia for Thanksgiving, sparing us four round trip tickets to Corpus Christi, Tx. It's always nice seeing Grandpa Chendo and Lita interacting with the girls. What are grandparents for if not to spoil their grandchildren?

Isabella grew accustomed to dessert after every meal, and snacking the entire day, but I must give my father credit because snacks don't get healthier than pomegranate.

They arrived on Saturday afternoon, and my father and Tim left Sunday morning for the ranch. My mother, Aimee and I were left to prepare for the tamale party which took place Monday evening. It was back to work on Tuesday for Tim at Stevi B's and for Grandpa and myself at home. The picture below has Abigail in her bumbo looking out at me blowing leaves.

Even Grandpa Walker made an appearance. It was fun catching up with him.

Wednesday we packed up the cars and headed to the ranch for our family Thanksgiving. After forgetting our pack and play, and locking my keys in the car at the Wal-Mart, we arrived around 5pm. Once we finally got there, Isabella took a little walk with Grandpa before dinner and we made smores before getting ready for bed.

Thanksgiving morning, Aimee and I went into town (Monticello, GA) to do early Black Friday shopping. I am glad that I went, becuase I got all sorts of things for free!! After breakfast we all hung around the cabin. Tim (now a card carrying GA hunter) played with his shotgun/rifle, Aimee and Abigail took a nap in the hammock, and Isabella and I took a zillion pictures.

"A hammer in the morning, a hammer in the evening......"

Oh how sweet it is to just take a nap mid morning on a hammock. They hung out like this for just under an hour. We couldn't have asked for better weather.

No trip to the ranch would be complete without a tractor ride down to the pond.

Isabella & Mommy tending to their babies.

Not wanting to cook after the Tamale Fiesta, we decided to have a traditional Thanksgiving dinner via Cracker Barrel: turkey, ham, two sides, biscuits, cranberry sauce, and green bean casserole (that I made). The turkey was not the best, but everything else was fantastic.

After taking about six pictures, this is the best I could do. You'd think I would have thought to move the water bottles, but I didn't.

We started adopting one of my favorite Walker traditions by going around the table and sharing a few things we were thankful for. Tim and I are so thankful for our growing family both immediate and extended, and for having such a wonderful place to spend quality family time.

After eating a ton of food, Isabella discovered pie (her new favorite thing). We returned to Atlanta late that afternoon in time for Black Friday, and to send my parents back to Corpus Christi, Tx.