Merry Christmas!

Christmas Playgroup

Last week, we had playgroup (aka circus) at my house... We had 11 babies and toddlers and their mamas... notice the Christmas PJ theme :)
L to R: Eliza Kate Kosko, Richard Lewis Ridgway, Ellie, Taylor Reece, Andrew Shirley, Ford & Virginia Futvoye








Taylor has had enough of this picture stuff!














The circus in action... :) 

Playtime

Taylor Reece and Ellie














The Futvoye twins 

Gross

One of my youth got this as a gag gift at our Christmas party... it is a pierced tongue on a keychain... It was so real and lifelike...isn't it disgusting? 

Just Playing

We call this game "Pat, pat, pat"













"But, Mom, I want to be closer..." 

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

We are getting excited about Christmas. We love thinking about the traditions we will start with Ellie and how she will learn about Jesus each year. We are asking around about fun family traditions, so if you have one, let us know!  

Before our trip

Hmm.. which to pack? Ellie or purses - both cute but only one is cuddly! 

Arizona

"For since the creation of the world, God's invisible qualities - his eternal power and divine nature - have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made..." Romans 1:20
This is Sedona, AZ - one of the most beautiful places we have ever been. The pictures do not do it justice but it reminded us that God is an amazing creator.










Of course, Everett had to get a little golf in and managed to make some friends (Charlie and Marion pictured here golfing with Everett) through a contact he had at work. They were so sweet to us during our stay in Sedona! 

Decorating the Tree

Here is Everett outside our house decorating our tree... just kidding! This is the hotel we stayed in - The Arizona Biltmore. And I thought decorating our tree was a hassle.
 

Phoenix

Everett recently had a meeting in Phoenix and I flew out to meet him for the weekend... it was so much fun to have some time just the two of us - even though we missed Ellie like crazy :)















Who doesnt look cool driving a bright red Chevy Cobalt across the desert?
Hands off, ladies. He's mine! :)

7 months (a little late)

Sorry I am posting this a bit late... Here is Ellie at 7 months! 

Happy Turkey Day!

I love this quote Everett recently read about the origin of Thanksgiving. "It is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the Providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits and humbly to implore His protection and favor." - George Washington in the Thanksgiving Proclamation.







Uncle Mac & Ellie (above) Jen & my nephew Clayton. Don't you like his smile? He has been practicing it.
 

Play time

Ellie outgrew her carseat. Here she is enjoying her new seat (which she is supposed to get for Christmas but she is growing up too fast)
Precious Cargo...Ellie is so cute that Everett sometimes wants to pack her in a suitcase and take her to work :)
I'm a big kid now! 

Fun Times in Baton Rouge

Family fun...














Tailgaiting with Tyler and Courtney (our friends from North Carolina)














Tiger Stadium














Everett and I were watching the game and we noticed this upset fan... who happens to be married to my good friend Caroline :) ... Go get 'em Gary! The tigers needed to be whipped into shape during that game!

White Family Birthday Party

While we were in BR, we ate lunch for Everett's Dad's 60th birthday and his youngest brother's (Olen) birthday. Happy birthday to both Olens!















Uncle Barret & Ellie

Visiting the Dowdens

We went to Baton Rouge recently and I got to see my friend Tara (Moffett) Dowden and her little girl Arabella (who is 2 1/2). It was fun to let Arabella and Ellie play for a little while.
Isn't Arabella precious?

















Yummy!














Do I know you?