November 2012

Happy Birthday, Cotton!  On November 2, Cotton turned 5 years old.  She got some new treats and a toy.  She is a part of the family, after all!

This is the usual reaction I get when trying to take a picture of EB all dressed up on Sunday mornings.

On November 6, Eva Brooke and I left to vacation with Mimi and Pop in the Smoky Mountains.  Here we are after eating an early Cracker Barrel breakfast on the way.

EB's new trick that she knows we cannot stand :-)

We made it!  The cities' Christmas festivities actually started the day we arrived.

Just a funny...

Having fun in Gatlinburg

EB cried because we couldn't take the mermaid with us.

EB showing her waitressing skills in the Apple Barn.  Can you tell she has been in many restaurants lately?!?

Both EB and Pop are full and happy after a big breakfast.

We found Santa!

We promised EB we would take her to a small amusement park she called the "little fair" in Pigeon Forge.

We rode the choo-choo, and EB even got to blow the train whistle.

Her favorite ride was this little kangaroo.  At first he just played music (no movement), so I thought it was a waste of quarters.  She gave it one good kick, and that apparently knocked it in gear.  It was sooo funny!

EB really thought she wanted to ride "Eric's boat," and she even let the operator buckle her in.  Once it started moving, her face was the look of sheer terror.  He had to stop the ride for our little EB :-)

This time, she got everyone on the train!

Later on, EB was ready for the indoor pool.  I dressed her in her swimsuit, and EB did the rest.

So much fun!

The next day, Pop and Mimi took us into the mountains for a walk and a picnic.

Cheetos!  One of her favorite snacks from Pop and Mimi.

On our way back home, Mommy and Mimi got to shop at Target (woo-hoo!).  EB and Pop had fun eating popcorn while waiting on us.  Thanks, Pop :-)

One last ride before heading home.  We had such a FUN vacation!

Playgroup at our house on my birthday!  Thanks to Angie to throwing me a surprise party!  I'm very thankful to have such wonderful friends.

Andrew took us to Gigi's on my birthday to pick out some birthday treats.  Yum!

That weekend, the family came to help me celebrate.  It's true, I'm 30!  Andrew made sure to buy 2 packs of candles so we would have enough :-)

Having a Wendy's "picnic" out on the back patio on one of the last warm days.  EB loves picnics!

Santa left an early Christmas present!  He said he wanted EB to have plenty of time to play with this before Christmas.  She has really been into Santa and all the Christmas songs this year.

Happy Thanksgiving!  We had a blast seeing Andrew's side of the family at Aunt Diane's and Uncle Dwain's.  EB loves getting to play with her cousins Dublin and Liffey.

Thanksgiving fun.  EB's first four-wheeler ride!!!  Riding with Momma Lin, Aunt Diane, Uncle Dwain, Dublin, and the puppy.

The day after Thanksgiving, Momma Lin, Daddy Don, Andrew, Eva Brooke, and I headed to Orange Beach for the half-marathon weekend.  We had a beautiful place to stay at the Bella Luna.  Very modern and fancy.

Heading to the beach to play!

It was all fun and games....until Andrew was trying to get EB's shoe on (on the boardwalk), and he felt his wedding ring slip off into the great unknown.  We spent ALL night digging, searching, and then riding around 3 cities trying to find a metal detector.  After NO luck (who knew metal detectors are so hard to find?!), I googled "wedding ring finder."  Lo and behold, there is a wedding ring finders site that lists a directory of metal detector specialists!  I called the nearest number in Pensacola, FL, and scheduled for the coolest guy to come out and help us (after the half-marathon).

HALF-MARATHON DAY!  Here we are before the race.  We still cannot believe we are doing this!

There we are!!!  Crossing the finish line!!

Wow, I was tired.  My legs were just about to collapse, and I felt like there were knives in my stomach.  But, WE DID IT!!  I couldn't have made it at the end without Andrew.  Cliche sounding, but true indeed.

AND...back to the beach.  What a HAPPY ending to a long, successful day.  The ring was found!!!

What a crazy trip!!!!

Later that afternoon, when I checked on my napping baby, I found her with her owl hat on!  Apparently she could reach it from her bed...

The Little People Santa set was a hit.  We have noticed she likes to line up her toys, much like her Aunt Beth used to do.

Now for a little fun at the beach!  Here we are headed to church in Gulf Shores on Sunday morning.

After a yummy all-you-can-eat fried shrimp dinner at the Shrimp Basket, we did some souvenir shopping.

We also made sure to visit the indoor pool.  EB had a blast playing with her Daddy and Daddy Don!

Such a little personality!

Our good-looking group before heading home!  Thanks to the grandparents for going with us and helping out with some babysitting.  We only took one vehicle, so we all became very close! :-)

The beautiful view from our balcony of Ono Island, the bay, and the ocean.

One last photo in November of EB with the singing/dancing Santa at Kathy and Ronnie Crosswhite's house.  We were invited over for a church small group meeting.  Santa was a big hit with the kids!  Time to start the Christmas shopping!