Happy New Year

From our family to yours!

2011 here we come!!!

Round 2 with the Jones Family

No sooner were the Lovelaces out then the Joneses were in.  In fact, they passed each other in the front yard, exchanged Christmas hugs and wishes, and simultaneously loaded and unloaded vehicles.  It was chaos and I was loving every minute as was Peyton.  So much family and so much love, what more could a girl ask for?

 A dancing Mickey Mouse would be nice.

 

 Well you were in luck Peyton because that is exactly what Nana and Grumps got you for Christmas.

 Even Daddy was in a festive mood, sporting a Florida Gator Santa hat.

 It took her a little bit of time to warm up to Mickey but now she dances right along with him.

The second half of our Christmas day was as exciting as the first.  I couldn't have been happier with Christmas 2010!  It's one for the memory book and blog. Thank you Nana and Grumps for sharing such a special day with us!

Christmas with the Lovelaces

For the first time in over 30 years Christmas took place somewhere other than Grandma and Grandpa Lovelace's house. I hosted my very first Christmas here at our home.  It's a lot to live up to when our very small family knows nothing other than Mom's Christmas and traditions.  But

I was willing to take on the challenge and enjoyed every minute of the day. 

Getting into the spirit of the holiday isn't hard to do when you have this little one to be excited for.

 As soon as the crew arrived we started opening gifts.  I started my own tradition of opening gifts youngest to oldest.  It was fine when Peyton was the one opening first but after a while the "elders" got restless and mouthy about being last or next to last...Grandpa.  So we are thinking next year we will draw straws or start with the oldest.  Or maybe we will just let Grandpa and Peyton go first.

 Every gift that was opened for Peyton she immediately wanted out of the box to see up close.  Needless to say, it took everyone to get all the twisty ties and tape off of each present.

 She got the coolest Little People Farm and tractor from Grandma and Grandpa and Aunt Amanda.  She loves the little animals and the noises that the barn and tractor make.

 Poor Grandpa starting the task of getting the farm out of the box.

It was a great day with my family.  I hope I did them proud hosting my first Christmas dinner.  I look forward to hosting for the next 30 years!  Thank you Grandpa, Grandma, Granny, Amanda and Tim for all of Peyton's amazing gifts.  She is one lucky gal!

Peyton Visits the Salon

Peyton has had a few hair trims in her short little life, a couple from me and a few from Ms. Debbie.  However, her hair had gotten a little unruly and too much like like a female mullet.  So I decided it was time to call in the big dogs....my stylist Keeley.  She had volunteered to trim it awhile back but I wasn't quite ready.  But yesterday was the day, it was time for Peyton's first REAL haircut.

 I brought reinforcements in the form of Aunt Nicole, who proved not only to be a great photographer but also an excellent head holder. More on the "head holding" in a minute.

 To start things seemed okay.  Peyton was happy and somewhat interested in what was about to happen.

 However, once the first snip occured all hell broke loose and she was not having it.

 There were tears and squirming.

 Head shaking and escape plots.

Hysterics!

 And after a little hand holding and her head being held still by Aunt Nicole, she was finished.

 Her little trip to the salon was exhausting for her and us.  But the end result was worth it and she is now sporting a sweet little pixie cut.

 After all the turmoil she was happy to settle down last night with her favorite puppy and blanky.

 Look, no hair in her eyes. 

This little one has been spending more and more time on Peyton's side of the house lately.  I am pretty sure she feels the need to look after her human sister.  She's probably making sure we don't take her to salon again anytime soon.

Out of Order

You will have to excuse my out or order Christmas posts.  There are just so many pictures and so many fun visits from friends and family, I have got them out of wack.  Regardless, they will all get posted one way or another. 

These pictures are from Christmas Eve when Ms. Debbie stopped by with some early gifts for Peyton.

Gift #1....she tried so hard to open on her own. 

 However, Aunt Nicole had to step in for some assistance.

 But once it was opened she was elated.  A new baby that you can feed! 

 That face meltd my heart.  I know it very well and it says, "Is this baby really mine?  I love her so much!"  She loves baby dolls of any kind and she has been practicing being a good mother for days.  This new baby's name is Jill.

 On to the next gift...

 A Tinkerbell nightgown.  What a perfect gift for the biggest fan of Tinkerbell ever!

Thank you Ms. Debbie for all of Peyton's wonderful gifts.

Santa came to our house!

Santa and several sleighs full of toys arrived at our house this Christmas. The pictures below are from when Peyton woke up and first saw the gifts under the tree.  She was amazed to see a new baby and stroller.

 I even did some demonstrating on how to push, as I have the experience now.

She got the hang of it pretty quick.

 After the first round of gifts from Santa, it was time to wait for Grandma and Grandpa.

And I couldn't resist posting this picture of a "sweet angel's" lashes.  She is pure Christmas joy!