Kirsten's Birthday Party

This past Friday, we had a pool party/sleepover at Mr. Marshall's pool house. Most of Kirsten's friends were able to come and we had a BLAST!! Most guests arrived by 4:30 and didn't leave until 10:00 on Saturday morning. The girls wanted to swim first of course and they swam and swam and then swam some more. They enjoy just being together as much as doing fun stuff like swimming. After they got somewhat tired of swimming, it was time to eat supper. We had sandwiches, chips, veggies, and fruit - YUM!

We managed to get all the girls at one table and there was a whole lot of talking and laughter going on.

After supper, it was time to open presents. Kirsten got so many pretty things and some fabulous hand made gifts. I took pictures of all of them (I don't want to post pictures of too many of them, because most of the girls were still in their swim suits). One of her favorite gifts was a beautiful handmade nightgown and robe set made by Mrs. Heather and her girls.

Olivia made her this awesome owl bag and all the girls were squealing when this one was opened up.

This AWESOME cake was designed by Kirsten (on paper) and handcrafted by my friend Sherrie. She always does such a fabulous job with her cakes and each one is a TRUE MASTERPIECE! Every part of this cake was edible -- even the knitting needles and the surprise Knifty Knitter (on top). It is always a highlight of our parties to UNVEIL a Sherrie Creation!

All the girls sing Happy Birthday to the birthday girl.

After all the festivities, the girls snacked on candy and popcorn while watching "Singin in the Rain." Of course, they all had to pull out their knitting or crocheting while they were watching the movie. They girls hands are always moving -- almost as much as their mouths move.

Olivia shows off another one of her many abilities -- braiding hair.

Danielle always has fun at the parties.

Thing 1 and Thing 2, Martha and Catherine, show off their amazing skills as the double elliptical team.

Lexie and Danielle proudly display their mind linking head bands that Julie made during the movie.

A group picture on Saturday morning -- the girls had to swim ONE MORE TIME!

Kirsten is 13 Years Old!!!

I cannot believe that my baby is 13!!! Scary thought!!! On her birthday, Kirsten requested a Mom and Daughter excursion to Tupelo. She wanted to spend her Hobby Lobby gift card, get stuff for her birthday party, and eat lunch somewhere yummy.

After we went to Hobby Lobby, I asked her if she wanted to go get her makeup done at the Clinique counter. She thought that would be fun, but she also had a few reservations about the experience.

Once she could see each step of the makeup process, she started grinning bigger and bigger. She could really tell the difference with just a little foundation, and was excited about each new addition to her face.

This look is with foundation, eye shadow, and a little blush.

This is the finished look -- completed by mascara and lip gloss. She was so excited and I know that she will remember getting this done on her 13th birthday.

After we were done being "super girly", we went to Applebee's for a fabulous meal. Kirsten wanted the chicken finger basket and I changed my mind about what I was going to order and got one of the same thing. We had to choose something non-carbonated to drink (because we have cut that from our diet for now) and we chose to drink lemonade. Mine was a pomegranate lemonade and Kirsten had the raspberry lemonade -- both were WONDERFUL!

After eating, we finished shopping and then drove home. Kirsten had to look in the mirror several times to "check her makeup" and I was thinking, "Boy, have I created a monster!"

We had a very fun day and I am glad that we got to spend it together.

TIme with the Thomas Family

Every year, between Christmas and New Year's Day, we travel to Marion, AR, to share Christmas with some really good friends of ours. Their son, Steven, and our children have always been really close and enjoy seeing each other when we can visit.

They are super ready to exchange gifts.

Alec and Steven especially are close (in age and in likes). They both love Star Wars Lego sets and Nerf guns. When they get together the air around them is teeming with flying darts and light saber duels. It is always a wonderful day of visiting and eating good food.

SNOW 2011 -- A Winter Wonderland of FUN

We woke up this morning to over 8 inches of snow. In some places it was near one foot deep, but most places were anywhere from 8.5 - 9.5 inches deep.

One of the first things that Alec always does, is to make a snow angel.

Kirsten loves to make a snow angel too.

Redneck sledding on pool floats. Around these parts, it is difficult to find a sled and it is too expensive to have them on hand for the little amount of snow that we get every year. So we southerners have to do the best we can with what we have. And we will use anything that will slide on the snow.

Kirsten had a great time having a snowball fight with her Uncle John. She had fairly good aim, too, and got him in the face more than once. Go Kirsten!

This picture shows how much snow we really got! Amazing! I don't remember this much snow in over 25 years.

Alec loves to slide down the hill.

Kirsten poses with the snowman that I made.

I decided to pose with the best snowman that I have ever gotten a chance to build. The snow was perfect and plentiful.

Alec made his own "camouflage" snowman. It was really cute.

Parker built this man all by himself. Good job, Parker.

The guys worked together to build this "ginormous" snowman.

This afternoon, we went for a long walk in the woods. We tramped all over -- for over an hour -- and burned a whole lot of calories. It was hard work to walk in the snow and our legs and knees and cardio got a great workout.

Rachel and her kids paused for a group picture in the woods.

Lisa and her kids took time to take a picture too.

Luke was almost buried in the deep snow. So much fun for the kids!

The Blue Mountain College golf course provided a blank slate for walking in the untouched snow. All the kids had fun making their own way through the snow.

I thought this made a great picture.

So did this one.

Kids and the Gator Bowl

New Year's Day brought with it the Gator Bowl -- an awesome football game between the Mississippi State Bulldogs and the University of Michigan. It was a very good game and one that we enjoyed watching and cheering for our Bulldogs. The kids were wishing that they could ring their cowbells, but Mitch was asleep so we had to cheer quietly (or should I say responsibly. For those of you not from Mississippi - the State fans are supposed to ring their cowbells responsibly - that is, only at approved times). It was a fun game either way.

***** HAPPY NEW YEAR *****

Wishing everyone a very safe and happy new year!! We spent part of the evening with some great families from church. Then we came home to watch the ball drop in New York. We managed to stay awake until 12:00 and then off to sleep.

Here's hoping and praying for a productive and enjoyable 2011.