Baby Bennett's First Christmas!

Happy New Year!! Hope everyone had a great holiday-we definitely did, so much better than last year!! Last year we had so many unknowns to worry about but this year that big unknown (Bennett) was just a happy, cuddly baby for us to hold! We're so thankful for him!!

So this Christmas was a special one for Bennett-his first, of course! Here's some pictures of him on his very first Christmas as well as throughout the holiday and some special people in his life:)...

Opening his gifts

Ainsley helping him open gifts

Getting ready for his morning bottle:)



Just some cuteness in these next few pics



His sisters love him so much!

Bennett with his sisters and cousins

Uncle Seth and Aunt Alexa


My parents with all their grandchildren

Micah (my sister's son) with Bennett

Ty (my sister's other son) with Ainsley

Mike with Harper waiting to take a ride on granddaddy's trailer.


Us-Christmas 2009!

Happy 2010!

From Our Family To Yours....

Since I can't send everyone a Christmas card that follows our blog I wanted to send everyone out there that reads this blog, that prays for Bennett, that comments and that just plain cares about our little family, a little virtual card. Thank you for taking the time this past year to share in "Our Unexpected Journey"-this blog has truly helped me to learn so much and has allowed to me to "meet" so many wonderful families out there and reconnect with old friends.

Merry Christmas

&

Happy Holidays

From Our Family To Yours!

12 Days of Giving-Day Two-Cards!

Today I started sending out my Christmas cards and while I've never considered this as giving, I guess it is. This year I wanted to make them a little more custom and personal so I added bows and some card stock and signed each one with all of our names-I usually get them printed. I have to say I may have to go back to getting them printed-my hand about fell off after signing "Merry Christmas" Love, Mike, Adrienne, Ainsley, Harper and Bennett on almost 100 cards! I also picked these cards because of the verse inside:

"For by grace are ye saved through faith;

and that not of yourselves: it is the Gift of God." Ephesians 2:8

and then it says:

May this beautiful season open your eyes to His wonderful gifts.

God has given us so much and especially this year with a special little package: Bennett!

I realize after the holidays the cards probably go in the trash but I know how much I love getting cards and seeing everyone's families, new babies, dogs, cats or just a nice saying. Yes it can be stressful with getting the picture (if you choose to put a picture on it) and getting them all signed and all that but hopefully ours will bring a little smile to the faces of our friends and family, letting them know we care and we want to wish them a very Merry Christmas!

So maybe this season can open your eyes to the wonderful gifts you've been given and open your eyes on how you can give back;)

*Remember, this is not to brag about things I've done! I'm feeling like it looks that way but it's to share how just little things can be giving and maybe to remind you "hey, I can do that too". It's not all about money either!! One blogger said that she was going to limit her time checking emails to spend more time with her kids-just spending more time with your own kids is giving back to them!

A Polka Dot Christmas!

Okay, I must admit that I have a slight obsession with....

Not sure what it is but as I look around my house I see them everywhere (done tastefully though-IMO;))

Here's just a few examples...

This doesn't include hair bows for the girls, clothes (except for Mike's-that would be bad;0), socks, purses, the girls shoes, blankets, sheets, jackets, play table that I painted polka dots on, and the list goes on!

So it was time for some new ornaments (balls to be specific) for the tree. When I walked into Hobby Lobby I had in my mind polka dot ornaments. Seriously, what is it with me and polka dots?! Well since Hobby Lobby has virtually everything under the sun, I quickly spotted them and about jumped for joy! And they were 50% off!

Now just slap some monograms on them and maybe a cute little polka dot bow and I'm in heaven! (I think I may try to make some myself!)

Then I saw polka dot wrapping paper and yes...you guessed it, I had to get it (also marked 50% off)!

I loved the houndstooth and diamond pattern too! Of course I will have separate "Santa" paper for the girls-Ainsley's catching on to things like that now.

I also just ordered Bennett his stocking to match our decorative stockings (we have our family made stockings that Santa puts his gifts in located in one place and then in another we have Adrienne's funky stockings because well, I don't know why-don't ask) and of course people, they have polka dots on them!! Well, mine, Mike's and Bennett's do (the girls have stripes on theirs).

While we were decorating the tree Mike says: "Adrienne, you went a little crazy with the polka dot ornaments, seriously." LOL

Oh, I'm annoying myself at this point but I just can't get enough of polka dots!!

Does anyone else love them like I do??

Christmas Card Pics- The Outtakes!

I know many of you have seen some of the Christmas pics I took the other weekend but I thought I'd share some of the outtakes! As many of you know, attempting to take pictures of your children is not always the easiest, most pleasant thing to do, well unless you're a professional...which I am not. I did this by myself because Mike was out of town but I was determined to get a good shot, which to my surprise I got many but of course there were many not so good ones in between....

Bennett looks cute, Ainsley looks stressed and who knows what Harper is doing.

"Get your arm off of me!"

Harper's cheesin' it and Bennett looks like he may fall over.

Nice tongue Ainsley. Harper isn't too interested in this.

Now Harper's getting bored.

Still bored

Bennett sees something in the sky and Harper is really bored

now she's picking her nose

I just love Bennett's smile in this one-too bad Harper is not looking at the camera!

Ahh, fun times.

I will say this year was not nearly as bad as I thought it would be with all three of them, hopefully next year Mike and I can make the picture!