Give Thanks

Each year during the holidays, I spend a little extra time thinking about how fast time has flown by and what I am thankful for that particular year. This year I found myself reflecting much more and feeling far more grateful than I have been in awhile. My memories of the last few years of my favorite season includes post-call Thanksgiving dinners (trying to stay awake at the table), drinking my holiday Starbucks drink in the ER and looking out of the hospital windows at the Christmas lights with tears in my eyes wishing I was with my family. This year the holidays have kicked off to quite a different start. I have spent the last 4 days sitting around an outdoor fire laughing with my hilarious siblings, eating my mama's delicious Thanksgiving meal (for 3 days straight), visiting with old friends, getting the biggest hugs from my sweet nephew, snuggling on the couch with my hubby, doorbusting on Black Friday with my mom and favorite holiday Starbucks drink and best of all laughing all day long at my adorable little peanut and her toothy grin. I sure hope days like these teach her from a very early age that the best things in life aren't thing at all... they are love and laughing and giving, they are family and friends, they are hugs and cuddles and smiles. When I say my prayers this year, I am so so thankful that my life is full of these wonderful things.

Playing upstairs in "boys club" with Uncle Vinny

Pops and his 2 buddies

Uncle Vinny brainwashing my little longhorn!

Wild child

Our little family

Mouth full of turkey!!

Cash is the sweetest dog ever, much more patient than Miss Macy.

Charlotte and Aunt Lauren have matching tummies!

Reading with Nana, her rocker is one of your favorite spots

Lauren, Justin, Baby #1 and Baby #2!

That silly Pops can sure make you laugh

Playtime with your sweet friend Lofton

Precious face, I love her!

Two mama's that love love love their baby girls

Grandparents

Charlotte LOVES all of her grandparents! If she had it her way, she would have all of them at our house all the time. She loves to do something good or cute and look around the room to make sure everyone is watching her. She jumps from one set of arms to the next when everyone is around like she just can't decide who she wants to hold her. We got to spend lots of time with grandparents this past week. Nana came into town Wednesday evening and we had a few days of LOTS of fun! She kept Charlotte Friday while I worked and they had a great day together. We all celebrated Papaw's birthday Wednesday night at Gumbo's. It was a sad day for our family without Uncle David but Charlotte brought lots of smiles and laughs. She looked so sweet in her cupcake dress and shiny silver shoes. Saturday night we had a Texas wedding celebration for Sam's cousin Mac, and this meant lots more family time! Charlotte played hard with all of her second cousins and napped for 4 hours today to recouperate!!

Happy birthday Papaw!!

Nana, Mama and Charlotte

Charlotte and her adorable cousin Larkin

Playing pat-a-cake with Papaw

Congratulations to Mac and Heather, we are so happy for you 2!

Whatcha been up to....

Charlotte, we have been so busy having fun that I haven't had much time for blogging!!! Here are a few clips of what we have been up to!

Your sweet friend Peri's first birthday party!

First time in the church nursery

Helping dad with yard projects...

... which includes lots of playing in the dirt!

Reading books with Mama every night

Halloween weekend at the lake

You HATED your adorable piggy costume that Nana gave you!!! Looks like hats are not in our future this winter, I'm not sure how we're going to keep that bald head warm!

Being Daddy's #1 fan!

Trying to stay warm with Mama!

Go team!

Meeting your newest friend Davey Cate

Helping Papaw with more yard projects!


Sweet girl, you are such a joy to be with. I LOVE spending all of my free time with you and your daddy!!

10 months

omg... those jeans and those two top teeth. Just when I think you couldn't possibly get any cuter... you do! Love you peanut!

Nilika and Neel... happily ever after!

We went to Houston a couple weeks ago for Nilika's wedding, one of my best friends from medical school (aka the Diva MD's!). We had such a blast, all 10 girls made it to Houston! It was the first time all 3 of the new diva generation were together, so cute! Charlotte and Davin played and played and Miss Lofton watched very closely and can't wait to get in on the action. Of course the best parts were the big hugs, late night chats and reminiscing over the good ol' days. At the end of the weekend Sam said.... "So, you guys pretty much just sit around, laugh and feed each other's egos." Precisely. And I miss it soooooo much. The trip was way too short and we are already planning the next! Nilika was the most beautiful bride and it was so wonderful to see the huge smiles on her and Neel's face the whole weekend. What a beautiful, smart, successful and sweet couple... they certainly make this world a better place.

Let the party begin!! Indian weddings are SOOOO much fun! It basically started off with a dance party with mimosa's at 9:00 am!!!

Davin and Charlotte finally meet!!

Morning nap on Aubrey

Hangin' with dad

Beautiful, happy couple!

Silly girl playing under the table

Playing

My sweet girl, I love those chubby cheeks and tiny toes.

We managed to squeeze in a baby shower for the 2 diva baby GIRLS to come!!

Love this pic of Aubrey opening her little missies fur coat... she looks soooo happy.

Mama's!

Cocktail hour

Playing with daddy

Sweet babies... just one week apart!

First dance

Prince and princess enjoying all of the beautiful dancing and toasts! Everyone had such amazing things to say about both of them, especially their sweet parents.

Diva's doing what Diva's do best!

Love my girls!