'Tis the Season- Jesus is the Reason

We always start our Christmas season with the one thing that means the most to our family- putting up the Manger. We don't really decorate much after that since we head to Arizona, so the Manger really becomes our focal point. (which is exactly how we want it)

Since Halloween, when we showed Charlie Brown's Great Pumpkin DVD, Bella has been in love with Snoopy. So, when I actually saw one in the BX, I HAD to get it. She cooed so joyfully when I gave it to her.

Snoopy and Spot the dog love each other, too.

I get the pieces of the Manger out and let Bella unwrap each piece. We identify the piece and then she puts each piece where she thinks it should go. This year she tried to stuff everything inside the stable until we talked a little about how their wasn't much room. :) It's amazing what she already knows and can retain. I love it. Here she is putting Joseph in. Last year it was "Jofes"...my how we have grown.

The one and only Baby Jesus


Last but not least....Mary, Jesus' mommy.

She was very proud of the final arrangement. Happy Birthday Jesus!

A Very Special Visit to South Carolina

We took a once in a lifetime trip to South Carolina the week before Thanksgiving. It was Curtis' parents' 50th Wedding Anniversary. But, it wasn't just a party, it was a full fledged BEAUTIFUL wedding where they renewed their vows. The 6 kids (Curtis and his siblings) paid for every ounce of it. Deborah (his sister) did the majority of the planning. His brother, Virgil, who is a minister, "married" them and his eldest brother, Mark, walked his momma down the aisle. Curtis was a groomsmen, I was a bridesmaid and Bella was a flower girl. It was such a joyous occasion and we were truly blessed to be able to join the festivities during this time of year.

Our trip there wasn't the highlight as we missed our connecting flight in Washington Dulles. So, here we are wasting 5 hours until the next flight to SC. The game: Decorate daddy's hat with stickers. That only killed about 10 minutes, but I thought I man looked hot.

The beautiful bride.

"I am all ready to walk down the aisle."

The two flower girls. If you are a follower of my blog, you have seen photos of RaMya. She is one day older than Bella. Bella's grandma has watched her since she was a baby. So they were the two special ones who got to be flower girls.

Daddy with the beautiful bride, Grandma.


Busting a move with Daddy.

Bella stayed as close to the cousins as possible. She wanted to be with the big kids.

Cinderella lost her shoe so her Prince Charming helped find it.

Mommy and the cutest flower girl ever!

Bella was a dancing machine. She spent 85% of the reception on the dance floor.

A special dance with cousin EJ.

Mommy and Daddy

Daddy and the uncles.


Peek-a-boo!

A final pose back at Grandma's

More Fun in South Carolina

So, here's the deal.....on one of the DVD's we always watch, it shows a little commercial for Chuck E. Cheese's. Bella always asks about it and wants to go. Thus, we finally succumbed and took our little one to the overpriced day of play. We took Ashley and Lauren, too, and the girls absolutely loved it. Plus, we now can put a check mark next to Chuck E. Cheese's on the sweetie pie's wishlist. Ha!

Daddy and Lauren.

Chuck E. Cheese...here I come!


I think this is the 1 millionth picture I have of her on a slide!

The one and only Chuck E. Cheese..............

...and the rest of band played Christmas Carols.

Ridin the rides.

Daddy won a bunch of tickets so......

...........Bella had to try that game, too.

Concentrating on winning some more tickets.

Playing the "Punch the Duck" game.

Success!!!Tickets!!!!

Little Lauren hunting for tickets! We ended up with like 400+ tickets and all Bella wanted was a roll of Smarties, which was only 25 tickets. The girl wants for nothing.

I'd say the girls had a fun time!

On another day, Bella got out her bike.

After a very shaky start, she decided she was too scared and thus she would walk the bike around, instead.

Lauren and Bella at one of our favorite SC restaurants, Arizona's. Yummy!

Thanksgiving at Uncle Virgil's house.

Posing with her favorite playmate and cousin, EJ. (notice her first cornrows, plus the flowers I always seem to put in crooked)

Thank you Kendall!

Yep, I am still backlogged on my posts. This was a birthday gift from Kendall, Jolie and Aaron! Earlier that day, Bella talked about how she wanted to see Winnie the Pooh. I told her we would have to go rent it.....but lo and behold, she got it in her birthday package. So sweet. She loved everything!