And she thought no one was looking

Holiday Cheer

We had a get-together with my (Suzanna's) maternal side family members the day after Christmas. Although we are missing a few members (we missed y'all, Chris & Dyna!!) we had a good time. It has been several years since this side of the family...ALL the family....got together for Christmas! Pictured are my mom and her siblings, and the next are the great grandchildren. Anna Kate is being held by her second cousin Mitch; also in the picture are Mitch's brothers Price & Clark, and Ellie and Ben. Mama K and Papa would be proud!

Christmas in Jackson

The next part of our family trip brought us Christmas Day afternoon to Jackson to see Lollie and Pops. Santa also found their house--I guess those letters and emails to the North Pole worked! He left a few more toys and outfits for her there.

What a mess!

Pictures from Christmas in Hernando

The second visit on our Family World Tour 2007 was to Hernando, to see Grandpa Sonny and Nana Lori. We had dinner at Tori & Daniel's adorable new Memphis home our first night back. We met their dog Ginger the Beagle...and had a ball with her! As you can see, Ginger is very affectionate with Anna Kate.....she did great with a baby in the house!

Christmas Eve morning brought Anna Kate a big surprise: A sinus infection and 101 temperature. The stuffy nose and warm forehead were the only indications there was a problem. Anna Kate acted fine! We got a recommendation for a great location pediatrician (THANK YOU, Ellie and Ben's mama!) and off we went. Low and behold, Ellie and Ben's doctor Dr. B--the SAME pediatrician Mike, Daniel and Andy had going up! Dr. B's kids were about the same age, and played together. Dr. B even recognized Mike when she entered the room. It was great to have a familiar doctor take care of Anna Kate, and on all days, Christmas Eve!

Does this look like a sick baby? Hmmm, no! She wasn't going to let a meesily sinus infection get in her way! She was going to open those gifts! Christmas Eve night we had a delicious dinner cooked on the grill by chef extraordinare Grandpa Sonny and in the kitchen by Nana. Afterwards, we opened gifts. Can you tell Grandpa Sonny approves? Anna Kate got some terrific toys and a *beautiful* Feltman Brothers pink dress. I can't forget to mention the cute jammies that Anna Kate got from her paternal grandparents. And the best part is that even Santa found her all the way in Hernando and left her some great toys at Sonny & Nana's house! Check out the Disney Princess Pink Pony!

70 -- 1976 -- 82 -- 3

No these are not the winning lotto numbers (I wish!) but when we left home for the "2007 Family World Tour" on 12/22 it was 70 at 3am when we struck a trail to Memphis. We drove 1976 miles from Birmingham to Memphis to Jackson back to home and it was 82 degrees when we arrived home yesterday! It never got any warmer than the temperature when we left last Saturday until we got home.....we have FINALLY thawed out and back in shorts :).

And 3: The number of NEW TEETH Anna Kate cut during Christmas!! She went from 2 teeth Dec 1 to SEVEN teeth on Dec 31! The newest ones were on the bottom, and on either side of her new top front teeth.

I have to brag about Anna Kate....she is SUCH a terrific traveler! Not even teething or a sinus infection that landed us at a Memphis doctor's office on Christmas Eve! could keep this gal down!! Mike and I are very lucky that she is such an easy going baby and great in the car!

We had a wonderful trip to see family for Christmas and as much as we didn't want to leave, it was time to return to our normal routine (whatever that might be...). Over the next few days, I will be posting pictures and video from our adventures.

Happy Wedding Day, Summer & Matthew!

My cousin Matthew is getting married today--New Year's Eve--to his sweet fiancee Summer! We wish them lots of love and wedded bliss! (Picture to follow)

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas! In the spirit of the season, we wish you lots of love, peace and joy this Christmas.

Lil Snugglebug

It was *really* cold here. No, seriously! It was in the 30s a few nights this week. Mike was going to the airport early one morning, and Anna Kate and I took him. She was so bundled up, more so than she's used to. Isn't that hat hysterical? We got it for the our upcoming visit to Mississippi and Tennessee. Had no idea we would get a few days use out of it here at home!

This is one of the last rides in the "old" car seat. I think it was a day or so later that her new car seat was installed.

Feeding Time!

Learning to Self Feed.....

Christmas Dinner is going to be so much fun!!!

I can't believe I forgot....

I can't believe I forgot about mentioning our recent Orlando venture. The new IKEA store opened in Orlando.....and we braved the Christmas traffic and crowds to tour the new place. THIS IS TOO COOL!! Never saw a store quite like this one! Lots of great ideas for Anna Kate's toddler room (once we move out of the baby/infant stuff).

I don't think Macy's or Belk's will be adding a supervised play area so the parents can shop in peace...IKEA has a HUGE area for just that! From the looks of it, the kids were having as much fun in there as the parents were shopping. IKEA also has a cafe on the second level! We took a quick break to feed Anna Kate and get something to drink.



If you need something from IKEA, just let me know. I need a good excuse to go shopping there again :). Don't you just love how Anna Kate shops---laid back, feet propped up and being chauffeured. If only.....

10 Month Old Pictures

Last week, Anna Kate had her 10 month pictures done. Several shots were taken when we got our Christmas card pictures done, but Anna Kate hit her limit. It was feeding time and had to go. We went back a few days later to finish and got these shots. Guess who came with us this time...Hannah! We love Hannah and her parents! They are so much fun!

The gals at the picture place call the pose in the second picture "the Anna Kate" pose. They say that no other baby sits quite like that and Anna Kate owns that one her self :). The third one was an oops but turned out kinda cute. Can you imagine what she might be "uh oh"-ing about? I can name a few....

And lastly, we joined Hannah's photo session for the last few shots. Once you crop the picture, you can't see my hand----Anna Kate kept wanting to "fall" off the block and let me catch her.

We have had several comments if the girls are twins. They almost have the same hair color! Hannah is 2 months older (7 weeks and 6 days to be precise) than Anna Kate. Hannah is now walking and giving Anna Kate some tips in category. She is such a sweet girl.

We've graduated....

from the infant carrier to the BIG car seat! Santa made an early stop to see Anna Kate and deliver her new car seat! What a difference this car seat is! She's still sitting rear facing (until 33 lbs) but she was too long for the infant carrier--her head was within an inch of the top of the carrier. And Santa realized he couldn't wait until Christmas Day to bring the new car seat, so he delivered it on Tuesday!

The new car seat is installed and passes the car seat inspection through our local sheriff's department and ready for the big trip to MS and TN for Christmas! I'll be posting a new picture of Anna Kate sporting her new riding gear shortly.....Mike took the camera & camcorder with him on his business trip to Washington DC. Hopefully I'll get something posted on Thursday once we get the camera home :).

Winter Wonderland Party

Saturday, Anna Kate, Mike and I attended a Winter Wonderland Party at Gymboree. She made her first ornament, by swirling tempra paint in clear plastic ornament ball. Actually Anna Kate preferred to knaw on the ornament, before the paint of course :). Her favorite parts were the parachute time and the snowflakes (Gymboree bubbles). She's rocking with "John John" in the row boat, and in the last pictures are her friends Hannah and Vinnie. Vinnie was born five days before Anna Kate. We have yet to have all babies looking in the same direction for pictures :). That day will come soon!

Never know where Santa may show up.....

Last week, as I was getting my haircut, Santa, YES, SANTA, walks right in! Ok, so it was "Santa's Helper" since we all know Santa is at the North Pole right now, but it was his helper!! The gal that cuts my hair also cut's Santa ('s helper), and he was stopping by to get a quick trim....you know, so he can look his best! I so wished I had a camera!

THEN, just this past Thursday, Anna Kate and I were at our MOPS December playgroup/Christmas party...when Santa appears!! And this time I did have my camera...but the batteries DIED on me just as I was taking the first picture! Santa joined our playgroup, and read "The Navitity Story" to the group. He also took last minute requests from the kids. Although I didn't place Anna Kate on Santa's knee, we stood a few feet from him, so she could warm up to the idea of this thing in a red suit. One of her newer tricks is waving, although she doesn't do it on cue....but she started to wave to him. As Santa approached us, she leaned towards him, wanting him to hold her! Too cute!

Just goes to show you that you never know where Santa might show up!

Peek A Boo!

I see you!

Lots of Lights

One of the city parks here does an amazing job with a lights display....Needless to say, all Anna Kate wanted to do is eat the lights.

(Did you notice how cold it is here....we're all in short sleeves! Mid 80s in the day and 70s at night! And no, Anna Kate doesn't have her mouth on the light...just looks like it from the angle. She tried really hard though!)

A few prayers for my grandmother Mom

My dad's mother "Mom" has been admitted to the ICU in Jackson for four bloodclots. We are praying that time and the medication will disolve these clots to prevent either stroke or heart attack. We're not sure how long she is going to be hospitalized.

The last 18 months haven't been good to her. She broke her hip last year, but seemed to recover rather well (compared to most 84 years old people!). She's fallen several times this year. And Mom was just in the hospital a few weeks ago, when she felt again, and broke her leg.

The doctors really can't tell us anything right now. It's hard to hear anybody very sick in the ICU, but especially during the holidays. Please keep "Mom" in your prayers over the next few days.

Happy Birthday, Miss Hannah!

Anna Kate's friend Hannah celebrated her first birthday today! We all had a ball at her party...literally! Hannah got a 'ball pit' for her birthday (to be used as a swimming pool in warmer weather), and all the kids enjoyed playing in it. And yes, that is our child LAYING in the ball pit. Anna Kate really enjoyed it....she was so comfortable, that she laid on top of the other kids in the pit!

We had a good time and very happy that Hannah invited us to her very first birthday party!