Happy Birthday, Tina!!

I just wanted to wish my baby sister (far left) a happy birthday today. I can NOT believe she is 18 already. Time has gone by so fast and she is so grown up now...I remember when she was still a little girl!

Tina is the "neglected" child (or so she tells it) because she only has TWO professional photos of herself from birth to age five, and we just recently found the only home video of her first year of existence. Sadly, her name is mispelled and she is given some terrible nicknames in the video. There is also evidence of my mom and I torturing her by feeding her cheerios! But we LOVE you Tina!

I'm not excited about her graduating this May because it's just means I'm getting older...but I love her very much and she'll always be Gracie's F.A.T. (Favorite Aunt Tina).

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TINA!!!

Baby James' dedication

I can't believe I'm saying this, but these are photos from James' dedication last year. That just sounds so strange.

Anyway, it was at our church on December 27th, and we had a whole pew full of family who came out to witness it. My favorite part of the baby dedications at our church done by our sweet, wonderful pastor are when he takes the child from the parents and walks down the middle aisle of the church. It's as if he's not only showing the baby off to the congregation as he talks, but letting the baby sort of "meet" or be introduced to the congregation. Although James is a familiar and very loved baby at our church.

I know that this simple act also means a lot of Brother Bruce, and did this particular Sunday because he had a minor accident over the holidays and injured his knee - so he was afraid he might not be able to carry James down the aisle. Thankfully, he was able to. And we were also blessed to have Lori Mercer with us to photograph the event!
(I promise to post more photos when I receive my disk from her).

Mama's boy

When Gracie was born, I could see some similarities in her that kind of reminded me of myself and of Bryan. We've had lots of people (over the last four years) who say she looks like me, or she looks like Bryan, or she's a really good combination of both of us. There are some first photos of James that there is no denying he is my son.

I just wanted to share some comparison shots of baby photos of me with photos of James. I really enjoyed flipping through old photo albums at my Granny's house during Christmas, and reminiscing with my sisters.

These first two look more alike than the second two...



But I love this picture of James anyways!



Do you have old baby photos of yourself you'd like to share on your blog? If so, here's my challenge: Show us how similar your own children are to your old photos, or how different!

Christmas Photos Part 2

Gracie with some books from Nana


Anniston opening a gift (she had a blast with the paper!)


Anniston in a box!


Nana's best gift! It says "Grandkids welcome (Parents by appointment)". Tara gave it to her!


Gracie, James, and Anniston

Christmas Photos Part 1

James in his spankin' new high chair (courtesy of Santa!) and Gracie


Gracie showing off James' "My first Christmas" photo album


Gracie and James


Gracie with her Hello Kitty rain boots Tina got her


Tag books from Aunt Jessie

(Almost) Wordless Wednesday

Some random pictures of the kids during the Christmas holidays...

This is James and his "not so happy" face.



Back: Katilyn and Zoe
Front: Addison, Emma, and Gracie

Addison and James

The reason for the season

Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
-- Matthew 1:23, KJV

I also wanted to share this beautiful song with you...enjoy.