Helping Nonna..

After Thanksgiving, Nonna and Poppa decided it would be a great time to put up their Christmas tree. Avery knew they needed lots of help! So, of course, she obliged ;)

Thankful...

This is a day late, I guess. But I spent yesterday just being thankful.

• Thankful for a mommy who knows how to cook a DELICIOUS Thanksgiving dinner.

• Thankful for a daddy who is the nicest person on the planet and turned 47 yesterday.

• Thankful for my husband who makes me laugh every.single.day

• Thankful for Avery Grace who brings more joy than I ever knew existed in this world.

• Thankful for the newest addition to our family, Barney Fife, who only 'used it' in Nonna's house once

• Thankful for a full tummy. (No pictures, please :)
• Thankful for good sales and finishing my Christmas shopping today.
• Thankful for shopping in this small town that I love so much with small crowds and great deals.
• Thankful that we didn't wait in line AT ALL at WALMART on BLACK FRIDAY. Who says miracles don't still happen?
• Thankful for my other friends and family and you too, bloggy friends!

JUST.PLAIN.THANKFUL!

Hope you and yours had a blessed Thanksgiving. Now the countdown begins:
28 DAYS TILL CHRISTMAS!

And that means I can officially wish YOU a
Merry Christmas!

Avery meets Santa Clause...at Brookshires!

The other day, Avery and I stopped by our local Brookshire's grocery store. It was "A Taste of the Season" night, where they sample all things Christmas! When we pulled up there was a band, Avery lovvvved it! I guess it was her first time to hear a live marching band.

While we were listening to the band, I saw Santa! I didn't know how Avery would react. She didn't get to meet Santa last year because we didn't go near any malls with her (RSV lockdown)

Avery did go to Santa, put she wasn't overly impressed with him! Look at that expression -

However, I'd say she was more impressed with Santa, than with Miss Louisiana!

I think what impressed her most was the shrimp!

She also drank apple juice from a cup like a champ!

And even though Charlie wasn't with us, he was in my thoughts. : ) He was a happy camper when I showed him the Applewood bacon I picked out for him!

And Avery enjoyed sampling the cherry coke after we got home!

An Afternoon at the Park

A few weeks ago, I was leaving work and noticed it was just a gorgeous day. The birds were chirping and it was nice and cool with a breeze, but not too cold. It was just right for an afternoon at the park! I went to get Avery and we headed off to play for a little while. She had a great time and I took a few too many pictures!

She just didn't get the fact that you can't walk up the slide!

She kept trying to pick up this metal bar, I had to remind her we weren't at the gym. The park means strictly no work, ALL play!

She loved peeking at me!

She would squeal every time she slid down the slide. I was holding her all the way down so I could never get a picture of her smiling so big.

Most of the pictures looked like this, she was in such a hurry to do everything!

She wasn't too thrilled with the swings, but was interested in the kids swinging next to her.

This was when we got to the park, she was ready to go play! No pictures of us leaving because ms. lil' princess threw a big fit and did NOT want to leave.

Guess what...

...I'm hosting a Pampered Chef catalog party! They have quality products that make great Christmas gifts or could even help you prepare Christmas dinner. They have specials on serveware this month. You can shop online by clicking here, or if you prefer a catalog I'd be happy to mail you one. The party ends November 30th. After you click the link, choose "Shop Online" at the top of the page, and when you are asked if you were invited to a show put "Casey" in the first box. Let me know if you have any questions...happy shopping! : )

First Official Christmas Post

I've waited long enough. I've tried to spare you until the week of Thanksgiving. And today we're officially in the week of Thanksgiving. So, here we go! On Saturday, we had a short photo shoot to get some pictures of Avery by the bayou. At 22 months, let's just say she isn't the most cooperative subject of a photography shoot. I wasn't sure any of the shots would be Christmas card worthy. I also just happened to have a coupon for 50 free Christmas cards (thanks Dewana!) so I decided to do a second shoot at Nonna's. Avery was much more relaxed and gave us many more smiles the 2nd time around. So, either way I think we'll have some photo Christmas cards this year that didn't start with The Olan Mills disaster!

Things I love about this season:

Saying Merry Christmas as many times possible to as many people as I meet:

Little girls dressed in cute Christmas outfits

Signs and decor that remind you of Christmas everywhere you go

Christmas secrets...

And of course, singing Christmas carols!

I have a question....

Does it count as bad parenting if your toddler happens to pull a Ziploc bag off the counter, which contains garlic bread from last nights delicious supper...

...given the fact that it's a little before 6am, would you be considered a pushover if you said "No-no!" and put it back about 5 times, but she kept bringing it back to you...

...would it be so terrible if you decided that garlic bread is pretty close to toast and finally gave in and let her eat her weight in garlic bread for breakfast?

My answer would be that is pretty bad parenting. But it's almost worth it to get pictures this cute that early!

It's GAMEDAY!

GEAUX TIGERS!!!

Fall Collection - Part III

One of my favorite outfites - chocolate brown and purple dress w/ hearts w/ matching striped tights...adorable! Have I mentioned Avery lovvves books lately?

And have I mentioned that she lovvves drinking water from a bottle...

...and is actually very good at it!

Good to know someone around here is drinking water!

And did  I mention that she lovvves her monkey pajamas!

She also makes monkey sounds every time I put them on her...

...and did I mention that she's the most adorable, lovable little girl in the whole.wide.world!

Nothing...

Like...

A...

Good...

Breakfast!

Fall Collection - Part II

The plan was to get a few shots of Avery smiling (or at least looking at me) in some of her new clothes...

But she was pre-occupied...

Reading a certain bloggy book that her mother cherishes...

Next time, I'll put her in front of the window again!