Birthday Boy

Today is David's 31st Birthday and we had a very low key celebration. This is what he wanted, since we had such a big bash last year, but we are going to go out on Saturday to Dick's Den and watch some live jazz with friends. We are going to leave Ally overnight (with my parents) for the first time, so we don't have to worry about coming home too early. David is really excited and I am looking forward to something new and different. So...for this evening, we stayed in and I made a big Mexican feast at David's request, he opened his gifts with Ally, while I took pictures and then...wait for it...he fell asleep on the couch! I let him sleep for a while, because it is his birthday afterall, but keep in mind it is also New Year's Eve, so I did wake him 2o minutes or so before the ball dropped for a champagne toast and a New Year's kiss! It wasn't the most exciting New Year's Eve, but that's fine with me. I'll do my celebrating on Saturday! As long as David had a nice birthday (and I am pretty sure he did), that's all that matters.

Happy Birthday, Bud! We love you!!

Christmas with The Smiths

Tonight we had our Christmas celebration with David's mom and step-dad and all of the siblings from that side. Everyone was there...Maw-Maw and Paw-Paw, GG, Julie, Brian, Jillian, Kayla, Tonya, Ryan, Alyssa, Danny, Joey, Jersey, Erica, Jake and of course the three of us. It was a great night. We started the evening with a delicious meal made by Monica and some brandy slushes (Julie and I were all over those things since we couldn't have any last year!). We spent a lot of time chatting and laughing and catching up with those we don't see very often and then we got down to business...presents time! The kids had a great time and before we knew it, the ground was covered in wrapping paper and toys! The big gift of the night was for all of us...a vacation to South Carolina this summer! We are all very excited and we are looking forward to lots of fun on the beach. Thanks to Monica and Dan for hosting a wonderful Christmas celebration!

Christmas with the Clarks

This morning we got up and made our way over to my mom and dad's house for our annual "Christmas" morning brunch. It was very yummy as usual and I especially enjoyed getting to have a mimosa this year! Our brunch crowd was a little lighter than usual, since Laura and John were still at the hospital, but we will celebrate with them when they bring Little D home in a couple days. After brunch, we tore into gifts and stockings and had a great time and all ended up with some amazing stuff. Ally really enjoyed her presents from everyone, especially her new block set from Grandma and Grandpa C.
After the gift opening tornado went through, we packed everything up and took a trip to Riverside to see Laura, John and most importantly, Dylan!
Another wonderful Christmas at the Clark's and one we are sure not to forget!

Welcome Little Dylan Henderson!!

Well, we sure did have a surprise call this morning! My mom called to say that Laura's water had broken around six o'clock this morning and she was at the hospital about to have her baby!! I was pretty worried about her at first, because we had all been in Cincinnati yesterday for Christmas Eve and had not gotten home until around one o'clock in the morning, so I knew she could not have had much sleep and laboring is HARD work. As it turns out, Laura is MUCH quicker at the laboring process than her older sis is (although she did push for a couple hours) and my brand new baby nephew was born by the afternoon! Dylan Clark was almost 4 weeks earlier than his due date and born on Christmas! Our Christmas miracle!! He is just the most precious little tiny guy, weighing in at just a little over five pounds, but he is going to be a strong one, I can tell. I am so thrilled to be an aunt again!! Mommy, Daddy and Dylan are all doing well and I am so proud of my sister! She is going to be an amazing mom and she handled Dylan coming so early with such ease and grace (I'm quite sure I would not have been as calm as she has been through this whole process). Dylan seems to be eating well and sleeping ok, which are both good things and I am sure everyone is looking forward to getting home and getting settled.
Congratulations Laura and John! We are so happy for you and can't wait to watch Dylan grow and grow! Happy Birthday Dylan!!! We love you!