HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!!

We have had a really nice Valentine's Day around here, with lots of relaxing and playing and just enjoying our time together. We decided that we would like to spend the day with Ally and make it a family day, so after Ally got up from her afternoon nap, we took a trip to Home Depot to get a few things we needed (I know this doesn't exactly sound romantic, but I rather enjoy running errands with my family and I like home improvement type stuff, so I didn't mind), then a somewhat quick grocery shopping trip and off to PF Changs (a favorite of ours) to pick up some YUMMY carryout. Ally was wonderful the entire time and we had a nice family outing. When we got home, we ate our food, while feeding Ally dinner and did some playing before putting Ally to sleep for the night. Then we relaxed on the couch with some good tv, before turning in to bed ourselves. It really was a wonderful day!

Here are just a handful of pics that capture our day...

Riley enjoying the beautiful roses I received from my loving hubby...

Ally opening her Valentine's gifts (which, yes, I know it looks like an Easter gift with the basket and all, but she doesn't care about the wrapping and let's face it, it was just easier this way)...a new floppy beach hat for our vacations this summer and a pair of sunglasses that she was NOT into. We will have to keep trying with these and hope that she grows to love them. :0) She also got a book about Valentine's Day and a soft toy crab for the bathtub that makes bubble noises when you press on its stomach. She LOVED this gift!

Our Valentine's Day trip to Home Depot...new paint for Ally's bathroom and a new vent to replace the broken one in mommy and daddy's bathroom! Woo-hoo!

Ally on the car ride to pick up PF Changs carryout (mainly for mommy and daddy, but Ally enjoyed a few pieces of brown rice)...

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY every one!!!

Born to Shop!

Ally has been shopping since she was about 2 weeks old, but today she stepped it up a notch and got to ride like a big girl in the shopping cart at Target. She loved getting to sit in the big seat and see everything around her and she smiled and cheesed it up for every other customer that walked by. My girl, she loves her shopping...makes a mama proud!

Black Friday Shopping

Today was "The Day After Thanksgiving" and you know what that means...SHOPPING! Now, some might call us crazy to venture out on "Black Friday", but the women in my family have done this for years and we have turned it in to a lovely little tradition that I cherish. We do it in memory of my Grandma and we do it to be together. Quite honestly, we don't shop so much as wander the mall, eat lunch, laugh, stop for coffee, laugh some more, search for all party members, stop for more coffee...you get the idea. This year, Ally was initiated into the tradition and she did GREAT (she is a born shopper)! She even shared a little "latte" with Grandma C. and cousin Abby (well they had fun with the photo op at least). It was a really nice day and as usual it was great to spend it with all my girls (well, minus Ashley, but she was there in spirit!). I love you all and you each mean so much to me! Thank you for sharing in this tradition every year with me!

Sauerkraut Festival!

Every year for at least the past 5 years, my cousin, Alecia and I, have gone to the Waynesville Sauerkraut Festival and spent the day wandering the streets of Waynesville together. We have turned it in to a tradition that I anticipate as soon as late summer rolls around. We used to attend the festival with our Grandma and we think of her every year when we are there together. It is always such a fun day full of yummy food (German Sundaes, Sauerkraut pizza, homeade pumpkin bread...yummmmm), fall weather, gorgeous scenery and some neat arts and crafty type things. Plus, it is the one day of the year that I know I will get to see my cousin, who I don't see nearly as often as I would like. I even announced my pregnancy to her on "festival day" last year (to which she immediately responded how the baby would be able to come to the Kraut Festival next year!). :-)

In addition to our tradition, we have turned it in to somewhat of a tradition for the hubbys too. For the past three or four years, while Alecia and I are off festivaling, the guys have played golf together, which seems to make them pretty happy. It's a nice day for everyone!

This year, we obviously took Ally with us, but we also brought along mom, Laura (who was sporting her own 'bun in the oven' this year), France, Megan and Aunt Nana Sue (my Uncle Dave's sister)! We had a great time, although I will definitely bring a smaller stroller next year, because the festivals VERY crowded streets and big bulky travel system stollers just don't mix. We may even have two strollers next time! I'm pretty sure at least some of our newcomers will return with us next year!

Looking forward to the Sauerkraut Festival in 2009!!

A few pics from our day...