Jolie's 2nd

Jolie had a great little 2nd birthday party. She loved having her buddies from church over for cake and ice cream! and she definitely loved opening up her wonderful presents! The picture of her standing on the bench is my favorite! That is just her...happy and silly!

PURE JOY!

2 years ago......she arrived.

and has forever changed my life.

I love her so much.... Jolie is sweet and loving. She loves to cuddle...loves to give hugs and kisses. She loves to be read to...loves books. She is bossy....she knows what she wants. She is creative....loves to build with her blocks and "cut" Daddy's hair like mommy. She looks like her mommy, but with Daddy's beautiful blue eyes. She is an early riser....ugh...but I still love her. Like I always sing to her...she is "Daddy's little princess....and Mommy's little sweetheart."

Happy Birthday, Jolie!!!

Grandma & Jolie

Happy Birthday to You! Happy Birthday to You!
Happy Birthday deeaaar Grandma Jeannie annnnd Jolie.... Happy Birthday to you!!!!!

Anniversary in St. Auggie

6 years later....

♥ and we're still in LOVE ♥

We celebrated our anniversary with a little get-away to St. Augustine. Mark planned the entire evening! Just one of the many reasons why I love him so much! He loves to surprise me...and I love the surprises!!! :) We checked in at the Hilton on the Bay...and our room actually had a view of the bay. It was great! Even though it was cold out, we walk through historic downtown and to dinner at a very fancy restaurant at the Casa Monica. After dinner we had dessert at A1A Ale Works... fried banana split!!!! omgosh!!! We finished the night with a horse carriage ride. It was such a cold night for us Floridians....but it was a great night! I love my hubby!

6 years

Mark and I have been married for six years! Six years ago today....on a cold winter-y day in Wisconsin...we said "I do." I am so thankful to be married to my best friend...to the love of my life. Happy Anniversary babe!

Six reasons I love you so much:

you're strong faith

you're such an amazing Daddy to Jolie

the way you look at me

you're fun!!!

how we can talk about anything and everything

and I also love how you love to spoil your girls ;)

2 is "tutu" much fun!

Jolie is turning 2 next week!
our little ballerina...sigh.
Thank You, Meredith! for helping me make Jolie's tutu!
I love it. and I love u!

Christmas Day I cooked up a big ol' delicious dinner. The Gover's came over for dinner. We had all the fixin's! I cooked the turkey....and this amazing sweet potato casserole! I will have to post the recipe. It was sooo good! Rob & Kristie brought over a ham, dressing, mashed potatoes. And we even had more! We had such a wonderful Christmas. Mark's mom, Kellen, came into town. Jolie was very excited to have her here!

The day after Christmas we made the quick drive to St. Augustine to see the lights.

"oooo.....pretty lights" Jolie was very impressed! :)

SANTA WAS HERE!!!

This was Jolie's 2nd Christmas. She doesn't quite understand the Santa thing yet...

but she sure was a grateful recipient!!!

She LOVED her blocks and wooden cookie set. She's been baking cookies all week!

Hope you had a blessed holiday....

and HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Christmas memories...

Christmas Eve Service last year...

Jolie had just started walking about a month prior... she teetered around with her buddy Smyth. I can't belive how much she has changed in a year!

Smoky Mtns

We went to the North Carolina Smoky Mountains...Let's just say I want to go back! We had such a good time. Our cabin was located just outside of Bryson City. If you notice in the picture below...our cabin was on top of the mountain! The view was amazing! God's work is amazing!

check out the cabin rental we used....definitely recommend!

www.watershedcabins.com

We spent one day in Asheville, visiting the Biltmore. (see previous post) We also spent an afternoon in Bryson City. The local news: momma bear and her cub up in a tree. Yes...we're those smart people who just had to go take a peak. but we kept our distance! :)

Bryson City has so many great little shops. Also the home of the Great Smoky Mountain Railroad, which hosts a Polar Express train ride. We were hoping to go on the Polar Express, but just missed it by one day. Another reason to go back!

Biltmore Mansion

America's largest home, located in Asheville, NC.
Completed in 1895
Vanderbilt Family
I believe it has 42 bathrooms!
and countless bedrooms!

Here are a few photos of the dinning room. Which was amazing! The ceilings reach 7 stories high. The room also has it's own pipe organ. We weren't able to get any other photos....we didn't know picture taking wasn't allowed. So, that's all folks!

good till the last...drop

It is chilly and rainy here today....
I have our little electric wood burning stove on....it's keeping me nice and toasty.

Jolie and I had to run a few errand this morning....
I walked outside to the smell of Maxwell House...Good till the last drop!
The Maxwell House factory is downtown, about 10 miles north of our house. I could smell the roasting coffee beans. It kinda made it feel winter-y. :)
and....it was cold enough to see me breath, that's the first this year!
I'm so happy cool weather is here!

today...is different

Mark gave an awesome sermon at church today. Just talking about how life doesn't always turn out as we have planned. (Today is ... different) Sometimes our life takes a drastic turn, someday you may get that phone call at 2 o'clock in the morning.

Jeremiah 1:19 "They will fight against you but will not overcome you, for I am with you and will rescue you," declares the LORD.

The struggles of life will happen. but don't forget that God is for you...even when it seems He is not there. God is protecting you, even when it seems He isn't. God is watching over you, even when it seems He is ignoring you. God is loving you, even when who or what you love is gone.

I hope and pray that God is my portion....that I will seek Him and He will give me strength in the day to day of life.

_______________________________

Jolie and I after church...

she was being cute, as always! ;)

look at her pose...hand on hip! sassy pants!

Mark and I are trying to figure out where we went wrong???

Pray for us....a rebellious streak is starting to shine through:

LOL!!! ;)

holiday cheer

the excitement of Christmas!

Jolie was so really looking forward to meeting Santa...

as we waited in line.... "Santa...Santa!"

She was so excited.

Then...Mark asked her if she was going to sit on Santa's lap.

meltdown!

nooooo!!!!! I even tried to sit with her and Santa, didn't work.

Our attempt to get a picture of Jolie with Santa failed. As I got up Jolie was wrapped around my leg for dear life. poor girl, she was so stressed out by the end of this. As soon as we get 20 feet away, Jolie was saying "Santa" in her sweet little happy voice again.

our skinny little Christmas tree...

Jolie 'helped' me decorate the tree for the first time.

she's such a good little helper...although, I'm so afraid she going to break something. I guess it's bound to happen. I've been finding random miss-placed ornaments in the tree.

twinkle twinkle

We decided to put Christmas lights up outside for the first time, ever!
Jolie thinks it's great.... "oh...pretty"
Christmas will be so much fun this year!

Outdoor Christmas lights: check
Christmas tree: check
Fireplace mantel: check
Louisville Christmas tree: check

I couldn't wait till after Thanksgiving!!!
Happy Turkey Day Everyone!

mark's opinion: wear sunblock!

poor Mark....he was so mad at me for taking this picture.
He had to have a Basel cell removed.
Thank God he noticed the spot early on....
The amount removed was fairly small, about the size of a kidney bean.
(the bandage makes it look worse)
But my poor boy had to have his face cut!
Mark suggests that you wear sunblock...
The doctor recommends SPF 70, DAILY! just FYI

especially if you live in Florida!

I followed my mother's request and visited the dermatologist also. Dad had a malignant melanoma removed earlier this year. I have to be careful with my pasty white skin! ;)

the C family

such a wonderful family! I am so thankful God has crossed our paths at Mission Way Church. They are like family...we'll even be spending Thanksgiving with them. :) Well...this wonderful family needed some wonderful family pictures...and I enjoy taking pictures.