Going Private

With the new year ahead and all the changes it will bring, we have decided to make this blog private. We would love to have all our friends and family that have joined us over the last 2+ years of blogging to continue following our little family into the future. Please leave your email in the comments for this post or email Elizabeth directly so that we can include you in this shift. We will look to ease over to being private in the next couple of weeks. Also, Bella just looked at me and said in a soft little whisper, "Dadadadada". Yes! I win the First Name Said Sweepstakes!

Christmas Joy

Bella Grace is full of sweet laughter and pure joy! Here she is laughing at her cousin Sarah on Christmas Day. Updates on Bella Grace: -7.5 months old -sitting up -2 bottom teeth (as of the 1st week in December) -scooting backwards

A Puppy for Christmas

No...We are not the proud owners of a new puppy for Christmas, but Daniel's cousin is! We (especially Reagan) enjoyed playing with the adorable little puppy by the name of Scout. Reagan and Scout spent some time running together in the yard on Christmas Day! They were quite a cute pair and both seemed to enjoy each other. It was precious!

Two little Christmas Cuties

Friends

The Chase...Scout enjoyed nibbling on the back of Reagan's dress in hopes of catching her for a lick!

A Tender Tennessee Christmas



Make a Smilebox slideshow Merry Christmas to All of our Friends and Family! We enjoyed a wonderful time at home with family as we celebrated to birth of our Lord and Savior. We have been Blessed! Our celebrations include Christmas with both sets of Grandparents (Gabby and Dado, Grammie and Papa), the Barlow Family, the Randolph Family, the Smith Family, and the Hobbs Family.

An 'early' Family Christmas

Santa made an early stop at the Smith house Saturday morning. Because we will be in TN for Christmas day, we celebrated together as a family Saturday. The day included a special breakfast, gifts, lots of play, a special pancake dinner, and lights. The girls had a blast! We made wonderful memories as we saw Christmas through the eyes of our little girls! Merry Christmas to All!

Santa is Coming...

We will celebrate Christmas together in the morning as a family of 4. Our celebration will also include Santa gifts. Because we will be with family on Christmas morning, Santa is stopping by our house tonight.

Before leaving the cookie for Santa, Reagan took a big bite. I do not think that Santa will mind.

The gifts are wrapped, the stockings are stuffed, and the girls are asleep! Looking forward to morning...

Pictures of Christmas

Christmas truly is the most wonderful time of the year! I enjoy everything about the Christmas season and look forward to the celebrations every year. I have many favorite things about Christmas including decorations, shopping, the Nativity, Christmas Eve service, family, friends, baking, eating, and more. Here are a few of my favorite things...

Our stockings are hand-made with love by Grammie (Daniel's mom). My stocking and Daniel's stocking match and the girls stockings coordinate. They are a special touch to our Christmas decorations.

The Nativity...The reason for the season! As a child, I enjoyed playing with my grandmother's nativity. As of last Christmas, I am a proud owner of my very own nativity.

Meet Wobble-Bobble, our family elf on the shelf! He came to us on December 1st. Each night he returns to Santa to let him know if we have been good or bad. In the morning, he moves to a new location in the house. Reagan enjoys finding him each day.

Christmas cards (especially ones that include pictures) are one of my top favorite things about Christmas. Thanks to all who have sent cards our way.

This is a very special Christmas ornament. It first adorned my grandmother's tree when I was a child. This is just one of the birds that scared me as it sat on her tree each year. I now smile with many memories as I place the bird on our tree each year.

A New Perspective

Now that Bella Grace has mastered sitting up on her own, she is enjoying a new perspective on life. She particularly enjoys sitting up in the bath tub. There is nothing any cuter than a naked baby!

Merry Christmas 2008!

Merry Christmas from the Smiths! Tonight we took our first professional pictures as a family of 4 in celebration of Christmas. We had a great time watching our girls cheese for the camera. Reagan is a ham for the camera until she is has had enough (which explains why their are not many pictures of her in her pjs). Bella Grace just loves to smile at anyone giving her attention and making silly faces. May your Christmas be filled with many smiles and sweet memories!

7 Months Old

It is really true...Bella Grace is 7 months old today. She is a joyful baby who loves life, mommy, daddy, and big sister. In the last week, Bella has cut both of her bottom front teeth. She chatters, plays with her toys, pulls sister's hair, giggles, enjoys solids, and more.

This picture says it all!

Oh...that is embarassing (and a little funny, too)!

Christmas Dresses

All Dressed Up for Santa...

Before

After

Ho Ho Ho

We took the girls to see Santa tonight. It went much better than expected. If you recall the picture from last year, this is much improved. Although shy at first, Reagan warmed up to Santa and told him that she would like a 'crab' (hermit crab) for Christmas. Bella was unsure and had little to say; she did like Santa's beard. Merry Christmas!

Washington DC

Last week, Daniel and I went to DC for a little rest and relaxation. Actually, Daniel was there for continuing education and I was tagging along. We had a wonderful week of sightseeing, shopping, eating, resting, and simply being together. The girls stayed at home with Gabby and Dado (Thanks!!!). Some highlights from the trip included my tour of the White House (no pictures allowed), the Museums and Monuments, tastes of Washington, a date to the movies (Four Christmases), and of course, the Metro. This was the perfect Christmas gift...Thanks Daniel!

Daddy's Boat

Today Daddy had duty on the ship, so the girls and I decided to take dinner to him. This was the first trip to see Daddy's ship for the girls. Reagan was so excited about the 'BIG Boat'! Once on the ship, she was a bit overwhelmed but excited about watching TV in Daddy's bed. Here are some sweet pictures from the afternoon.

Daddy kissing on his smallest little lady.

Oh...Oreo!

Playing on Daddy's bed.

Just Chillin'!

Orange and White Thank You

Our sweet friends, the Brauds, sent this adorable UT hat and scarf to Reagan for her birthday! At such a young age, she is a true Vol fan making her Daddy so very proud. Notice the jersey...Reagan choose to sleep in this last night. Thanks to our dear LSU friends for adding to our TN orange collection.

Big Cup, Big Snack

Bella Grace now knows all about food and drink. Since starting solids, she has become more interested in what we are eating and drinking. Here Bella is playing with Mommy's empty cup and wishing for some sweet tea.

So pleased with herself...

Enjoying finger foods! Yummy Gerber stars...

Computer Work

At 2 years old, Reagan is a very busy little girl. Here she borrowed Gabby's glasses so that she could get her computer work done.

Reagan's Birthday Party

Saturday, December 6th, Reagan celebrated her 2nd birthday with friends, family, and Abby Cadabby. Friends joining her for the party included: Kayla, Matthew, Ben, Ryan, Emily, Anna, Jesse, and Ethan. Thanks to all for helping us celebrate Reagan's birthday.

LIttle Wii

Daddy taught Reagan how to play golf on the new Wii. She had a blast and is much better than expected!

2 Years Old by Picture People

These are a few of the pictures taken at Picture People on Reagan's 2nd birthday. She and I went alone leaving daddy and Bella at home. It was a special date and she performed like a model!

Happy 2nd Birthday, Reagan!

Yesterday was Reagan's 2nd Birthday. It is hard to believe that we have a 2 year old. She is growing into a beautiful little lady (in and out) with a big personality. We had a fun filled day in celebration of Reagan's big day. We spent the morning playing around the house and waiting for daddy to return from a short day at work. After naps, Reagan opened her gifts (zoo animals, Ernie doll, Sesame placemat, and doll house). We then sang Happy Birthday (known to Reagan as the 'happy you' song) and ate birthday cake. I then took Reagan to the mall for pictures (I will share as soon as I receive them). For dinner, we went to The Broken Egg. This is a yummy little breakfast spot in town and a favorite of Reagan's. They happen to be open on Tuesday nights for dinner, so it made for the perfect spot to celebrate. She ate pancakes and sausage. It was a perfect day!

Cutie Pie

Bella Grace is full of smiles and giggles. Her little personality is really starting to show. She blesses us daily with her joyful spirit and pleasant nature. In these pictures, she is enjoying the day of celebration in honor of her big sister and best friend's birthday. The first picture is of her first experience in a highchair while dining out (it offered a whole new view).