Too Long...

To say that it's been too long would be an understatement...I plan on catching everyone up mainly with photos and a few words where necessary.

So let's start with Christmas...Caroline got everything...I got Tory Burch and Kyle got Gander Mountain gift cards...must lock up all of the guns NOW!!!!

This was Caroline's school Christmas "program." I used air quotes because they strolled them around with music. It was odd but it was her first program, and in all of my first time mom glory I invited EVERYONE...we took up an entire row in the chapel type of everyone...both of my parents were there as well as Ryan, Jessica and David as well as Kyle and myself...overboard I know for her being strapped in a stroller and pacifier shoved in her mouth...but like I said to begin with...FIRST TIME MOM!!!

She looked like she wasn't sure what to do with all of it...clearly pacifiers were a MUST in this situation.

Aaawww, the old toddler vs. the Christmas tree. I believe this battle has been raging since the first Christmas tree was erected.

I'll be taking this picture EVERY SINGLE YEAR!!!

Cupcakes from the Cupcakery...run don't walk to this fabulous place. They did Caroline's cupcakes for her birthday party and they are absolutely delicious!!!

Oh she remembered those cupcakes alright!

I made these sugar cookies with the holiday messages in them and made some with Caroline's cousins' names in them too...leave it to Williams Sonoma...although the process of sliding the teeny tiny letters in wasn't without some curse words...even the holiday spirit couldn't help that!

This girl loves her Great PawPaw

The vintage Mercedes pedal car

So ready to try it out
Holy heck there's a giant caterpillar trying to get me!!!

She loves to put on her lipstick aka chapstick!

We obviously had a wonderful Christmas. God has truly blessed us. We couldn't be happier with our lives!!!!

Caroline's First Birthday

So here's the "scoop" on Caroline's State Fair of Texas birthday party. I hired a photographer to take pictures of the party. Something I'm so grateful that I did but is definitely testing my patience. I'm still waiting to see them...It's really hard not to bother her when I want so badly to nag her about when they'll be available.

So here are the ones that I took. We had a wonderful time and so did Caroline.

Party favor buckets. So that all the children could fill them with the prizes they would win on the Midway.

The gift table with Caroline's One Year picture to the left.

The balloon arch...the entrance to The Midway.

The food and beverage tables.

I'll post more once the professional ones arrive...promise...this is a teaser anyway!

First Texas Tech Game

As a parent there are many "first" that you get the privilege of experiencing with your children...first smile...laugh...word...All of which I have experienced with Caroline, BUT one of the best "firsts" I got to experience with my daughter occurred Sunday, September 5, 2010...we got decked out in our finest scarlet red and black and watch her FIRST TEXAS TECH GAME together! It couldn't have been more perfect!!!

Texas Tech is a tradition not only in my family but Kyle's as well. I would say having my aunts and uncles all attend the same wonderful university as my parents is somewhat of a tradition and Kyle's parents, his brother and sister all attended Tech. Some might say we bleed red and black! Heck our brother-in-law, Jeff, is already talking about us going in together to buy a house for Olivia, Elizabeth and Caroline...All I can say is Watch out Lubbock...The Haley and Blair Girls are heading your way...in 14 short years (Olivia will be four this year and you know Elizabeth and Caroline will definitely be visiting)!

BUT I suppose that Sunday was such a special day for me because Lubbock is where I met some of the best friends of my life. Which in turn makes the memories that much sweeter. I can only hope that Caroline will enjoy Lubbock as much as I did. And who knows maybe she'll sport a crown around like I did...one can dream right?

Future Red Raider

Please notice that she's got the phone in her hand because she's calling home (not to ask for money but to simply chat)...we'll be that close :)

Tuberville or was it Tupperwareville

Sunday while everyone was watching Tommy Tuberville lead Texas Tech to a victory Caroline found her Grandmommy's Tupperware drawer and she had a blast! Here's the proof... (please note she had to change out of her smocked Texas Tech dress because it was inhibiting her crawling)...

Needless to say Grandmommy's Tupperware drawer will never be the same or as neat again!

Swimming at Nana's House...

Is ALWAYS a good time. Can't you tell?

I mean look at that smile...

Regardless of how much fun was being had...there was no way she was letting go of the tupperware top.

A day in the pool must be followed by a "dip" in Nana's fancy bath tub with Cousin Olivia.

Nana's tub is fancy because it has light therapy. Notice the changing colors in the various pictures.

Look at those two bottom teeth...

If you can't tell Caroline had a blast and so did Vivian. We'll be making the trek back to Tyler for Labor Day weekend. More time in the pool for sure!