A look back.....at Christmas

We have been so busy over the past few months, hence the reason I haven't blogged a lot lately.  We had such a great December, and I wanted to share some of our favorite moments - even if it is February:)

We started the month off with our family Christmas in NC with my Aunt Jean and extended family.

 B had so much fun.  Daddy even taught her how to play Corn Hole.

 She spent most the time playing on the stage area.

 She gave us all quite the show when she decided to play 'Peek a Boo!'

 Beth made her a beauty queen sash, and Becca absolutely loved it.

 Before we left, she got to spend some time with the other Rebeccas - one of whom is her namesake.

Her next big event was the Christmas party at Nat's house.  Becca had so much fun, and Nat went above and beyond.

 Notice that while the rest of the kids were decorating their cookies, my child was eating hers:)

Hanna (Becca's BFF) was having so much fun.  This picture is just too cute!

Next, we decided to get a group shot.  That was easier said than done!  After 30 pictures, we got one that turned out cute:)

 The last event was the reindeer food bar.  This was such a cute idea...

 and the kids loved it!  It was a little hard for Becca to understand that we had to get down so others could have their turn.

In between all of these holiday festivities, JP's family from Georgia came by to visit with us.  I didn't get many pictures from that day, but we did 'try' to get a group shot of all the cousins.  Once again, easier said than done.

Our next big even was going to see the lights at James Island with some of the youth from our church.  It was amazing - if you've never been, you have to go next year.

 Becca loved sitting in Daddy's lap while looking at the lights. 
Don't worry - we never got above 3 mph:)

 When we stopped, she would stand up and look out of the sunroof!

 She even got to sit on Santa's lap, and to our surprise, she smiled:)

 She finished the evening eating her candy cane and watching the lights set to music.

The very next night we had the youth Christmas party at church.  While Becca didn't really 'get' it, she still had a good time.  She loves hanging out with all of her friends.

She was amazed that there was more than one Christmas tree!

 She even hung out with Mr. Wade for a little while.

 The chocolate covered marshmallows were her favorite!

 And cousin time is always fun:)

After our busy month, we finally made it to Christmas.  I'll let the pictures speak for themselves.

We had a very fun, busy month, but I wouldn't trade it for anything.  2012 is proving to be a great year already, and we are looking forward to everything else it will bring.

20 months and counting

It’s been awhile since I’ve done one of these Becca update posts, and she is doing so much now, so I wanted to share.  Sometimes it seems like she changes overnight.  Here are her stats:

• weight – 30lbs
• size 5 diaper
• her eating has changed – she’s definitely much pickier, but for the most part she’ll try things (especially if you tell her there’s cheese on it.)
• she’s not much into meat
• she can sing her ABC’s
• she can count to 11
• she wears 18 – 24 month clothes (some 2T)
• she has developed some “sassiness”
• NO is her favorite word
• time out is our most effective form of discipline, and yes, we have to ‘discipline’ quite often
• her favorite thing to do is read books – The Very Hungry Caterpillar gets read A LOT
• Mickey Mouse is her favorite t.v. show – thanks goodness because The Wiggles were getting old
• she is very healthy
• she loves going to Nat’s and playing with all of her friends – Ha (Hanna), Anne (Marianne), Caire (Claire), and Hudson
• she is still in the Cradle Roll class at church and she loves having Carolina in there with her now
• she has a shoe obsession
• she prays every night before bed, and it is so cute to see who will make her prayer list each evening
• 7:30 is our bedtime, and she loves going to bed, which is nice for mommy and daddy
• she will repeat everything she hears:)
• she loves brushing her teeth and washing her hands
• she can identify a circle, triangle, and square
• she’s pretty good with colors, especially red, blue, green, and ‘lellow’!
• Hayes is her favorite person of all time
• every time you give her a cookie, she replies with, “Thank you Nat, welcome.”
• she loves going to the zoo – giraffes are her favorite animal
• she is the love of our life and we couldn’t ask for a better baby toddler!

A Year in Review - 2011

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

This year was amazing.  Not without it’s problems, but the blessings definitely outweigh anything negative.  I am thankful for so much – but most importantly my faith, my husband, my sweet little girl, and our family and friends!  With all of that, how can you not be thankful?

As we enter in to 2012 (that still seems weird to say), I look forward to all it has to offer.  I’ve made my resolutions – who hasn’t – but my main focus is going to be on my relationship with God.  I want to grow my faith and dedication to God and His word.  With that in order, then I know without a doubt this will be a great year!

occupy d.c.

i can't believe i haven't blogged about the trip jp and i took to washington, d.c. two months ago.

well, i can believe it, but it still makes me feel slack.

it was an amazing trip.  jp and i went alone - no baby - and while we missed her SO much, we had so much fun together.  i haven't been to d.c. since 9th grade, and jp, while he was born there, hasn't been back since he was a baby.

we arrived on thursday, and since we were staying in arlington, va. we decided to go ahead and visit arlington national cemetery.   this place truly takes your breath away.  

 it is very sobering to look at the graves of all of those who gave their lives for our country.

 and you absolutely cannot visit there without watching the changing of the guards.

 it is amazing how precise they are.  i could sit there all day and watch them.

 i think this summed it up perfectly.

the next day we ventured into downtown, and one of the first things we saw were the 'occupy d.c.' people.  it was quite the site!

i really can't believe that people are living there!

our next stop was the white house...

complete with secret service on the roof!

there was something going on out on the front lawn, but we couldn't see who was out there.

the washington monument was amazing, but we couldn't get close because it was closed due to the recent earthquakes in virginia.

the WWII memorial was one of the places i absolutely had to visit.

it too was amazing.

and to top it off, there was an honor flight from oregon there visiting.
it was amazing to see these special people have the opportunity to visit a memorial created in their honor.

we finished our day with a visit to the lincoln memorial,

the vietnam wall,

and finally the capital.

we even took a picture of the two of us:)

our last day we visited alexandria, va.
we went to a section known as 'old town' that is full of little shops and restaurants.
we just walked around, but it was a great end to our trip.

there was even a man set up outside a restaurant playing the water glasses.





























our trip was wonderful.  we couldn't fit it all in, but we made it everywhere we wanted to go.  i definitely want to go back when becca is older so she can experience all of this with us.