Christmas Break (so far...)

It might be easier to describe our Christmas break going day by day, but I'm not sure I can even do that! It's been a very busy Christmas break. We are very lucky that we both have jobs that give us a few weeks off during this time of year. It has given us the ability to do a lot and see ALL our family during this holiday.

We got out of school on Friday and we had a relaxing night at home - our last for while. On Saturday (Dec. 18th), we woke up early-ish (we were on the road by 8) and drove to Meridian, where we picked up Chip's dad's truck and his brother-in-law's trailer. We drove down to Baton Rouge. My sister is going to be living in HONG KONG for 3 years and was moving out of their home in Baton Rouge. We are going to be storing a lot of their stuff here in Starkville while they're out of the country.

This was the first time Jo was really able to "play" with her cousin Mary. Mary is a year and a half older than Jo and Jo's always been too little to really enjoy doing stuff with her cousins. They did lots of really cute things the two days we were down there. SOME of them I got on camera...

Here they are "sharing" the laptop - I think they were watching an episode of Super Why. Thank GOODNESS for Netflix. It was a chore to move stuff with two little ones underfoot, but the TV always stopped them in their tracks and kept their attention. We had a lot of discussion about "sharing" the TV - neither of them really wanted to (both being only children), but they did OK. It was funny for them to slowly ease their way in front of the computer and completely in the way of the other one. We thought it was cute - they did NOT.

Uncle Chip was MOST POPULAR among the children. He got to be the jungle gym and play toy for both of him. He was EXHAUSTED when we left, but he had a good time with the kids.

Here's Mary on the first day we were there. She was trying to interact with Jo like Jo was a fellow 3 year old. Jo had no idea what Mary was doing, but she was interested.

Mary told Jo, "Show me your silly face. Here - put your fingers in your mouth and stick out your tongue. This is your silly face. Look!"

We brought a lot of Elizabeth's stuff back to Starkville and the next day packed up the trailer with a table and chair set that is now at Max and Leigh's. We left Jo with our good friend Brittany (Aunt BEE BEE, as Jo calls her) who is expecting their first child in September! We had a nice, relaxing 25 minute lunch break at Chic-Fil-A (YUM.) and we were back on the road.

The NEXT day Elizabeth and Mary came up to spend the night with us and drop off some more things for us and to store. Elizabeth and I got up on Christmas Eve and made cookies. It's a family tradition to make cut out cookies and desserts for Christmas - something that my mother has always had us do. Whether we really want to or not, it's just not Christmas without a lot of baking. (Mmm... one thing that we did NOT do this Christmas was sausage balls.... I thought of that later, but it will definitely be on my list next year.)

Elizabeth went on up to Tupelo on the 24th and we stayed in Starkville. We went over to Brittany and Jim's house to help them install their Christmas present to each other (a 55" flat screen TV). Jim made a steak dinner - it was excellent!

On Christmas morning we woke up to find that it was SNOWING! We had a WHITE CHRISTMAS in MISSISSIPPI! The roads were fine though and so we had no problems traveling to Tupelo for the Prince family Christmas. If it has to snow (I'm not really one for winter...) that's the kind I like - it's pretty and doesn't make travel dangerous.

We had a great time at Papa John's house for Christmas. Jo was spoiled beyond belief this Christmas. I don't know if she knew what all was going on, but she liked it. Winnie had a great spread of food - pork tenderloin, ham, croissants, salami, cheese, chips, dips, desserts, and apple cider. Yum. (I can surely say we did NOT starve this Christmas!)

Jo got to play all day with all her cousins - Emily and Annie (who are both 16 months older), Mary (18 months older), and Lilly Grace (who turned 6 in October). Lilly Grace is such a sweet child and has a very gentle demeanor. She loves little children and is especially excited to see her cousin, "Baby Jo." Jo's cousins WORE HER OUT! She had a great time though.

On Sunday (Dec. 26th) we got up and had a good morning with Papa and Winnie and then hit the road. Again. We arrived in Meridian at lunch time and spent Christmas with the Frazier side of the family. Chip does not have a lot of surviving older relatives on his dad's side, but his Aunt Jessie has always hosted the family for the holiday events and we get to see all of Chip's cousins and Jo's second cousins. They showered Josephine with gifts - and she was so thrilled to be there!

AFTER lunch, we went to Chip's home and celebrated with his mom, step-dad, sister, grandmother, brother-in-law, nephew, aunt, and uncle. We had a great afternoon/evening talking. It was very relaxed and was good to have that relaxed atmosphere after so much traveling. I have to put this on the blog, because I'm still thinking about it days later, but Chip's mother had the most AWESOME dish which I ate for dinner AND lunch the next day. It was a white chili. Oh my goodness - it was fabulous. Josephine also thought so and probably could have eaten her weight in it if either Chip or I had let her.

On the 27th - it was finally time to go home. FOR GOOD! We first had to make a stop. I have long wanted Chip and I to go visit the cemetery where his dad is buried. (If you don't already know - I really LOVE cemeteries... I know, it's probably unusual, but I love all the history of the grave markers and the incriptions on them. It's a very moving display of love for those who have passed on before and it's heartening to know that people will remember you when you are gone - even complete strangers passing by in the cemetery.) Anyway - we took Jo and wandered around for a while before we finally found what we were looking for. We got a few pictures and this one was SO cute - Jo sat straight down and smiled for the camera!

We told Jo that it was her daddy's daddy and why we were there and showed her the grave marker. The sweetest thing happened when we left. As we were walking away, Jo turned around, waved, and said "bye bye." Isn't that so sweet?

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Ok, that's enough with the stories of the travel! We've been home now for a few days and we got to visit yesterday for a while with Chip's best friend Matt, his wife, and their 5 year old. That was great. They live in Kansas and we hardly ever get to see them, except for when they come home for holidays. They are trying to move back to Mississippi - please pray for Matt and that he might find a job that is closer! He's been looking for a while for something that is both close and that he will be happy with. We know he'll find it, it's just a matter of something opening up!

Tonight we are going to the Starkville Country Club for their New Years Eve party. Nana and Lilly Grace are coming down to babysit Josephine. She will have a wonderful time, no doubt.

Ok, I know I haven't posted in a LONG time - is this enough information for ya?! Ha!

My 25th Birthday!

I had a wonderful birthday and I wanted to thank everyone for their kind thoughts on my birthday. Chip and Jo and I had a great weekend and Jo helped her Daddy celebrate my birthday by singing to me on Sunday morning. Chip was singing "Happy Birthday" and Jo was going "No... Daddy... No..." (She didn't want him to sing.)

Chip got me a phone for my birthday, my mom got me a Kindle, Elizabeth purchased me a book in a series I've been reading (and a GIANT box of Hot Tamales), Max and Leigh got me a gift card to Harvey's (which we used Saturday night), and my grandparents are always great to give money! Even with all these gifts, I think that the time I got to spend with my family and relax this weekend was appreciated just as much.

I can't believe I'm 25!!! And Chip's going to be 30 in May! Oh my goodness! :)

Leigh's 30th Birthday and the Pumpkin Patch

Last Saturday we went up to Tupelo for Jo's aunt's 30th birthday party. After the party, we went to the pumpkin patch at the Buffalo Park. Jo LOVED the goats. She thought they were great!
She was not so sure about the calf. We tried to get her to say "moo" and I showed her that the baby cow was very sweet, but I think it was a little too large for her. She watched, but didn't touch!

Here she is with her daddy and the goats again. I think she would have taken one of them home.

With her Nana and cousin Emily - trying to share Nana's lap.

Leigh's mom made a really great banner for her birthday. We had a wonderful lunch and really enjoyed watching all of Leigh's friends and children play together. Even Jo got in on the action!

The birthday cake...

Lilly Grace was a great big cousin and gave Jo a whole tour of the country club.

Here they are again, holding hands about to go on a walk.

We did have a great time seeing my side of the family and celebrating birthdays. It was a wonderful weekend, but it made Sunday come so much sooner!!!!!!!!!!! NO!!!!

Today's homecoming at MSU and we're looking forward to taking Jo. I'm not sure how long she'll make it, but we'll try to keep her up as long as we can. I'm sure sno cones and chicken tenders will work on her for a while!

Whoa - 18 Months!

I can't believe it's been 18 months! We've been very busy over the last month and, I admit, I haven't been very good about taking pictures. I tried my best in the last few days to make up for it!
Thursday Chip and I took off with Jo to take her to the doctor. She had her 18 month check up and we wanted him to look at her wrist because she hurt it playing Wednesday night. She was fine, which made us happy, and she's in the 75th percentile of both height and weight. We kept her home with us and took a walk that afternoon. The weather was perfect.

She was putting leaves in the bird bath. Trying to clean up the patio area in our neighborhood. That's my daughter!

She had to have a snack. She LOVES cheese sticks. So does Stella... it's quite tempting to have something the dog loves so close to her nose. They often fight over whose cheese stick it is.

She got a whoe box of clothes from her Aunt Leigh last weekend. One of the items in there was a pair of baby legs.... they're kind of like tights without a part to go over the diaper. She's been wearing them EVERY DAY when she comes home from daycare... it doesn't matter if she's already got something on her legs or not. She picked out this WHOLE outfit.

She also really enjoys feeding herself. We give her plenty of opportunities. She's getting pretty good with the spoon. Yogurt and applesauce are some of her favorite snacks.

She got stuck in the cabinet. Chip caught it on camera. I guess she grew some since the last time she had been in the cabinet. She hasn't tried to get in since.

She likes her little TV, but it hasn't been used much in a while. If she does sit still enough to watch it, she sits there for a while.

This particular day she couldn't be bothered!One of the little dresses Winnie got her! It's finally been cool enough in the mornings to put her in something long sleeved or something with pants. Who would have thought that day would come??? It's been SO pleasant lately. Jo, I guess, had forgotten what sleeves were. She looked at those when I put them on and was pointing and trying to get them off! She got used to them though.

Jo's ready to go to the game! We had a bow to put in her hair, but it was the first time she'd worn it and it was pulling on her little hairs. She did NOT like the bow, but she really did want to wear something on her head, so I let her wear one of my headbands to the game. She kept it on almost all day.

Here she is checking out her bag with Papa John. She had a great time at the game.

Before the game... checking out the stadium seats.

Jo with Daddy at the game.
Our little bulldog!

After the game. She was TIRED. She woke up at 7, went to City Bagel at 8 for breakfast, got to campus around 9:45 and she walked and walked and walked around campus - she did NOT want to be held. We left at the beginning of the 4th quarter and she was still in a pretty good mood. You could tell she was sleepy. By the time we got home, she had fallen asleep in the car and wouldn't be woken up FOR ANYTHING. She had a great time... so did we! :)

More pics from Wyatt's birthday

She did NOT like the slide!
They had a blast together, but it was SO HOT - Chip wasn't wet from the sprinklers - that was sweat. I was too hot and did not want to get dirty - I was inside with the little baby! (Our friend Brecken's baby, Bella, who is 9 mos.)

Aren't they just too cute?

This weekend will be the first MSU football game. We are very much looking forward to going out and visiting with friends we haven't seen in a long time. We're also looking forward to going tailgating! I think Chip is most excited about the football game, but cowbells are a close second! :)

Have a GREAT Labor Day weekend...

August

Beautiful Jo! This is our desktop background. She had a blast in the sprinklers at Lisa's house. This was Wyatt's 2nd birthday. It was HOT that day - Jo and her daddy spent most of the day near the water. Her mommy spent most of the day inside with the itty bitty babies! This is a picture that the lady who owns Dandy Doodlez took... actually, she took all the pictures on this blog...

Here she is... deciding she likes the sprinkler.

Another pic of Jo in the sprinkler.

This is the first pic of us at the sprinkler...I didn't klnow I was being photographed!!! Jo always looks cute!

This weekend is the first STATE ballgame. We're really looking forward to going out and tailgating. I'll try to remember and charge/bring my camera.

Silly Jo!

We have been having a great time lounging around the house lately... doing NOTHING. I think it's our only time this year to have a real break. (Even in our real break, we've been busy up at school... ugh.) We've been catching up on TV shows with our new subscription to Netflix (instant streaming). It is so cool - I think they invented this for college students and teachers during the summer - to give us something to do! :)

This past Saturday we took Jo out for a walk in the neighborhood. She really enjoyed it. Every time we thought she was getting tired, we'd pick her up and she'd protest loudly. She probably could have stayed outside ALL day. It wasn't too hot yesterday and we got a great afternoon rain after our walk.

I put Jo's shorts on her head to be silly with her. Yesterday afternoon, she put them on top of her own head. Now she thinks this is where they should go. HAHA! (Side note about her shoes, these are hand-me-downs and we put them on her yesterday b/c she's outgrown her other sandals... she wouldn't take them OFF! She wore them until BEDTIME! She LOVES shoes.)

Here she is with my headband on her head. She likes to put it on herself... and this is how she chooses to wear it.

Isn't this such a cute picture?Showing us her NOSE.

Showing us her EARS.

And, her favorite... showing us her BABY BELLY. (She calls it beby bebee!)

Here she is playing with coasters. She likes to "count" them... even though every coaster is "two"... we're constantly hearing her (off by herself)... "two.... two... two... two...."

Reading a book with Daddy - one of her favorite things in the world is to read a book. This book she received at her well-baby checkup. She thinks it's great and she always gives the baby a kiss at the end. THEN we read it AGAIN.

Jo eating one of my chocolate truffle bites... she just ate the chocolate out of the center. It was so satisfying for her!

I don't think we're in Kansas anymore...

So - if you can't already tell - we went to St. Louis on our way to Kansas. My uncle, David, lives there and Chip and I have never been. He took us to the arch and on a nice scenic driving tour of the city. Who knew the city was that pretty?? We also ate dinner at an awesome restaurant called the Smoked Duck. VERY tasty. Their smoked THEN fried chicken wings were awesome.
Chip, Jo, and Uncle David at the base of the arch. I walked down some of the stairs to take a photo of the plaque which shows the 1993 flood line. It was a beautiful day that day!

Jo and I at the base of the arch... Yes, we're both representin' MSU! Go Bulldogs!

At the base of the arch they have a museum about the west and the exploration of the land, first settlements, and the general history associated with St. Louis/the gateway to the west. Jo (below) is showing you what she knows about Indians... doing an indian call I guess. We try to teach her to be sensitive to other cultures. :)

We did NOT get in the capsule to go to the top. This is one they've set up at the bottom (I guess so people don't freak out when they get in there). Chip's not a big fan of heights and I'm not a big fan of confined spaces. We did get in JUST for the photo op.

I love this picture of Jo. It's at Matt and Aimee's rehearsal. She found Chip's tie box and that kept her quite entertained until we went to dinner. This is her cousin Mary's dress that she's wearing. We are quite thankful for all the hand-me-downs!

Matt and Chip at Matt's wedding reception.

Jo spent a good time before the wedding walking around the church. On the left is Aimee's daughter, Mikaya. She's 4 1/2 and she LOVES baby Jo. She wanted so badly for Jo to play with her, but Jo's not quite that advanced yet. Maybe one day... Mikaya is a really smart and sweet little girl. We really enjoyed spending time with her!

Here we are on the campus of Kansas University. It's a lot more hilly than you would think Kansas would be. We drove around a little bit on campus, this is one of the taller hills on campus and you're overlooking the stadium. Anyway, it's beautiful there. I just had to take a picture to prove it. I don't think that people think "beautiful" when someone says "Kansas."

I LOVE this photo. I think I'm going to send it in to the newspaper for their summer photos page. We're also going to blow it up and put it in the house. The tower behind Jo is KU's memorial tower to KU students who died during WWII. It sits on the top of that very large hill overlooking the stadium and plays music every hour - with REAL bells. It's beautiful.

This is the Mississippi River in Cape Girardeau, MO. It's in flood stage right now. You can kind of see from this photo. Just a few hundred yards down, the levee doors are closed because the water is too high for them to be open. VERY cool!

Here we are in the B&B. Jo was watching Curious George. She was SO good on vacation. I think she really enjoyed all the stuff we did, but... who knows. We enjoyed it. We had a wonderful time!