Happy Thanksgiving 2011

We traveled to Dadeville this year for the week, getting to spend time with my family, including Carey, Nathan, best friend Bailey and mystery Fortner baby #2! We did get to have dinner with Parrish's family before we hit the road on Wednesday night, which would be hard to miss considering the food is AMAZING. We had a great time at the lake DOING NOTHING thanks to my parents doing all the heavy lifting, playing with the babies, cooking, cleaning up and then doing it all over again. I really didn't know what to do with myself with so much free time...I realized I'm not a very good relaxer! I'd say the trip was a success based solely on the fact that Sylvie slept all night every night and took a good nap every day. Sylvie would say that trip was a success due to getting to squeal, "Let's go!" and actually having someone say ok and follow her. Parrish would say it was a success because he got to stay up late playing video games with Nate.

Parrish and I did NOT enjoy watching the Tigers lose an Iron Bowl, but here's to next year and another shot at beating that OTHER team. We also had some extremely sad news from our friends the Hendersons...Heath's mom, Melissa, passed away on Thanksgiving Day after a brief battle with pancreatic cancer. Words can't properly express how sad I am about this...we are entirely too young to be losing parents and having to explain death to our babies. I just can't imagine how it must feel to lose a mother and my biggest "thanks" this year is for healthy parents.

Anyway, here are some highlights:

The happy expectant couple...baby #2 due in May!

My BFF Hank...he never left my side. Want him!

Only my mom could find Thanksgiving crackers, normally an English Christmas tradition. Although it wasn't Christmas and we aren't English,
every meal is better with a paper crown on your head.

Best friends.

Uncle Nate taught them how to sword fight with wrapping paper rolls. Love him for endlessly entertaining the girls. Sylvie loves Uncle Nate!

Turkey bow!

Silly Bailey.

My dad always catches the best faces!

My baster for the day...if you can't tell it's a medicine dropper. Got to love improvisation...we had chicken instead of turkey so I guess this follows the theme for the day just fine!

Reading, Bailey says "cheese."

Reading, Sylvie says "cheese."

A trip to the park to get some beautiful fresh air, until Bailey slipped and hurt her ankle. She maintained a convincing limp for the rest of the trip.

Bailey's third birthday party on Friday. We are so blessed to have such good friends in the Owen/Ondresky clan that make it to all of our baby events!

Pretty birthday girl.


Ashley getting the cold shoulder (0r palm?) from the munchkin.

Pinterest rainbow cake. Requested by Carey, who watched as me and my mom tried to create the custom concoction. Note to self...try harder next time. But it was yummy.

Make a wish!

Look how tall that bleepin' cake is!

I wish I could remember who made her laugh this hard. Sorry, Mom, had to put this in here.

Sylvie messed with her elastic the whole time. Bailey managed to snap it across her own face and ended up with welts on both cheeks. Happy birthday to you.

Happy family of four.


Bailey Grace, 3.


PKing, could you please fit one more thing on your head?

These next few photos are from "Sylvie and Bailey's Day O' Fun." Parrish and I headed to Auburn for the game and we are so grateful our family loves our baby so we can cheer on our Tigers EVERY GAME.

Ferg (Serg/Ferd).


Taking a much-needed but short-lived break watching The Little Mermaid.

Wagon ride.

Cute cousins!

New skates...I loved how Sylvie helped Bailey put them on over and over and watched her ride, but never tried to take them away from her. She knew Bailey was the birthday girl!

So precious!

Craft time!

God Bless,
Katie