First Christmas Gathering

We got together with all of the aunts, uncles, cousins and grandparents (from my mom's side of the family of course, since my dad is an only child) this weekend to celebrate Christmas at the lake.

Where can you go for live music, great food and a Christmas cow all at one place?

Chick-fil-A in Cullman, AL of course!

I will have to say that this is the first Chick-fil-A I've been to where I listened to live music while I ate. Now I love me some Christmas carols and all, but Chick-fil-A is only so big, and their voices were kinda loud....and we were clear across the restaurant from them.

Anyways, Mema LOVES Chick-fil-A as does the rest of us, so Steven and I met everyone in Cullman Saturday morning for some shopping and lunch.

After dinner, everyone gathered around the tvs to watch the Heisman ceremony, and I will have to admit, I was jumping up and down screaming when they announced that Mark Ingram won! Quite an exciting moment!

We then moved on to opening some presents.

Here are all the boys modeling their Christmas ties from Mema (no joke)! It's so funny to see how everyone tied theirs so differently. I can hardly wait for our Christmas parties next year when Steven can wear his. I will be on the search for a coordinating sweater and/or vest for myself.

Don't you love this cute hat that Kristen picked up on our shopping extravaganza in Cullman?

I hate that she has already done her Christmas cards, becuase this would have been a perfect picture! There is always next year!

SEC Championship

I know I am a little late on this post, but I couldn't skip the post on Alabama beating the Florida Gators to win the SEC Championship!

Steven and I watched the game in Guntersville with Steven's parents and some friends. We had a great time and of course were so proud of the Tide's win!

Here are a few pictures from the celebration...

Domino

As many of you have heard by now, we lost our sweet Domino last night. He has not been doing well for about a year now, but the last few months have been pitiful. The vet said he had congestive heart failure and had put him on some medicaiton he needed to take twice a day. Domino is quite stubborn and was no dummy to know that Mom and Dad were putting his pills into cheese, chicken, bugles, peanut butter, whatever he would eat. Needless to say, it was rare Mom and Dad were able to get this down him once a day, much less, twice a day.

Last night he had one of his "spells" and he just never came out of it. Mom was with him while he took his last breath. All of the family went over to Mom and Dad's last night to say our goodbyes and then to bury him.

Not long after we got him...it's hard to believe he was that small

This was taken at the beach in August, and I think this is the last picture that I have of him.

He will definitely be missed!

So thankful...

We had a great time in Ft Lauderdale again this year for Thanksgiving.

I have so much to be thankful for this year...especially being able to spend this holiday with a wonderful family (and I did miss my family too while I was gone).

Steven and I arrived in Ft Lauderdale on Monday afternoon and we were greeted by his family and a delicious meal at his cousin's house. We had a nice evening relaxing and hanging out with everyone.

Tuesday morning we went to see The Christmas Carol in 3D and it was really good (except for the few minutes that I dozed off). I just have a hard time sitting still for that long, but I was proud of myself.

Carson, Nik and Jen posing on the chipmunks

Don't we look cool?



Later that night, we went to Dave & Buster's for dinner and to play games. Skee Ball is my favorite...I could have played this all night!

The kids showing off all of their loot they got with the tickets they won! Can you believe those huge teddy bear?? Probably could have gone into Wal-Mart and purchased them for $15...

After D&B's we headed over to Jaxson's for some ice cream. This was such a cool place. I am not crazy about ice cream, so Steven and I split a milkshake and it was so good.

Nik and Abi digging into their ice cream

Jen and Bailee sharing a sundae

Steven was really into this picture, can't you tell?

Wednesday night, we had our big Thanksgiving dinner with all of the family. We had quite the spread and everything was delicious!

Had to move the party inside because the patio was getting a little wet from the blowing rain.

Thanksgiving Day was pretty laid back. We went to visit Steven's aunt that morning and then headed down towards the beach that afternoon. Of course not much was open, but there were quite a few people out on the beach.

We walked around Las Olas Riverfront and stopped at this restaurant to watch some football.

We also drove down several streets off Las Olas. I found a few houses I could probably tolerate livig in...

THE BIG GAME

Friday was of course the Alabama/Auburn game. While I did do a little shopping on Friday morning, it was most important that I was in front of a TV later that afternoon.

About time for kickoff...


Steven sporting the "lucky" shirt...couldn't go to FL without that!

Carson cheering on the tide

Steven decided to take a quick dip during half time...

...not really, the water was a tad cold. A cool front did come through on Friday morning...but it was perfect weather for us Alabamians.

Hoping Bama is going to pull out a win

Yea...they did!

Carson was so proud of this little tree that he decorated

Bama LSU Game

Saturday was such a great day in Tuscaloosa! We had several friends stop by the tailgate to hang out and of course the game was wonderful as Bama beat those Cajuns! I'll try to keep this in good taste since some of my LSU friends may be reading :)

Beakie also celebrated her birthday on Saturday (hence all of the b'day decor in the tent).

Can't believe there is only one home game left. This football season has gone by so quickly and it will sad to see it end in a few weeks.

Beakie with her daughter and three of her grandchildren...Amelia, Harrison, and Howell.

me, Amy and the birthday girl

me and my sis

the fam

what a great day for football!

this place was a little crazy once the game was over

me and Steven stopping for a quick picture before we left the stadium (he loves these pictures)

Christmas Village

If you've checked Christie's blog earlier, then you've already seen some of these pictures...

Mere, Lainie, Christie, Raylin and Christie's mom came to Birmingham on Friday to go to Christmas Village. We had the best time shopping and hanging out with each other! I really hate that we all don't live closer to each other, but I am so thankful, that Birmingham is a central location for us all to meet and see each other.

The reason we are all squinting in this picture is my fault...I was the one that wanted a picture once we walked out of the civic center. I thought it turned out pretty cute though.

Christie, me and Mere

Mere & Lainie

Raylin..."let me have that camera, Keri. I want to take your picture!"

Lainie looked so cute sitting in the window sill while we were waiting on our food

It was sad to see everyone head back home after our fun day together, but I look forward to our next visit!

Halloween

I didn't take too many pictures on Halloween, but I will share with you one of my favorite pictures of the day...

Luke & Lexie - the cute bumblebees, Brook - a rockette, and Austin - the Aflac duck (??)

Aren't they so cute?

I cannot believe Luke and Lexie will be three in just a few days! Sadly, I will miss their birthday party on Saturday...there is a big game that day, you know??

Happy 30th Birthday Amy!

Friday night we celebrated Amy's 30th birthday with a little dinner at Cocina Superior then some bowling afterwards. Sorry, no pictures from bowling...I was too busy whipping up on everyone else.

In the bottom picture, Amy is opening the birthday glass that Julie sent for her. It was so cute!

We missed you Julie! Hope you had a great birthday Amy!