Happy New Year

Better Late than never!!

We started a new tradition that we are more than likely going to continue as the years go on, a CRAB BOIL! Daddy doesn't like to do them because "eating crab legs is too much work." But, he found a recipe, that included vegetable oil to help easily crack them. and Oh MYYYYYYY Gawwww!! These were the best crab legs EVER! Daddy did good! Everyone brought there own and we had a feast! It was such a great day. How can you beat celebrating with your closest friends and lots-o-activities!! Here is how our night went...

I got to wear my new party outfit and I rocked it!Even cute from the back!Sweet girl!Early in the morning, waiting for the moon walk to blow up! But it wasn't quite what she thought it would be.Anna loves playing with Alexis! It was a humid but nice day! We got to jump around while the Daddy's did a little hunting. Mommy even fired the shotgun for the first time ever, and I was scared!We had Cotton Candy! It isn't as easy at the carnies make it look!Being cute is so hard!Some of us even snuck in some snacks!Family Picture!Fireworks, of course!Nothing like a little dance off!The first group picture of 2012! Or the last picture of 2011!Muscles!!

Christmas Whirl Wind 2011

Looking back at all the excitement of Christmas, I can’t believe we jammed in five celebrations in just a few days! Sorry for the string of posts, but I want to make sure I document them all! Feel free to skim through! They are out of order on the blog and I tried to fix it several times before giving up, so here is how we spent our Christmas holiday!

I had the best Christmas break ever and I'm sad to see it come to an end. Alexis, Mommy and Daddy have been quite busy and have had lots of fun together. We managed to see a lot of friends and family in just a short amount of time! We are getting ready for one my celebration with friends for NYE and then it's ack to reality!

Christmas with Mommy and Daddy

Lake Santa

Mommy's Birthday

Barak Family Christmas

Mannion Family Christmas

Ford Family Minute to Win it Christmas

Ford Family Minute to Win It Christmas

Our final family celebration was with my aunts, uncles and cousins. I must say, this was probably one of the bests Christmas celebrations we've ever had. Aunt Debbie really outdid her self with the Minute to Win it game and having our family expand this past year just made it all the better! Too bad Laureli was sick. But the girls got to play together at Santa and we are already looking forward to Easter!

Cindy Lou Who really enjoyed her first lollipop! We ruined the shirt, very quickly I might add and we needed to borrow Kynlee's bib. Mommy hasn't traveled with bibs in quite some time!Everyone was giddy with excitement over their goodies. Alexis played with her kitchen all day!Of course there was lots of love to share!Minute to Win it! Aunt Kim dunked the gingerbread man into her mouth within seconds! I'm pretty sure she plays this game at home on a regular basis. I had to race Uncle Kenny to stack six dice onto a popsicle stick. Unfortunately we didn't make it in under a minute, but I did make it and won 60 lottery tickets! Daddy had to stick Rudolph's nose onto his lubed up nose! That was definitely a site to see! Especially Aunt Debbie rubbing Vaseline on his nose! But he won a tv for my bathroom! I can't wait for it to be installed so I can watch the news in the morning! Brian and I really hit it big this year in the White Elephant game. I walked away with a cotton candy machine and an AMEX card and Daddy finally got an iPod/iPad player! We've been needing one for three years! This is an official apple product so we are pretty pumped about it!

Mannion Family Christmas

We ended Christmas Eve with the Mannion's at their new lake house! We had presents, cards, appetizers and cocktails! Everyone had a great time and there were quite a few surprises! It was an awesome time and I'm sad to see Christmas come to an end! I'm already looking forward to seeing Alexis's excitement next year! She was really starting to get excited about Santa and presents!

Just like Cinderellie, she knew exactly what to do in her tunnel. This picture is my new favorite!

I'm not sure who was more excited about the new golf cart! Grandpa was super surprised but it looks like Alexis was overjoyed! I hope he is prepared for endless rides this summer!

Grandma got Grandpa good!

Grandma thought she was the only one doing the surprising this year! But Grandpa shocked her with a new LV purse! She was stunned! This picture cracks me up! Alexis liked her play banana as much as she likes the real thing! At least she knows what it is and what you are supposed to do with it!

Aunt Missy and Uncle Mike couldn't leave Willie out! They are so good!

Daddy helped A open her new laptop!

So sweet! Uncle Jeff loves his Sweets!

Our family, minus two!

Mommy and her boys!

One proud Pappa!

Aunt Missy and Uncle Mike

Just Us

We started off Christmas at home where we opened a few presents before the big whirlwind of celebrations. We didn’t want to have to take up more than we needed to the lake only to bring it right back and Brian and I really wanted to see how much she truly understood. Her attention span lasted for about two presents and she loved her Cinderella doll immediately. As soon as Alexis saw her, her face lit up a and she smiled real big then gave her Cinderella a hug and a kiss. It was like this was the present she had waited for!

We have a bow in! You will notice that we are sporting a new do! She is finally keeping bows in her hair and wearing a little Pebbles Pony! I thought she looked like Cindy Lou Who all Christmas. Then when you take the rubberband out, she actually rocks the Grinch's hair style!

Belle wanted to see what she got too! Belle had two tumors removed yesterday. We are praying they aren't cancer, but we won't know for at least a week, if not two.

She loves Cinderellie!

Barak Family Christmas

We started Christmas Eve off at my parent’s house for lunch and presents. Alexis was most interested in what Papa B was opening. But, I can’t really blame her, it WAS the biggest one; so big it had to be wheeled in on a dolly!! Dad got an original Jack Daniel’s barrel and he loved it. Actually, she liked the shredded paper the best!

I have to give credit to Lily Lou Designs and SIG Creations for dressing all my girls this holiday season and making them look so sylish! This knot dress was just what I have been looking for. I guess I need to start thinking about our Valentine's day and Easter outfits! Alexis was decked out everyday this Christmas in one of their designs and she looked so cute! She did like her her horse, but as soon as Papa started on another present she was ready to be his little assistant.

Awwwwww...the shredded paper!

This present is so big! She had to help Uncle Larry open it, but she did get bored after a few pulls and no results!

She also liked climbing on the big presents too! Something fun to do around every corner at Christmas! All in all it was a great time with my family!

And the Other Reason

So, I'm not entirely selfless! I do love this time of year because it's MY BIRTHDAY!! Call me a kid, but I LOVE my birthday and I pray I never grow out of it! I want my kids to have the one day that is all about them! So, I may make a big deal out of birthdays and Christmas, but that is because, in the end, it is just another day to be with family. I started my day off with working out with this beautiful girl. Then I spent the rest of the day cooking for family. And I ended it, once again, celebrating with family, prime rib and red velvet cake! So, as you can see, it was a little bit about me!Someone loves Red Velve Cake as much as her Mommy! She had TWO slices! While I'm not quite sure how much actually made it in her mouth, it is clear to see it is a favorite! My Grandma used to make this for me every year! Each Christmas, my aunt makes it for me and it is soooo good! This year, my mom got it from the Farm House in Huntsville and it was awesome.

All I need for my birthday!!