8

I know I say this every year, but how can my baby girl be 8?   She has grown up so much this year.  Carley is very responsible and caring.  She is smart as a whip and is always taking things in!   Time is flying!  In some ways when I see her, I see the beautiful young girl becoming a preteen.   Other times, I still see my baby.   She still loves cudding, Elly, hugs, talking, reading, chilling out, watching TV and eating.   She loves to do grown up jobs all by herself.   She wants others to like her and interact with her.  She is very sweet with a quick smile.   She is an EARLY riser and usually early to bed.  

Favorite food- cake, ice cream, scrambled eggs, bulls eyes, steak
Favorite restaurant - Souper Salad, Lin's Buffet, Breakfast House
Favorite Books - Magic Tree House, Rainbow Fairies, and Cul De Sac Kids Series
Favorite Friends- Elise, Nathan, Annabelle, Hallie, Anna Wren, Lauren, and Camryn, Addison, Addisyn, Corey
Favorite TV Shows - Jesse, Austin and Ally, Good Luck Charlie, Dog with a Blog
Favorite toys - American Girl, IPad, Lego Friends, art stuff

This year she got to spend her bday with her very favorite people, her family!   Carley wanted an American Girl Doll that looked like her, so she used birthday money from Grammy and PawPaw to get Corene.  (pronounced like Corinne).   She used money from Uncle Tim and Aunt Mandie to pierce her ears.   And Nana and Papa took her shopping for clothes.  We had brunch in the bistro.  It was a really fun bday!

Then we had cake and opened a few more presents.  Such a fun day for a fun girl!   And a little shout out to my sister who made these delicious sausage cream cheese croissants that are my favorite!

the Christmas House

One of my favorite holiday memories is doing Christmas Puzzels.   My dad always worked on one and I loved doing them with him.   My very favorite was called Christmas House.  My job was always to do the room on the 2nd floor on the right and the green hallway.  I loved it so much when I was in elementary school, I got a bedspread that looked like the one in the room.    

I can't remember a year when I have not gone to mom and dads and not done the puzzle all alone. This year mom brought it over for me to do at house.   Here it is, a few pieces missing, a few pieces chewed on, definitely loved.

Merry Christmas 2013

 Santa brought Carley the Cecile doll and Corey Thor and Captain America!   We were so excited!   Look at these happy faces!

 In their stockings there were man fun surprises, including Marie Grace and Cecile paper dolls, books, candy, tooth brushes, gum, and lots of little things.   Then we opened gifts from eachother.  Both kids raked it in, as did Cody and I.  Lots of fun gifts and activities!

Carley fell asleep at 7:45 watching TV,  Looks like these sweet baby dolls have a sweet mom to take care of them!

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve started with a sassy girl picking her cute outfit and my boys taking a nap.  :)  We had a great day!   It was very low key.  About 4:00 Nana and Papa came over to SPEND THE NIGHT!   We had snacks, played Christmasopoly, ate and hung out.  I fixed a brisket and it turned out to be really good!  The only problem is some of the marinade splashed on my foot when I pulled it out of the oven and I got a 2nd degree burn on my foot!  Lol!  Other than that it was awesome!  

After dinner we went to Broadway for the Christmas Eve service.   It was really sweet.  Papa was a Wise Man in the Nativity.  Then we came back home for Christmas Eve festivities.   They wrote letters to Santa and left him milk and a mint brownie.

Carley's letter to Santa cracked me up.  She wrote "tell Dancer to keep Dancing".   That line totally describes her.   

Santa Land

The weather finally cooperated on a night that we were all feeling good so we headed to our annual night at Santa Land.  It was great!   Santa and Mrs. Claus were awesome as always and were so excited to see the kids.   They added several new out door characters, including the cast of Duck Dynasty, Monsters University, and the Avengers who are all favorites of the Nelson's.   It was a fun night and a great way to start of the week of Christmas.

Corey and Santa

The Naughty List never looked so cute!