Not-So-Annual Ornament Exchange

Two years ago, Ashley and Lara Lee threw an Ornament Exchange. You can read about it here. We had such a great time, but last year was a pretty big year for Courtney, Ashley and myself. Three sweet babies were born right near the holidays, so the party didn't happen. This year, we were determined to make it happen! Lara Lee graciously offered to host at her house, and on December 7th, we had our second not-so-annual ornament exchange!! We had a great group of girls come and celebrate with us! Ashley brought some delicious sangria and we just had a great time eating and drinking and catching up!! We did the exchange Dirty Santa style. I have never stolen from anyone, but I made my stealing debut that night and stole from my BFF, Ashley!! I got the cutest ornament that Courtney brought from the Grove Park Inn. I just love it!

Lara Lee, Courtney, Ashley, and myself each brought 2 dishes. We had a great spread! I made Spinach Dip and it is so easy and delish! I also made Christmas Hollies, a recipe passed down from Courtney herself. They are like rice krispy treats but with cornflakes!

I ended up staying out super late! I didn't leave Lara Lee's until 12:45! Robbie actually got off work and met me at her house so we could follow each other home. I haven't stayed out that late in a lonnnng time, but it was great talking to everyone and catching up with so many girls that I don't see very often!! We can't wait to do it again next year, and the best news is, Courtney has already volunteered to host!! ;)

Earlier in the day, William and I did his Christmas painting - a tree!! :)

Hollies!

Making my spinach dip!

The spread!

Work BFF's!

My ornament!

Happy Birthday to ME!!!

For some reason, this year my birthday just crept up on me! I literally could not think of one thing I wanted from anyone, which from what I hear, was very frustrating haha! I guess it just all changes when you have such a sweet baby every single day to think about!! 

We celebrated the night before my actual birthday by going to Kanki. It was delicious as usual!! Robbie, Mama, and Hannah got me a cake from our fave, Edible Art. I was so glad Ashley, Willie, and Molly came to celebrate, as well as Stephanie and her dad! 

On my actual birthday, I went to work and left my sweet baby at home with his Dada. He had a fever. :( He never has one, so when he does, it always freaks me out!! It was gone the next day, so it must not have been anything too serious. That night, we planned for Stephanie and her dad to come by and order some pizza. Since William was feeling better, Robbie and I ended up having a mini date night and ran to the Mexican restaurant while everyone else stayed home and had pizza. William got me the sweetest card with a #1 Mom sticker inside. While I definitely do not feel that I am #1, it was super sweet. I wore the sticker and almost wore it INTO the restaurant until I looked down! People would have really thought I was full of myself. LOL! Turning 28 isn't so bad so far. I am a lucky girl!!

Thanksgiving 2012

*Sorry for the posting delay! I hate that! My account was full and I couldn't upload any new pictures! I had to end up paying monthly to upload more.

We had a fun Thanksgiving! My only complaint was that Robbie couldn't be there hardly at all.  Our cottage actually had damage from Sandy, so my uncle rented another cottage. It was so nice! We went to the beach on Wednesday morning, early! We ate breakfast in the car. William had a waffle, but once he saw our Chick Fil A, he was mysteriously hungry again. We drove to Elizabeth City and dropped Ella off at the boarding place and then had lunch at Wildflower. We got to the beach and settled in! Hannah, William, and I shared a room. Amy and Tim's dog was there, Maggie, and William had so much fun trying to love on her. I was a little nervous, since I didn't want William to annoy her and she get mad! Amy made dinner that night; pasta and steamed shrimp- yum! William went right to sleep and didn't even hear Hannah and I come in!

Thanksgiving morning, William was up early! Something about not being home just throws him off! We had breakfast and then started getting ready! Robbie left Raleigh around 7am to meet us at the restaurant. We had lunch at 11:30 at my fave place, Lone Cedar! It was delicious, as usual. That afternoon, Robbie, William, and I headed to Moyock to spend the night with his parents. We celebrated Christmas with Scott, Pam, and Jeremiah since his parents are coming here for Christmas and we won't see them again. We had a great dinner and wonderful time celebrating and enjoying each other! 

Ready for Lone Cedar!

William was glued to Dada after not being with him for one night!

<3

On the way to Moyock!

Playing with cousin Jeremiah!

Veggie Tales!

Friday morning, Robbie left to go back to Raleigh and William and I headed back to the beach. Amy and Mama kept William while Hannah and I ran down to the outlets after lunch. She got a few things and so did I! That night, we had a family party that we have every year, at our relatives' house. It was so much fun seeing everyone and William did great! 

Saturday, Tim, Amy, Hunter and Emma all left to head back to Asheville. Mama, Hannah, William, Linda, Ron, and I went to Capn Franks for lunch. This is one of our favorites at the beach! William tried a hot dog for the first time and liked it! After lunch, we packed up all of our stuff and started the drive back. We stopped in Elizabeth City to have dinner at 3 Amigos with Shelley, Brandon, and Conner. We finally arrived home around 10:30 pm. William was exhausted and went straight to bed!

Sunday morning, we were happy to wake up in our own beds! William, Mama, and I went to Brixx Pizza for lunch and ran some errands. Going away is nice, but returning home is always nicer!! :)

Merry Christmas!!!

Holly Jolly Zigzag Christmas Card

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Our Christmas card this year was my favorite so far!! William smiled so big for all of the pictures Courtenay took! For all our friends, Merry Christmas!!!