The One With Christmas {2014}

I figured I should try to sneak this post in before 2015! 

I dropped the ball this year with Christmas festivities.  November was a really weird, bummer of a month so I basically took most of December to recoup and regroup.  Then before I knew it, it was Christmas week! 

We didn't see Santa, {apparently he returns to the North Pole very early these days} we didn't go on the carriage ride, we skipped LCU's Big Blue Christmas but we did put lights on the house, put out all the Christmas decorations and wore some festive Christmas gear. So here is a quick month in review.

Nope, Mom, no pictures of my cute 1st pony tail. 

She was antsy in Walmart, so I swiped up a paint chip book {Disney of course} and that entertained her for a bit!

We love Elizabeth! She dug around the toy bucket at school and found Brynn's favorite toy. 

Brynn sported some fabulous bed head. 

We went to cheer on Elizabeth's Aunt Haley at her basketball game.  The girls were HILARIOUS together.  

There was lots of clapping and dancing. 

And then, just like that, she was no longer a baby. 

We spent Christmas Eve and Day at my parents house.  It was nice to only travel 15 minutes down the road! We put together puzzles, watched Christmas movies and ate way too much.  It was also nice that I had a house full of people to entertain Brynn so I could relax. Thanks family for a great Christmas!

Christmas Eve jammies. 

Must put on jammies so Santa will visit!!

Santa brought Brynn a basketball goal, some stickers, a Jellycat rabbit and of course, a stocking stuffed with treats.  

She wanted her bottle, but was too busy to sit and drink it.  She roamed around like this while John and Reagan opened gifts. 

Thanks to the Gwinn's for this ornament.  It matches her tree!

As soon as she opened a gift she would take it to Pops.  She knows he will do anything for her, including taking her gifts out of the boxes. 

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Begging Aunt Reagan for a cinnamon roll. 

John bought Reagan a long board and Brynn was really thankful that he did! 

Is she jumping or dancing? Who knows!

B loves her aunt and uncle! They were both so great at entertaining and being patient with her. 

Teaching Brynn the art of a blue tongue.  

She colors my world. 

We had such a relaxing day.  We didn't go anywhere.  My grandparents came in for lunch and we stuffed our faces with Mexican food.  It was a perfect Christmas! 

Last weekend I took down the decorations.  Which usually turns into some form of spring cleaning {you know, dusting the top of the entertainment unit, rearranging and restyling everything} so it took me a solid day to finish.  When I did the house was missing some "sparkle." So I dug out the tent B got for her birthday and strung it with lights and gave it a semi-permanent home.  It's been so fun to watch her play in it.  The best part is the way she laughs when Jonathan or I climb in with her.  She's just the best!

I pray you all had a great and relaxing Christmas! I plan on doing a year in review and a look ahead post in the next 24 hours.  So check back for a year full of "brynnstagrams!"

The One With All The Hope {and Cards}

Merry Christmas!!

I am praying that today finds you surrounded by loved ones and the presence of Jesus. May your cup overflow with joy and hope today! 

Sunday morning {through all the stickers and Brynn wrangling} I heard the most hopeful message. I keep thinking about it. I'm linking to the audio, mostly for my future reference. But if you get a minute I promise you won't leave empty hearted. 

Thank you God for Jesus. 

Meet the Messiah

Now onto a whole different topic...

One of my absolute favorite part of the holidays is Christmas cards!  When I was a teenager I would beg my mom to let me address our family cards. Something about a handwritten envelope makes me so happy! 

I know to some people it doesn't make sense to send out a card when you could just post it to Facebook. Maybe I'm old fashioned but I so love to open the cards and see which design they picked and the precious pictures of our family and friends. And mostly I love when our fridge is taken over by them! 

This year we didn't get as many {maybe it's because Christmas seemed to have snuck up out of nowhere} but I adore the ones we do have! When I showed Brynn the card we got from the Layton's she immediately started blowing kisses at her precious friend Layne. See, that doesn't happen on Facebook! So if you sent us a card, know that it made my day to open it. If you didn't, go ahead and add me to your list for next year! 

Here are our cards from the last few years. 

I think this was 2010? The only one I sent out before Brynn, I wish had done them every year. 

2013

{ignore that is says 2014! I had to screen shot it from Shutterfly and it must have updated} Also, please notice how much Brynn's hair has grown in one year! 

Back 

2014

Back 

Our wonderful friend, Monica, always does and fantastic job with our photo sessions.

I always spend WAY too much time mulling over layouts and wording, but I don't mind one bit! 

Wishing you a Happy Holiday! 

The Garner Three 

The One With Thanksgiving {2014}

We spent Thanksgiving in Crockett (wow the trees are beautiful in the fall!) and in Garland. It's nap time and I'm still experiencing "wedding week hangover" so here is a quick picture recap before I pass out!

The weather was perfect over the weekend so we spent lots of time outside.  Brynn wanted to love on Abby {the dog} SO much, but because of her allergies she can't.  She was always on the look out for her yelling, "Abbbbbeee!!"

We spent some time with Jonathan's wonderfully kind grandparents. B kept trying to trade them toys for their canes...but nope, Momma didn't think that was a great idea. 

We had Christmas and Brynn got some really great gifts from her grandparents and Aunt Jilly.  Thank you all!

Check out her Minnie slippers! Cuuute!

We spent one afternoon in Garland.  I think the cousins enjoyed chasing each other!

Then Aunt Jilly let B eat some playdough.  

:)

Apparently sitting in church was not an option for this one.  So we spent the time eating and playing in the car. 

Then we drove home {with everyone else in the state} and were glad to make it safely.  We saw 2 pretty awful wrecks.  We enjoyed spending time with the family and showing off our girl!