Christmas 2011

Wow, I can't believe the holidays are behind us already. I have always loved Christmas and it seems it takes forever for the holiday season to get here and then poof, it's gone so fast.

This year we stayed in Huntsville for Christmas. It was Brandon's first Christmas away from home in 29 years, so it was especially hard on him to be without his family.

On Christmas Eve we traveled to Cullman to spend the evening with my family. We had dinner and played dirty Santa. I'm thankful that Jamie got to come into town and the whole family was together.

On Christmas Day we stayed home. We got up, opened presents and then took naps on the couch! For dinner we cooked a roast and planned to go see a movie that evening. Everyone else in Huntsville apparantly had the same idea, so instead we drove around looking at Christmas lights. It was a great day and I'm so glad we got to spend it together. I've been working at the hospital for 7 years now and 5 of those 7 I have spent working. Most of the time I have sent Brandon home for Christmas since there was no reason in him sitting here at home while I worked. I felt guilty that so many of my coworkers were spending their Christmas at work taking care of others, but thats what we do.

Here are a few pictures from our Christmas weekend.

 



Pictures of Christmas Past.

Christmas is just 7 days away!!

This year Brandon and I will be spending Christmas at home. Over the last five years we have spent Christmas several holidays apart.. I'm very excited that we get to wake up on Christmas morning together. So this morning I was looking through our Christmas pictures from the last five years and thought I would share a few. It's funny to see how much we have changed.

2006 At a work Christmas Party.  We spent this year apart.

2007 At home before he left for Tennessee.

2008

2009  I spent part of the holiday break in Kingsport and then drove home on Christmas Eve.

2010 We spent 7 days in Kingsport, 3 of which we were snowed in with no electricity!

14 Days until Christmas!

I'm so excited Christmas is almost here.  We are "grounded" this year and can't travel too far so we will be home for Christmas.  I love getting to see family around the holidays.  Last night we received a visit from Nonnie, Aunt Sharon, and Johanna all the way from Birmingham.  It was great to get to have dinner with them and visit a little while afterwards.  Here are a few pictures. 

Catching up

I haven't blogged in a while so let me catch you up on what we have been up to.  For Thanksgiving we traveled to South Carolina.  In the past Brandon's family has celebrated Thanksgiving at his Mom's house in Kingsport, TN.  This year we celebrated in North Augusta/Aiken, SC.  We stayed with Brandon's brother and enjoyed 4 days with the family.  We ate good food and did a little bit of shopping.  In no way did I intend to do my usual Black Friday shopping, but we did get a few good deals over the weekend and online too.
While we were there we had a little surprise baby shower given by Brandon's family.  It was very sweet and we are so grateful for all the wonderful things we received.  Here are a few pictures.

Baby Shower Time!

We had an awesome time at our shower last week.  We were so excited that we got to celebrate with our friends and family.   Thanks to everyone for making this such a special night! I know some of you drove a long way! Baby girl Jennings is going to be a very blessed little girl. She got some great gifts and some very cute clothes!

4D Pictures!!

Today we got to experience the 4D ultrasound and got to see our sweet little girl.  She was just a little shy and very sleepy.  She was stretched across my belly with her head up under my right ribs.  She liked to keep her arm up next to her face but every now and then she would move it for us to get a peek.  She definitely has hair.  We were wondering if she was going to be bald since both of us were little bald babies. She looks like she might have my little turned up nose and some big cheeks.  So here are a few of her best moments today.  We surely can't wait to meet her!

Sticking her tongue out.

Being shy.

Yawning.

Knoxville

We spent this weekend in Knoxville with our friends Chip & Haley.  We were very excited to get to see them for the first time since we found out they are expecting their first baby!  We had a great time at the UT/SC game even though we didn't pull a victory.  Thanks to Haley and Chip for the tickets!  Here are a few pictures!

While we were out Chip snapped a few pictures of Brandon and I.  Here are a few of our favorites. Thanks Chip!