Thirty

I started writing this post the morning after my birthday...O.k, so thirty was not that bad. It wasn't the number that really bothered me. What bothers me is that I remember my twenty first birthday like it was yesterday. Me and my close friends in college went to dinner and then out. How did the time go by so incredibly fast? I think...how can my thirties possibly live up to my twenties? I went to college, married my best friend, bought our first home, went on some awesome vacations, grew closer to my Lord and Savior than I ever had my entire life, had two beautiful babies, bought our second home and much, much more! I can say, I am happy to be in the place that I am in now. Yes, the twenties were fun, but I have a feeling the thirties are going to be even better. Different but better. It ended here and I am just getting back to it. (1/5/10)

Thanks to Samantha and Leslea, I started the day out with a trip to "Chick-O-Lay" and the movies with Riley and their kiddos. We went to see Princess and the Frog. It was cute. That night we went to eat with my parents, Jeremy's parents, Brooke, Travis and Chance. The waiter thought it was Riley's birthday, so he brought out a little bitty ice cream sunday. It was so yummy. Here we are about to blow out my candle. Then comes Saturday. I thought Jeremy and I were going to dinner and to a Christmas party that night. Sandy calls earlier in the week and wants to know if I can go to Green Hills Saturday afternoon to pick out a designer purse from a friend of hers who just got back from China. Also, to pick out some other things that I would like to have for Christmas. I said, uh, yeah, for sure! I'm in. I will just meet Jeremy in Nashville when we are done. Perfect. Little did I know, he had been planning a surprise party for me for two months. There was food, drinks, cake and friends. I was even told he mailed a paper invitation. No evite here people. I would like to say the first picture is of my excitement when I walked up to everyone staring at me. Can you say embarrassed? Uncomfortable? That little walk from the car to where everyone was seemed like a mile. I was very happy and surprised. But when I saw one of best friends, Rachael, that lives in California that I had not seen in a year, but talk to every other day standing there, I screamed like a silly little girl. Thanks to Brandon for capturing my reaction!

Linlee, Rachael, Lacey and I

I was talking to Lacey on my actual birthday and said, "I just wish y'all were here." I got my wish:)

Everyone singing "happy birthday" to me. Embarassed. Again.

Our parents and my brother

Dinner at 1808

Before the Santa's Christmas partay.

There were so many pictures of everyone there. If I put them all on here it would be the longest post ever. I am going to save those for an album that a little birdie gave me.

Thanks to Jeremy for such an awesome birthday. You always go the extra mile for me. You're the best! I love you!!

7 months

Another month gone! Endsley is now 7 months old! Several more firsts for our little cutie this past month. First time to sit in the high chair. This is how she greets me. How lucky am I to wake up to this every morning?!

First time to have a biter biscuit. Jeremy had a hard time finding these at the grocery store. I sent him with a list and he called to ask me what a "bitter biscuit" was and where they were located.

She's not a huge fan just yet. She's working on her skills.

Just some sweet pics

Teething has been an issue. No teeth yet, just a lot of chewing on everything.

I went into her room one morning and found this. She went from lying down to the seated position all by herself!

Endsley and Daddy Look who's crawling!! She has been scooting around for a while, but Thanksgiving night she took off. She is not fast by any means. I call her crawl the "army crawl." She pulls her weight with her right arm. Not at all how Riley crawled. She was on all fours. Here she is going after a set of keys...

She is into EVERYTHING! She managed to slide the top off this toy of Riley's. Every time I turn around she is going for a cord. Maybe some of the toys Santa brings will help keep her distracted!

Just for kicks, here is a picture of Riley at 7 months. Some people thinks Endsley looks just like her. I don't see it. Either way, they are both precious and beautiful to me!:)

Endsley is still such a joy to have in our lives. Such an easy baby. She doesn't like to be held much. She wants to be down in the floor with her sister. I have to watch Riley like a hawk though. She treats E as if she is a baby doll. She wants to hold her and pull on her. For the most part she is great with her. She does have her moments. A few days ago she bit her on the finger while I was feeding her. I will just say this, she was punished. I don't think it will happen again. I am just hoping the jealousy phase ends soon. Happy seven months! Love you!

The new do

Yesterday, after dance class, I decided to take Riley to Dudes and Divas or Divas and Dudes. Whatever the name, it was cute. I will definitely be taking her back. Her hair was so stringy. It looked like Mack and Muffin had been chewing on it. I decided the best thing to do was to cut it into a bob. I absolutely love it. She kind of looks ready for kindergarten though and that makes me sad! She thought this experience was fun too. I don't think going back will be an issue. Here she is not wanting to have her picture taken, again.

Lots to catch up on...

like the whole month of November minus Riley's birthday. I did manage to find time to post about that. A few days before Halloween two of my besties came into town for work, so we had a girls night. It was much needed. Lacey, Linlee, Allyson and I had dinner at Lime and just sat in this booth and talked for about four hours. It was great. No cutting up food into little pieces and no interruptions! Bliss. Allyson refused to be in a picture, so she took this one for us. A few weeks later was Jeremy's birthday. I managed to snap this picture of him with the girls and the cinnamon rolls that he baked himself. I stuck a candle in one and we sang to him. He was thrilled. You can tell by the look on his face:) Happy 31 to you Jeremy! We love you!

On a beautiful Saturday we had a mommy/daughter day with Samantha and Georgia. We started off playing at the park. Besides playing on all the equipment they ran circles on a little path I don't know how many times. It's amazing what entertains a three year old!

After the park we painted pottery. Riley picked out a butterfly box for all of her jewels and Georgia a piggy bank. Riley loved this and could have done it all day.

The finished products.

On this day Riley had been wearing her faux Ugg boots and the fuzzies were stuck to her toes and therefore ended up in the bath water. She did not like it one bit. Poor thing had to stay in this position while I grabbed my camera. It was too funny not to document. I wish I could remember the words that came out of her mouth.

Aunt BB gets baptized!! She wanted it to be a private, so we met at the church on a Monday night to support her. She was sprinkled when she was younger, but just felt like it was something that she needed and wanted to do! We are proud of you BB! We had dinner at the church afterwards and Travis announced that they were expecting. What a great night. I am so excited that Riley and Endsley will have cousins close to their age and so happy for BB and Trav. I love this pic. Mike looks like he has wings:)

The weekend before Thanksgiving I headed to the big city of Lebanon for a girls weekend at Linlee's. These are some of the girls that were in my pledge class at UT. It was fun to catch up.

We celebrated Thanksgiving in Gallatin on Sunday of that weekend. This was the only pic that I managed to snap that day. Riley refusing to smile.

The night before Thanksgiving Anne and Brent came to visit along with Brooks, Leigh and the kiddos. Here is Anne playing with the kids. I could just imagine what was going through her head with four children under 3 in the house. 2010 is upon us...it's the year guys!

Houston and Riley after their bath. Riley said to houston after they got their pj's on, "Houston, you're so soft and clean." I know he feels like a big boy in that pink kitty towel!

Houston and Riley with their little sisters

The next night was Thanksgiving at Tony and Phyllis'. Mom made cupcakes for the little ones. Here are Riley and Cole chowing down.

Nonna, Nanny Endsley and Endsley

Endsley's first Thanksgiving!

This is a position that Endsley often finds herself in. This was Riley fighting Anastin over her. Riley, Cole and Anastin playing under the table

The night after Thanksgiving we went to Reed's moms house for a little get together. There were a bunch of kids packed in that house along with all the adults. Here are most of the children.

"Brents friend", Anne was Mckennon's surrogate for the night. Leigh had to go back to work the week of Thanksgiving. Bummer.

Brent said, "watch this...I can make her smile." Way to go!

Endsley, Ben and Mckennon

Riley, Houston and Lainey

Riley and Brent

Meet Sparkles! He showed up the day after Thanksgiving. My aunt gave this little tradition to Riley two years ago. This is obviously the first year that I thought she would get it. I put his box under the tree and waited for her to notice it. When she saw it, she was like, "Ahhh. Look Ashlee. What's that under the tree?!" We opened it and she named him sparkles. I think she chose this because one of the names suggested was Markle. Who knows! He has been showing up all over the place and she is so excited every time she sees him. I think it's more fun for us than it is for her. Jeremy asks everyday if I remembered to move him, if he hasn't done it himself.

That's all I have for November. It was a good one!