Oh So Cute!

I have to post about these cutie pie jeans Nonna got Hallie. Sometimes I put little clothes on Hallie and am just amazed at how stinking cute they look on her. I wish I could look that cute in my dark washed jeans! haha. These pictures are for you, Nonna...with one from naptime (or lack of naptime) thrown in! I'm not sure what's going on, but Hallie has skipped her nap the past three days. This is completely not acceptable in my book. So if you have some napping suggestions for an almost two year old, please...send them our way!

Hallie had almost every stuffed animal in her arms!
There were so many I coudn't get them all in the
picture. She named the ones she had for me:
Kitty, Righty, Bunny and Moe plus her blanket.

These jeans are just too cute. The little ruffle at the
bottome make them oh-so-girlie!

Nonna, these are the shoes we got in exchange
for the other brown ones. You can't see their
cuteness...maybe I'll get a better picture later!

Look at that sweet face in that adorable sweater!

Here's Hallie again, making sure the doors to our
pantry are closed. :o) She has on the cutest
little pink Keds (which she traded for the new
brown ones once she saw them...no, we didn't
exchange the cute pink Keds!)

Happy Birthday, Jonathan!

Happy Birthday to my sweet husband, my guy, my very best friend, the person I love to laugh with, be silly with, sometimes pick fights with, spend time with, dream with. He is the most wonderful husband and daddy I could ever hope for!

Happy birthday, love! Hallie and I hope your day was wonderful!

For Jonathan's birthday, Hallie and I took balloons and coffee and a cinnamon roll from Starbucks to his office. It was our first visit, so we got to see his new place and meet the many firendly faces he works with. Afteward, we met Jonathan's parents, brother, and grandmother at Outback for a birthday dinner. Hallie was a handful and only wanted to play with this little activity table they had. However, it was a good night (in terms of "winning"--haha) for Mommy and Daddy...after some reasoning and a talk away from the table with Hallie, she decided she would eat her supper. She was rewarded with some activity table time. Man, who knew raising a toddler would be so hard?! :o) After dinner, it was back home to celebrate with some gifts and a Baskin Robbins ice cream cake! We all had a wonderful time celebrating 31 years of Jonathan!

The cake

Hallie loved the little smiley face candles and
"helped" Daddy blow out his candles.

A familiy photo...although a pretty rotten one. :o)

My goofy brother-in-law and sweet Grandmommy.
Jeremy made her put this little crown on. It was
very much against her will!

22 Months Old!

Sweet Hallie turned 22 months old on January 2nd! We are nearing the two year mark so quickly. It seems like only yesterday that our hearts bubbled over with joy at her saying "da-da"! Now her vocabulary is so full, it's hard to keep up with all of it. We are just so proud of how our little girl is growing. She is a complete joy to be around, and we are so blessed to have her in our lives!

Some favorites: "nuggies" (chicken nuggets in almost any form), milk, orange juice, Moe (her monkey), shoes, Mommy's jewelry, getting into Mommy's make-up (she is so cute--she knows exactly where everything goes!)

What she has said lately: "I try." "Go, Momma." "Turn ah [insert Elmo, Word World, car, and various other things] , Momma." (turn on, Momma), "Osh." (off), "Your phone ringin', Momma." "C'mon!" "You get it, Momma." "Uv oo, Da-da." (I love you, Da-da. Aw!!) "Dum." (gum) "Cook nuggies." "I hep." (I help.) "Peese." (please...usually on the end of requests--often prompted, too, though.) "Thans." (thanks...often whispered) "One, two, fife." (one, two, five...this is how she counts right now! heehee.)

What she loves to do: Dance, wear Mommy's shoes, get into Mommy's jewelry and make-up, singing (her ABC song, and she makes up her own little songs), play with Daddy, watch Word World, play outside

Here's our little sweetheart:

Hallie's New Set of Wheels

On New Year's Day, Hallie got to take her new set of wheels out for their first spin! We had so much fun watching her ride her new trike through our neighborhood. You cannot believe how thankful Jonathan is for the parent bar on her trike. It definitely saved his back on this long walk! It was pretty chilly this day, but Hallie absolutely did not mind. Since Gramps and Rah-Rah were in San Antonio for New Year's, we got the pleasure of doggysitting Charley. Hallie absolutely loved having him over! He was a very good house guest!

Hallie absolutely LOVED walking Charley. She thought it was so funny when he would take off, causing her to scurry behind him with the leash. She had a tiny accident at the end of the video when Charley jumps off the curb and brings Hallie with him. Luckily, she had on her helmet, so she didn't get hurt at all!

Part 6--On the Way Home

This is my 6th and final post about our Christmas festivities! Phew! We had a great time! Thanks to our families for making it special, as always! We love you all more than we can express!

We had an extremely long layover at DFW Airport! After a nice supper at Chili's Too, I walked Hallie down to the little airport playground (thank goodness they had this!). She played here for about an hour. There were several other kids romping around (some friendlier than others--heehee). What Hallie really wanted to do, though, was ride the escalator! She loved riding the escalator. Jonathan was a trooper to ride with her so many times. Anything to keep a toddler who hadn't had a nap happy, right?! The bad part about the 3.5 hour layover is that Waco is only an hour and a half from Dallas! So we could've been home twice by the time our flight took off. Hallie was a trooper on the flight home, though, just as she was to Atlanta! She really does love flying!

This little suitcase slide was Hallie's favorite.
She probably slid down this for half the time
she was there playing!

Part 5--Christmas in Alabama

We got to Alabama Christmas night. My parents had already had Christmas with my brother's family Christmas morning. We had planned on having Christmas with everyone the Saturday after Christmas. Hallie got to open one of her presents the morning after Christmas. She just couldn't wait! haha. She got her very own laptop (she needs to keep up with Mommy and Daddy). :o) It is so cute and she loves it! It's a little above her right now, but she loves pushing the buttons and not being told to stop! haha.

The Saturday morning we were going to have our Christmas, Hallie woke up to a whole new set of treasures! She was so excited! She saw the three Curious Georges on the couch and wanted all of them! haha. She, of course, went straight for the dress up shoes. The girl loves shoes, what can I say?! Hallie got a baby doll, a Thomas the Train DVD (she loves the "choo choo"), lots of cute, cute clothes, and some great learning toys! She also got a 25th Anniversary Cabbage Patch Kid (which is way more special to me than to Hallie). The doll is just like the one I got in 1983! My mom and I searched high and low for the perfect "Emily Anne"! :o)

In addition to enjoying friends and family, we got to have Hardee's for breakfast almost every morning (their buscuit and gravy is delish, and Jonathan loves their strawberry biscuits!), Zaxby's (but only once...sigh), and Top 'o the River! Hallie had her first fried pickle and loved it! :o)

We always wish the trip could be longer. It just never seems like enough time. We enjoy spending time with our family so much and hope to see them all again very soon! Nonna and Pop, thanks so much for all of our fun treasures! We love ya'll and miss ya'll!

WARNING: Cute picture overload! haha. :o)

Hallie's new computer!

Daddy, will you please open my shoes!

Pop and his little helpers!

As hard as we try, we can never get a picture
where we're all looking at the camera!

My sweet Mom and Dad!

Abby and Hallie coloring

Yummy fried pickles!

This was too funny--Hallie's baby cousin, Hattie Grace,
sits in the high chair now. Hallie reverted to being
a baby so she could have Nonna feed her in the
high chair! So sweet and cute! And of course, our
Nonna didn't mind one bit! :o)

Hallie was bathed, teeth brushed, pajamas on and ready
for bed! She went to say night night and spotted Nonna
with something yummy to eat. Hallie thought she would
just help herself! She ate half the ice cream bar! Silly!

By Monday, Hallie wasn't feeling well. She had had a cold,
but it wasn't getting better. Thankfully, we took her to
the doctor. She had bronchitis that was well on its way
to becoming pneumonia. She's feeling much better now!

Mommy's CPK and Hallie's CPK
R: Emily Anne L: Darlyne Rhetta (LOL)
My "Emily Anne" was "born" Gertrude Emaline.

Hallie and Hattie Grace

Yep, Hallie's naked coloring. She had an awful diaper
rash and needed to air out before being cooped up on
an airplane for the rest of the day.

Saying our good-byes.

My sweet mom and me!

Part 4--On the way to Alabama

Hallie was so tired from all the Christmas morning festivities! She was a trooper during our flights! Our flight left Waco at 3:30...we cut it extremely close (as usual). Hallie was excited about flying, but got a little nervous when we had to walk out on the tarmac to get to the plane. Once on the plane, she began her excited "Up, plane!" cries, willing the plane to get off the ground. We had a quick layover in Dallas and then it was on to Atlanta. Hallie slept the entire 30 minute flight from Waco to Dallas (go figure) and absolutely none of the 2 hour flight from Dallas to Atlanta. She was still a happy little camper, though. Toward the end of the flight, she began getting restless. We packed the travel DVD player for that "I'm at the end of it" moment...and it was about 30 minutes before we got to Atlanta. Hallie had gotten a new Word World DVD, so she watched that and loved it. She was pretty cute sitting there in her own seat (the flight wasn't full) with little headphones on, watching her DVD. :o)

We were all excited when we got to Atlanta! Nonna and Pop were waiting for us at baggage claim. I wish I had've gotten a video of her going through the little turn-stall into baggage claim. My parents were both standing there, waiting on us. They spotted us and we spotted them. Once out of the turn-stall, Hallie jetted over to them. Once she was about 3 feet from them (both of them squatting down to catch her), she had to make a decision as to who would get the first Hallie squeeze! She went to the right, then veered to the left, then to the right before settling on running to the left right into Pop's arms. Of course, Nonna wishes she had've gotten the first hug (who wouldn't hope for the first Hallie hug?), but we all got a good laugh out of her making a quick decision!

Walking to the airplane at Waco's airport.

Sweet girl watching Word World (or as she
calls it--Wud Wurd!)

Christmas Part 3--Lunch Time!

After breakfast at home and opening our presents, we finished up some last minute packing (we flew to Alabama Christmas afternoon) and headed over to Jonathan's parents' house for lunch. Hallie was so exhausted from all the excitement, but she thankfully played with her new toys while we ran around gathering up last minute items. She is such a sweetie!

When we got to Gramps and Rah-Rah's house, Hallie had a BIG surprise. She had already opened a gift the night before...a bike helmet and wristbands. You can guess what her big surprise was. That's right--a brand spanking new Radio Flyer trike...in PINK! We all love it. Jonathan and I especially love that it has a parent handle to help Hallie steer since she can't quite reach the pedals yet (although she tries really hard!). We have already put miles on this new trike...Hallie absolutely loves it!

Here's a quick clip of Hallie "opening" her
new trike! :o)

Christmas Part 2--Christmas Morning at our house!

Christmas morning was so much fun with Hallie. This was our first Christmas to wake up in our own house and open presents Christmas morning in our own house. It was such a blessing...one we have vowed to continue for the next several years! While she still doesn't really understand the concept of Santa, once she realized all the fun things in her living room were for her, she quickly perked up! At first, she was really unsure of it all. Gramps and Rah-Rah joined us Christmas morning to see the excitement on Hallie's face. We were thankful that Hallie slept until 8:30 since Mommy Elf and Daddy Elf stayed up WAY past their bedtime helping Santa put Hallie's loot in its place. We enjoyed piggies in a blanket while watching Hallie open presents. I got gift cards (yay!) and picture frames from Jonathan. Hallie gave me a sweet handprint mold. Jonathan was surprised with a mini computer (which is part of his birthday--Jan 6--present, too). We had a wonderful Christmas morning!

Treasures from Santa! :o)

Hallie enjoying her dollhouse while
wearing her new pink Crocs.

Rah-Rah and Hallie cooking breakfast. The
adorable kitchen is from Pop, Nonna,
Gramps, and Rah-Rah! Thank you!

Hallie loved her Elmo Live! We, however, wish
that it came with volume control.

Hallie discovering her treasures. She was a little
scared at first! She quickly warmed up to the
idea of all the new toys. :o)
*It's a little blurry...sorry!

Christmas Part 1--Christmas Eve with the Echols Family

We had our Christmas with Gramps, Rah-Rah, Grandmommy, and Uncle Jay on Christmas Eve after the Christmas Eve service at church. It was way past Hallie's bedtime, so she was quite the little entertainer (trying to keep herself awake!). Here are a few pictures and videos of our festivities. Hallie received lots of fun things from Gramps and Rah-Rah...but they saved the best present for Christmas Day. :o)

Helping Rah-Rah open a present.

Hallie's stocking is as big as she is!

Hallie got a Sit and Spin! She absolutely
loved this! By the end of the evening, she
had figured it out on her own!

Hallie got a bike helmet with wristbands. haha!
So, can you guess what her big Christmas Day gift
is going to be?! :o)

Stick horses can be pretty dangerous...I'd
better wear my helmet.
(This is Daddy's childhood toy!)

Let the Fun Begin!

Finally! After recovering all of my lost pictures (well, my husband did the recovering...I did the whining about losing them!), I finally have them moved from Jonathan's new tiny computer to my laptop. Yay! Now I can begin posting pictures from all of our Christmas festivities!

Happy New Year!