Pictures

Here are some pictures we had made at our house. I think they turned out great. You may notice a few of them from our Christmas card. There are also some of Claire with me nieces and nephews at Olan Mills. Despite our long wait, I think the kids look adorable.

Running Around like a Crazy Person

At the CVS Christmas Party

Opening Santa gifts from the Streets

Colton Elkins

Callan Elkins

Opening gifts from Bucky's cousins

Last week was pretty normal. I worked Monday and Tuesday. Claire and I went Christmas shopping on Wednesday. Wednesday night we were hoping to go Santa shopping but Bucky had to work late. I took advantage of the babysitter and went to eat with my mom's group. Thursday we went to Baby Gym, the hospital, and to Wal-Mart. I had to work Friday until 10pm.

Saturday, we got up and left for Birmingham at 7:30am. We went straight to Olan Mills to have a picture made with all 5 of my parent's grandchildren. Our appointment was at 10:00 which was supposed to be the first appointment of the day. Unfortunately, when we got there they were already behind. They had started making pictures at 9:00 because of the holidays. We had to wait over an hour. By then, all of the kids were tired. I think that we did get a cute picture for my mom. I am sure it would have been much better at 10! Bucky and I then left my family to go meet his family for lunch at Michael's at 11:30. We ate with his mom, dad, sister, aunt, cousins, and their kids. We went back over to the Street's to open presents. Claire had a big time playing with her new toys. She is the sweetest baby. She was so patient at Olan Mills and at lunch. She just goes with the flow. She didn't fuss one time. After most of the family left, I got Claire to go down for her nap. Then, I headed over to my parents house to go to the Rockettes with them at 4:30. It was awesome! We saw them last year in New York. Of course, it wasn't quite the same, but still a very good performance. I went back over to the Street's to open gifts with Bucky's parents, Mindy, and Jake. Claire racked up again. She loved playing with everything, but especially all the wrapping. Finally, after a long, busy day, we headed back to Auburn around 8:00.

Sunday, I had to work. Bucky got up and went hunting early. Claire and I got the house ready for the CVS Christmas party. Ashley came and kept Claire while I was at work. Bucky came home and cut up some trees that blew down during the rain last week. I got off at 6:00 and came home to do some last minute things before the CVS party at 7:00. We had a nice time eating Olive Garden and playing Dirty Santa. I ended up with a Joel Osmand book about Becoming a Better You. I am definately need that! I am lucky to work with such a great group of people. I have 2 great partners and tons of wonderful people that make my job a lot easier. It was fun to celebrate the holiday together.

Claire and I had a laid back Monday. She got in bed with me around 6:00 and I thought she was going to be wide awake. But, she slept with me until 8! That was wonderful. We played with some of her new toys. She took and nap and I got ready. We went to Kohl's and Target to get some more Christmas gifts. We came home and played and napped until Daddy got home. She is really starting to squirm around. She dances, claps, and talks a lot. I can really feel her tooth coming through on the bottom. It doesn't seem to bother her other than a runny nose and drool.

Hope everyone has a great week!

What a fun weekend!

Hanging out by the campfire in our backyard

Michelle & Greg Pettey and baby Mynes

Kerri and Clark Allen

Bucky and Tee

Bud

Bucky and Clark

Baylee and Ben Verar

Phillip and Lynsey Neighbors

We had a great weekend. It was busy, but so much fun! Friday, we had our Bunco Christmas Party at our house. We had so much fun doing it last year with our spouses, that we all wanted to do it again. We ate dinner, visited, and then all ended up by the campfire. We have such a wonderful group of friends. You are all so much fun. Claire was really good and went to bed fine. We did wake her up at 11:30 and despite many sweet people's efforts, she didn't go back to bed for a while. She didn't want to miss the party!

Saturday, Claire got up pretty early. We hung out with Bucky until he left for the field trial, then we both went back to bed. We got up and got ready and went down to Tuskegee for the field trial. It is only about 20 minutes from our house, so it was a good opportunity for Claire and I to go each lunch with Bucky. We had fun seeing most of his buddies. For those of you who don't know (which is probably most people), a field trial is a bird dog competition. You train your dogs and then compete them on horseback. Bucky has been doing it for almost 10 years. He got into with his best friend, Mr. Harkins. I am happy to say that they won 1st place with their dog, Trouble. Claire and I came home and she took a nap. We watched the SEC championship by the fire and all went to bed early.
Claire's first time on Doc

And I wonder why people tell me she looks like him!

Sunday, Bucky got up early to go hunting. Claire and I played at the house and got ready. She helped me fix food for Laura Anglea's baby shower. I had to leave at 12:30 for the shower to help set up. Our sweet friend, Jena, came over and kept Claire all day. The shower was so much fun. I think is more fun to plan and host the shower for the hostesses! Elyse was sweet enough to offer her house. She has a great house for entertaining and all of the necessity's we need. Laura is having a little boy in March. Claire is the only girl so far in the Bunco group. Maybe one day, someone will have a little girl to be in Claire's Bunco group. I came home and got ready to go to Bucky's company Christmas Party. I always look forward to it because he works with a lot of nice people. We are both very blessed to work with people we truly like and respect. They are not just our friends from work, they are our friends. We had a great time. I am thankful that Bucky has a job that he likes because that is not always easy to find.

We had a great weekend! Next weekend will be just as busy. Hopefully we will get some rest at work this week! Ha! Say a little prayer for Bucky. He is starting at his new job site in Montgomery this week. It is at Carver High School which is not in the best area. He will be there for at least 2 years. Wish him luck!

Getting Ready for Christmas

We have had a busy, but fun week. I worked Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday. It is hard to work back-to-back because I feel like I don't see Claire at all but then I had a 4-day weekend which is great! We were super busy at work. Monday we filled almost 800 prescriptions. It was rough but most people were patient. Wednesday night my mom came to Auburn. I could never say enough how wonderful she is. She is the true definition of selfless. She came to help me decorate and get ready for my Bunco Christmas Party. She hadn't even decorated her own house but she came to help me first. Bucky and I met Wednesday after work to get our tree. We came home and my mom helped us with it and put up some other decorations. Thursday, my mom and I got up and finished decorating. We got ready and went to Wal-Mart to get all of our party supplies. Bucky came home and ran some errands for me which was a huge help. Claire took a pretty good afternoon nap. Then we all went to the Auburn Christmas Parade. Claire and I were asked through a friend (Carla) to be in the parade. We rode on a float with Carla, Natalie and Ryan. My mom and Bucky were watching. When we passed them, they ran and got on the float and rode with us the rest of the way. We came home and got ready for bed. Friday, we got up finished cleaning and started cooking. My mom left around 1:30. Claire and I ran an errand and then came home to get ready for the party. Bucky got home early. We are happy to say that Friday was the last day of the painting! Finally, everything is finished. It took 8 weeks and was a pain, but I am glad it is done.

Thanks Mom for all your help! I couldn't have done it without you!