Christmas

Christmas is my favorite time of year! There just never seems to be enough time to pack everything in between Thanksgiving and Christmas Day! This year was our second year to get a real tree. I LOVE it! I just wish that I had had enough time to get the bow tied to go on top. Here's a picture of our tree and presents and our Christmas card picture.

We started Christmas on Christmas Eve at my parent's house. Clint, Adrian, and Jackson came over to open presents and eat supper. We got Jackson a John Deere pillow and mulch ripper. That boy LOVES some John Deere!

Christmas Eve night, we drove over to Culllman to have Christmas with Patrick's family and then go to Midnight Mass. Addie didn't make it long! After we opened presents, Jerry read "Twas the Night Before Christmas." It was amazing that even though it seemed like it had been awhile since I heard it, I could still recite it word for word! By the way, Kelly and Andrew got me photoshop and a book on how to take great pictures with my Canon camera. I am super excited to learn how to use photoshop and tricks and techniques for great pictures!

After going to bed at 3:00 am...yes, am...we headed to Albertville to have Christmas morning breakfast with my mom's family. Phillip's family was missing because they were moving Katy back to Alabama! We missed them a lot! But, it was the first white Christmas that I could remember in a LONG time! It was beautiful! But, we were not prepared. All I had was a fleece jacket! I need to learn to pay better attention to the weather forecast!

It was so good to have Luke home at Christmas time! Maybe we will all be there together next year.

Peyton and Addie had a great time playing in the snow! They loved it just as much as their Momma!

I promise I'm going to do better...maybe!

Starting at Labor Day, Patrick and I went to Destin with the Cooke's. It was beautiful, but there was bad seaweed nastiness. There were a couple of days that we didn't even get in the ocean at all!




Then we attended the annual Braggin' Rights Barbeque at Matt's. The food was fantastic! We didn't come home with any trophies, but it was great to see everyone!

Then we had Jackson's 3rd birthday. Does that boy love green?! And, I'm so glad that I didn't listen to anyone and got him the Lincoln Logs. He loved them! Now he has something to haul with all of his tractors!

Now, on to the biggest change at the Cooke house....Addie! I think I posted the breeder's pic of the puppies, but here are some from October, when we got her, to our attempt at a family Christmas photo!

Ok, so I'm a little lazy...

I have given up on the Shutterfly promotion from my previous blog. There was too much time waiting on codes and "promoting" your blog, so I just broke down and ordered my cards with 20% off and free shipping. I'm definitely not a writer, so the thought of telling all of my facebook friends about the blog...No Thank You! So, anyway, we should be getting our cards on our doorstep today, so be looking in your mailbox for a card from the Cooke's!

More updates to follow........eventually!

Christmas Time

So, it's that time of year again! I LOVE Christmas! I am so excited to send out picture Christmas cards, and was even more excited when I heard about the offer from Shutterfly. They are offering 50 free Christmas cards for a blog post! Go here to find out more! Below are just a few of my favorites! It is going to be so hard to decide which card to feature our family on!

(Images from shutterfly.com)

I was looking at cards that feature just one photo (they have cards that can hold multiple photos), but after seeing the picture of Peyton, I might just have to get one that has space for a few!

She just loves her sweater that her Daddy bought her! This one is one of my favorites despite the fact that Peyton wants nothing to do with Christmas pictures!

We are missing one child...Corley wouldn't even attempt a picture with us. She ran and hid under the bed! Well, maybe next year!

Day 3 - Our Parents

The Cook(e)'s! Yes, I thought it looked a little strange when I was working on all of the programs, invitations, etc.! Here are my parents, Danny & Susan:

And Patrick's parents, Jerry & Chiquieta:

We have wonderful parents that love us both very much! We are very thankful for all of them!

Day 2 - Crush

So, who is my crush? Well, as with most people, this person changes as you grow up. When I was young, my celebrity crush was JMM - John Michael Montgomery. I even made him a part of a school project! (Of which I made a 208/200!...Yes, maybe I was a little of an over-achiever when I was younger!)

Just look at those dimples! So, now that I'm movin' close to 30...UGH! :)...my crush has definitely changed! Actually, I really don't have a crush right now. I am perfectly happy with my wonderful husband! Now, do I think that some guys are VERY good looking, well of course! I am a living breathing woman! Are there random guys that I see that I think "if Patrick looks that good at ____ age, I will be one lucky woman!"? Absolutely! But, we'll leave it at my elementary/middle school celebrity crush!

How about this!? I'm 2 for 2 for blogging days! I may stick to just the weekdays, though. If we go out of town, I may not be able to get to a computer and/or internet.

Happy Friday everyone!

Day 1

My best friend....well, I have two. Of course my husband is the easy answer. I can share anything with him. I can laugh, cry, be mad, joke around...whatever with him! He gets me completely. He knows just the right time when I need a sweet text message saying that I'm beautiful. Or, just when to tell the punch line of a joke so that I spray Coke through my nose!

But, for the purposes of this post I'll disqualify Patrick! :) I met Amanda Davis Harbison in the 5th grade when the student council went to a pool party. Who knew then, but we would eventually become roommates at UA and best friends. We were also each other's maids/matrons of honor. Even though we may go weeks or a couple of months without talking to each other, we always pick up right where we left off. Just as a best friend should!

A Post A Day To Keep The Doctor Away!

So, I'm jumping on another bandwagon! I have been seeing this blog post "program" recently on a lot of blogs (which is why I'm not going to link to another blog here!) There is a list of 30 items to blog about in 30 days. So, I'm going to try this so that maybe it will make me blog every day!

Here is the list (which I will probably start tomorrow!):

Every day, put a picture up of the next thing on the list. Feel free to copy the list and start your own!

Day 1 — Your Best Friend

Day 2 — Your Crush

Day 3 — Your parents

Day 4 —Your sibling (or closest relative)

Day 5 — Your dreams

Day 6 — A stranger

Day 7 — Your job

Day 8 — Your favorite internet friend

Day 9 — Someone you wish you could meet

Day 10 — Someone you don’t talk to as much as you’d like to

Day 11 — A Deceased person you wish you could talk to

Day 12 — Your dream vacation

Day 13 — Something you’re looking forward to

Day 14 — Someone you’ve drifted away from

Day 15 — The person you miss the most

Day 16 — Someone that’s not in your state/country

Day 17 — Someone from your childhood

Day 18 — The person that you wish you could be

Day 19 — Something that makes you different

Day 20 — Your house

Day 21 — Your favorite tv shows

Day 22 — Someone you wish you had tried harder for

Day 23 — The last person you kissed

Day 24 — The person that gave you your favorite memory

Day 25 — Someone you wish you could forget

Day 26 — Your favorite cousin

Day 27 — The friendliest person you've met only once

Day 28 — The thing you most enjoy doing

Day 29 — Your neighbor

Day 30 — Your reflection in the mirror

Some of these things are a little off the wall, and I may not be able to come up with anything, so I might change them as I go along!

Ok, back to work! I have to get my stuff done so that I can leave on time. We are going to pick up Peyton's little sister tonight! Literally, she's Peyton's 1/2 sister! They have the same dad. Here's a little sneak peek of that little cutie! Her name is going to be Adelaide (Addie) Shelby Snickers Cooke. (The Snickers is not definite!) Peyton's name is Peyton Shelby Smores Cooke, so we're trying to stick with the chocolate/candy theme name to represent their color.

There is one little boy that's available if anyone needs a cute little ball of fur! We'll take a family picture tonight, but until then, here is one of Peyton when we first got her!

I can't help myself!

You can find love in Auburn!

House Divided

So, it's that wonderful time of year again! Time for cooler weather and college football! We are a house divided, Patrick for AUbarn and Alison for the 2009 National Champions, the University of Alabama! Both teams have gotten off to a good start...4 wins, so hopefully, they can keep it up!
So, since I have not been a good blogger...a little catching up to do.

Patrick's sister had her baby on July 28th. Bryleigh was 8 lbs and 3 oz and 22 inches long. We went to Atlanta the weekend after she was born to visit.






Her hair has already started to lighten...we think she's going to be a red-head like her mom. But, that's the only part of Kelly she got!

We also went to the George Strait and Reba McEntire concert here in Birmingham. It was so much fun, and Patrick was able to get us great seats!

And a picture of a flag like the one in our front yard...(this isn't our actual flag because it is a little faded!)

Maybe we can make it another year through the Iron Bowl! ROLL TIDE!!!