having fun

Every time I change the sheets on Alivia's bed, I put the mattress on the floor and let her have fun. She LOVES to play on this thing and she thinks falling off is so funny. I love watching her develope a personality and I love watching her play.

Christmas Party

My work throws a fancy Christmas party every year.... with a catered dinner and dancing. We enjoyed an evening out..we didn't get home til' after 11:00!! WooHoo...

ready for Christmas

Alivia tries to get the presents... I keep telling her just one more week!

before

after

eating what we eat

Alivia is starting to eat solid food.. and it's very exciting. No more baby food. She is loving the new flavors and textures, there is no going back now! I love watching her eat...she (of course) drops more than she actually eats. Here she is picking banana off her shirt to eat. I promise that I will teach her manners later!

Alivia and her cousins visited with Santa and Mrs Claus (aka nana and papa Garner) this year..it was quite and experience for her... she loved Santa and was amazed by him at times... there was a hay ride for the kids and hot chocolate for everyone. It turned out to be a great afternoon. Check out the pictures below.

my cute little niece Lily

Alivia, Jordan, Chase and Lily

Alivia with her cousins Jordan and Chase after the hay ride

checking out Mrs. Claus

hangin' with Mrs. Claus

amazement

Alivia walks the dog

She's going to be walking before too long.....just look at her go.

The whole family....

Every year the Garner side goes to Boone to pick out Christmas trees. We all drink hot chocolate and munch on moravian sugar cookies while we look for the perfect tree...this year was a little rainy... too bad it was not a little colder and we could have seen snow.

Our Christmas tree

Grandpa Garner and Alivia

Nana Garner with her 2 girls, Lily and Alivia (aka Ralphie)

Alivia celebrated her first Thanksgiving this year.. and she was definitely thankful for all the food! It was the first time she ate the same thing that we ate. She loved it and has not gone back to the baby food since! Below are pictures of our first Thanksgiving with Alivia.... Kevin and I have so much to be thankful for... wonderful family and a beautiful daughter.

Me and my 2 sister-in-laws.. braving the red lipstick.

Thanksgiving night at Grandma and Grandpa Garner's house

Alivia's first Thanksgiving meal

she wore out about half way through

Uncle Bryan pointing out a float

pointing out the good stuff

High Point had their annual Christmas parade. I took Alivia and along with Kevin's family we all watched the parade. We all had a great time even though it lasted about 2 hours. All of our fingers and toes were numb by the time we headed back to the cars. Except for Alivia! She was in a full body winter suit that was so warm.. I'm sure she stayed toasty. We enjoyed a nice hot dinner in a warm restaurant to thaw out. Check out the pictures above above.

chilin' in the crib

We put Alivia down for bed and we went in to check on her and this is what she was doing... she was just playing away... and we had to capture the moment.