Slide

Don't you just love watching them figure out something all on their own. This may not be the way I would have slid down the slide, but if you could have seen how excited she was to figure it out alone, you would be laughing out loud. She is just getting so old all of the sudden. I remember thinking that she would never, ever sleep through the night and then at 14 months she finally did. I also thought that she wouldn't ever get the walking thing and then at 16 months she started and she hasn't ever stopped! I know that we can't stop time but sometimes I find myself honestly hoping it would just slow down a little. This is the first time that I am not wanting the next step...we are fine right here! Maybe it's because our family is complete or that potty-training is next, but whatever the reason I am so grateful for today!

Real Christmas

We had such a great Christmas this year. It was so fun and enjoyable, and exciting. We started out Christmas Eve with a visit from Mark's family. We exchanged gifts with them early, which was such a delight for Ryan and Ally. Here's Grandpa opening his gift from us. Ryan and Ally were very excited "helping" everyone else open their gifts.

Grandma opening her gift

A little love from their only granddaughter

Mark and his mom. We are so thankful for them.

Grandma always knows just what to get Ryan. This year it was a Jacksonville Jaguar uniform...remember what I've said about him being a non-conformist! We have no idea why this is suddenly his favorite team, maybe it's the pretty turquoise jersey?

Then it was off to the Purdy's for dinner and the Christmas Eve service at our church. But not before a little Elefun:)

And a puzzle with Nana

Our family

Ally and Katie Mae, such sweet friends. They were much more interested in the candles than looking at the camera. I just love the Christmas Eve service at FBC Woodway. The kids all go in their PJ's and we sing Christmas carols with the whole family and remember that this night is all about Jesus' birth.

And Then...Christmas morning. This year we got to have Santa come to our house instead of Honey and GP's, and the kids were super excited! 7:30am (actually a lot later than I thought it would be)

Ally loving her Rice Krispie Treat

Ryan and his new bike

Ally's "bike"too!

Honey, GP, Aunt Shirley and Nana came by to see what Santa brought and have breakfast.

Santa knew that the Wood children LOVE ring pops!

We had a really nice dinner at the Wood's that afternoon, but I forgot my camera. All in all this year was great. No stress, which is what my prayer had been all month. We are so blessed. We have such a great life and families that adore us. It really doesn't get any better than this! I hope you all had a great Day. Now if only the Christmas decorations would magically be put away in the attic...-:)

Fake Christmas

Ryan named our Purdy Christmas "Fake" Christmas since we celebrated a few days early, and the name stuck. We all were calling it Fake Christmas by the end of the weekend. :) We had the best time celebrating together. The night began with GP reading a story about the true meaning of Christmas and then we opened presents, had a delicious meal, went on a scavenger hunt and took our annual family picture in matching PJ's. I love getting to spend time with my family and this year did not disappoint! Here are some pictures of a great weekend!

Here we are, in all our Purdy, Anderson glory! I am loving the PJ's this year mom- Vera Wang for the girls- only the best. (gotta love Kohl's)

We have had such a great December: Lila's birth, Daily stockings- (so far he has only missed 3 days, not bad, huh?), Christmas programs, Womens' Tea, Christmas Parties, Supper Club, A Cookie Exchange, Ally's 2nd birthday, and Fake Christmas. It has been such a fun year to watch my children really "get it". Ryan is fascinated with the Christmas story and how Baby Jesus was born in a stable. And Ally says, merry Christmas and Happy Birthday to everyone she sees.

So from the Wood family to yours We wish you all a VERY, MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Santa

Each year the whole Purdy family takes a trip to the lovely Richland Fashion Mall to go see Santa. Yes, Santa visits our house every single year, and my children still know the true meaning of Christmas. It can happen people-:) This is a really fun family tradition that we started a couple of years ago and I love every minute of it. Just by looking at the excitement in this picture you would think it went great right?!? I really laugh at this picture because Ally is so excited to be included in the fun with Stacey and Ryan (they are wrestling in the background)!

Ally and Honey are waiting and watching all the other children sitting on Santa's lap.

My sweet niece Lila even made the outing...I mean check out that preciousness.

Get your dance on

Waiting to see Santa is Hard!

A quick change into the green sweaters for the boys and we're ready. Stacey and Ryan are checking everything out.

And then it's our turn. Ally's screaming, Wyatt refuses, and I start really sweating. Santa is very calm and is handling all the Purdy craziness like a pro. By the way, Wyatt didn't fall out of Santa's lap he just decided to throw a small fit. Ally's SCREAMING did not help at all!

And the "official" picture. Oh... if a picture is worth a thousand words then I really don't need to say anything else but enjoy.

Have yourself a Merry Little Christmas

Pink Poodle Soiree

We had such a fun time last night at Ally's 2nd birthday party. The theme was Paris Pink Poodle and everything from the invitations, (thanks Mindy, or should I say Mrs. Pierce with the French wording:)to the Christmas tree, cake and decorations were all VERY girly and great! The whole night Ally kept saying, "I'm 2 !" She had a fantastic time.

Check out Ally's precious dress from Etsy. I found this dress and then decided on the theme. Any excuse to have a new outfit for my baby girl!

Here are all the decorations. Mark had a great idea to turn our garage into extra room for the party, and that seemed to work out well for eating dinner and the snowflake craft. Nice to have such a smart hubby. I had an absolute blast decorating for this party.

Ally LOVED everyone singing Happy Birthday to her, and she even blew out one candle with a little help.

We have the most amazing group of friends. Thank you all for making this party so special for sweet Ally. I am sad to say that I don't have one single family picture of my sisters, nephews, sweet new niece, Aunt Shirley, Nana, GP, Honey, Grandma or Grandpa. So sorry about that. You all know that you are loved, and this party would not have been the same without you!

Ally has some incredibly generous friends. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

I think she would have been just fine with some delicious jelly bellies.

She was guarding those with her little life. Such a fun time. You know I love a good party -:) Still hard for me to believe that she's really 2.

Happy Birthday Ally

Oh sweet baby girl, it is so hard for me to believe that you are 2 years old today! I still think of you as my BABY! You are such a joy for your dad and I and we are so thankful each for you each day. Our perfect little miracle. Ally, Since that day you were born I really feel like a parent. Your big brother made Daddy and I parents but something about having a second child really upped our game! You have always kept us on our toes. From the day you were born (3 weeks early) our lives really changed. On your birthday I hosted a baby shower at our house and really over did it, and I guess that you didn't want to miss out on any more fun. My water broke at midnight and you arrived the next day at 12:19 PM. You weighed 7.1 and were 19 inches long and simply perfect! Everything about you was very girly, from your small hands and feet to the way you walk on your tip-toes, you have always been a little princess. Thank you for making me laugh every day and for your independence and social nature. You are always smiling and having fun and keeping life at our house very lighthearted and enjoyable:). Happy Birthday angel!

THE loves of my life

First trip to the zoo

First Birthday. We had a Polka-Dot party and you went immediately started opening all the gifts without anyone noticing:)

You LOVE animals! You are very curious and want to see and touch everything.

One. Happy. Girl.

You love the water and to go "simming".

Ally you are always into something. I can't turn my back on you for more than 30 seconds.

You love the Red Raiders, which MELTS your GP's heart.

You are also so in love with your big brother. You are his #1 fan.

I think Ryan was just as excited as you were this morning opening your presents. He wrapped them all by himself!

Baby girl, your daddy and I love you so much it hurts. Our prayer for you is that you will always know God's love and have compassion on others from a really young age. We hope you have a

fantastic 2nd b-day! XOXOXO