8 years

Happy Anniversary to us!!

 

Wow, really, 8 years!! I wish I could say that it has been all magic, roses, and perfect, but that it has not been. Life is not perfect, marriage is not perfect, he is not perfect, I am not perfect but it is REAL! We have experienced highs and lows....together! When I married Bryan 8 years ago, did I imagine the path our marriage would take...NO, but I am super proud of us for taking this journey and surviving this journey together!! Happy Anniversary Babe :) I am so glad that God gave me you!

How to get to Sesame Street?

One of my good friends from high school works for the corporate offices at Sesame Street! He was so kind and sent us a special package before the show...a very special Elmo & Big Bird, free tickets for Cooper and Brylee's classmates, and meet and greet passes. YES, we got to go backstage and meet Elmo and Abby before the show!! It was one special night! Thanks Ryan for making my kiddos feel super, super special! Brylee has a big ol' hug for you if you ever make it back to TN! This makes me LAUGH! She was soooooo excited!

Finishing the year at Dollywood

We decided to wrap up our year riding rides, playinWe decided to wrap up our year riding rides, playing games, watching shows, and having FUN!! Dollywood was SUPER CROWDED!! As fun as it was, we may have to find another fun way to finish out the year. I don't know if I can handle that kind of Dollywood crowd again. It was so crowded people were parking at Splash Country and they were busing them over.

On a super happy note....Cooper is almost able to ride the rollercoasters and Sissy is just a smidgen from the next step up!

Christmas with the Cookenour crew

Bryan practicing his massage skills on my grandmother!

Chistmas with the Cookenour crew!! I cherish the moments with our family.

Christmas with the Davis crew

I love Christmas! Yes, I am a self-admitted Christmas-aholic. Some of my best memories are of waking up Christmas morning with my brother, Dana, and opening presents. Now that I think back it is hard to remember the presents, but I remember the laughs, giggles, and time spent together. I love that we all still spend the night at my mom and dad's house on Christmas Eve night and wake up together Christmas morning. One night a year we are back at mom and dad's and it's just like old times...with a few additions :)

Sad but true...by Chritmas morning this was our 4th present opening, so apparently I was a slacker with the camera and only took a few.

Uncle D and Aunt Abby helping open presents

While we were opening presents, Cooper dissapeard. I found him sitting in the kitchen floor playing his DS. I asked him if he was okay and he said he was "overwhelmed." He absolutely had the most tender heart! He wanted to know why he had so many presents when there were kids that would not have any at all. He said he didn't need them all and we should give them to a boy who didn't get any presents. I am in awe of how the Lord is working in his heart. In just a short year, he has gone from crying because "that is all I got" to the "Christmas is about LOVE not presents" kid!! I am so proud to call this amazing child my son! God is working in his life and I am excited about the work he has in store for Cooper!

Brylee adores her Auntie Ab

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas from our family to yours! We are so blessed to have each other! We had an amazing morning praising the Lord for our many blessings and all he has done for us. What an awesome God we serve! I am so proud of my children for knowing the true meaning of Christmas. Of course, we had a super fun time opening presents, too!

Daddy's pictures for his new massage office!!

Love my babies
Brylee always loves her Holiday Barbie (I have bought her one every year since she was born)

Oh My Golly, Mom!! Santa really did bring me a Nintendo 3DS
Merry Christmas!
Christmas morning!
Lila, gaurdian of the Christmas presents :)

and Bingo was his name, oh!

Santa left an extra special surprise for Cooper and Brylee at Gaggy and Poppy's house on Christmas Eve night!! B-I-N-G-O!! The kids have a new chorky-poo to spoil absolutely rotten!