Hello Out There!

I can't really start this post talking about how long its been since I've posted. To do that would make the  start of my previous posts seem silly. This time it has been over 4 months! I even had to re-aquanit myself to Blogger to begin. My blogging hiatus is not due to a lack of things to post, however. On the contrary, we've probably had more going on in the last four months than we have had in the first 7 years of our marriage. Stay tuned for many updates. I think the best way to do this is just to start where I left off and do a series of mini-posts so the task doesn't seem so overwhelming. So, my last post was the eve of Bonnie's 3rd birthday. Here are some of the highlights from her week-long celebration:

 Blowing out candles on her Rapunzel cake with Ansley and Will at the small party we had for friends at our house.

 Bonnie and Aidan scoping out the Princess cake at Nana's on her actual birthday.

Our Bonnie Belle on her 3rd Birthday! She is such a big girl, and we are so very proud of her. 

Hawaii

We went on a wonderful vacation to Hawaii recently with Da, Nana, Uncle Ryan, and Aidan. We had a terrific time, and we were so proud of our two little travelers!

 Pretty picture of Da on the golf course

 Luau!

 After the luau, Bonnie loved seeing the hula girls up close

 Bonnie having a virgin mai tai...yummmm.

 Da's spearfish

 on our way to see the dolphins

 Bonnie was relaxing on the lanai most evenings

 Aidan caught a tuna!

 I hate the sorority pose-I'm not sure why I opted for it in this picture.

Sweet cousins! 

New Years

We went to ICE! on half price day, and it was really cold!

 Bonnie was rocking the ice slide. She still talks about it!

 Bonnie, Daddy, Guerry and Sam all bundled up...and for a good reason! It was 9 degrees inside.

 On New Years Day, we got to go to "Aunt Brooksie's Daddy's House" for a New Years Lunch. Bonnie and Sam had a lot of fun, and we even got to go on a Hayride. What great weather for January 1st!

 We went on golf cart rides as well...another hit with the kids!

 New Years Eve's weather was awesome as well. We spent the morning at the zoo. Here's a picture of Bonnie and Addy checking out the fish.

We rode the zoo train on New Years Eve!

Christmastime

This year was, by far, the best Christmas ever. Bonnie was way into this year, which was great! She loved pointing out every Christmas light display, yard blow-up, Christmas tree, Santa figurine, ornament, elf, etc. etc, etc. Another thing about a two-year-old is that they cannot keep secrets at all. She told Brandon that we bought him a golf club the minute he came home from work one day. She also told Pappaw about his mug on Skype. Good memories! Here's a smattering of Christmas pictures. I apologize for them being in random order. Enjoy!

Painting Pappaw's mug at Third Coast Clay

Bonnie and Daddy each gave each other a golf club for Christmas!

Uncle Ryan reading the Grinch on Christmas Eve

Cousins opening a present after brunch on Christmas Eve

Brunch with cousins 

Aidan and Bonnie are putting out cookies for Santa. Aidan even made reindeer snacks at school!

Bonnie having Christmas tree cake and boiled custard

Daddy carving the roast beast

Katie and me at the Christmas party-Ryan must be having an awesome time in the background!

Kissing cousins by the tree. Love.

Another memorable dirty Santa exchange this year. Justin wins the prize for best gift this year!

Grace wins the prize for best outfit-honorable mention to Drew for the Patriotic Santa cardigan.

Addy and Bonnie sporting their party favor wares at Sallie's birthday lunch

Katie G's annual girl party.

Bonnie was reading her Bible to her naked barbies one morning.

When the besties got together to exchange gifts, guess what? Santa came! Bonnie was really proud of her gift from Will.

He read a story to Ansley and Bonnie.

Group shot! Baby Hayes was the rockstar of the Christmas season. The big kids LOVE him. The night after this party, we were talking to a friend of mine from school. I told Bonnie to tell her which special person came to see her the night before (thinking she'd say Santa), and she said, "Baby Hayes!"

"I'm two!"

Bonnie and Alex were sheep in the Christmas Pageant at church. 

Bonnie and her precious teacher, Miss Grace, at her Christmas party at school.

Polar Express Pajama Day at school-love my fourth grade team!

Bonnie and her buddy Sarah after their performance at school

We went to the English Tea sponsored by the ladies of the church. Bonnie thought it was awesome-she had her own tea pot of milk:)

Bonnie and Granny at the Tea

Aidan and Bonnie at the Christmas parade