Lyla's Birthday Party

We had a fun day celebrating Lyla's 2nd birthday.  Since Lyla's good friend Seth's birthday is just a week earlier than hers, we thought it would be fun to have a joint birthday party.  We had a Rainbows and Race Cars party.  It was a ton of fun planning and having a birthday party with our friends.  I am thankful for all of great friends we have made here so far.  We had a great day of hanging out with friends. :)

the birthday girl all dressed up

eating yummy food with some friends

Seth is 4 and Lyla is 2!

Lyla was so excited about the singing.  When she did finally blow out her candles, she got too close and burnt her lip. :(

brushing her teeth with her new Thomas toothbrush

Lyla loves her new Thomas toothbrush

excited about her new animals from Grandma and Grandpa Gray

Lyla's 2nd Birthday

Every good and perfect gift is from above

James 1:17

I recently read a post on facebook that said, "My little girl is...."  My mind automatically finished the sentence with: getting so big, sleeping in a big girl bed now, working on going on the potty.  Then I finished reading the post and it said, "My little girl is moving into her own apartment."  After reading it I nearly cried and thought, "NO I'm not ready for that."  Then I reminded myself that my little girl has just turned two.  There is no need to borrow tomorrows worries.  Instead I am relishing the moments when she is so proud of her self for flipping or tells herself good job for peeing in the toilet.  I often thank God for my precious little girl, but on her birthday I am especially reminded of the special gift he gave us.  I pray that I am the mother that she needs and that I teach her to live a God honoring life.  I'm sure it will be no time before I am helping her move into her own apartment and I want to take advantage of every moment until then!

Opening presents from Grandma and Granddad Parrott

Playing with her new moose in a purse from Grandma and Granddad Parrott

Cooking with her kitchen from Grandma and Grandpa Gray and blender from Grandma Judy

Lyla picked Bob the Builder pasta from Tesco. We made it for lunch on her birthday.  She hugged the bag of pasta and said, " I wuv Bob the Builder."

Sneaking a lick of her cake

She was so excited when we sang her Happy Birthday

Wearing her new sweater from Grandma and Granddad Parrott

Presents from Mommy and Daddy

Christmas

We had a great Christmas.  It was very different than what we are used to but it was good nonetheless.  This year was our first year to spend Christmas without any extended family.  Thank goodness for modern technology that allows us to "see" our family even though they are far away.  We talked with various family members Christmas Eve and morning.  Grandma and Grandpa Gray even got to watch Lyla open her presents Christmas morning/Christmas Eve for them. :)


Christmas Eve we had a few families over for dinner.  I am so thankful for the friends God has blessed us with.  We of course, had traditional rice pudding which Lyla helped me make this year.  Christmas day was very low key.  We didn't leave the house and stayed our pajamas all day.  It was quite a nice break.

Lyla helping me make the rice pudding - she thought the chopper was funny

Licking the beater

Looking cute - waiting for her friends to come over for Christmas Eve dinner

Checking out her new kitchen from Grandma and Grandpa Gray

This year is was really fun to watch Lyla open her presents.  She took her time and had something to say about each present.  It was neat to see her reactions.

Trying out the recorder

Playing with her new puzzle

Visting Family and Friends

Lyla and I spent the first two weeks of December in Maryland.  We had a great time seeing everyone. Lyla especially loved seeing all of her cousins.  We got to meet the latest addition to our family; Devin Wayne was born in October.  The two week visit went by so fast.  It seemed there was to little time to visit with everyone.  We are thankful for the opportunity to go home and see all of the people we love so much!

Cadence and Lyla made peanut butter, pine cone bird feeders.  Lyla mostly enjoyed eating the peanut butter.

 

 

At first Lyla was a little shy around Uncle Alex.  But after she got warmed up, she couldn't get enough cuddling and playing with him.

Granddaddy Moore and Lyla reading one of Lyla's favorite books.

Great-Grandma Parrot and Lyla looking at Grandma's village under the Christmas tree.

Cadence and Lyla sitting on Great-Granddad Parrott's lap

Cadence and Lyla are working together to feed Devin his bottle.

Joslyn and Lyla upside down on Grandma Parrott's couch. They had a ton of fun playing together. 

Lyla, Jacob, Jana, Cadence, Julie and Joslyn

Me with my sister - April and brother - Alex