Snow Snow Snow

We flew back to Wyoming on December 1st and had to drive through a huge snow storm to get home. Alayna and I got all bundled up in our snow pants, boots, hats & mittens, and matching UT coats, ha ha!, and we went out to play in the snow for the first time. She was so overwhelmed by it all, she just stood there completely paralyzed the whole time. I made a snow angel and tried to make a snowman but the snow was too powdery and wouldn't stick together. So, we just took a few pictures and went back in after a few minutes. As soon as we got back inside and took off all of our winter clothes, Alayna started crying like crazy to go back outside! The snow has mostly all melted now, but we're expecting another snow storm for Christmas, so we'll have to go back out and try again then.

Thanksgiving in Tennessee

First off, I have to apologize for taking so long to update my blog. I have been so busy with the holidays and a sick baby that I just haven't found time to get on the computer much in the last month. But now, thankfully, Alayna is well, I have all of my Christmas decorations up, crafts are all made, presents are all bought and wrapped, and cards and packages are all sent, so I finally have time for blogging!

We spent Thanksgiving in Tennessee with the Simpson family. Mike flew out the weekend before Thanksgiving and we were so happy to see him after two whole months of being apart. He said he couldn't believe how much Alayna had grown and changed. My brother Patrick and his wife Becky were there in Tennessee too, and it was really nice spending some time with them.



We had a bonfire where we roasted hot dogs and went golfing.



Since Grandma is living at Mom & Dad's house now, the family came up to their place for Thanksgiving. Like always, Mom made an amazing meal, Dad carved the turkey so he could eat all he wanted, and we played lots of Hand and Foot and Ping Pong.




The day after Thanksgiving, we went to the Dollywood Dixie Stampede to kick off the Christmas season. It was a Christmas-themed dinner show with horses, dancing, singing, etc, and Alayna absolutely loved it. It was a great way to get into the Christmas spirit.

Knoxville Zoo and Library Fun

Mom, Alayna, and I went to the zoo a couple of days ago. It was nice because it was in the middle of the week so there weren't many people there and it was cool but not too cold. Alayna loved seeing all of the animals! She's a total animal lover like me. Her favorites were probably the birds, monkeys, otters, and the camel who reached down and gave her a kiss!





We have also been going to the library about once every other week. There is a huge bear there that Alayna loves to go up and hug. She has also been learning how to put puzzles together.

Halloween

Mom, Dad, and I took Alayna trick-or-treating for the first time yesterday and she had so much fun. We went to Norris, which is one of the only places around here where you can still go door-to-door. They had a party downtown starting at 5pm with free hotdogs, chips and juice for everybody, costume contests, etc. After eating and looking at all of the kids' costumes, we headed out. Unfortunately, it started raining a little bit, so we didn't go to very many houses, but I guess it was enough for her first time. Alayna was so cute in her lady bug costume and really loved seeing all of the people. It was just too bad her dad wasn't here to see her because he was actually the one who picked out the costume. But, we had a good time and Alayna even got her most favorite treat from Aunt Patsy, a big juicy apple!



Fighting a ghost! She has absolutely no fear.



We even stopped and got some candy from the house my dad grew up in. Here we are heading down the driveway where Alayna stopped to pick up some rocks.

Fun with cousins

We've had so much fun spending time with family here in Tennessee. My cousin Jessica is getting married so we got to go with her to look for wedding dresses the other day. I wish I had gotten some pictures of the dresses because she looked so beautiful, but of course I'll get pictures on the wedding day. They want Alayna to be a flower girl, so I'm really excited about that! We went out for lunch afterward at Texas Road House.


My Aunt Joyce, Alayna, and Jessica. Doesn't it look like Alayna is disco dancing?





My Aunt Patsy, her grand daughter Natasha, my cousin Kenny, and their dog Patches also came to visit the other day. Natasha and Alayna got along so well. Natasha read her some books, and I don't think I've ever seen Alayna sit still for so long when she was on Natasha's lap.

Picking Pecans

We have been going out a couple of times every day to search for and pick up pecans. My dad has several large pecan trees that are producing right now, so we have to go get the pecans when they fall on the ground and hopefully before the squirrels can steal them. (Speaking of that, Dad is borderline obsessed with the squirrels and tries all sorts of ways to keep them away from his trees. I had to yell at him the other day when I caught him outside hunting a poor little squirrel with a BB gun!) Anyway, picking the pecans is really fun because it's like getting to search for Easter eggs every day, and every time you go out, you find more! On average, I would say we find about 100 pecans a day. Alayna especially loves it because the dogs come out with us and she gets to play with them. When we say "Let's go outside and pick some pecans," she goes and gets her shoes and/or the pecan bucket and walks over to the door to go outside. It's so cute!