We had a Wonderful Christmas.  We had the opportunity to celebrate early with my parents.  

Below are pictures of both christmas celebrations.

Cassidy got a popping elephant.  It was  huge hit with all the kids

Popping Elephant provided some opportunity for Cassidy to retrieve balls

American girl necklace

New outfit for her American Girl Doll

Cars Legos

Diving in!

Lightening McQueen ornament

Nana helping Cassidy open presents

Our Reindeer sugar cookies and milk for Santa and Carrots for the reindeer

Our tree

Opening presents

Absolutely LOVE this picture of Cassidy in the middle of all the paper and gifs.  The look on her face is  " I did not it".

Twas the Night Before Christmas

This is one of my favorite family traditions, Matt reading "Twas the Night before Christmas" to the kids on Christmas Eve at bedtime.  This year since Ella Catherine has learned to read, he let her read a few pages.  Warms my heart. 

Christmas Eve Mass / Children's choir

Ella Catherine was in the children's choir this year.  So, the children's mass was extra special for us.  We were so lucky that Mimi, Nana and Pop were able to come in town to see her performance.  She made a beautiful angel and did a great job learning and remembering all the songs.  

Our Angel

Fun pictures after with friends

Libby, Cassidy and Ella Catherine

Mimi with her grandkids

Matt's Graduation from Lipscomb

Matt graduated today with honors and received a Masters in Information Technology Management.  We could not be prouder of him.  Straight A's while woking full time and being full time daddy and husband.  I know that it was not easy but he DID it!!!!  What a great day celebrating him.

We were so glad that everyone could come in town to help us celebrate.

Opening comments

View of the stage

This is how you keep a one year old entertained at a graduation, snacks!!!

The handsome graduate

Better picture of the handsome graduate

In line to receive his diploma

Receiving his hood 

Receiving his diploma

It should come as no surprise that Carter opted out of the picture,  Little did he know we could still see him in the background.

Matt and his little brother, Michael

Matt and his mom

Matt with his Dad and Debbie

Matt with my mom, dad and Cassidy

Our little Lady Bug turned 1

Our little bug is turning 1!  I decided on a ladybug themed birthday party Cassidy.  Not a big party, just family and our friends, The Rosenhagens.  I made sunflower cupcakes with little m&m lady bugs on them and Nana brought some delicious ladybug cookies from a baker in Georgia.  I do believe that Cassidy loved her first taste of icing and cake.  She cried when we took away her highchair tray with the crumbs and smeared icing on it.   We struggled with a gift idea because she tends to ignore her toys and go for Ella Catherine and Carter's.  Her daycare has an oversized winnie the pooh.  Her teachers tell me that she loves on pooh all day long.  So, we decided to get her a pooh moe her size for her birthday.  She LOVED it.

She hasn't started walking without assistance yet but I don't think it will be long.  She is practically running holding on to the wall.  She just hasn't gained the confidence to let go quite yet.  She loves her sippy cup.  She talks up a storm but you can only understand a little of what she says.  She has started getting frustrated when she cant go or do what big sis and big brother are doing.

Making the cupcakes

Lady Bug m&ms

The Party room.

Nana with the birthday girl

Being 1 is serious work

Talking to my godmother, Katie

Everyone helping Cassidy blow out the candle

Hmmm this looks interesting

Totally my girl going for the m&m

MMM this is good

Diving in

Patiently waiting for mom to take off the wrapper

This is soooo good

Noooo don't take my cupcake and clean my face

oooh new clothes

a new computer

Loving on Pooh

New Lady Bug game

A new push toy from Mimi