Thursday, January 7, 2010

Christmas in Dunn and Wake Forest

This year we were able to celebrate Christmas with both sides of our family. The weekend before Chirstmas Day Gram and Grandaddy (Lauren's parents) visited Wake Forest. Riley really enjoyed the tissue paper that Gram used to wrap her gifts =) She also enjoyed Gram's choice of books which included one of my (Lauren) favorites "Pat the Bunny" Riley loved looking at the pages as Grandaddy read the book to her. We enjoyed the day together at the house talking, opening gifts, playing with Riley and eating good food! Gram finished the night with a big pot of delicious Chicken and Dumplings!

On the day of Christmas Eve Bruce and I decided that we just could not wait any longer to give the gifts that we had bought for one another and decided that we should go ahead and exchange =) After a good breakfast and opening gifts we sat down and talked about the blessings God has given us through the year and our discussion centered around one blessing in particular, Riley Noelle! God has given us a sweet and precious baby girl and we love living life with her!

On Christmas Eve we traveled to Dunn to spend the night with Bibi and Papa (Bruce's parents). They greeted us with many hugs and wonderful smelling kitchen. We have no idea how long Bibi spent cooking but we enjoyed wonderful food that night and the next day. My (Lauren) favorites were the cranberry/orange muffins and baked Mac and Cheese! We also enjoyed time with Aunt Elizabeth, Aunt Kristen, Uncle Peter, and Laurel.

A happy family...
Laurel was trying to help Riley with her crazy hair that always seems to be sticking up. Thank you Laurel for looking out for your baby cousin =)
Elizabeth surprised Bruce with a signed copy of Roy Williams book!
Love those eyes!
Bibi, Papa and Riley
A very happy Bibi

Grandaddy and Gram giving Riley her new blanket!

Riley holding on to the card from her Uncle Preston while wishing someone would sew the area where her toes are sticking out




Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Thanksgiving in Franklin

We spent the Thanksgiving holiday in Franklin this year. The highlight of our stay was the time Riley spent with Mimi, her great grandmother (Lauren's grandmother) who is now 88! Riley had a lot to say to Mimi and Mimi was happy to listen. Another big event was the turning on of the cross. Every year my family (Lauren) turns on a cross at thanksgiving through Christmas. The cross is about __ft tall and stands at the top of my grandfather's hill. Joe (Lauren's dad) built this as a reminder of Jesus our Savior, the baby born in the manger on that Christmas day, who gave His life in order that we might have life. Riley was the special guest at this years lighting and she "helped" her grandaddy turn on the lights for this holiday season.

Our Little Pumpkin
Talking with Mimi

The Family

Spending time with Grandaddy
Riley with her Grandaddy, Gram and Uncle Jim lighting the cross. She was bundled up in her bear outfit and couldn't move =)

Monday, December 21, 2009

Catching Up!

I have taken a long break from blogging! Riley has changed so much over the last 2 months! Over the next few days I plan to post some of our "adventures" from these months. Here are a couple of pictures to start.

Riley on Halloween dressed as Casper the friendly ghost!
3 month photo in the glider

Riley being the sweet and excitable girl that she is

Friday, October 16, 2009

Some of Daddy's Favorites!




Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Photo Shoot

Several weeks ago Riley had her first REAL photo shoot. A friend of ours, Rob Dent, offered to take the pictures for us. Here are a few of our favorites.




Our Sweet Girl

Riley is going to be 7 weeks old on Friday and is now very alert and active. She has won both Bruce and me over with her beautiful smile!

Here are some pictures from weeks 4-6.

This is Riley's 1 month photo in the glider. She looks much more confident in this picture than she did her first day at home =)

Fish face...

Riley loves bath time! This was her first bath in the kitchen sink.

Nap time with daddy!
A happy girl







Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Home Sweet Home


Little Riley is now 3 weeks old! She is settled in at home and loves all of her pretty new outfits and soft blankets. Riley says "Thank you" to all of her friends and family for their gracious gifts! We have taken many pictures of our precious little girl and the ones posted below are some of our favorites!

At her last check-up Riley weighed in at 7lbs 7oz. Sleeping and eating are her favorite activities!

Riley loves her time with daddy and she thinks his jokes are hilarious!

We hope Riley loves kisses as much as we love giving them =)

Riley is a little lady. She has already learned to cross her legs!