Why, It's Christmas Day!!

Why I love Christmas... Baking cookies

A decorated home

Hanging out with Family

Christmas Morning

Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exists, and you know that they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy. editorial in the New York Sun, 1897

December Happenings

I love December because we always feel the need to catch up with old friends that I miss the rest of the year. I have decided to make that a priority over 2009, so that December isn't so rushed, and I enjoy people all year long.

We had a KD dinner at Stix, and it was SO good to see everyone! I can't wait to hang out again!

I was also able to catch up with two of my very favorite people from nursing school, Erin and Audra. Audra brought along precious Drew, and Erin is due in July! Our December lunch next year will be a little more chaotic :) Blake, we missed you, but because we all work nights, we understand the need for SLEEP!!The Collierville Christmas parade was as entertaining as ever with the Gardners. Collierville does such a great job of making a city feel like a small town. BRRR! It's begining to look a lot like Christmas!

December 9, Luke and I celebrated 2 years of Wedded Bliss! He came home that night with these beautiful red roses and a very sweet handwritten note...He's such a romantic :) I had to work that night, so I made a yummy meal of champagne shrimp, and we celebrated over the weekend.

On Friday night, we went to Paula Deen's restaurant in Tunica. It is an AYCE buffet, and as you know, I was in heaven. Everything I put on my plate was delicious, and several items had the recipe available! I just adore her! We then went to a concert that featured the Eli Young Band, Julianne Hough, and Josh Grayson. We had a blast!Saturday, we hung out and went to Graceland. Neither one of us had ever been inside, and it was awesome! I just love Elvis! We had a wonderful time being tourists in our own town, and just being together. I love that boy!

My Dad turned the big 5-0 on December 7...and decided his mid-life crisis would be permanent. My mom surprised him with a trip to Vegas and he came home with an everyday reminder! No, not a show girl...

We also picked out Kate's bedding. Her crib is cherry colored wood, but you can see how stinkin cute it is! I love it! (the bedding seems so anti-climatic after Dad's new ink :)

One of the greatest titles we can have is "old friend". We never appreciate how important old friends are until we are older. The problem is we need to start our old friendships when we are young. We then have to nurture and grow those friendships over our middle age when a busy life and changing geographies can cause us to neglect those friends. Today is the day to invest in those people we hope will call us 'old friend" in the years to come. Grant Fairley

Happy Turkey Day!!

I know, I know...I am WAY behind!! Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays, and this year we did it up right! We celebrated Thanksgiving with several feasts. The week started out with a meal at Ms. Amy's, and it was delicious!

I had to work Thanksgiving day, but I met my family and we headed over to PawPaw & Nannie's for more food! We also had the pleasure of having Ms. Amy in town for all of the festivities! Can you tell my dad ate enough?

Thursday night, Luke began preparing for his turkey which we ate on Friday at Nana & Ned's. Again, way more food than I needed, but oh so delicious!

Saturday, we ended our Thanksgiving week with a catfish fry at Daddy Doc and Granny Ts. You can really tell I am pregnant after this week full of FOOD!!!

Thanksgiving was never meant to be shut up in a single day. ~Robert Caspar Lintner

I'm addicted...

To feeling Kate kick!!!

She is most active during the day (when I am usually asleep), so after I wake up for a midmorning restroom break, I lay in bed and just enjoy feeling her move live CRAZY!! She is going to be a dancing fool. At work last night, she let everyone else feel her moves. If I don't feel her for a while, I am not opposed to shaking my belly a little...I get reprimanded from the husband who tells me to "Leave her alone!!" Whatev.

Kids: they dance before they learn there is anything that isn't music. ~William Stafford

It's A...

GIRL!!!! We found out on Halloween that we will have a Katherine Tally Cantrell in March! As you can imagine, we are beyond thrilled and are looking forward to meeting our new addition! I can't believe 63% of yall were correct :)

We went from the Dr's office to my mom's school to tell her and my dad and Jake. Luke carved a punkin like so:

Isn't he talented??

We then went to Meg's school and told her! Luke has not quit smiling since we found out. He is going to be such a good dad, and can't wait to have a Daddy's Girl. I love it!

Luke also carved us two other pumpkins for our front porch. We had 16 Trick-or-treaters!!

Halloween at Work:

Not so Small Group Halloween Party:

They started playing Christmas music at midnight tonight on the River.

Oh Delilah!!

"A baby girl...one of the most beautiful miracles in life,one of the greatest joys we can ever know,and one of the reasons why there is a little extra sunshine, laughter and happiness in your world today."

UT vs State

Two weekends ago, we went and visited Blake in Big Orange Country. They won the game of course, but we enjoyed the weekend hanging out with the fam and seeing Blake's school. I LOVE this time of year, and the mountains made it even prettier. Orange is not as pretty as maroon, but Knoxville is a wonderful place to be!

Lindsey's Wedding

We spent last weekend in Alabama celebrating Lindey and Adam's beautiful wedding!! We were able to stay with Tricia and Caleb, eat good food, and be a part of a wonderful ceremony. Here are some pics from the wedding:

We hurried home for me to go to the Carrie Underwood concert with my mom, my grandmother and my sister. We had an absolutely Wonderful time, and Carrie was amazing! Love that girl!