Rewind: First Christmas in Arkansas

We just want to thank everyone so much for making our Christmas away from home so special. We can't thank you enough for your generosity and thought that went into filling our tree.

Hay captures a shot of herself to start off the festivities.








Hayley displeased with waiting until pictures are taken before gifts may be opened.





A beautiful, blessed Christmas thanks to all of you.






Hayley, not bashful. Not at all.

Most delicious santa cake recipe from Williams Sonoma! Made it from scratch. Mint and ganache. Num nums.

Just when we thought we'd have our first snowless Christmas, the clouds rolled in, dropped a smattering of Christmas snow and highlighted its wonderous gift with sunshine.

Hayley's Creepy Christmas Elf (Elf on a Shelf -- biggest heart-string-pulling holiday scam of all time)
Opposite him are Grandma's Christmas Cookies, of course.

Shoddy kitchen table for a Christmas feast? Nothing that a tablecloth and some pinecones can't fix. Well, kind of.

Christmas village!

Troy in "The Nutcracker Room"

Rewind: Hayley's 8th Birthday

This was as big a year for us as it was for Hayley. Our first actual birthday celebration with Hay as a family. Big hugs to the Elite Eight Hay. CanNOT believe the little rosy cheeked bundle is actually eight years old.



Hayley's Princess Cookies

Hayley's Princess Cake

Hayley's Party Room

The birthday girl awakens.

Obligatory candle lick.

Cake and Cheese.

Bday cards from the fam. Thank you Aunts, Uncles, Cousins, Grand Parents, Great Grandparentns and Aunt Boots!!!

Big money, no wammies!

Still wildly excited about the bday explosion / Valentines Package from Grandma!

Valentine's treats from Grandma.

Assessing the potential candy situation. So far, looks good.

Rewind: Hayley's School Christmas Choir Concert

Just getting these off the camera now. Hayley was an excellent singer and very excited about the songs and hand motions. Such a performer.

Easter

We had Hayley Friday evening and Saturday afternoon to celebrate Easter. Egg painting. 36-Egg hunt and a basket secretly hidden by one E. Bunny in the appliance pantry. Oh, and air hockey just because.