Our Duck Dynasty

Duck hunting has become something Barnes talks about all the time! He's talked about it all year since Brad took him last year for his first hunt. He says he's a great caller and makes all kinds of duck noises with his mouth. He talked about going to Kentucky to hunt and all the fun they'd have this year. He was so excited to finally get to go again this past week.

Daddy reports that he was tough he never complained about getting up at 3:30 am or about being cold. He even got car sick on the way to the blind but he didn't let that stop him!! Brad said he toughed it out and they got one duck! I know his daddy and poppy are super proud of their little hunter in the making!!

Little Angel of the Week!

Barnes was selected as the Little Angel of the week for school. This week is special for one child. They get to make a poster of all the things they like, get to bring a fun snack and stand in front of the class and answer a few questions about themselves. Barnes helped me make a poster of things he liked.it included:

Duck hunting
Football
Pizza
The beach
Star Wars
Counting money
Maps

He said it was lots of fun and felt special to be the little angel of the week.

Playing with our new toy

Growing up, I never had a sibling. But I'm pretty sure it's like having a living baby doll to dress up all the time. Well, until they start taking your toys!

Barnes and Anna Kate had a little fun with baby Celia and put her in Anna Kate's doll stroller. She really liked being pushed around so she could see new things.

Christmas cheer

The Christmas time is so busy! School parties and performances, gatherings with family and friends and lots of fun. Here are a few pictures from the last month.

Thankful!

We had Gammie and her family over for Thanksgiving. It was lots of fun to eat, visit and catch up with one another. There was lots of yummy food prepared by mom and me.

3 months!

Baby Celia is 3 months! She loves playing with her hands and laughs out loud at the kids. She's the happiest baby!
She went to her first football game this month. I must be nuts... But it all worked out perfectly and she slept like a bug in a rug the whole game.
I'm looking forward to her first Christmas! It'll be so precious to see all three kids together on Christmas morning. ❤️

Tricks + Treats

We had a rainy and wet Halloween this year. We didn't think we'd get to go trick or treating at all. But about an hour before dark, God parted the rain and we were able to get the kiddies dressed up and go out! The kids had a great time.

Barnes couldn't decide what to be this year. He's been obsessed with Star Wars since April when we were at Disney. He went through several costume options. Dark Vader (as he says. And I don't correct him bc I think it's cute). A storm trooper, and Luke skywalker. But he finally settled for Anakin Skywalker. Who is actually dark Vader before he went to the dark side. And Luke's father. It's all pretty confusing if you ask me.

Anna Kate picked out a Snow White dress at Disney after we had breakfast in Cinderellas castle. She has been set on wearing the dress for Halloween all this time. She wanted baby Celia to be a bumblebee and Barnes wanted her to be an ewok. You'll see who won out.

And now you are three

My precious, Anna Kate, you are three. Three was an age I didn't know if we'd reach. Lord, bless your sweet soul, He knows I love you more than life. But He also knows how hard I've prayed for grace and patience this past year too. It was a doozy!
You are a little lady that knows exactly what she wants to accomplish and the best way to get there. I think you will probably be a negotiator for the United Nations one day. Or president or an Army Drill Sergeant You're so smart. Honestly, you never cease to amaze me in how creative your brain works or how sharp your memory is. You learned your alphabet in about 2 days this summer. You know lots of your letters, and all your colors and shapes. You have a thirst for knowledge and genuinely want to learn more each day. You read books to me and to baby bacillia and to yourself sometimes too. You love to tell funny jokes and tell stories about things all the time. Your favorite story to tell is about a little girl in your class that spilled apple sauce. You tell me about Aaa-ver-weee and her applesauce accident all the time!
You are fiercely independent. I mean honestly you are all the things a mommy wants their daughter to be. Self sufficient, motivated and driven. A leader not a follower! Those words all describe you dear. But as a two year old... All those traits can turn a mommys hair gray and seriously increase blood pressure.

This year:

-We visited Disney World
-we went tithe beach
-you started school for the first time
-you got a big girl room and a big girl bed
-we prepared for a new baby sister
-you welcomed your baby bacillia with love and enthusiasm
-you learned your ABC's

You've had so many exciting experiences this year, sweet girl. And we look forward to what year number 3 will bring!! We love you so much our little firecracker!

Two months!

Sweet baby Celia is two months old! She's stolen our hearts with all her coos and smiles. She loves to be talked to and she talks right back to us. Anna Kate calls her, "my sweet little baby" and loves to tell her that she's her big sister.
Barnes loves to hold her and hold her tiny hand. It comforts her when her holds her hand. She can be crying and she quiets down when he holds her hand. They're great siblings and Celia is so lucky to have them.

2 months
11lbs 4oz
22.5 in

Life's a Beach!

We've had so much fun on our beach vacation. Tomorrow is our last day here and I'm looking forward to spending one more long day with my sweet family with nothing to do. It's been such a relaxing (almost) two weeks. Seeing the kids play together (and fight some too) and seeing brad not have to worry about work and having nothing to do but focus on family has been such a welcome respite from our daily routine. Our daily schedule at home is pretty hectic. Brad gets home late, 7 or later, we eat, we bathe the kids and throw them in bed. Then brad has to get up at 5am and do it all over again. He barely gets to see the kids for a little over an hour each day. This vacation has let us focus on the things that really matter. Family and quality time together. Barnes is swimming like a fish and Anna Kate is too. She loves the water. Baby Celia has slept most of the vacation in the condo with Gammie. But we've brought her to the beach and the pool a few times.

Ahhhhvacation! I'm thankful brad could take the time off to come for such a long time. We won't be able to do this in the fall many more years.

First day of school

The kids have started school. They're both liking it and enjoying making new friends. I'm proud of all they're learning each day.

Barnes started Jr Kindergarten at St. Mary's School
Anna Kate started at First Presbyterian Playschool in the 2 year old room

When I asked them what they wanted to be when they grow up, they said:

Barnes: a football player
Anna Kate: a princess