Happy 2008!!!

We hope your New Year is filled with much love, laughter and happiness!

Tim, Allison & Bella Raye

Good Long Time Friends...

Friends for over 15 years now...

Amy, Jessica & Allison

Jessica was in town from San Fransisco for the holidays and we were thrilled that we got to spend a night with her! She got a taste of how crazy it is having little ones around! Although all the girls were very well behaved the next time we will visit with the little ones for a little bit and daddy's can stay home with them when we go out to dinner so we can finish a conversation!
It was so nice to see Jessica and spend an evening with her...if only we lived closer!
Thanks for coming over!!!

Christmas Exchange with the Kirk's....

Tonight we went to the Kirk's house for yet another Christmas celebration!!!

The kids all had fun playing with Bella and of course Bella loved all the attention! She got a Little People Princess Castle...nothing but the best for their Little Bella!

We then went to dinner at Puccini's! I am telling you my pants are really not fitting!!!

Bella Raye isn't going to know what to do when this week is over and it is just another night at home with mom and dad! We, on the other hand have had a wonderful week but are looking forward to a couple of nights of doing nothing once the New Year comes!

Family Pictures.....

Grandma and Papaw with the grandkids...

Cameron and Travis were in town from Florida

Ernie, Suzi and Wyatt

Finally about the 4th go arounds I was getting good at taking pictures of every one! Although I just remembered that I didn't get one of Suzi and I in front of the tree tha twe have done forever!

Christmas with the Maines....

Bella and Wyatt ready to have at it...
Checking out Bella's new kitchen that Aunt Suzi and Uncle Ernie got her
Once again Bella has too many other things to do that pose for a picture!
Check out the Christmas tornado...we too have one of these at our house from all of our new loot!
Uncle Ernie and Daddy with the late night entertainment on Bella's new Doodlebop instruments!

Wednesday night we headed to Lebanon to have dinner and Christmas with Tim's family! We had another yummy lasagna meal and once again spoiled with too many presents!

It was another great night!

None of my clothes fit after all these meals we have been having!

Christmas Morning

Bella checking out her new rocking chair Grammy J and Papaw got her...get this bear out of there I need to sit in it!
Siblings...
Our Comfy Christmas morning picture...Bella wanted down to check it out all her presents...no time for a picture!
Yeah....finally Uncle Ryan got the BIG Colts throw he has wanted for awhile now!!!
Christmas is sooo much fun!!!

Christmas morning we spent at my families house starting out with a delicious brunch that Bella ate walking back and for between me and Papaw. Then hours of gifts as always mom and dad did way too much! The best present wasn't what was under the tree but that we all got to spend the day together and that we have family to do that with!

It was a wonderful Christmas day!

Christmas with the Maines Family....

Cousins all dressed and ready to go to bed....
All the kids diggin' into their new toys...
2nd cousins

Konlie and Kenzlie

Christmas Eve we headed to Tim's parents house to celebrate Christmas with his dads side of the family! Once again enjoyed yummy soup and sandwiches and great company with family! We only see some of his family once or twice a year so it is a nice time to catch up and of course the kids love all the gifts!

Our Christmas Morning....

We requested that Santa come Christmas Eve Morning to our house since we were so busy on Christmas and sure enough he did!
Bella loving her new baby and the cradle for all her babies to sleep in!

She was so cute all morning just played with her stocking stuffers and her new doll and cradle! Santa did good!

Using her mini M&M's as a bottle to feed her baby!

Tim made his yummy (not so healthy) biscuits and gravy for us and we enjoyed a lazy morning together playing and napping with Bella Raye! It was a perfect way to spend the day!

Christmas with the Ballard's

Uncle Ryan being silly with his flash lights...
Cousins...

Lauren, Sara and Ryan
Look...at the new rocky rocky that Grandma and Great Aunt Beth got Bella!!!

Sunday night we went to my Grandma Ballard and Aunt Beth's house for a wonderful Christmas dinner. We had lots of fun all night long!
I didn't take too many pictures for some reason! We tried to get a great picture of Grandma and Bella by the tree but it was dinner time and Bella didn't want anything to do with it. I wish I would of remembered to try later in the night!

Merry Christmas...

From our Family to Yours...

We wish you and yours a Very Merry Christmas!!!!

Love,

Tim, Allison, and Bella Raye

A Night With the Mize Family...

Best Friends since grade school...who live way too far apart...

so we were thrilled to hear that we would get a chance to spend an evening with JR and his family while they were in town for Christmas Bella and Beckett having fun entertaining every one with all their tricks! Jack and Sloane, the older cousins, were great help playing with the kids all night! We were thrilled to get to meet Miss Evalyn, JR's sisters baby, who was born in August! Such a cutie and HAPPY baby!
Bella was having fun loving on Jackie 11 years young, Zoe's aunt. The Mize family is where the awesome blood line of all our labs started!
Beckett and Bella being pushed by Jack on the Thomas the train! We had such a fun night catching up with the Mize's and were so glad we got to see every one!

Thanks for having us!

Merry Christmas!!!

Making the Rounds...

Daddy's and their girls at the office...

Tim and Bella & Julia and Andy Roe

We started off the morning visiting Grammy J and her office and seeing some her friends and having some yummy treats! Then we were off to Daddy's office for their holiday pitch-in. We are blessed that Tim works for a wonderful company that is very family orientated and always makes us feel very welcome each time we visit! Julia and Bella had fun walking around visiting with every one at the office but weren't too crazy each time Santa was near!

Once we got home Bella took a good long nap after her morning of seeing every one!

Contagious Laughter....

It was near bed time, I had just gotten home from finally finishing our Christmas shopping and was shoveling dinner in. Tim was throwing Peyton's dog toy and started hitting our jingle bells on the door and Bella thought it was hilarious! So once again thought it was cute video to share!

Santa...

So we finally had time to take Bella Raye to see good old Mr Santa Clause! She thought he was really cool from a far waving and smiling to him and saying, "Ho Ho Ho!"

I thought we might actually get a good picture of her smiling and then when she got put on his lap....she wasn't so thrilled. We will try again next year for smiles!

We still had to get a picture just so we can see how she feels each year about Santa!

Christmas Blessings...

Our Families

13th Annual Chili Supper

Our First Chili Supper 13 years ago
And today....

Yes we are both about 20lbs lighter and younger but look at all the happiness 13 years have brought us and our biggest blessing yet our little Izabella!

We started this tradition 13 years ago of getting both of our families together for lots of laughter and love. Some holiday goodies and a wonderful night! Once again we were so glad that every one was able to get away from their busy schedules and share a special holiday night together!

THANKS for coming every one!

We love you all!

Bag Lady with a Temper...

I have had this paper bag for over a month...daddy got a birthday present in it and love to carry all my "stuff" in!
Look at my new bag that the cool boots came in that Grammy J got me!
Bring on the purse! Bella is so cute carry these bags with all her goodies in them wherever she goes...even when she is throwing a temper tantrum!!!

Bring on the purse, ladies!

Chasing her tail...

Daddy and Uncle Ernie were trying to entertain Bella Raye in the hall while we were waiting for Grandma M to be honored...she ended up entertaining us! She was acting like she was chasing her tail...hadn't seen her do it before yesterday or since but it was pretty funny!

Congrats....

Yesterday Grandma M was honored as the Kiwanian of the Year for all her volunteer work with the children of Lebanon!

Congrats, you truly deserved such a honor!
Ernie, Tim and Suzi were able to sneak away from work for a little bit so we could all surprise and congratulate her!!

Play Group at Hayden's

Mr Hayden and his mommy, Becky had all the ladies over for play group Thursday!

It was a lot of fun!

Becky made some fabulous cookies!

The whole gang

The older girls were all about what the other one had today...it is so fun to watch them interact with one another each week! We had to leave early so we could get to Grandma M's so I didn't get that many great pictures but it was great to see every one!

15 month update....

We went to the Dr today for Izabella's 15 month appointment. She looked great and Dr said she was doing every thing age appropriately! Only had one shot and was a tough cookie through the whole thing!

Her Stats are as follows...we were surprised she wasn't bigger than she is. Dr Layman wasn't worried said genes start falling into play around now and since she is up and walking may have something to to with her only gaining 2 oz in 3 months! We go back in 6 weeks for a weight check!

Never-the-less healthy and happy baby is our best report!

Weight: 20lbs (15 percentile)

Height: 31 1/2 inches (75 percentile)

My pony...

My first pony tail... that my Aunt Rachel gave me! I got to spend all day long with my Aunt Rachel while my mommy and daddy worked! I love sharing days with Aunt Rachel I get all the attention!!!

Thanks for coming to play with me and taking wonderful care of me, Aunt Rachel!

Christmas with the Stafford Family...

Today we went to my parents house to have Christmas dinner with my dad's side of the family! His sisters were there and some of our cousins. Boy do my Aunts and mom know how to cook for a big family...plenty of wonderful food!!! Bonus for me was I have a great lunch to take to work tomorrow because there were so many left overs! Bummer... I brought my camera but was so busy visiting and eating I forgot to take any pictures!

It was another wonderful celebration for the holidays and once again we are reminded how truly blessed we are to have such a big wonderful family!
Tis' the season!

Saturday night out...

Once we got home we all napped for a little while and then Tim and I got ready for more Christmas festivities.

Auntie Sara came over to play with Bella so Tim and I got to out to dinner for my birthday and then to the Wilkinson's open house!

We had planned on heading down town to St Elmo's and to look at the lights. I love going downtown this time of year and walking around the circle admiring all the Christmas decorations with a Starbucks...perfect! Our plans changed a little due to the rain! We decided to hit one of all time favorite spots in broadripple Midtown Grill! Once again there was no disappointment in the Dijon Fillet...it was FABULOUS!!!

Then off to the Wilkinson's who opened their newly remodeled beautiful home to many friends! Ann has a true talent for decorating and entertaining!

We had lots of fun chatting with many of their friends, and wish we hadn't stuffed our faces at dinner because there was some amazing food that I would of liked to tried.

Once again a wonderful, blessed and busy day for this time of the year!