Pretty Girls

Simms-4 years old, Emiline-3 1/2 weeks, Lilla-2 years old

Simms, Emiline and Lilla on the day Simms met Emiline for the first time. We dressed them up for the meeting. Kidding..this was before a wedding in Montgomery. Aren't they all so pretty?I hate Cope wasn't in the picture with them.

Simms' Christmas Ballet Recital

Simms had her first dance recital yesterday! This was the Christmas show, and it was so precious. Her group danced and sang in their Christmas pajamas to "This Little Light of Mine" and all of the other groups had fantastic costumes! This is the tradition of her dance school for the young group to wear Christmas pj's for the Christmas show. She had rehearsal this past week, and she danced a lot more during the recital than she did at rehearsal! We were so proud of her. I seriously teared up the second I saw my precious ballerina coming out onto the stage. As in I had to wipe my eyes. It was a great afternoon! We are so glad she is apart of this dance school! I am disappointed with pictures that I got but I will know for the spring recital where I need to be to get good ones!





After the show..



Pictures at home before the recital..




sweet boy

Christmas Scenes & Christmas Fun

The Goodwin house is decorated for Christmas and oh how I love it! There is something about turning the tree on at 7 when I rise that excites me all day!

Scenes from outside..

We got new bows for our wreaths this year and a new front door wreath! Thanks Mrs. Lil! Our old bows were 6 years old and faded!

This sweet boy wanted me back inside when I was taking pictures!

Scenes from inside...

Our tree, with the glowing dollar store angel..she's a funny joke between me and Dru but Simms loves that she glows, and I do love an angel atop a tree. All of my glass ornaments are at the top, and while Cope hasn't been that bad with the tree, he is definitely tempted each day to touch it. I think, no, I know, that I would cry if some of my special ornaments broke, so I get very nervous seeing him run in there.

Stockings are hung..

Our advent devotion and candle lighting is something we enjoy doing each night..and that is all that is going to be on our table this year. I know better than to set out my Christmas china at this rowdy stage of Cope's life!

Simms and I (and sometimes Cope) have fun every afternoon counting down the days till Christmas by filling in Santa's beard..cute idea from Sissy..we have/had 25 cotton balls in a cup and glue one on each day..

Christmas cards! I've gotten TWO announcing new babies on the way. What a blessing! I love checking the mail this time of year!

Tree for the playroom. I intended to get a tree for the floor. I opened the box and saw a tree in an urn..guess I should pay attention to the picture on the box (this was the day, however, that I put the box on the sidewalk at the store while I loaded both kids back in the car and drove off without the box..guess I was out of it. Probably a given)

Our elf has been out and about. Some mornings I'm scurrying to move him before Simms and Cope awake and some nights I actually remember and have time to be artistic and fun (if you can call it artistic)

Christmas Fun at Preschool
Simms' preschool had a fun, festive morning! They were supposed to walk to the post office, but due to cold, rainy weather, they rode the Baptist church van and mailed Christmas cards that they made. They were also given a fun tour of the post office and then we all headed to McDonalds for lunch and a birthday party for Jesus! It was so much fun. I LOVE her preschool. I LOVE her teachers. Have I mentioned that before? Probably..anyway, I cannot wait for our card to arrive! Simms will not tell me what it looks like!

Getting off the church van and walking in to the post office

It was a fun morning! This afternoon Whitney and I took 4 little ballerinas to rehearsal for their Christmas show Saturday. They aren't wearing costumes in this show, but Christmas pajamas. It is precious! And we also have a Christmas dinner to attend with lots of sweet friends and NO kids Saturday night, so we are looking forward to that! Be back with more pictures soon!

23 Months

Our sweet Cope is 23 months today. I can't really even process the fact that he will be 2 one month from today. It's a little much for me to take in...here is our handsome boy at 23 months..

He's good looking isn't he? We think so at least..:)

He is becoming way more verbal, which makes me SO, SO happy. Not just because it relieves me, but happy for him too. I know how badly he wants us to understand him..

Naps great..sleeps great. Can't ask for more there!

He and Simms..well, that is just a day by day thing. Some days are good. Most days are not. I pray every morning before they are awake for a peaceful day where they play well and love each other. Don't get me wrong, it isn't constant fighting between them..just pretty much constant. Let's just say Dru and I have been laying down the law a lot more sternly and frequently.. :)

Kisses and Hugs and Cuddles are very frequent from Cope. I cherish each one..

Loves trains, cars, wheels and watching the wheels move..

Loves Dru..

Is nonstop. Full of energy. Fearless..

He has blessed our lives more than I could have EVER, EVER imagined. And here he is one year ago..time goes by so, so fast. He was still my chunky baby this time last year. Now he is my chunky toddler..We love you Bubby!

11 months

Thanksgiving Day & The Iron Bowl

Thanksgiving was wonderful. We spent it at Meme's this year. The food was delicious and I must say that Dru and my Uncle Rick's fried turkey was my favorite part of the meal. We made it a day-long, into-the-evening event, and I am so thankful for the closeness of my family and how much Dru embraces that closeness too. All the family was in attendance minus Miles and Katy who were in Alabama with Katy's family.

These 2 love being together

My sweet boy didn't want to be left out

Lots of time was spent outside on Thanksgiving..it was such a beautiful day!

Sweet Cope went as long as he could before falling asleep. He LOVES his nap.

Our elf, Pixel, made his appearance Thanksgiving night.

Iron Bowl 2011
Well, we all know the outcome of the game by now. So we will just not talk about the score of the game here, but tailgating and visiting with family and friends sure was fun. I am so thankful to be part of a family that LOVES Auburn football and tailgating as much as they do. It makes Saturdays really fun for us! I am not kidding when I say Dru had our alarm set for 6 AM Saturday {yes, that would be 5 Auburn time} but we cooperated {what choice did we have really??} and we were on the Plains tailgating early! I was so excited to meet my niece Emiline for the first time {isn't that crazy?? I haven't been happy about that but circumstances just didn't allow for a visit until this weekend} and she was as precious as all of the pics I see! There is nothing like a sweet, newborn baby! We had a great day in Auburn and win or lose, we are proud to be an Auburn family!

Cope was so happy to see Lilla. He loves saying her name!

And Simms spent last weekend with Lilla, so she talked all week about seeing her again this weekend!

Simms loves Max and Adeline. They had a blast at Tiger Walk!

Simms and Dru made almost all of the home Tiger Walks this season!

So happy Merrill and the Huddlestons came by!

They were so sweet to bring Simms a birthday present..and let's just look at Beth. How good does she look? #3 in 3 years is on his/her way and you can't even tell! Seriously she looks incredible!

Lilla, Max and Simms played "ambulance" during the game in the back of the bus?.?...

Cope enjoyed his 2nd lollipop of his lifetime

And I enjoyed holding, kissing and smelling this sweet baby girl. I know I am not the only one that loves how babies smell???

We had a wonderful time in Auburn!