All bundled up!

I laughed when Isabella got these for Christmas in TX, knowing that it would be rare that we would need it in Alexandria. I was so excited that it was so cold on parade day that Isabella was able to wear the hat. The mittens were too big, so they would not stay on. She kept the hat on during the whole parade! Thanks Auntie Sara for the hat!

Natchitoches,La-the City of Lights

After ringing the bell, we headed to Natchitoches to see the fireworks and lights on the river. We met up with some of the other couples and their kids and we all watched the fireworks. Isabella loved them and was not afraid of the noise or the lights at all! Mom and dad enjoyed the fireworks to and thought they were some of the best that we had seen!

Picture with Santa

Last year Isabella loved Santa and was not afraid to go to him for a picture. This year, she had a picture made with three different Santas and this was the only Santa that she did not cry with and mama did not have to stay beside her! She took this picture inside the store where we rang the bell.

Bell Ringing Con't...

Isabella loves to talk on the phone and doing it while ringing the bell was no exception! Matt and Nathan worked up an appetite and took a break to eat a corn dog. Notice the pans in both pictures, despite the distractions of food and the phone, they still took donation from people!

Ringing the Salvation Army bell

The second Saturday in December, we rang the bell for the Salvation Army with some of our friends. Isabella loved ringing the bell and seeing all the people. Her friends Matt and Nathan had fun too! This is a tradition Brian and I started four years ago and hope to continue with each year as Isabella gets older!

Christmas Tree Farm

When we moved from MS over Labor Day, we forgot the fake Christmas tree. So we decided to go and cut down a live tree instead. Isabella had fun and so did mom and dad! The tree she is in front of is the tree we cut down and took home.

Cake, Cake, and More Cake!

Gigi (Ashley's mom) made Isabella's first birthday cake! It turned out so cute! Isabella just loved it-how it looked and how it tasted! Moms (Isabella's great grandma) fed it to her and she just kept eating and eating the cake! Isabella told mama that she hoped Gigi would make all of her birthday cakes! Thanks Gigi for the pretty cake!

Our little girl is growing up! It is hard to believe how much older she looks now compared to when these pictures where taken in June!

Flash back to June 2010

Before leaving Cape Girardeau, Mo in early June of 2010, we had Isabella dedicated at Fruitland Community Church and celebrated with Ashley's family. We are blessed to have such loving family to travel up to two days to be there for Isabella's special day. A great time was had by family and friends. The top picture is with the pastor of FCC and the bottom picture is Isabella playing with her cousin Bryson, who is just five months younger than her!