The Most Amazing Two Years

Jennifer, I know you've been waiting up for this emotional post all night. So here it goes, today is Audrey's second birthday. Shannon and I can't believe how these past two years have flown by and changed our lives so much for the better. Audrey has brought so much joy and happiness into our home. Literally every night we lay in bed and think of the cute things she did that day. As we've looked back on pictures of even just last year at this time, we are amazed by how much she's grown. After I married my beautiful bride, I honestly thought my heart was full but with Audrey and our new son I sometimes think my heart will burst with the amount of love I have for my family (cheesy I know, but just like my dad always said "you'll never know how I feel until you have kids of your own"). I wish somehow my words could do some justice for the joy Audrey has brought us, but I don't think they could even scratch the surface of it. Well here's some pictures of Audrey at the Funland and of her with her birthday cake.

It's party time!

Hanging with the email group

It was great to reconnect with our old friends Isa and Macy and Macy's dad Trey.

Potty Trained!

Well Audrey has turned out to be quite the expert in potty training! She started last Thursday and hasn't had an accident since Sunday! Here she is with her potty chart--25 successes earned her a Winnie the Pooh DVD and she earned them all in less than three days. Thanks to Julie for the sticker supply!

Confident with overall Cuteness

These are some of the crazier faces that Audrey has made and I know that I probably shouldn't post them, but I think they are too funny not to share. I'm confident that the other pictures on this site with solidify her overall cuteness so please don't judge on these alone. I'm kind of scared of her on this one at the dinner table.

Kelly the Killer

Okay this one isn't of Audrey, but this pic appeared in the paper last year of Shannon's sister Kelly after a killer third base tag. (She wore her pants pulled up high to look like Johnny Knoxville from The Ringer.)

Washer Woman

This morning I found Audrey had pushed a chair into the laundry room and lifted up the washer lid to see what was going on. Sorry for the lack of updates...we'll post some cruise pics soon.

The Beach

For New Year's, we went to the beach to spend some time with the Bales. They rented a great beach cabin and we watched everyone light fireworks. Audrey did not enjoy being close to the fireworks and preferred to watch them from inside. At one point, she even took a book outside on the deck to read in the lawn chairs. So I guess she's ready for her third cruise next week. Our trip was almost ruined by these two homeless guys(pictured here) who kept coming around the cabin asking for food.

More Christmas

We went to Beaumont this past weekend to celebrate Christmas for the third and fourth time. Audrey is raking in the goodies. She had a great time when we played White Elephant Christmas and emphatically stole a present from Aunt Carol after her present had been stolen.

2nd Christmas, No Festivus miracle this year

Thanks to many of the people who check this blog, Audrey is one spoiled little girl. She gets to have three Christmas celebrations. We've had the Shannon family Christmas here and the Bales family Christmas in Nagodoches with the Edgar family Christmas still remaining in Beaumont. Audrey really likes all of her gifts and is very thankful. If Audrey is ever confused about the real meaning of Christmas, we can attribute that to Uncle Pat as he repeatedly pointed to pictures of Santa and told her it was Jesus. Thanks Pat.
Here is Audrey opening presents with Aunt Sarah and enjoying Pat's new portable DVD player.

Little Miss Piggy

Here is Audrey sporting a pig tattoo she got at Adelyn's party last weekend. The weather has been super warm so she is in her preferred state of naked. When we are out and about she is lifting up her shirt and flashing anyone who looks at her! Audrey had a great time with her aunts Sarah (Sa-wah) and Jennifer (Fur-fur) this weekend.

Making Cookies with Mommy

Going shopping

Christmas tree decorating

Audrey continued her tradition of getting ornaments at all of the places she's traveled. This year she has an Alaska ornament, a Canada ornament, and a Mexico ornament. Check out her cute Christmas shirt! As you can see she is also sporting another busted lip.

New hobby

Josh got a new bike yesterday and they have already been for two rides! She is not a fan of the helmet but really likes riding in the park.

New babysitters

Little A sure is enjoying her new babysitters that live just 30 miles down the road! Here she is modeling her new Christmas dress from Joyce.

Lack of Updates

Sorry about the lack of updates on the blog. Our computer at home isn't working. Hopefully we'll get some good pics at Thanksgiving and soon have a working computer to put them on.

Here comes little brother

Big Fat Lip!

This weekend Audrey slipped in her socks on the hardwood floors and got the fattest lip ever! She couldn't even say "Amen!" after the blessing.

Halloween

Audrey had a much better Halloween this year compared to last. She went to a really fun church carnival. The cowgirl even got to ride a horse. Once we got home and trick or treaters started coming by, Audrey got really excited when the doorbell rang and liked to hand out candy.