Lillie's Artistic Photography

Lillie got a hold of the camera one day and I thought the pictures were just too cute not to post. They are actually pretty good.

Jaynie, Whit and I were doing yoga and for obvious reasons these were the only ones I chose to post of that portion of her photo shoot.

I really think she may have a talent. I love the ones she took of her animals. Seriously so cute.

Snow Spa Day

We had a lot of snow this year and of course if there is any snow the girls get to miss school. On one of the days we decided to have a spa day. We had Jane come over and we did a little bit of yoga, followed by soaking our feet in the jetted tub, then a wonderful foot massage and pedicure. The girls even gave me a little foot rub since I had worked so hard. It was a fun day.

Valentine's Day

I have been so excited to post about Valentines Day because of the love buckets I made the girls this year. They turned out so cute and they really were quite easy. The girls loved them. I didn't do it this year (because they weren't finished in time), but a friend gave me the cute idea of getting them out the Monday before Valentines day and letting them fill them with reasons why they love that person throughout the week. I thought that would be a good way to celebrate the love we have in our family.

The day before Valentine's day I spent the day getting certified to teach yoga in Raleigh and on our way home my friend and I saw this little cupcake shop and decided cupcakes would be cute to wake up to on Valentine's Day so we stopped and picked some up. They were so cute and came in such a cute box.

I love Valentine's Day and all that it represents. It is good to have a day to reflect on the love that we have in our lives.

Whit turns 32

I know I have been a blog slacker, but as I get caught up maybe you will understand why. Let's just say it has been a pretty crazy few months for the Gifford family. A lot has happened and I promise to be better now that things have settled down a little.

Whitney turned 32 on February 3rd. He had a pretty low key birthday. I always want to make it fun and exciting, but it never really pans out. Luckily I think Whit is happy just celebrating with his little family. I may not throw a great party, but I do make him a yummy cake. Happy Birthday Whit. The girls and I love you and are grateful everyday that we have you. We hope this year brings great blessings to your life.

Lillie's Special Recognition

Lillie's kindergarten year started out a little rocky. She came home with yellow sticks more often than green sticks and then lied to me about it. I thought we were really in for it with Lillie and school, but after some serious heart to hearts that first month she has not had a single stick turn since. Come to find out she is one of the best behaved in the class and in turn her teacher awarded her with a certificate of Special Recognition for being respectful. I am so proud of her, she has really become a great student.

Addie's first hair cut

I have put off cutting Addie's hair for quite a while because of her beautiful curls, but after struggling to get the fuzz out of her hair for the third time I decided it had to be done. It was time for the super fine baby hair to be gone. I think it turned out so cute and she still has curl-Yeah!!!

Jaynie makes brownies

Although it makes me incredibly sad to have my kids grow up I must say it is kind of nice to have someone else to make the Family Home Evening treats. Jaynie wanted to bake something and I didn't have time to help her so I thought of the easiest recipe I could and turned it completely over to her. She even had to half the recipe. I was so proud of her. She made them all by herself. Now if I can just get her to cook dinner too.

Hello and Goodbye to Cousin Kyle

Whit's nephew Kyle has been serving a mission for our Church in Washington D.C. for the past two years and of course for the past two years we have wanted to get up there and see him, but it never worked out. Since D.C. is a lot closer for us than Arizona and Brent was coming into town to do a little touring with Kyle before he left we decided to make a quick trip up there. When I say quick I mean quick. We left Saturday morning and came home Sunday afternoon. It was a fun trip though. As soon as we got into D.C. we met Kyle and Brent at a TGIFriday's and ate dinner with a recent convert that Kyle taught. It was great to sit and chat and hear about Kyle's experiences on his mission. After dinner we went to my cousin Kristen's house to spend the night. Kristen and Scott were so gracious to let us stay at the house especially considering it was such short notice and they already had Scott's sister staying with them. We stayed up late talking and then went to bed. The next morning we went to Sacrament meeting with Kyle and Brent at the Mt. Vernon building which overlooks the Potomac River. It was beautiful. I wish it wouldn't have been so cold and we could have walked around. Then we said our goodbyes and headed back to Kristen and Scott's and ate the yummiest chili that they had made for us. It was so fun to hang out with them. After lunch it was time to head home. The girls did awesome in the car, especially considering we didn't have our DVD player with us. I have such good kids.

Happy New Years

Our friends Marcia and Christian and their two girls were in town for New Years. It was so good to see them. We miss them dearly. When they were here it was just like they had never left. On New Years Eve we all got together to celebrate. We have started a tradition to celebrate the New Year with the kids at 8:00 p.m. and then put them to bed. That way the kids don't miss the fun of ringing in the New Year, but still get to bed at a decent hour. We made noise makers and drank sparkling cider and watched the 2008 ball drop on Youtube. We figured the year didn't matter the same ball drops every year anyway.

I ran the Tanglewood Running of the Lights at midnight again this year. Whit didn't run it this year with me and I decided I don't ever want to do it without him again. I missed him. He stayed home to get rested up for his 100k bike race at 8:00 a.m. This year our friend Shebnum and Barak joined in the festivities. Barak and Christian ran it and us ladies ran a little, but mostly walked and laughed our way through. We had a great time. But I do have to say it is hard to walk a race that you know you can run. My body just kept wanting to take off. It probably had something to do with wanting to stay warm.

Afterwards we wanted somewhere to go and hang out and believe it or not the only place open was Waffle House. So we went inside. Yes Dad I have finally eaten at a Waffle House. It was quite the experience. Nothing like greasy food at 2 a.m. to ring in the New Year.

On New Years Day Whit got up early for his race. He did awesome and finished with the top riders. Later in the day we took the girls to try out their new skates that they got for Christmas. We went to Skate Haven and the girls had a ball. Even Whit and I put on some skates. It was just like the good old days at R Skating.

Chirstmas 2009

We had a great Christmas this year. I love Christmas so much. It is such a fun time to be together as a family. I always try really hard to make it special for my girls. I want to give my girls the kind of Christmas that I remember growing up. Unfortunately, the things that made my Christmas' so great were things like getting together with my cousins at Grandma and Grandpa's house and with out fail every Christmas Eve I tend to dwell on what my girls are missing out on. I really tried to be happy and upbeat this year, I don't want my girls to remember their mom crying every Christmas Eve, but my emotions did get the best of me for a little while. I was making Whit clean the house (I like to clean my emotions away) and once we finally got everything cleaned and picked up we looked at the clock and realized it was getting late. Too late to start the homemade pizza crust that I was planning on. Whit merely suggested that we go somewhere so that the house could stay clean and that was it. I broke down. I started crying and said, "Of course I want to go somewhere. I want to go to my mom's house. I want to go home." Whit let me cry it out for about 10 minutes and then I pulled it together and didn't cry again. Christmas with my little family is pretty special and as long as we have each other Christmas in North Carolina is pretty O.K.

We opted for take out pizza, that way we could still have our candle light pizza dinner on our finest China. Whit went and picked up the pizza and when he returned his favorite girls were all dressed up.

The girls in their Christmas pajamas.


Even Whit and I got matching PJ's this year. By the way it takes a real man to wear polka dots.


Lining up Christmas morning.


Lillie's Stash


Jaynie's Stash


Eliza's Stash


Adeline's Stash

The girls in the Tutu's that Aunt Shaunna made

Check out this hopscotch that my sister-in-law Starla made. Have you ever seen anything so cute in all your life. The girls love it!!!

I made the girls snuggies this year and thanks to Uncle Ryan, Mom and Dad each have one too. If you haven't tried a snuggie you don't know what you are missing. Next time you are sitting on the couch with a blanket eating your popcorn and your arms are cold, just remember you don't have to suffer. Get a snuggie.

Thanks to everyone for all the wonderful gifts and goodies that we got this year. We were truly blessed.