{izzy's party}

I don't know why it took so long to post these pics....just trying to keep up with the holiday craziness!

We had a really great time, and once again, Elmo was the center of all the fun.

We are so glad that we were able to spend this special day with so many members of our family.

{isabella turns 3}

Isabella was more than a blessing to our family than most of you know.  She came at a time when our family was becoming whole again and her little spirit was a miracle in every definition of the word.  

She was so beautiful and so perfect and we all fell in love with her and the idea of having a baby in this little-old-farmhouse-in-the-woods!

To think that 3 years has come and gone is unbelievable but joyous at the same time.  She continues to warm our home, makes us laugh, and we love spoiling this little girl beyond belief. She loves Elmo (we all know that by now), juice, her nanny (yellow blankie), she loves taking baths with mom, cuddling with dad, waiting for Jaxon to get off the bus, and painting her nails with Olivia.

Who could ever guess how much one little girl would be loved...kisses and kisses to you, Izzy.

We love you more than anything.

{thanksgiving}

We always have a wonderful Thanksgiving here in VA.  The Lakes have now joined the Anderson fam for the last 5 years, so it really is becoming a tradition for us.  The guys always play football in the Turkey Bowl, while us women are home slaving away.  Just kidding....Julia ends up doing most of the work and it is such a pleasure eating this meal in their beautiful home.

Liv made the darling place card holders---Martha Stewart-inspired!

We had a really great day and some delicious food!

And what is a post without a gazillion photos of Izzy?  After all, she is the birthday girl!

Liv and Mckenna

Ashley made 5 delicious pies!

my uber-yummy chocolate chip/cinnamon chip/caramel cookies!

Jax and Cole

Emory, Taylor, McKenna, and Liv

Izzy ate about 9 rolls--no turkey, no potatoes, just rolls!

Jenni and Regan

Brian and Michele

Jennifer and Justin

Jenni's famous 10-layer Jello---to-die-for!

Izzy and I loooved holding Brielle

Sabe took all the kids for a ride in the Gator--Izzy was so proud that her dad was the driver!