The Cole Chronicles

Reflections of 2011

2012-01-01T22:48:00.001-06:00

In 2009, I was inspired by a friend to record memories from each month so we would be able to reflect upon that year in the years to come. I somehow missed capturing 2010, but I'm not letting 2011 slip by me. 2011 was an eventful year!! Baby showers, trips to the beach, 5 years of marriage, and we became PARENTS!!! Wow!! So thankful we have so many memories to cherish, and even more grateful for the many blessings our Father has bestowed upon us. "You are good, and what you do is good."

January: We had a HUGE snow in Oxford, as in we could barely get out of our neighborhood it was so thick! Of course, Kyle gathered all the students we knew in town to go sledding. At the end of the month, we hosted a Gender Reveal Party and announced that we were having a BOY!!

Oh, and we also went to a Huey Lewis concert. Good times!

February: This month was kind of slow, but there was definitely a highlight. My sweet friends from home (Brandon) hosted my first baby shower. A very special time and surreal moment. I also officially became an adult by hosting Bunco!

March: My dear friends and co-workers in Oxford hosted a baby shower for me. It was a wonderful time celebrating with family, friends, and college students. So much excitement over our baby boy! Kyle and I took a trip to Aruba at the end of March in celebration of our 5th Anniversary! We thoroughly enjoyed getting away, and of course relaxing on the beautiful beach!

April: Lots of baby showers! Our friends in Memphis hosted a couples shower for us. What a fun night! We celebrated Easter at the beach with my family. It was a bit chilly, but we still soaked up the sun.

May: Kyle and I celebrated 5 YEARS together on May 6th! Amazing how fast those years went by! So many memories made and so thankful for the time we have spent together! I'm extremely grateful for my better half, and he truly is the better half! We also anxiously awaited the arrival of our baby boy. Yes, I was counting down the days!

June: June 3, 2011...a day I will never forget! At 10:14 AM Hardy James Cole arrived weighing 8 pounds and 2 ounces and I was instantly in love with every single ounce! We spent the entire month showering him with love and taking thousands of pictures. It was complete bliss! Kyle celebrated his first Father's Day too!

July: We took our first road trip with Hardy. We spent one night with my parents in Brandon, and then drove to Blue Mountain Beach to spend a week with Kyle's family. Hardy was a great passenger as he slept most of the trip. Kyle celebrated his 30th Birthday on July 21st. I threw a surprise party for him at The Shak with friends and family! I spent a week in Brandon near the end of the month and Hardy got to meet my Granny, lots of Aunts, and many of my dear friends!

August: This month was busy! It began with Carmen Rae and Ian's wedding, and I had the honor of being a bridesmaid! A beautiful ceremony and beautiful people! Hardy got to meet some very special people this month. Kyle and I made a quick trip over to Atlanta, and Hardy met my former disciple and sweet friend Sarah Murphy. Hardy also met my best friend since childhood, Katie, when she made a day visit to Oxford. We ended the month with a visit to Louisville to see my sister and her family.

September: Football season began and Hardy quickly became a Rebel. He went to 5 of the 7 games this season. I'd say that is pretty darn good! The staff girls hosted our 3rd Annual Progressive Dinner and once again it was a success. Hardy was dedicated at Grace Bible on September 24th and both of our families came to celebrate with us.

October: Wow! Another busy month! Hardy and I went to the beach one last time with all my family before the condo sold. Good times, but sad to say goodbye. Kyle was the best man in Thomas Wiggin's wedding. The only other wedding we have ever attended in the Grove! Very special and Kelly is perfect for him! We also took pictures in the pumpkin patch (something I have always wanted to do) and last but not least, the Cardinals won the World Series!!! Oh, and Hardy was a Landshark for Halloween...cutest shark I've ever seen!

November: I spent a lot of time in Brandon this month. I went home the first weekend to attend Mistletoe Marketplace with my Mom. This has been a tradition of ours since I was in grade school and one of my favorite events during the holiday season! We spent Thanksgiving with my family. That happens to be our Fall Break with Ole Miss, and Kyle had to attend a conference in Orlando. Hardy and I spent the entire week in Brandon, and then Kyle joined us for Thanksgiving weekend. I LOVED all the time I was able to spend with my parents, my sister, and my niece and nephews--and my best friends from college stopped by for a quick visit and Valerie announced she was pregnant!!

December: Hardy celebrated his 1/2 birthday! I cannot believe my precious baby boy is already 6 months! The time is flying by, and I am falling more in love with him each and every day! His personality is starting to come out, and we find ourselves laughing at him all the time. This was also Hardy's First Christmas. We spent a few days celebrating in Brandon with my family, and then we spent Christmas in Germantown.

What a year! There were certainly some rough moments in 2010 where I wondered if the sun was going to shine again, and what joy the Lord brought us in 2011! My heart had longed for a child, and the Lord blessed me with the desire of my heart by giving me Hardy James Cole. It has only been six months and my heart is overflowing with love for him. I am so thankful that the Lord chose me to be his Mommy, and I look forward to all the memories Kyle and I will share with him in the years to come! Here's to 2012!

Ringing in the New Year

2012-01-01T20:04:00.000-06:00

We spent New Year's Eve with two couples that have become great friends of ours, the Reeds and the Richardsons. We actually got to enjoy dinner together at the new Boure without any kiddos! It was such a fun time having adult conversation without any interruptions. We then rung in the new year at home watching the ball drop while Hardy was sound asleep! HAPPY NEW YEAR to ALL!!!

And there is more...

2011-12-29T21:24:00.005-06:00

As if I have not posted enough pictures from Christmas, here are a few more I wanted to share with you from this past month. So much of Hardy's personality showed up this month, and it seemed like every day I was running to get the camera to snap another picture to capture the moment. As you will see, our little man plays hard and sleeps hard! What a fun month with Hardy!

Hardy's first Christmas tree

All Smiles

Scrub a dub dub!

Lights Out

Staff Lunch at Proud Larry's...

tired little man

Baby, it's cold outside!

CC gave him these penguin mittens...

he loves to stare at them.

Our Little Snowman

Sweet Dreams

Peek-a-boo with Papaw and CC

Happy Hardy

Waiting on Mommy to

finish cooking

First time to eat sweet potatoes

I think he likes them :)

Sitting up in the tub

May be my favorite picture

of Hardy from the holiday season

Please, no more pictures!

Snuggled up with Bobo

Play time at Bull and Peggie's

Waiting on breakfast

Trying out his rocker for the first time

So very happy

Hardy's FIRST Christmas

2011-12-27T10:37:00.008-06:00

Hardy's first Christmas was an absolute delight! We started the day by seeing what Santa brought and opening gifts from CC and Papaw. Funny story about Santa...as Mr. Dane was catching the moment on video, I accidentally said, "and look at this toy we got you." Kyle shouted, "Rookie!" Guess you could say I'm new at this! Hardy enjoyed ripping the paper off the gifts, and then it would go straight to his mouth. It was fun to watch him with his new toys. You can already tell which ones are going to be his favorites. After opening presents, we went to Bull and Peggie's for lunch and more gifts! We spent the evening relaxing and enjoying time as a family. What a wonderful Christmas! It was certainly more than I could have asked for or imagined!

Christmas morning...waiting to

see what Santa brought Hardy!

Taking it all in

Hardy may already have this figured

out...it looks like he is saying, "thanks Mommy."

Fascinated with his baseball toy

"What you got in that stocking?!?"

Ready to take a spin on the wheel

"Whoa...too many toys."

Merry Christmas!

Opening presents from CC and Papaw

"I love Christmas!"

"Did you get this for ME?!?"

Hardy playing with all his new toys

Kisses from CC

Hugs from Peggie

Alexis, Kyle, and Whitney

with Peggie and Bull

Alexis, Me, Kyle, Hardy, and Whitney

with Peggie and Bull

Playing with Papaw

Apparently, Peggie bought a giant roll of poinsetta

wrapping paper that was used for years.

Aunt Cathy found some again!

Bull kept asking for us to give him a

piggy bank for Hardy. We found

the perfect one!

Peggie giving Hardy his first Christmas check!

Gonna have to teach Hardy that this

deserves a big smile!

Long day

Laughing at Papaw

First Christmas was a win for Hardy!

Ho! Ho! Ho!

Merry Christmas!!!

The Night Before Christmas

2011-12-26T21:14:00.001-06:00

After spending a few days in Brandon with my family, we packed up the car and headed north to Memphis for the holidays! Kyle and I were were listening to Hardy jabber in the back of the car on the way, and I began to tear up. There were moments that I never thought this day would come, and here we were driving to Memphis to celebrate Christmas with our sweet baby boy. It was such a sweet moment for me! Since it was Hardy's first Christmas, we took a thousand pictures (literally)! I tried to pick out my favorites, but it is so hard. We spent Christmas Eve at Kyle's grandmother's house for lunch, went to the Christmas Eve service at church, and ended the day at the Hosea's house for dinner. It was a wonderful day spent with family and friends!

Playing with Daddy

Checking out Daddy's hat..."when you gonna

take me to the Masters?"

Oh what fun...

Hardy loved playing with

these big ornaments!

Those eyes staring at me just melt my heart!

Mamaw and Hardy

Alexis, Kyle, Hardy, Mamaw, and Whitney

CC and Hardy

Elizabeth, Me, Hardy, and Whitney

Whitney, Alexis, and Elizabeth

CC and Papaw...CC got all of us plaid

pajamas to match Hardy's.

Somehow Mr. Dane ended up

with the most presents!

Calendars! We do these every year,

but this year was just pictures of Hardy.

They were a big hit!

We also got the Coles a digital picture frame

filled with pictures of Hardy. I think they liked it! :)

Santa came to visit Hardy!

Snuggled up waiting for Christmas!

Who Wants a Cookie?

2011-12-23T21:07:00.000-06:00

Just call me Susie Homemaker! My mother-in-love and I got busy in the kitchen today, and had so much fun making Christmas cookies. She made some beautiful christmas cherries from the Pioneer Woman. I made these candy cane blossoms that I saw on Pinterest. What did we do before Pinterest??? Together we made the cute reindeer cookies for Hardy to put out for Santa. Making all these cookies sure did put us in the Christmas spirit! I enjoyed two candy cane blossoms tonight with a glass of milk and it was the perfect ending to a wonderful day!

Getting Christmas Crafty

2011-12-22T14:03:00.000-06:00

As you can tell, I'm obsessed with Hardy's little feet! How cute is this Christmas tree made with your little one's feet?!? It took us about 7 tries to get good prints of his feet, and we kept having to wipe the paint off and apply another coat. It was a little crazy with a busy a 6 1/2 month old, but I know I will always treasure this sweet Christmas tree!

Hardy's 1st Christmas in Brandon

2011-12-21T10:52:00.019-06:00

Kyle, Hardy, and I went to Brandon for a few days to celebrate Christmas with my family. It was a whirlwind of trip, but I am so thankful I got to spend a few days with my family during this holiday season. It was quite a treat to see the excitement on my niece and nephews faces as they opened their presents! Hardy was rather intrigued with his gifts too! We also enjoyed time at the park, having nerf wars, making Christmas crafts, and just staying up late visiting with each other! What a great trip and I am so grateful to the Lord for the family he has given to me!

Poppa snuggled up with Hardy and Madden

Our little fashion queen Molly Kate

Hardy sleeping on his tummy...

how sweet are those feet!

Well, hello Mommy

Can you tell who the kids love?

Nana and Hardy

Poppa and Nana with Hardy

Poppa, Nana, Hardy, Miles, Molly Kate, Mikias

Mom and Dad with their girls and grandkids

Kyle, Me, and Hardy

Kyle helping Molly Kate unwrap her present

A princess piggy bank...all smiles from MK

Mikias was excited about his too!

Miles and his football piggy bank

Madden dancing to his wheels on the bus toy

Hardy opening his first present

Christmas pajamas!

Hat and gloves for Hardy...Molly Kate was as excited

about Hardy's gift as he was!

Having fun opening presents...

Hardy loved the bows!

Aunt Laura helping Hardy play with his toys

"Nana I don't want a bow around my neck."

"Nevermind, I kind of like this bow."

"What a great idea Nana. This bow is so fun!"

Baby Einstein On The Go DVD...

Mommy is happy!

My First Christmas ornament from Nana

This is my favorite picture! So SWEET!

Daddy and Hardy

Molly Kate and Miles teaching Hardy

how to hit the balls

Mikias, Miles, and Mr. Potato Head

Hardy watching a movie with Mikias and Molly Kate

Madden really enjoyed his cupcake from Gigi's

Aunt Laura snuggling with Hardy

Mikias, Molly Kate, Miles, and Madden

Mikias, Hardy, Molly Kate, Miles, and Madden

Somebody did not want to take a picture!

Mikias and Hardy

Everybody is melting down!

Making Hardy's handprint ornament

Poppa and Hardy

A Sip 'n See for Whitten

2011-12-17T21:45:00.003-06:00

My friend Shannon and I hosted a Sip 'n See for our sweet friend Corrie whose baby boy Whitten was born in November. Corrie and her husband chose not to find out the gender with both of their children. They have a little girl Audrey, so when Whitten was born we had to have a shower so she could have some boy things! Shannon and I decided a sip 'n see would be perfect. We served heavy hor dourves alongside mulled wine for those who wanted to "sip"! Whitten is a precious baby boy, and I just know he and Hardy are going to be big buddies one day!

Shannon, Corrie, and Me

Corrie and Whitten

Mimi, Carmen Rae, and Katie

Carmen Rae, Corrie, Whitten, and Me

Cute Whitten...love those cheeks!

Mrs. Susie and Audrey

Corrie and her family

Ho Ho Ho

2011-12-16T23:13:00.001-06:00

Hardy had his picture made with Santa, and I was so pleased with how cute they turned out! Next year will probably be a different story, but this year he really enjoyed sitting in Santa's lap. Kyle's parents and I took him to Peas and Carrots, and he gave Santa the best smiles and laughs. Hardy even nestled his head up against Santa's face. I think he was letting him know that he has been a good boy this year!

118 Pictures Later...

2011-12-14T12:39:00.000-06:00

Yes, you read that correctly! It took us 118 pictures to get just ONE for our Christmas card! It is almost impossible to get a baby to smile, a dog to look at the camera, and you and your husband not look like you have two chins! This is why we actually had to take pictures twice! The first time school was still in and every time a person walked by the Lyceum, Emmy got up to greet them. Cars also kept driving by and that was a major distraction for Hardy. I am sure some of you can relate to how challenging it is to get a good picture and you probably have some funny stories too! It is all worth it though when you open the mailbox to see it full of Christmas cards from friends and family all over the states! It is one of my favorite things about Christmas! Hope you enjoy these extra photos of our family!

Merry Christmas from The Coles

2011-12-12T21:20:00.001-06:00

My sweet friend Sheri Lee at Pervenche Press is so very generous to us and our ministry! She is the owner and operator of this beautiful stationary company. Each year she gladly prints our Christmas card at no expense to us! We are so thankful that we can spread a little Christmas cheer through her giving. If you would like to check out her business, you can click here. Also, if you would like to read about how you can give to our ministry, click here to read her heart behind giving to us. Merry Christmas to All!

Chicken Enchilada Pasta

2011-12-07T10:42:00.001-06:00

When I first saw this picture on pinterest, it looked good but kind of questionable. The words enchilada and pasta did not really go together to me. Boy, was I wrong! This dish is absolutely incredible! My sister made it while I was visiting over Thanksgiving, and as soon as I got home I had to have it again! It is the best combination of flavor! As the blogger I found this recipe from said, "RUN…don’t walk…to the grocery store to pick up the ingredients for this yumminess as SOON as you can!!"

CHICKEN ENCHILADA PASTA

Ingredients:

2-3 chicken breasts, cooked & shredded {or shredded rotisserie chicken…I used the breasts}

2 tbsp. olive oil

2 garlic cloves, minced

1 medium onion, diced {or minced onion flakes}

1 red pepper, diced

1 {4 oz.} can diced green chiles

1/2 tsp. salt

2 tsp. chili powder

1 tsp. cumin

2 {10 oz.} cans green chili enchilada sauce

2/3 cups red enchilada sauce

2 cups shredded cheese {I used colby & monterrey jack}

1 cup sour cream

Penne pasta

Optional toppings:

Avocado

Green Onion

Tomatoes

Sour Cream

Directions:

Cook chicken, drain, and shred {or shred your rotisserie}. Meanwhile boil pasta according to package and chop the veggies.

Heat the olive oil in a deep skillet and cook onions for about 3-5 minutes. Add garlic & red pepper and cook for another 3-5 minutes.

Add cooked chicken, green chiles, cumin, chili powder, salt, & enchilada sauces. Let sauce simmer for about 8-10 minutes.

Add cheese and stir until the cheese is melted and heated through. Now toss in the sour cream, but whatever you do, DO NOT bring to a boil! Cook on low heat or the sour cream will curdle. Stir until sour cream is well mixed and heated through.

Drain pasta & return to pot. Pour sauce over pasta and mix well. Serve and garnish with avocado, tomato, green onion, and a dollop of sour cream.

"The absolute YUMMIEST thing I’ve put in my mouth. Hands down.

It was like a symphony of flavors in my mouth, y’all. DANG GOOD!!!"

A First for All

2011-12-05T23:17:00.002-06:00

Kyle and I both grew up with fake Christmas trees, so when we got married we naturally bought a fake tree. This year when we were putting up the tree, there were several branches with the lights out. Agh!! This is the not so fun part of having a fake tree. When we started to unwrap the branches, all the lights were tied together like an octopus. I looked at Kyle and told him we had two options...buy a new fake tree or buy a real one. A few hours later we walked out of Home Depot with our first REAL tree!! Thankfully it has not bothered our allergies, and it is such a beauty! Our house smells like Christmas, and Hardy is enjoying his first Christmas tree too!

Hardy's Half Birthday

2011-12-03T22:27:00.001-06:00

6 Month Stats

Weight: 16 lbs. 3 oz.

Height: 27 1/4 inches

Diaper Size: Size 2 (almost 3)

Clothes Size: Size 6 to 12 months,

9 months in footed pajamas

What Hardy Likes: Hardy loves his grandparents.

Kyle and I are both so blessed to have such

wonderful parents who adore our precious son.

Hardy will give them the best smiles and laughs!

Poppa and Pappaw can make Hardy just light up!

What Hardy Dislikes: Staying up past his

bedtime. When it is 8 o'clock,

he is ready to go to bed.

Best Moment of the Month: Hardy's 1/2 Birthday

party! We got a cake to celebrate, and Hardy

dug his hand into the icing. Don't worry, I wiped

his hands off before he had a chance to lick them.

6 Month Highlights:

Now that you have learned how to roll over, you

started sleeping on your side this month. We were visiting

Nana and Poppa's house for Thanksgiving and when I

went in to feed you, you were sound asleep on your side.

It is so precious!

You started playing in your exersaucer this month.

I would not say that you love it yet, but you are

exploring and once you can pull down on the

animals I think you will really enjoy it.

You started eating rice cereal this month,

and you have it every morning. It's

so cute when you smack your lips

as you are eating it.

You now recognize your name. When we

say Hardy you will turn your head to us.

You have suddenly become ticklish.

I can tickle you under your neck

or at the top of your legs, and you

will give the biggest chuckle.

You love to look at yourself in the

mirror now. Every morning once I wake

you up, before we get your bottle we

stop at the mirror in the dining room.

You always smile real big when you

first see yourself.

You are definitely showing more emotion

and your personality and sense of humor

are starting to come out. You laugh so much

more, but you also let us know when you are

bored or upset.

I still occasionally catch you staring at your hands,

but they are quickly becoming more busy.

You are exploring with them, and you will

rake objects to yourself that are in reach.

You love to rub your hands across objects

that are soft and furry.

You are becoming more attached to me,

and it makes my heart feel so good.

You will lift your arms up when you want

to be picked up, and you reach out to touch

my face when I feed you and when I sing to

you before bed. It is adorable!

My Sweet Little Boy,

You are 6 months!! I cannot believe how fast you are growing up. It seems like just yesterday that we were riding home from Tupelo with you, and bringing you into our home for the first time. Now, there are diapers, toys, burp cloths, bibs, and little tiny socks scattered from one end of our home to another! And I love it!! You have brought an incredible amount of joy to our lives, and we are having so much fun with you as our son. When your daddy and I go to bed at night, we always talk about you and how much we love you. You have captured our hearts, and we just love you to pieces! I am trying so hard to store away as many of these precious moments with you, because I know you will only be little once, and you are growing so fast! As we approach Christmas, and begin to ponder upon our Savior's birth, I hope and pray that one day you will know Him and love Him. I love you so much sweet Hardy, and I look forward to the next 6 months!

2nd Annual Tacky Christmas

2011-12-01T22:27:00.000-06:00

One of our co-workers with Crusade, Nick, host a Tacky Christmas Party for the staff and students every year. This year he went to extreme measures and even wrapped his house! He let all of us know there was a surprise for when we arrived. I would have never guessed! In case you were wondering, you can wrap your house too! It just takes a lot of time, and you better hope it does not rain! It was a fun night of fellowship, and Hardy enjoyed meeting Santa!

Santa (Nick) and Hardy

Checking out Santa...

yes, his beard is real!

Our Family

Kailey, Hardy, and Bill

Mary (Sarah) and Santa

Ben and Nick

Staff Team: Baldwin, Kyle, Nick, Martin, Bill, and Ian

Graham, Hardy, Me, Christie, Lauren, and Carmen Rae

Kyle, Hardy, and Me

Hardy with the ladies

Interns: Martin, Christie, Nick, Lauren, and Bill

New Staff & Interns:

Martin, Christie, Nick, Lauren, Carmen Rae,

Ian, and Bill

Baked Brie with Pecans

2011-11-29T23:18:00.000-06:00

This is an incredibly easy appetizer from Martha Stewart! It not only looks pretty, but it is also delicious! I have now made it twice this holiday season. It is a great appetizer if you need to take something to a party...quick, pretty, and tasty!

Baked Brie with Pecans

Ingredients:

1 small wheel of Brie or Camembert (about 9 ounces)

1/2 cup pecan pieces

3 tablespoons light-brown sugar

3 tablespoons pure maple syrup

crackers or sliced baguette, for serving

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place cheese on a rimmed baking sheet; bake until softened, 15 to 20 minutes. Transfer to a serving plate; cool about 20 minutes.

While cheese cools, place nuts on a clean baking sheet; bake until toasted and fragrant, 7 to 10 minutes. Sprinkle nuts over cheese.

In a small saucepan, combine sugar and maple syrup. Bring to a boil over medium heat; simmer until foamy, 1 to 2 minutes. Drizzle warm sauce over slightly cooled cheese and nuts; serve with crackers or baguette.

Lots to Give Thanks For...

2011-11-26T09:00:00.001-06:00

I got to spend the entire week of Thanksgiving with my family in Brandon, and it was an incredible blessing. My sister and her family are in the processing of moving from Kentucky to Georgia and are temporarily living with my parents. Needless to say, we had a packed house! I am so thankful for my family, and especially grateful that my sister is moving a little closer. It was so fun to be with them, and to see all the kids interact with Hardy. I can already tell that Madden and Hardy are going to be big buddies! Last year, I was extremely grateful for the little baby in my belly, and this year I rejoiced with thanksgiving as I got to hold Hardy during our family dinner. We have so much to give thanks for this year...our family, friends, supporters of our ministry, and the list could go on and on, but this year we give thanks to the Lord for our precious son Hardy! We have been blessed beyond measure!

A dip in the pool with Poppa

Loving the bubble bath

Hardy and Molly Kate

Hardy even has the big kids

watching Baby Einstein

First time Hard slept on his side

Daddy and Hardy

Our Family

The Cuthbertsons

Madden, Miles, Mikias, Hardy, and Molly Kate

Baked Brie...recipe to come

Spinach & Artichoke Dip

My mother, Laura, and I had a

fun time decorating the table

Even Hardy had a place card :)

What a meal!

Molly Kate and Mary Elise

This moment will be forever engraved in my mind...

these are my dearest friends from college (minus Kerri).

It is rare that we all get together these days,

but we happen to all be close for Thanksgiving so

we scheduled a quick get together. As we are posing

for a photo, nobody wanted to be on the end.

I finally gave in, and said to Valerie, "well you didn't

just have a baby." She followed with, "no but I'm eight weeks

pregnant!" All three of our chins dropped, followed by

tears of joy and laughter! My sister just happened to

catch it all on camera! What a special moment! Baby

Bailey is due in July! We are so happy for Valerie and Kevin!

Totally Shocked!

Hayley, Jennifer, Valerie, Me

Garland, Charlie, Hayley, Mary Elise, Jennifer,

Valerie, Me, and Hardy

Nana playing the piano

with Madden and Hardy

Laura and I could not resist

buying these Santa diapers...

after standing in line at Toys 'R Us

for over an hour you make some

impulse buys.

Little Santa

Madden and Hardy

Madden, Molly Kate, and Hardy

Miles and Mikias

Hardy Lately

2011-11-18T22:28:00.004-06:00

It truly is amazing how much a baby changes in a months time. Hardy is growing up too fast, and doing new stuff every day! As I was looking back at his newborn pictures the other day, I was stunned at how much he has changed and grown in just 5 months. I wish he could stay a baby forever, but I love how more of his personality is coming out. Those sweet smiles he gives me every day are worth a million. Hope you enjoy these pictures of our little guy!

Hanging with Daddy

Love my frog mat from Aunt NayNay

Trick or Treat

Watching the Cardinals

Going for a ride

Lovin on Emmy

Firs time in an exersaucer

Happy Fall

Feels good to the toothies

Sweet baby Hardy

Mommy and Hardy

Aunt Katie came to visit Hardy

Watching Baby Noah

Relaxin in the bathtub

Hardy's favorite chew toy

My two favorite boys

Workin the pout

hello everyone

You Win Some, You Lose Most

2011-11-14T21:49:00.003-06:00

While it was exciting for this football season to be Hardy's first, it certainly was disappointing that it was the worst football season in Ole Miss history. Not a good year to be a Rebel. The good thing is that Hardy is so young that he won't remember it! Whew! Judging by these pictures, he seems to still be happy to be an Ole Miss Rebel!

CC, Hardy, and Aunt NayNay

Bull, Hardy, and Peggie

CC and Hardy

Carmen Rae and Hardy

Christie and Hardy

Chelsea and Hardy

Big Hardy and Lil Hardy

Valerie, Hardy, Me, and Taylor

Valerie and Hardy

Mrs. Kim and Hardy

Jennifer, Mary Elise, Me, and Hardy

Christie and Hardy

Peggie, Kyle, and Hardy

Mr. Dane and Hardy

Hayley and Hardy

Hayley, Hardy, and Charlie

Katie, Hardy, Mrs. Kim, and Mr. Trip

Ellen, Etta Catherine, Me, and Hardy

Fall with Hardy

2011-11-08T14:25:00.000-06:00

We had a gorgeous Fall in Oxford this year! One weekend I went with some friends out to Taylor for the Harvest Festival. The trees were the most beautiful red I have ever seen! Kyle and I went back with Hardy the following week to take some family pictures and the leaves were already gone. We still snapped a few photos and let Hardy play in the leaves for a minute! As you can see, more and more of his personality is starting to show. Thankfully, he likes the camera and will gives us a big grin!

S'more Bites

2011-11-05T20:56:00.001-05:00

If you are craving a s'more, yet do not feel like building a fire and toasting marshmallows, then this is the perfect dessert for you! After Kyle took one bite, he said, "this is the best dessert you have ever made!" That is saying a lot, because I love to bake. The directions look rather detailed, but these tasty treats are very easy to make. Just make sure you allow enough time for them to cool and set. I can guarantee you won't be eating just one of these little bites!

Ingredients:

7 whole graham crackers (1 cup finely crushed)

1/4 cup powdered sugar

6 tablespoons butter, melted

4 bars (1.55 oz each) milk chocolate candy, divided

12 large marshmallows

Directions:

Cut marshmallows in half crosswise using shears dipped in cold water. Place one marshmallow half, cut-side down, into each cup. Return to oven 1-2 minutes or until marshmallows are slightly softened. Remove pans from oven to cooling rack; cool 15 minutes. Carefully remove cups from pan. Cool completely.
Break remaining candy bars and place in small microwavable bowl. Microwave on high 1 to 1 1/2 minutes or until melted and smooth, stirring every 20 seconds. Dip the top of each marshmallow in melted chocolate. Turn top-side up and let stand 40 to 60 minutes or until set. Makes 24 cups

Note: Store the cups in a single layer in an airtight container for up to 1 week. Freezing is not recommended.
For a richer chocolate flavor, substitute dark chocolate candy bars for the milk chocolate.

5 MONTHS

2011-11-03T22:13:00.005-05:00

5 Month Stats

Weight: 15 lbs. 2 oz.

Height: 26 3/4 inches

Diaper Size: Size 2

Clothes Size: Size 3 to 6 months

What Hardy Likes: Baby Einstein videos, especially

Baby Noah. I think Hardy is going to have a love

for animals just like his parents. It is funny though

because he loves the fake animals, but as

soon as the real ones come on he screams.

What Hardy Dislikes: Hardy does not like being

left in a room by himself and he will be sure

to let you know it. He has become very

aware of when you come and go.

Best Moment of the Month: Hardy's first Halloween!

What a treat! He was the cutest landshark I've ever seen!

5 Month Highlights:

You have finally rolled over!! YAY!! On October 18th, you rolled

from your tummy to your back. I was making the bed, and I looked

over and there you were laying on your back! On October 26th,

you rolled from your back to your tummy when you were

playing on your activity mat. I actually caught it on video,

and you were so proud of yourself!

You love your feet, and you finally figured out

how to put them in your mouth. I find you sucking

on those toes all the time!

If anything is in arm's reach, you will reach for it

and pick it up. First you inspect it, and then it

instantly goes in your mouth...even Emmy's tail.

Speaking of Emmy, you have become

much more aware of her. You love to

touch and grab a handful of hair!

You are becoming much more expressive

in your emotions. You give us the greatest

laughs, but you also let us know when

you are not happy! You have become rather vocal.

You love when I sing to you! If you are getting

fussy, all I have to do is start singing and

you begin smiling. "If you're happy and you

know it" is becoming a favorite of yours.

You are growing so fast, especially in length.

My guess is that you are going to be

tall just like your Daddy.

You become extremely animated

when I lay you on the changing table to

get ready for bed. Your whole body starts

moving from head to toe and you just jabber away!

One of my favorite parts of the day is waking

you up in the morning. You get the biggest smile

on your face when you see me. It just melts my heart!

I also love your dream feed at night. I am going to

miss this time with you so much. You are incredibly

sweet and cuddly. You quickly fall back to sleep in my

arms, and I have the hardest time putting you down.

I often call up Daddy to come see you, and we just

stare at you for a while because you are so precious.

We love you so much Hardy! You are our little sunshine!

Lil' Landshark

2011-10-31T22:27:00.005-05:00

Before Hardy was born, I knew one of Kyle's favorite things would be picking out Hardy's Halloween costume. Kyle loves to wear a costume any chance he gets! Kyle's mom actually found this adorable shark costume at Old Navy, and Kyle had the brilliant idea of finding an Ole Miss jersey to make Hardy a landshark, the nickname of the Ole Miss defense. Of course I am biased, but I thought it was pretty cute and Hardy enjoyed his first Halloween. About halfway through the party we were attending Hardy fell apart since it was his bedtime. Kyle told a friend "unfortunately like the Ole Miss defense, our landshark only lasted through the first half!" Happy Halloween from Hardy!

Going to the Chapel...The Grove

2011-10-29T17:32:00.000-05:00

On October 8th, our dear friend Thomas Wiggins got married in The Grove. It was a beautiful fall day...the weather was absolutely perfect! Kyle was extremely honored to be Thomas' best man. Kyle and Thomas originally met through Crusade as Kyle mentored Thomas as a student. Over the years though, he became a close friend to both of us. He is incredibly loyal, and would do anything for us. One summer he even lived in our home and kept Emmy for us while we were in Italy. I returned home with my house cleaner than I keep it...so, I am sure he is making a great husband! :) Thanks Thomas for allowing us to be a part of your special day! You are a blessing to our family!

Christie and Hardy

Our Family

Craig, Missy, Lindley Belle, Me, Kyle, and Hardy

Mrs. Cyndi, Mr. Dane, and Hardy

Christie, Me, and Chelsea

Uncle Brad and Hardy

Kyle, Ryan, David, Thomas (the groom), and Kyle

Catching up with Hardy

2011-10-27T21:42:00.006-05:00

Little Hardy has been rather busy lately! As everyone says, "they grow up so fast," and it is so true! He is growing rather quickly, and doing new things every day! Here are a some of my favorite pictures from three and four months.

About to roll over but not quite there

Wearing footed pajamas for the first time!

Asleep in the bouncy seat

So proud of his new Toms

Lovin the Bumbo

Such a sweet face!

Hardy loves his toes

Dream feed with Daddy

I love him in just a diaper!

Long little legs

Finally got his foot in his mouth

Happy baby boy

Hello there!

Everything goes in the mouth

Cheering on the Cardinals

Hoping for a win for the Rebels

There is that foot again!

Hardy enjoying a stroll around

the neighborhood

Enjoying some time with Mrs. Meg

Hardy always falls asleep in the car...

just like his Mama!

Laughing away

The Pumpkin Patch

2011-10-25T23:08:00.009-05:00

One of my favorite things about fall in Oxford is the pumpkin patch at St. Peter's Church on the Square. Every year they bring in a truckload of pumpkins, and the entire side yard of the church is covered in them. It is stunning and makes for an incredible photo opportunity! I have always dreamed about taking my baby there, and this year I got to take Hardy! Oh how much joy filled my heart as my friend Christie and I were shooting these pictures of him! Ok, maybe I did get a little carried away, but I just could not help myself. I love how all the pictures capture so much of his personality and the facial expressions he makes so often. The wait for our sweet little man sure was long, but it was more than worth it! The Lord is so faithful and so good! Praise be to Him who is the giver of all gifts!

Family Fun in Orange Beach

2011-10-19T22:47:00.013-05:00

My deepest apologies to those of you who have been staring at autumn trail mix for 2 months now...it is good, but how boring!! Truth be known, I have wanted to post a bajillion times but our hard drive's disk space has been full since October. At first I camped out at the Apple store in Memphis for an hour while Kyle and Hardy waited in the car, only for them to tell me I needed more memory space and that I would have to go to someone else to have that done. A few more weeks went by, and I had a really nice man in Oxford come to my house and $100 later I was suppose to have more space with my new memory. Problem not solved. I still kept getting this message saying my disk was full. After a two hour rendezvous at the Apple store in Jackson two days before Thanksgiving (kind of felt like going to the zoo), I was told my memory was not the problem, but that I needed to delete music and pictures off my computer to create more space. Thank you sir! So I spent many hours of my Thanksgiving break deleting files, and finally we have arrived! I should really use all that free time I have to put my pictures on cd's and organize them by years. Hah!

Just so you can get excited about what is to come, I have about 15 posts or so that I have been working on. Get ready because I am about to go blogger crazy! I am posting these in the order they would have originally been written because yes, I am OCD like that, and I have just been waiting on the pictures. So, here we go! Feel free to leave me a comment so I can know you really did miss me! :)

At the beginning of October, my family took one last trip to the beach. It was a rather bittersweet trip because my parents sold their condo. We had a delightful trip just spending time together as a family, but we were all sad to say goodbye to the condo. We have outgrown this place being that we have gone from 4 adults to 6 adults and 5 kids, but a lot of memories were made there. Hopefully, the Lord just has something better in store for us. This was Hardy's first time to actually see the beach. He was not that crazy about the beach because it was rather windy, but he loved the pool. He would have stayed in their forever, but mommy got a little chilly herself. Hope you enjoy the pics of our family vacation--if you are wondering why Kyle is not in any of these pictures, he was on his 30th birthday trip to California to see the Rebels play. We sure did miss him, but he had a great trip with the boys.

After unloading everything from the car,

this is where Hardy ended up...don't

worry--we did not leave him there!

Long day in the car, passed out in

Poppa's arms.

My sweet little man!

Rice cereal for the first time!

We actually waited 6 weeks before he had it

again. He was not quite ready, but we had

to capture the moment.

Autumn Trail Mix

2011-10-09T17:41:00.001-05:00

Makes about 15 cups

Ingredients:

4 cups crunchy oatmeal cereal squares

4 cups tiny twist pretzels

1 bag autumn mix candy corn

2 cups Reese's Pieces

2 boxes caramel popcorn with nuts

1 bag chocolate graham baked snacks

Directions: Combine all ingredients in a large bowl and mix!

This trail mix is very yummy for an autumn snack!

We made some at the beach with my family,

and it disappeared pretty quickly.

I would add extra salted peanuts next time,

because it is pretty sweet!

4 MONTHS

2011-10-03T21:11:00.010-05:00

4 Month Stats

Weight: 14 lbs. 3 oz.

Height: 26 1/4 inches

Diaper Size: Size 2

Clothes Size: Size 3 to 6 months

What Hardy Likes: Hardy loves his Lamaze toys!

He is especially fond of Jacques the peacock.

The bright colors attract his eye, and he will

study them for quite a while.

What Hardy Dislikes: Riding in the car for long

periods of time. He is good for two to

three hours, and then he wants to get out!

Best Moment of the Month: Hardy's dedication

at Grace Bible Church. What a special moment!

4 Month Highlights:

You are so close to rolling over! You almost have it,

and when you get stuck you get so mad. I always know

because I hearing you grunting on your activity mat.

You have mastered your grabbing skills. Whatever you

can get your hands on goes directly into your mouth.

You are really becoming a big boy! You will

reach out and grab for your bottle and try

to put it in your mouth.

You still love to kick your legs, especially when

laying on your changing table.

Last month you were fascinated with your hands, but this

month you have found your feet! You love to look at them

and stare at your big toe. If you could just get it in your mouth!

You have also learned how to clasp your hands

together. You are very intrigued by how

they come together and apart, and you

will do it over and over.

You are getting so strong, and you do a good job

of sitting up when pulled up by your arms. You

also hold your head very high when on your tummy.

You have become so much more animated and engaged.

You are talking a lot more, and you are

constantly giving us smiles and laughing.

You love to watch the T.V. Baby Einstein videos

definitely grab your attention. You love the music

too! Maybe you will take after Poppa and Aunt Lexi!

You still love blowing bubbles, and you have

become really good at rolling your lips together.

You would still rather lay down

and kick about than be held. You

love to play on your activity mat.

You have become familiar with certain songs

I sing to you at bedtime. You give me the biggest

smile when I sing "I love you Lord."

You are such a sweet baby! You have completely

captured the heart of your Mommy and Daddy!

We love you more and more as each day passes!

Buffalo Chicken Dip

2011-09-29T22:06:00.004-05:00

This is one of the appetizers I made for the Progressive Dinner. I found this recipe on pinterest--side note: I have become addicted to this website! If you do not have an account, you might want to avoid signing up for one. It will take up entirely too much of your time! But it has given me tons of new recipes that I want to try. This recipe came from The Girl Who Ate Everything blog. As she said, "don't be turned off by the picture...it's hard to make this dip look pretty." Although it might not be pretty, it sure is tasty! It is also known as crack dip, because it is so addicting. Out of the 4 dips I had at the dinner, this one disappeared the fastest. It's also incredibly easy to make--I even cooked mine in the microwave. For you Rebel fans, this would be a great appetizer for the Grove!

Buffalo Chicken Dip

Ingredients:

1 (10 ounce) can chunk chicken, drained

1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened

1/2 cup Ranch dressing

1/2 cup Buffalo wing sauce (such as Frank's Red Hot, not to be confused with their pepper sauce. Start with less if you want and add more to your desired hotness)

3/4 cup shredded Cheddar cheese

blue cheese crumbles (optional)

Directions:

Heat chicken and Buffalo sauce in a skillet over medium heat, until heated through. Make sure to break up the chicken so there are no big chunks. Stir in cream cheese and ranch dressing. Cook, stirring until well blended and warm. Mix in shredded cheese. Pour into a shallow dish or pie pan and sprinkle with blue cheese crumbles and microwave it until the cheese melts. Serve with chips for dipping.

A Sweet Morning

2011-09-27T21:17:00.001-05:00

"Train up a child in the way he should go;

even when he is old he will not depart from it."

Proverbs 22:6

On Sunday, September 25th, our sweet Hardy was dedicated at Grace Bible Church. It was an incredibly precious moment, and one that brought tears to my eyes. As I listened to Isaac ask Kyle and I to be committed to raising Hardy to know the Lord, my heart was overwhelmed with joy and thanksgiving over our baby boy's life. There were definitely days and weeks where I wondered if I would ever get to hold a baby that was born of my flesh, and in this moment I got to hold my beautiful baby boy as Kyle and I committed him to the Lord. It was also sweet that Isaac, whom married Kyle and I, officiated Hardy's dedication. We are so thankful for the family and friends that came to celebrate with us on this sweet morning, and we are incredibly grateful for our baby boy. We pray that Hardy will one day come to faith in Jesus Christ, and that He will walk humbly with our God and serve Him faithfully all the days of his life.

Kyle, Hardy, and Me

Nana, Poppa, Hardy, and Me

Isaac, Me, Hardy, and Kyle

Me and Hardy

Our Family

Isaac with our family

Kyle, Me, Hardy, Nana, and Poppa

Mr. Dane, Kyle, Me, Hardy, CC, and Alexis

All the Family

Aunt Christie and Hardy

Daddy and Hardy

Aunt Cathy, Uncle Cliff, and Hardy