Surprise!

As many of you know I turned the big 3-0 this past Sunday and what a better way to ring in a new decade then with a surprise party thrown by family and friends! My parents came up in what I thought was to watch the girls while Jimmy and I went out to dinner and a movie. They obviously had something else in mind and the scheming starting Friday evening when my parents gave me an amazing gift, a day at the spa with my Momma. It was a perfect gift and an even better plan to get me out of the house on Saturday! So while I was busy getting beautified at the spa, my husband was busy at home organizing the big surprise! My in-laws came down from Pennsylvania bearing delicious meatballs that would  be the party's main course while my sister and her family came up from Blacksburg with all the hand made decorations and unbelievable cake and cupcakes. My dad was in charge of watching the kiddies while everyone went to work on transforming the house into a place to party! It was truly a joint effort. I was so surprised and truly touched when I walked into the room and saw my family and best friends all gathered to celebrate my big day. The guests included my parents, in-laws, my sister and her family, my uncle Vince, and our great friends the Walkers and Shaws (and their little ones)! Unfortunately Kevin, Jenna, and Nick were unable to make it but I know they were there in spirit! I cannot thank everyone who was involved in the party planning enough. You made me feel so incredibly loved and I just wanted to send all those warm feeling right back to you. I have learned through the recent years that life is not to be taken for granted and that turning a year older is not something to frown upon but something to truly celebrate! I am so blessed to have hit the 30 year mark and I am looking forward to many more birthday milestones! Another special thank you to my husband, Mom, Dad, Pat, Jim, Kristin and Matt for all their hard work, planning, cooking, baking, decorating, child watching, traveling, and so on and so on! I love you all so much!

*Thank you Kristin for taking all of these awesome pictures. Is there anything you can't do?! :-)

Cake and Cupcakes by Kristin

Decorations by Kris

Surprise!!!!

Isla came to party!

Best Friends

Brandon got into the birthday spirit!

Such a great gift from the Shortt crew and Kev. All the pictures that I have posted on Instagram in one frame!

Mommy's 30!

Isla Marie- 16 Months

Isla Marie turned 16 months on the 18th! Our sweet little girl is growing like a weed and we love watching her bloom! She is weighing in at 20 lbs. 4 oz. and is 27 inches long. She is in the 10th percentile for weight, height, and head. She is a perfectly proportioned peanut! She is full of energy, runs wherever she goes, and still loves to smile, smile, smile! She is always up for a tea party, loves to chase her big sister around the house, and has never been known to turn down a hug or a kiss. Her favorite things are her big sister, bunny, and reading books. Her biggest dislikes are not being allowed to eat lolly pops (way to messy) and being told no when playing in the dogs water bowl. We are loving this current stage and are so proud of the amazing little girl she is turning into. Happy 16 months, Isla! 

Christmas #3- Blacksburg, VA

Christmas #3 was spent down in Blacksburg at MomMom and PopPop's house! You would have never known it was our third round as the girls were equally excited (more like ecstatic) to see family and of course more presents! While we were there we got to celebrate with MomMom, PopPop, Uncle Kev, Aunt Kris, Uncle Matt, Bellamy, Beckham, Great-PopPop, GG, and Uncle Vince and his boys! We talked, laughed, ate, played games, went to the movies, watched football, ate, had a moon shine tasting, relaxed, ate, played with new toys, and ate (did I mention that one already?!). Our four days were jam packed with nothing but fun and great company! The little ones loved being with each other and I swear they didn't stop giggling, playing, running, and laughing the entire time...literally...the ENTIRE time! As for the "big kids" we were so happy to all be together and appreciated so much being able to slip away to the movies while the grandparents watched the wee-ones. Looking back on our visit, I realized that there was four generations all under one roof. That instantly leaves my heart feeling warm and full. Christmas ended just as it had started, with feelings of love, appreciation, and true joy.  MomMom and PopPop, thank you for hosting such  a wonderful Christmas and of course for being so incredibly gracious with your gift giving. You made Christmas once again feel so magical!

Christmas morning breakfast :-)

Bloody Mary's 

Looking at pictures of Dad when he was a boy on Christmas

The big girls ran right to the presents!

Cousins!

The Minnie piano from Uncle Kev was a hit!

Mackenzie got a Minnie hair and make-up kit from Great-PopPop and GG and she gave Uncle Matt a  makeover (several actually)!

Cutie pie Beckham

I want one too!

Now daddy gets a makeover!

Quietly listening to MomMom and PopPop's pre-recorded book :-)

A funny yet thoughtful gift...glasses to help with nighttime driving

This man watches way too many infomercials ;-)

Only a portion of the aftermath...

Round 2 with Uncle Vince, Tyler, and Sammy

Mackenzie was in love with her umbrella from Uncle Vince, and cousins Tyler and Sam!

Isla equally loved her ball!

Pretty Bell modeling her umbrella

Mackenzie's special ornament from PopPop and MomMom!

Isla's special ornament from PopPop and MomMom

Kelly and Jimmy's special ornament from PopPop and MomMom!

Checking out Uncle Kev's ornament

This little boy cracks me up! He LOVED walking around with the dart on his head. 

Of course a game of shuffle board was played...

Making music together :-) 

Cheers to another magical Christmas!