A Friend is a Friend Forever!

I was excited to get to meet up with a very good friend from high school that I had lost contact with. We were able to meet up after the wedding. Turns out she doesn't live very far from my family in Dallas so we will be able to get together when I am up there. It was so great getting to see Alice. She is one of those friends that no matter how long you may go without seeing each other, you still love each other so much and pick back up where you left off. It had actually been
8 years since we had last seen each other. We aren't going to let that happen again!! We had such a great time catching up and talking about old times. I love my Alice!!

Pretty Bella

After the wedding Bella needed a diaper change.....surprise, surprise. So we went into this room to change her diaper and I could not pass up the opportunity to take Bella's picture.

Tyler and Ashley get MARRIED!!

The Saturday after Christmas my cousin Tyler married his now wife, Ashley. The wedding was beautiful as expected. My grandfather performed part of the wedding as did my Uncle Jerry (Tyler's dad). Tyler wrote the majority of the music that was played and it was AWESOME. He also played the piano as Ashley walked down the aisle. I thought that was a really special touch!!
They are now back in Florida after a honeymoon in NYC. Congratualtions Tyler and Ashley, we love ya'll!

Here comes the Bride!

Ryan helping Bella out with her paci.

The Family. Courtney wasn't feeling very good so she really wasn't into picture taking.

Blake and Katie, they are getting married in June.

Cousin Love


And we finally got a family picture in front of a Christmas tree.

Christmas with the Coxes!

WOOWEE it has been quite the holiday!! Bella's first Christmas lasted and lasted and lasted. On Christmas Day we headed even further North to spend time with my dad's side of the family. We also had a wedding that weekend, though it will get it's very on post. We went to my aunt and uncles house and had an awesome dinner with all the family. There was laughs and good conversation had by all.Tyler teaching Bella to play piano.

Tiffany......apparently she thinks she is hot!!

Calli and Bella (she has something really important to say).

Tyler and Ashley (the newest family member)

Black and Katie (soon to be family member)

Us!!

Papa "jiggin" with his new hat

Grandkids minus Tim's family


Every year we take these pictures. The boys actually cooperated this year!!

Bella gets a.........puppy! (WHAT?)

Well it appears we have a new baby at our house and she is here to stay. We are a proud family of 4 now. Our newest member answers to the name of "Gabby". She is small, black, furry, loves to give kisses and has a goofy personality that fits right in our household. How did this happen? You may ask. Well I will tell you........

Terry, Bella and I ran to Wallyworld on Christmas Eve day to grab some last minute things that were needed. We pulled into the parking lot and low and behold there was a lady selling miniature schnauzer puppies. Terry stops. I wonder what in the world he doing. We don't need or want a dog, right? So, he gets out of the truck and next thing I know he is back in the backseat showing Bella the puppy. "She has papers," the dog seller lady says. Ok? is what I'm thinking, who cares? I keep telling Terry we don't need a dog.....so he puts her in my lap. We still don't need a dog and we have things to do. Terry tells the dog seller lady we will think about it (I've already thought.....NO!). So we go in the store, get what we need and leave Wallyworld WITHOUT the puppy. We head back to the Richards' house and of course Terry is telling everyone about the puppy. I'm very much ignoring but at the same time keep with the consistent NO!! A little while later Terry leaves the house with Dennis and heads out to Gander Mtn for another last minute item. He was gone for about 10 minutes and I had a small panic attack. I immediately text him "WHAT ARE YOU DOING?" He calls me back and reassures me he will not be getting a puppy. WHEW!! So he comes home from Gander Mtn with the puppy. WHAT!?!?! How does this happen. He tells me this long story about how he was standing in line and he sees the same dog seller lady and decides it's fate and he has to have the dog. So he got her. Terry and Dennis took her to the groomers and she got a haircut and a bath and a bow on the way home. I'm pretty sure that was partly so that she would have even more appeal to me. Needless to say, she is pretty darn cute and she is growing on me. Those of you that know me well, know that I am NOT a dog person, but I pretty much can't resist her and Bella thinks it is hysterical when she barks and runs in circles. So here she is Gabby the Miniature Schnauzer.Love at first sight!!

I'm pretty sure Bella is sticking her tongue our at Uncle Dennis because he won't give her the puppy back!!