I love Papa. I love Cookie.

With apologies to my parents (she loves you, too, I promise), this is pretty darn cute.

Weekend vaca

From February, 2010

Every year (usually), the Jordan side of the family gets together for a vacation of some sort. Lately it's been a long weekend in the mountains, and this weekend we all met in Blue Ridge, Georgia.

The weekend started with me, Markana and Stella getting stuck in the snow two miles from the cabin, so Paul had to come rescue us. A stress-filled afternoon later, we had a wonderful time with the family playing in the snow, celebrating a late Christmas, holding Wii tournaments, painting Olympic medals and eating way too much. Unfortunately, because the forecast for both North Georgia and Middle Tennessee called for more snow, we cut the trip short and headed home.

:(

Too bad, but we had a great time.

VOTE #3!

So, our favorite local photographer is holding a "2009 Top 20 Favorite Photos" and a very random photo from our session was selected.


It's not one of our favorites from the session, but that is not important. What is important is that all of you visit her blog, http://mandyjohnsonphotography.com/blog/, and vote for image #3. The winner of the contest wins a canvas wrap of the image (ok) and a FREE PHOTO SESSION!!! She is insanely talented and worth every penny that we don't have to give her, so please vote so we have a chance at winning. Oh, and the contest ends this Saturday at midnight.

Thanks and we love you!

***I just want to say that I am not sure who selected the contestants, but baby Jude was robbed! You can scroll a little further down on her blog to see his latest pic. Come on. :)

Milk? Check. Eggs? Check. Bread? Oh no!

We're in the middle of what they're predicting to be one of Nashville's biggest snow storms, and for once Southerners actually have reason to freak out about snow. Looks like schools closed for a reason this time. Unlike this.

Here's Stella strolling along in her first real snowfall. About two minutes after this Markana had enough and went inside. One minute later Stella starting crying from cold hands. Yay snow!

Auntie Bath Time!

Can I tell you how spoiled Stella is? She is so loved. Here she is with her Aunt Amy and Aunt Suzy. They say they are coming over to see me, but I know what is really going on.

They helped Stella get her bath, which gave her an opportunity to show off some of her new skills. She has bath letters that she LOVES and is getting pretty good at identifying them and even placing a word to match. Daddy has worked pretty hard on the P is for Pizza. Impressive and "delicious" Stella says.

Being married to me must be awesome!

That's what I've been telling Markana for years in hopes that it might condition her to believe it.

But believe it or not, she at least thought I was awesome enough to agree to marry me four years ago today. Happy New Year! Each anniversary we get to celebrate the beginning of our lives together and the beginning of a new and hopeful year. This year is certainly no different.

Here's to an incredible 2010! Take a hike, 2009.

(we were so hot!)

Happy Birthday Markana!

From December, 2009

(Thanks to Rebekah T. for the cake!)

Happy Holidays, everyone!

From December, 2009

Here's wishing everyone happy Holidays, Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanza, Solstice, Saturnalia, Dies Natalis Invicti Solis, Festivus and New Year. We hope you have a great time with family and friends, and take time to appreciate all the wonderful things that make life so special.

We'd like to thank everyone who has helped us and sent their good thoughts during this last year. We are fortunate to have so many compassionate people in our lives and we appreciate everything everyone has done for us.

Here's to a happy, hopeful and healthy 2010!

Montessori School Open House

Chip and his mom took Stella to an Open House at her perspective school yesterday. Chip says that they could have left her there and she would not even had noticed they were gone - so busy exploring everything. She is just going to love it. So beautiful there, open land and cozy rooms.

Here she is in her classroom next to the table where she will eat her lunch. So cute. And she is wearing a little dress that was given to her by her Grandmaw Rose.

Happy Thanksgiving

It was a beautiful, sunny day in Georgia. We had a wonderful dinner at Chip's parents house with all of the family. I am thankful that we were all able to be together today.

This is a picture of Stella and her cousin Noah having a sweet moment.