Sleepy princess

This past week of Christmas really wore our little princess out. Today she took over a 3 hour nap (probably 3.5) - but she also missed her morning nap, so that probably helped! When she woke up a minute ago she was bright eyed and you could tell she had slept well b/c she has a little mohawk. Also, if you dont' believe that Ali has hair - you can tell a little in these pictures b/c her hair is standing up! (you may have to look closely or click on the pictures to see a bigger picture!) It made me laugh so I had to post!

I also loved her outfit today - it was pretty funny, too! She has little bell bottoms on and the top has a "fake" purse (perfect for Miss Ali who is a purse fanatic!) sewn on the side (with fur) and it was too cute/funny!
Another view from the back of Ali's fancy nap hair-do!

More Christmas!

Here are some pictures of Ali and her new car! Once she got in it here, she has pretty much been in it ever since - I thought she was going to even fall asleep in it on Christmas day! She loves moving around in it - but hopefully soon she will realize how to pedal herself b/c her mama is getting worn out from taking laps around the house!! She is having loads of fun with it though - so it is well worth it! Beep beep....coming through!
The car was originally in another room at my parents' house but we eventually had to move it in where we were opening presents so Ali would stay in there with us. Ha! She just sat in her car most of the time and watched everyone open their presents. She kept opening the door and hopping out then getting right back in. I guess practice makes perfect!
She also loves her new bunny slippers. (Well, I'm not sure if she LOVES them - but I sure love them on her, personally!)
Ali also loves her new kitchen!

Trying to take a seat inside her mini refrigerator...
Sitting with her daddy (and actually out of her car for a minute!) as he opens presents.
That night, Ryan's side of the family came over to celebrate! It was a fun-filled day of family. Here is a picture of Ali with her Uncle Evan and Olivia.

Santa came to town!

Santa came! Ali checkng out her gifts right when she woke up (and eating breakfast on the go!)

She LOVES Mickey Mouse (although this is a very funny face she is making)
Taking a spin on her new Zebra!

Merry Christmas!

It's Christmas Eve!

Christmas Eve is my favorite day of the whole year. I know that is probably weird that it is Christmas Eve instead of Christmas - but I love the anticipation of Christmas and growing up, we always had our big Christmas dinner on Christmas Eve night. This year, we had a slightly busy day but it was all so fun. After church, we went to a Christmas Eve party - here is the only picture we got from that. It is of Ali playing in the toy kitchen with little Heath Garrett (who is too cute!). She played in that kitchen or with the shopping cart the whole time. Now, on to Grandmama and Big Papa Tumlin's house for dinner with the family. This was a happy/sad time as we remember those we lost this year (and really notice it at this dinner - since my two grandmothers are not there this year with us) but cherish the memories we are making with the loved ones that are here to spend the holidays with. Here are some pictures of Ali opening a few presents that night!
She loved all of her gifts - and immediately starting playing with the cute new purse Frances got her.
And, of course, what would a purse be without lipstick?
Here's a picture of Big Papa opening presents with a bow on his head!

Nativity Scene

A few more pictures of Ali checking out the Nativity Scene outside our church.

Angels we have heard on high

Church on Christmas Eve is one of my favorite things in the world. This year, it was something new for us. Instead of the 11 p.m. candlelight service, we now go to the 3:00 p.m. Children's service. We went last year and it was fun but Ali was so little she slept straight through it (and we were happy for that!). This year, she got to dress up like a Christmas Angel (aka a pillow case cut up and pink wings) and it was so adorable. We got an aisle seat and Ali just kept peaking out and wanted to be a part of it all. She loved it! When they called for all of the angels in the Christmas story - we walked down front and Ali was so good and loved looking at all of the other angels, shepherds, and wise men. What a fun and special service that we will now get to enjoy for many years to come!

Coming in and checking the place out....
Our little Christmas Angel!
Ali wanted to see everything that was going on. She does not like to miss a thing!
Checking out some of the angels behind us...

At the altar with the rest of the manger scene

Ali's friend Mary Jane was sitting behind us and kept looking at the camera. Too bad Ali was checking everything else out and not looking at her daddy taking pictures!A view from our seatsWalking to the nativity scene outisde

Visiting with fun friends!!

One of the best things about the holidays is getting to see loved ones that we don't get to see very often. We were very excited to have two surprise guests come by and play for a little bit on Christmas Eve Eve and on Christmas Eve! Aunt Corn came by for a little visit on Christmas Eve Eve night and Ali did not stop playing the entire time the Homlars were here! It was so fun to see them though - hopefully we can make a trip up to Nashville soon to visit Dr. Corn! On Christmas Even, Aunt Kate and Mrs. Pilcher came by and brought some fun presents!!! It was SO fun visiting with them for a little bit! Aunt Kate got Ali a toy microphone and tickle me Cookie Monster and she loves them both! She has not stopped playing with them. I'm still not sure how she figured out how to use a microphone - but, soon after she got it - she now carries it around singing on it! It's too cute! What fun gifts and what a special treat to get to spend time with special friends over the holidays!
I think Baxter wanted to check out Cookie Monster too...
I love my Aunt Kate!

Spending Christmas with Family

Ryan, Ali and I went down on Christmas Eve Eve (Sunday) to go visit Ali's Great Grandmommy and Great Granddaddy! We had so much fun and I know Ali enjoyed getting to spend one on one time with them!! They gave her a toy "baby" that she LOVES and we were in the best mood the rest of the day after a fun day with our family!

Here are a few pictures of Ali playing around with her Great grandmommy and Great Granddaddy!

Having fun playing around with Great grandmommy! She also loved it when Great granddaddy rocked her in the rocking chair!



Ali loves her Great Grandmommy and Great Granddaddy!! On Saturday, we also went to a Christmas party with Memama and the Patrick side of the family. Unfortunately, our camera was dead and we did not get any pictures!! I am hoping that Grandmama and Granddaddy Patrick may have some pictures to put up on here later! We had so much fun there too and got so many fun gifts!

Five & a half years later....

Well, Sig graduated from UGA this past weekend. I was so happy/sad for him - happy that he is graduating, but also sad that he is graduating! There are no more Tumlins in school at UGA anymore and I can't believe it's been 5 1/2 years since I graduated (and since Sig started). Time flies! Anyway, in the pictures below, Ali was ready to go to graduation and Ryan and I were still getting ready. She had just gotten a bag of Christmas treats from her Mother's Morning out teachers the day before and was going through the bag. I seriously took my eyes off of her for maybe a whole minute and turned around and she had something on her head. It's a little foam Santa hat tied to a string of yarn to make a necklace. The way she had it on her head, though, it kind of makes it look like she is wearing a miniature Santa hat and it really made me laugh!! She has a pretty big head so I guess she could not get the necklace around it at first (although honestly I highly doubt she knew that's what it was - I have no idea how she got it on her head like this!) - but she finally got it around her neck by the last picture. I love having someone around me 24/7 to always make me laugh!

A full day of Christmas!

Ali and I had a very big day yesterday and I think she did pretty good for such a long day - and for a 13 month old that wants to run around 24 hours a day! We started off the day Christmas shopping, napped, ate lunch, went to see Santa, shopped some more, rode the Pink Pig and then went out to dinner with some of Ryan's best friends (and mine :)). I know I was completely exhausted - so I'm sure she was too! Here are some pictures of Ali on the Pink Pig! It goes around on two laps and the first lap - she was not so sure what to think about it. Once we were on the second lap, though - she was loving it and did not want to get off when it was over! I am hoping this is a tradition we will do every year!