Playing Catch-up

What a whirlwind December and January! I was deep in the throes of planning a gorgeous January 24th wedding and having a lot of fun doing it. More on that later, complete with photos! So, I've just now gotten to my Christmas photos...Mickey, Jacob and I had a great Christmas this year. It may not look like it, but we DID scale back on the gift giving. We have overdone it in years past. Here's some photos of our Christmas celebrations, both with our local family and at home on Christmas Day! I'm leaving out the photos of my niece, Ava in her birthday suit..lol...after all the celebrations on Christmas Eve, she decided she wanted to run into the Great Room with just her frilly socks and black patent shoes and say, "I'm NAAAKKEDDD!" But I have to say it was hilarious! Enjoy!

Jacob got his first set of REAL golf clubs!

Notice Ava's squinty eyes!

Here are the Reece's.. My mom's side of the family...we get together every year!

You can't see it in this photo, but Papaw Gil got him a Lite Brite...do you remember those!?? I loved mine when I was little!

From Granny Lanny!

From Auntie Tina, "Fireman Mike" and Jessica...

We're Having a Girl!

Imagine our surprise (for those of you who know us well!) when the ultrasound showed us on Monday that we were having a little girl!! We feel so blessed by this miracle! I think Mickey and I both were expecting a boy...and why, I'm not sure (thanks to Mickey's Dad!). But my favorite reaction was that of our son, Jacob. He had "requested" a little sister all along, and when we told him the news, he said "Alright! I win! Yes!" with all the joy a 5 year old big brother could muster! Well, congratulations Jacob...yes, you win. As we all do...thank you Lord!

Baby New Year Maier! (well, almost!)

This Auntie and Uncle are PROUD to announce that Beck Lachlan Maier arrived at 1:46 AM on New Year's Eve weighing 7 lbs. 9 oz. and measuring 20.5 inches long!! He was an early New Year's Eve present to all of our family and we love him so much already! He's SO CUTE! Mommy Kristi and Daddy Mark are doing great and are at home with him now. Big sister Ava Grace is super excited and loves to show Baby Beck off to everyone. She loves to touch him and hold him and kiss on him...sweet! Our son, Jacob, who is off having some fun at the beach with his Nana and Papaw, will get to meet his new cousin next week. Beck's so sweet and cuddly that it's hard for us to stay away til then...especially Uncle Mickey, who is completely smitten!! Here are some photos taken of Baby Beck on his first full day. Congrats Kristi, Mark and Ava!! Welcome Baby Beck!
Mickey, in training for our upcoming arrival...

This is just about an hour after he was born...
All cleaned up and sleepy...
How neat...Beck looks like he's smiling in this one!
Proud Mimi and Poppy...

Ava Grace loves "Baby Beck"... and so does Granny Nanny...