Boiling Springs Christmas Parade 2009

Mikayla can't wait for the parade to start!Daddy and Poppi couldn't wait for it to start, either. They are so silly!Mikayla talks to Kylie, while Drew watches as the parade begins to move past us.


Drew shakes hands with the chicken from Bojangles.

Mikayla looks on as Drew gives the fire dog a high five. Mikayla eventually was brave enough to walk over and give him a hug.

Jennie just moved her chair and all out in the middle of the road!!

Mikayla waves to Santa as Drew picks up some candy that was thrown to him.

Drew and daddy wave to Santa!!

We had so much fun at this parade as we do every year. We have only missed one Boiling Springs Christmas parade since Drew has been born, and that was the year that Mikayla was sick. Both of our children LOVE this parade and look forward to it every year!!

Inman Christmas Parade 2009

On a rainy Saturday morning in early December, Mikayla and some of the other dancers from Rising Star Dance Company rode in the Inman Christmas Parade. This was the fourth year in a row that Mikayla had participated in this parade. Daddy, Drew, Poppi, and I stood out in the rain to watch for our princess to ride by and wave. As soon as she went by, I got in the car to go to where the parade ended to pick her up. Daddy, Drew, and Poppi stayed to watch the rest of the parade, while Mikayla and I tried to make it back in time to see Santa (as she and I had done the previous year). This year, we made it back, but not in time to see Santa ride by. Mikayla was not too upset, though, because Poppi told her we would go to the Hot Dog Cafe for lunch! That made her day!!Our pretty princess in purple waves to the onlookers!

Mikayla's Birthday Party 2009

Okay, so here we are, our baby girl will be celebrating another birthday in just a few short weeks - and I am just now getting to posting her party from last year. That confirms that I am almost a year behind in posting. I will have to shorten some of the past year if I ever hope to "catch up". Mikayla turned 6 on August 28, 2009, but since she wanted to have her party at a horse farm, we decided we didn't need to have it in August. Instead we decided to "beat the heat" and have her party after her actual birthday. I didn't mean to wait quite so long, as we ended up having her party on a Saturday in November. She had attended her friend, Brooke's, party at this horse farm in 2008, and ever since then, Mikayla said she wanted her party here. Shenendoah Farms is a beautiful place, and perfect for parties. They give the party guests rides on the horses for the first hour, and then they take all of the guests on a long hayride. Then, you have all the time you need for cake, ice cream, presents, etc. It waas a wonderful party, and one that we hope Mikayla will never forget! Happy 6th Birthday, Angel! We love you!Mikayla takes a silly picture with big brother, Drew!Mikayla's "Little Mermaid" cake.Mikayla and Drew look at the horses in the stables before the riding begins.When Poppi gets there, he gives Drew and Mikayla a toboggan, and then shows them a picture of Mikayla in the newspaper. It was a dancing picture.Then, of course, Drew and Mikayla have to take Poppi on a tour of the stables.Drew likes all of the animals on the farm, including this donkey.It took Mikayla a little while to warm to the idea, but once she finally got on the horse, she loved it!!Cute little cowgirl!Drew wasn't real sure at first about this either. Poppi coaxes him into getting on the horse...and he LOVED it!Mikayla is lovin' this!Mary Cathryn takes a ride with her daddy.Now, Poppi coaxes Mikayla.It worked!!Brooke looks like a cowgirl too!Soooo cute!Tyler takes a turn.Pretty little cowgirl.Gracie takes a ride with her mommy.yeehawMary Cathryn takes a ride by herself.Sarah says "yeehaw"!Gracie takes a ride by herself!Happy Birthday, sweet girl!Trevyr takes a ride on the horse.Jadyn takes her turn!Tyler's brother takes a turn!Brooke smiles pretty for the camera.Daddy and Poppi warm up by the fire.This horse got out of his stable while the kids were finishing up their riding time. The handlers were terrific with getting the horse back into the pasture with any incidents. I was worried about our cake for a minute.Now time for the hayride! Most of the boys were on one side...while most of the girls were on the other.Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to You, Happy Birthday dear Mikayla, Happy Birthday to You!Blow out your candles, sweet girl!Sweet Friends!!Opening her gifts...She loved them all!!Thank you, sweet friends!!After all of her guests had left, Mikayla, Drew, Daddy, and Poppi enjoy the "bonfire".

Mikayla with her Poppi! What a wonderful party with such sweet family and friends!