Cookie Exchange

Yesterday we had a blast at our friend Ella's 3rd annual cookie exchange. This is a party I have looked forward to since last year. The kids have so much fun playing together and anticipating the big arrival! The children and the group of ladies at the party are so much fun to be around. My friend Tracee really knows how to throw a party:) From an unbelievable spread of cookies, yummy appetizers, speciality drinks for moms and kids, hot chocolate, roasting marshmallows...you name it she has it:) Oh, and even a book of recipes from all of the cookies.

Some of the kiddos running around enjoying the fun!

Walker and his BFF Grady roasting marshmallows!

Walker decorating his gingerbread man with icing, sprinkles and M&M's. 

Cheers!!!

Walker and Grady enjoyed their speciality cocktails....Sprite!!

Spread of cookies.....YUMMY!!

The sweet kiddos waiting on.....

Santa and Mrs. Claus....Ho, Ho, Ho!!

The kiddos enjoyed singing Christmas carols while Santa played the ukulele.

Sitting on Santa's lap...such a good boy!!

Walker and Walker being silly waiting to see Santa!

Love him to pieces!!

Walker and sweet Grace!! 

Thanksgiving at the Beach!!

We had a great Thanksgiving this year. Uncle Matt Matt and Aunt Sandra came to visit us in NC and to meet Collins. I prepared my very first Thanksgiving meal all by myself.  I was quite proud of myself because it turned out so good. It's hard being an adult sometimes:) Although, I did call mom probably ten times to ask questions about a few recipes. We were so excited to have Uncle Matt Matt and Aunt Sandra here and it was also their first time visiting us here in NC.

Uncle Matt Matt holding his sweet niece:)

Don't they look like pro's:)

Uncle Matt Matt is a natural!!

Walker absolutely thinks Uncle Matt Matt is the coolest uncle!!

After being here only a few short hours Matthew looks at us and says, "I'm exhausted already"...haha!!

I know he thinks our little life here is nothing but crazy and chaotic:)

Snuggles on the couch...Aunt Sandra had to share Uncle Matt Matt:)

Little Sister and Big Brother headed to a UNCW basketball game!!!

Enjoying a UNCW basketball game with Uncle Matt Matt!!

Collins snoozing at the game...this is typically what she does during the games.

Walker playing on the court with the big kids!!

Three very handsome Ransdell boys!!

We were also able to see some sweet friends during the Thanksgiving holidays. UNCW hosted a basketball tournament and Wofford just so happened to be one of the teams playing in the tournament. Our friends Gus, Amy and Presley came to cheer on the Terriors...Gus is one of the assistant coaches at Wofford. We love them to pieces...such sweet friends!!! Walker loves Presley so much...he thinks she is so funny:) They had a great time running around the gym together. 

So thankful for this friendship!!!

So blessed to have such a sweet friend.

Ransdell family photo after the game:)

Sweet friends!!

Gus was trying to take a picture with Presley after the game and Walker ran over from across the gym to get in the picture. I guess he thinks he's part of the family. We all thought it was so funny:)

We had a great Thanksgiving visiting with family and friends. PS- sorry this is a little late and out of order...I realized last night I forgot to post our Thanksgiving fun.

Special Visitors

A few weeks ago we had two very special visitors come to visit us. We were so excited for Moppy and Aunt Patsy to visit for a few days. We had such a great time together!! We were able to get a few things done with all of their help....like decorate the house for Christmas. Without their help I'm not sure if I would have been able to get it all done.

Moppy and Collins.

I love these three so much!!!!

Moppy and Aunt Patsy loving on sweet baby girl!!

We were headed out to run errands and to eat lunch at the beach. 

It was a perfect day spent with lots of laughs!!

Collins was so glad to finally meet Aunt Patsy!!

Aunt Patsy is one of my most favorite people in the whole world. She lights up the room and her laugh is so contagious. I love every minute spent with her. I wish we were able to see her more often. Thank you Aunt Patsy for spending a few days with us. I can't wait for Collins to see how special you are and how much you love her!! We love you and thank you for all of our fun goodies:)

Trip to SC/GA

Last weekend we had so much fun visiting my parents and introducing Collins to so many who love her. We headed to SC late Thursday afternoon and both kids were awesome during the car ride. We could hardly wait to introduce our sweet precious angel to our family and friends.

Moppy loving on her sweet babes....we love you Moppy!!!!

These two absolutely adore each other.

It's so fun to be cousins!! We love you Loggie!!

Look who got to meet her favorite Aunt Mandy!!

And guess what...Collins will have a cousin arriving very soon in January.

The girls are going to have soooo much fun growing up as cousins....just like the silly boys:)

On Saturday we took Walker to Atlanta for a little day trip.

We thought it would be fun to spend the day with Walker just the three of us at the Georgia Aquarium.

Thank you to Moppy and Papa for taking such great care of Collins while we were gone. Walker was so super excited to be at the aquarium. You know how much he loves ocean creatures!! In this picture he is looking for his favorite- The Whale Shark. We also got to see the Dolphin show...so cool watching the dolphins perform tricks.

Our first glimpse of one of the whale sharks.....unbelievable!!

The beluga whales.

Sweet boy having a blast.....

Really cool indoor playground area....he's up there some where.

Checking out the crabs with daddy!

We enjoyed watching and learning all about the four enormous whale sharks.

Walker was in heaven watching these big guys swim around.

Our first time visiting the Georgia Aquarium was a huge success.

After the aquarium we grabbed dinner and then headed over to watch a little UNCW basketball. UNCW was in town playing GTech...we had so much fun cheering on the Seahawks. This was Walker's first time traveling to an away game. He loved it!!

Ho Ho Ho!!!!

Today was so exciting....we went to see Santa!!!!!!!!!!

Walker was so excited and he said he wanted to sit on Santa's right side and baby sister sit on his left side...not sure why:) So, before we headed out to visit Santa he wanted to write his Christmas wish list. He wrote his wish list all by himself...such a big boy!

He asked Santa for a bike, kite and new cowboy boots!!!

It took Walker a couple of minutes to warm up to Santa, but Santa knew all the right things to say. By the time it was time to go he was high-fiving Santa, blowing him up, giving him hugs and waving to him. I think next year baby sister will not look this peaceful while visiting Santa..haha!

Happy Thanksgiving Feast

We enjoyed such a fun Thanksgiving program at Walker's school.

It is such a rewarding feeling to hear all of those little voices singing praises of Thanksgiving.

We truly have so much to be thankful for!!

Look who is front row and center in the program:):)

Such a handsome little Pilgrim:)

Enjoying the Thanksgiving feast...all the parents made such delicious food!!

So blessed and thankful for this wonderful little guy!!!!

And so thankful for my best friend and our new little princess!!

Best Buds!!

These two are something else!!

Walker's sweet teacher! 

We are so thankful for all she does for us!!