These are just some random pictures I took while we were in Gulfport the past few days...
And if you are wondering why oh why there have been so many pictures lately, I have a plan in mind. For Christmas I did a photo book for Matt's parents by downloading our blog as well as two other blogs (Matt's sisters), and it turned out fabulous! So...with this in mind, I've been posting many more pictures to our blog so I can do this for us as well...I'm dying to do just an Anna Lauren book!
One of Maw-Maw's (Matt's grandmother) favorite things is tea, and we decided Anna Lauren was old enough to participate in her 1st tea party while we were in Gulfport for Christmas. She was "somewhat" interested and if nothing else, it was fun for Maw-Maw to share a cup of tea with Anna Lauren.
Maw Maw made olive and cucumber sandwiches for our tea party...Anna Lauren passed on these and enjoyed her chocolate covered pretzels Maw-Maw brought her. However, the adults were thrilled Maw-Maw made the sandwiches because they are so yummy!
Maw-Maw pouring our tea...
MeMe and Maw-Maw...
Please excuse the hood...she would not take it off! MeMe took us shopping Sunday afternoon, and Anna Lauren wanted to put on her new clothes...she picked the dress with the hood and would not take the hood off for several hours.
Stirring her tea...
Look at the sweet smile...there is no telling how much sugar was in that cup of tea...
For some reason, she thought she was suppose to put the pretzels in her tea...I can only imagine the thoughts going through Maw-Maw's head...she was probably thinking...this child is ruining a good cup of tea. However, she never said a word and was delighted Anna Lauren was entertained by the tea.
Ok...enough of the tea...on to one of her favorites, a popsicle!Although it was pretty cold, we needed an outing so we loaded up on Pop Pop's golf cart and went for a ride and then played around on the green that Pop Pop and MeMe live on for a little while...
Nothing like self portraits...but hey, it is a pretty cute "family" photo...
Anna Lauren putting...look at her right foot...looks like she may be a "prissy" golfer...
Oh wait...throwing golf balls may be more fun...
Daddy and Anna Lauren hitting a few golf balls...
Poor Spencer...his Mommy forgot his jacket so he had to wear MeMe's jacket... 
We picked up one more (Spencer) to enjoy riding on the golf cart...After a fun morning at home, we loaded up and headed to Gulfport to spend the rest of Christmas day with Matt's family...
Anna Lauren opening her first present at Pop Pop and MeMe's house...be sure to notice...still wearing the rain boots...
Anna Lauren in her new puppy dog sleeping bag from Pop Pop and MeMe...
Anna Lauren sharing her new sleeping bag with her sweet cousin, Madeline...
Love this picture...look how sweet they are looking at each other and holding hands...
Anna Lauren and MeMe...
Spencer in the "baby doll" pack n play that Anna Lauren got for Christmas...
Spencer in the pack n play and Anna Lauren in her new "baby doll" stroller...
Anna Lauren and Spencer opening one of Mommy and Daddy's presents...UNO...
Anna Lauren helping Mommy and Daddy open their clues to find their present from Pop Pop and MeMe...a new TV for our bedroom!
Oops...a little out of order...Anna Lauren opening her "baby doll" pack n play, stroller, and bouncy seat...
Aunt Kelly and Anna Lauren...
Pop Pop and Anna Lauren...
Anna Lauren opening her new make-up...exactly what she asked Pop Pop to buy her for Christmas...
Pop Pop and MeMe opening their present from everyone...a photo book covering pictures over the past year of all their grandkids...
Anna Lauren checking out what Santa left...when she came into our room, she already knew what Santa left so we're not sure how long she was in the living room without us, but this is what we are calling her "1st" look at Santa...
Rain boots...she was thrilled, and they immediately went on her feet and didn't come off...
Finger Nail Polish...
Lip Gloss...
So proud of her lip gloss...
Seeing what else Santa left...
Bath Gel and Markers...
Anna Lauren's "sweet" smile...this smile was continuous throughout the Christmas season and especially Christmas day. She was such a joy this year!
If you can see my face, you can only imagine her face...she loved her new suitcase!
And last but not least, checking out her new bike...
Oh wait...we almost forgot her stocking, which was full of candy...
We bundled up and headed out for a ride on her new bike...we have some practice to do, but I think within a week or so, she will get the hang of it and be well on her way...
And needless to say, the lip gloss was important...she had to stop and re-apply...
She LOVED opening presents...not only did she open her own, she opened everyone else's too...here she is opening her daddy's presents...
Mommy with a necessity of life...new running shoes...
Sweet Christmas hugs from Anna Lauren...
Anna Lauren was so proud...she and her Nanny went shopping and she picked out a present for Mommy and Daddy...we both got a HUGE lollipop!
Anna Lauren opening Mommy's present...new running socks...
Opening another one of Mommy's presents...a camera case for her new camera...
On to helping Nanny open her presents...
Nanny was so excited...a camera case for her new camera!Obviously, Anna Lauren was a good girl because Santa came to our house Thursday night! 
Santa left Anna Lauren a suitcase with a matching cosmetic bag, markers for the bathtub, bath gel, lip gloss, finger nail polish, a bike, and rain boots...
Santa must like apple juice as well as milk because he drank it all and ate all the cookies...however, Santa made a big mess and got sprinkles all over the floor...we just assumed he was in a hurry trying to get to everyone's house...This is our 3rd year to be at our house for Christmas Eve / Christmas morning, and we are still trying to figure out exactly what "tradition" we like every Christmas Eve...so far, it has been different the past 3 years.
This afternoon, we went to church as a family, and yes, we are so thankful that during "normal" church services there is a nursery. I guess you could say Anna Lauren was as good as could be expected, but I could not tell you what the pastor said. However, we did enjoy being in church together as a family and teaching Anna Lauren the "true" meaning of Christmas. She is super excited about Santa, but she also knows we are celebrating "G-hus's" birthday, which makes my heart smile to hear her talk about G-hus, Mary, Joseph, and the Wisemen.
After church we went out to dinner and then came home to open a few presents and put out reindeer food and cookies for Santa.
Now...she is all tucked in bed with anticipation Santa will stop at her house and drop off the bike he is carrying around in his sleigh just for her!
Since Anna Lauren's 1st Christmas, she gets new namies (pajamas), an ornament, and a book every Christmas Eve from Daddy and Mommy...
This year she got Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer and the Night Before Christmas...not that she let us read them to her, but she did get two new books...
Opening her oranament...
She wanted to put it on the "big" tree...not her "little" tree...
Anna Lauren in her new Christmas namies with her reindeer food in hand...she was ready!
Anna Lauren and Nanny putting out food for the reindeer...check out those "boy" boots she loves...hopefully Santa will bring her some "girl" boots...
Anna Lauren and Nanny taking a break from putting out reindeer food for a quick picture...
Got to love this outfit...
Cookies and apple juice for Santa...Anna Lauren didn't want to leave Santa milk...
