The big 2-7!!!

Things here in the Nichols' house have been pretty much going as usual...everyone is doing great and we are LOVING this beautiful weather!! Last week I celebrated my 27th birthday and I did it up big! I made my first road trip by myself with the girls up to see my parents in North Carolina. I left on Thursday and we made there in one piece with only a couple meltdowns along the way:) Then, on Friday my friend, Courtney, drove in from Richmond and picked me up and we headed to Charlotte to have a girl's weekend with our friend Krystle (whose birthday is one day before mine). We had a WONDERFUL time!! It was so great spending time with them and being "baby-free" for a couple days. We went out at night, went shopping, and basically just did a lot of catching up! I, unfortunately didn't take any pictures with my camera but when they send me the ones they took, I will post them. Anyway-I headed back to mom and dad's on Sunday and then back home on Monday. It was such a great birthday weekend!!
And all this time-Russell had been telling me that my gift from him was coming and it finally showed up (a couple days late....but better late than never:)) And let me tell you-I was shocked when I opened the box-I had no idea what he was getting me, so when I saw this....

A Canon Power Shot SX10 is....I was sooooo excited!!! I have only had it 2 days but I absolutely love it and I love learning how to use it and of course, I have two beautiful subjects to practice on (ok, make that three...can't forget my beautiful hubby:)) So-now that I have babbled on for waaaay too long, let's get to the good stuff-pictures of my wonderful family with my wonderful birthday gift!!

I did a little photo shoot with Marissa right after she woke up from her nap-her a.c. was broke upstairs so it was a little warm which made for a crazy, sweaty hair-do:)

Then, Allie woke up, so it was her turn to pose for Mommy's photo shoot:)

Can you believe how big my girls are getting and oh my goodness....those big blue eyes just melt my heart:) They are both such a joy and I certainly had a lot to celebrate this birthday!! Russell-I absolutely love love love my new camera-thank you so much! You are the best:)

Be sure to stay tuned for some more pictures from our fun evening playing on the golf course!!

Bringing sexy back

I know I have been a terrible blogger lately...I fully intend to update y'all on what's been going on in the Nichols' house the past month but until then...enjoy this video of Miss Marissa "bringing sexy back" :)

Make an on-line slideshow at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Allie-4 months old

My baby girl turned 4 months old on the 17th and we took her in for her check-up this past Monday. She is doing wonderful!! She weighed 14lbs 5 oz and was 24" long, she is hitting all her milestones and the Dr. was very pleased! She has been having some skin issues the past couple months, really bad cradle cap and red spots on the creases of her elbows and neck, but I have been very diligent about putting baby oil on her head and cream on the red spots and it seems to be working (you will see in the pics that it is still a little red) but the cradle cap is all gone!! Aside from that...she is just so sweet and is sooooo in love with her big sister. I think I have said that before but it is just so true, anytime Marissa is anywhere near her, Allie just stares at her and smiles. It is truly amazing to watch their bond forming already. Marissa is pretty fond of her baby sister as well, she loves to lay in her crib with her and look at the mobile, she likes giving her high fives and she tries really hard to feed her (although I have to keep telling her that shoving the bottle in Allie's mouth until she gags isn't quite how it works...we'll keep working on it:)) Ok, so here's the fun part-recent pictures of sweet baby Allie:)

Here is Marissa telling Allie all about the jumperoo and Allie is just loving it!

Daddy and his girls:)

I love the look on Allie's face in this picture-so sweet:)

And finally, Russell's mom scanned some baby pics of Russell so we could compare and well, I don't think there is much denying that Miss Allie looks A LOT like her daddy (minus the eye color....) What do you think?:)

Easter '09

Despite Marissa, Allie and myself all feeling a little under the weather, we had a wonderful Easter Weekend! On Saturday morning, Anniston Country Club had an Easter egg hunt for the kiddos on the driving range-and well, actually, in Marissa's eyes, it was a golf ball hunt because by the time we got there all the eggs were gone and only driving range balls were left:) (She didn't seem to mind) I was able to get myself dressed and put a little makeup on so I could cart Allie around in the bjorn so she could check everything out. It was a little chilly that morning but I think Marissa had a great time meeting the Easter bunny and to top it off, she got a big ol' chocolate chip cookie!! Here are a few pics from Saturday morning.

Me with my beautiful girls!

Look how long her hair is!! Russell has been blow-drying after her bath at night and it looks so pretty the next day!:)


I thought Allie's hat was a bunny, therefore appropriate for the occasion, but Russell sadly informed me that it was a cat...oh well, at least she looked cute:)
Marissa on the "hunt"

Marissa and Daddy with Bryce and Adam and the Easter bunny (Bryce is one of Marissa's best buds-she walks around at home saying "Byce, Byce!)

And finally, she got her cookie! I love this picture of Russell, it looks like he is going to eat it right out of her hand-chocolate chip cookies are his favorite too:)

On Sunday Morning, we all got up and went to church. The service was amazing-Pastor Carlton did such a wonderful job of explaining the significance of Easter. Russell and I are absolutely loving this church, the people and the pastor! Allie did a great job in the nursery, she slept the whole time...Marissa, on the other hand, not so great-she pretty much cried on and off the whole time-oh well, we will just have to keep trying! We then came home and had a big Easter dinner consisting of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches (I'm pretty sure that qualifies me for the worst mom of the year award...) We then gave the girls the Easter baskets that Pops and Nana got for them! And finally, after naptime-we took the girls out on the golf course to hit a few balls. We have done this a few times since the weather has been nice and it's a lot of fun! I hit the ball while Russell holds Allie and then we switch and Marissa just runs around! It takes about an hour to play 3 holes but it's great!! Here are some pictures from Sunday!!
Allie chillin' in the bumbo while we eat our dinner feast;)

The girls with their baskets-this was Marissa's first time with pez and she loved it!!

She was also a big fan of the solid chocolate bunny!

But was clearly not happy when mean ol' mommy wouldn't let her eat the whole thing:(

Here she is all dressed up to play golf!

Daddy trying to get her out of the "big sandbox"

Training her early:)

Well, that's all!! We hope you and your family had a wonderful Easter remembering that this is a special weekend because our Savior, Jesus Christ, took us from death to LIFE!! "just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life."Romans 6:4

Funniest Video Ever.

Let me first say a few things before you watch this:
1. I'm sorry it's so dark, however you don't really need to see anything, just listen-so turn your volume up.
2. Russell does this every single time he changes a poopie diaper.
3. Be sure to listen to Marissa try to imitate her daddy.
4. I sound like a man because I have a cold...ugh.
Ok, now, for your viewing pleasure....

I would also like to say....to Russell, my sweet hubby, I love you very much and I love you even more because, although it makes you gag, you are always willing to change a poopie diaper:)

My blue-eyed girls

One look from these big blue eyes and daddy will be wrapped around their little fingers....

by the way....how cute is Marissa and her little pigtails:)

A visit from Pops and Nana

A couple weeks ago, we were able to spend several days with Russell's parents, aka Pops and Nana, and we all had a great time visiting and spending time together. We don't get to see them often enough because they live in Texas, but Pops' job has him traveling a lot so on their way home from Pennsylvania, they stopped here to see us. Marissa got seriously spoiled while they were here...they got her a kitchen for her playroom!! It is so cute and she loves it...(I am in the process of putting up curtains in her playroom, so when it's complete I will post some pics) She also took a trip to Target with her daddy and Pops and they got her an Elmo doll and video and a Handy Manny doll. Marissa is always asking to watch her "elmee bidibee" (Elmo video). :)

We also had a surprise visit from Uncle Ryan and Aunt Loren (and her adorable growing belly!). It wasn't exactly under the best circumstances as they had to travel to Memphis b/c Loren's grandpa passed away, but we were sure glad we got to see them. Loren is pregnant with a little boy and due in August, so I was able to loan her lots of maternity clothes and a few other baby items we don't need right now. Here are a couple pics from our visit!

Loren, Allie and me (and baby boy Nichols:))

the boys with their girls-Uncle Ryan, Marissa, Allie, Pops and Russell

We hope to see y'all again soon!!