Well, we have finally returned to Arkansas after a wonderful Christmas holiday and lots of traveling. After almost missing our flight (we forgot the stroller), we began our vacation with a quick trip back to Southern Pines, NC where we visited with some good friends before heading up to Richmond. Hadleigh made her debut in Richmond where she met lots of new friends and experienced her first Christmas. Somehow we managed to get all our gifts, luggage, stroller, car seat, ourselves, and the dog back to Arkansas...thank goodness for direct flights! We spent one very short night here before reloading the car and heading down to Dallas for a wedding. Hadleigh met more family and Christian and I really enjoyed two nights out while Hadleigh entertained the babysitters.
I had to work on New Years Eve, so we headed back north while the rest of Arkansas was heading south for the Cotton Bowl---thank goodness we didn't stay after such an embarrassing outcome. We spent last night out with friends while Hadleigh was a perfect angel for the sitters (at least that's what they tell us!). Today's agenda included football, eating, football, more good food, and football... too bad both our teams lost. Tomorrow we start back our normal routine, so hopefully Hadleigh will get back on her schedule fairly easily. It's been a very busy, but very fun couple of weeks...I need a nap!
David and Ainsley Shonka with Hadleigh. David is 1 week older than Hadleigh.
Kristen and Hadleigh before the Open House
Escaping all the chaos with Dad
My best friend Hunter finally meeting Hadleigh
Waiting for Santa with her Great Grandma
Christmas morning...trying to eat her presents
"Help, I'm drowning!"
"So many new toys...how many can I stuff into my mouth???"
Gammy and Pops on our final day
Hadleigh very sad to say goodbye
Our Dallas family--Grandma Helen and Great Grandma Myrtle (she just had a heart attack 1 week prior and thankfully was doing remarkably well)
Lots of kisses from Aunt Kat
Meeting Grandma Helen (Christian's birth mother)
Chilling out with her full belly...maybe she'll sleep through the night tonight...
David and Ainsley Shonka with Hadleigh. David is 1 week older than Hadleigh.
Kristen and Hadleigh before the Open House
Escaping all the chaos with Dad
My best friend Hunter finally meeting Hadleigh
Waiting for Santa with her Great Grandma
Christmas morning...trying to eat her presents
"Help, I'm drowning!"
"So many new toys...how many can I stuff into my mouth???"
Gammy and Pops on our final day
Hadleigh very sad to say goodbye
Our Dallas family--Grandma Helen and Great Grandma Myrtle (she just had a heart attack 1 week prior and thankfully was doing remarkably well)
Lots of kisses from Aunt Kat
Meeting Grandma Helen (Christian's birth mother)
Here are pictures from Shelly's wedding (Christian's sister) from Little Rock this weekend. It was a beautiful ceremony and the bride looked radiant. Hadleigh made it through the rehearsal dinner and reception with no problems. She got tired towards the end and ended the night in her pajamas, which made her much happier. It was a great weekend.
Cousins Chelsea and Landon
Daddy & daughter dancing to "My Girl"
We had a wonderful Thanksgiving with both sides of the family joining us in Fayetteville. We missed the family members who could not join us for the festivities...maybe next time. Lots of food, lots of family, and lots of fun! We even invited the neighborhood dog, Frankie, over to have some turkey...Daisy was not too thrilled about that. Of course the day would not be complete without football. Hadleigh zonked out on her bear, Gibtubb, while watching with Christian. 
Moo, Moo! Here's Hadleigh in her cow outfit ready for trick-or-treaters. She helped pass out candy with Daisy, played Golden Tee with dad, and then called it a night. She was pooped after a long day at daycare. All the excitement must of warn her out though, she slept for 8 hours straight that night (a habit we hope she'll keep up)! Here's more pictures from the night.
We took Hadleigh out for pizza and then to her first Razorback Basketball game tonight. She did great, except when Christian yelled too loud and scared her to death. The band and the cheering didn't seem to phase her though. He will have to control himself if he continues to take her along! As you can see, she slept through most of it...once we broke 100 points she knew we had it in the bag.
