Tasty Shoes

Mimi and Goose took me for my first shoe fitting at Stride Rite and bought me these fancy sneakers. I am a 5 wide if you were interested. We went out to do errands today and Mom and Dad heard a squeaking sound and turned around to find me trying to eat my shoes. Not only are they super stylish; they are also quite tasty!

Christmas Part 1- Knoxville

We had a great Christmas in Knoxville! I loved playing with Maeve and her dogs, Stella and Tallulah. I am trying to convince my parents to get me one but I don't think it will happen. We had a lot of fun visiting old friends and just being spoiled by Mimi and Goose!

I got alot of fun toys and books for Christmas but what I really loved was the ribbon and paper!

Daddy gave Maeve and I rides on the blanket. Mimi and Goose have all hardwoods so we could ride around the whole house!

Me and Uncle Ryan matched in our browns for Christmas Eve mass.

I think Mommy is so funny!

But even funnier is Maeve who has discovered her belly button and likes to show everyone- even at the Mexican restaurant. Be careful, she'll ask to see yours too!

Christmas Part 2- Asheville

While on their first househunting trip to North Carolina, my mom and dad came across this small abode. My dad liked it but my mom couldn't imagine cleaning 43 bathrooms!!

No, really Mimi and Goose wanted me all to themselves so my parents took off to Asheville for a night. They met up with my Grandma and Grandpa Councill and Uncle Jordan who joined them for the Biltmore tour. They say if you have never been, especially at Christmas, you must go!

They also took in the sites at the famous Grove Park Inn. It was built in 1912 and is completely built of stone and concrete- advertised then as "absolutely fireproof." The GPI hosted the International Gingerbread House Competition and alot of the entries were on display throughout the hotel.

Blessings in Disguise

So it took 13 and half months but today Jack got sick. Yes, we have been extremely blessed to have such a healthy boy! I mean all those burp cloths were a waste of money b/c he never even spit up as a baby! But I knew the day would come and it did. I got a phone call from our nanny, Cory, telling me Jack had thrown up. I raced home and by the time I got there she had bathed, changed and soothed him as well as cleaned the carpet! We love her! I put Jack in the car to take him to the doctor, not even thinking I should take an extra outfit. About 100 yards away from the office, I heard it. I smelled it. I turned around and saw it. Vomit everywhere. All over Jack. All over the carseat, the buckle, the cupholder that he keeps his Cheerios in. I pulled in as fast as I could and went to get him. He didn't cry, just seemed startled. It was then I realized I had no other clothes for him. So I stripped him down to his socks and diaper and took him into the office. As soon as we walked in a little girl looked at her mom and said, "Mommy, why is that baby naked? It's cold outside." Yes, I wanted to burst into tears. So the receptionist handed me a bucket and we sat down and waited. We made it through the appt without another incident and headed out to the throw up soaked car. He didn't seem to notice although I had to drive home with the window open. When we got home, Jack wanted to watch Barney and I indulged him. He snuggled into me on the couch and held my hand, stroking it. At one point he looked up at me and smiled as if to say "thanks for being my mom." Seriously, it was the best -even if my car smells like vomit.

Cookie Exchange

Mom and I had our friends over for a Cookie Exchange!

It was lots of fun! Annie and I had a good time playing together.

This is the best picture James and I could get together, Neither one of us wanted to stay still.

Graduation and Good Times in Knoxville

Mom and I went to Knoxville to celebrate Uncle Ryan's graduation. We had a great time! Mimi dressed Maeve and I in Christmas sweaters. She thinks they are cute. Our moms think they are kind of dorky. We liked sitting on Goose's lap b/c he gave us chocolate donuts.

Here we are eating the gumdrops that Mimi would give us. Yummy!
Maeve goes to this cool gym every Friday and she invited me to come. I loved the trampolines and ball pits! Here are the next Paul Hamm and Mary Lou Retton.

Another beautiful day!

I had a date at the park with my friend Brendan today. I showed him how to swing since it was his first time to the playground. He seemed to like it alot! We had another 75 degree day but it is supposed to get colder this weekend.


Mom and I hit up Cracker Barrel for dinner after some Christmas shopping. I love their veggies! I also love the jelly. Mom uses most of it and then gives it to me. I spend minutes just licking the jelly out! Hilarious!

Following in Dad's Football Footsteps

I am getting very good at this walking thing and my favorite thing to do it walk around with the football. My dad played football all the way through college but my mom is already scared of me playing it. She thinks baseball would be much better. But sure enough, I have gravitated to the football and don't want to go anywhere without it!

Its beginning to feel alot like...

Spring Break! Seriously, it was 77 degrees here today! We played outside so much and I love being dirty! This weekened was just as nice and Mom and Dad thought it would be a good idea to take me to the Square to meet Santa. I did not think it was a good idea.
Here is Happy Jack before Santa:

And then here I am with Santa. I was so upset that Daddy had to take the picture really fast so that is why it is blurry. Great first visit with Santa! Hopefully he will still bring me what I want for Christmas.
My Great Aunt Maureen gave me this great nativity set last year and I love playing with it now! I hide the shepherds every now and then but Mom always seems to find them.



Finally I want to give a shout out to my Uncle Ryan who got into Vanderbilt Law School today and took his last undergrad exam! Congrats Uncle Rhino! You rock!

Helping Mom

I decided to help Mom unload the dishwasher when she was cooking dinner. She didn't know I wanted to help until she turn around and found me in the dishwasher. Good thing she had the camera near by to catch me doing such good deeds!

JACK WALKS! JACK WALKS!

12 months 2 weeks and 5 days I took my first steps! Here I am getting a littler sturdier.

There usually has to be a ball involved for me to chase!

Lunch with Mimi

Mimi needed a Jack fix so we met in Chattanooga today for lunch. It was a fun time! Thanks Mimi!

Winners and losers

So my mom and I tried our best to cheer on the Vols Saturday but it didn't quite work. Uncle Ryan gave me this t-shirt. Maybe b/c he knew he might be spending another three years at UT because he got into LAW SCHOOL! Yeah for Uncle Ryan! I am so proud of him! And the Vols, well their luck just ran out. Oh well.