Jillian's Birthday

It is hard to believe that out little girl is already 3! She is such a BIG girl in many ways - except going to the potty that is. Jillian has developed quite the personality and is really becoming a girly girl but she can be very stubborn and likes to do things her way. It is so much fun to watch her grow and especially fun to listen to the things that she is starting to say. She really remembers what we say and it is funny to hear her repeat some of those thing later. She can really speak in long complete sentences when she wants to and she can be very helpful around the house. She is also becoming a very good big sister and she is great with Grayson!

Jillian was so excited to go to school on her birthday. She got to wear her new princess dress complete with her crown. She was also very proud of her new backpack that she got as a gift.
We had a group of friends over on her birthday and she was excited to open gifts.


She was also very excited about her 3 candles
but she took one try at blowing them out and then got mad because she couldn't do it
We had her birthday party at the Jumpy Place this year. Jillian had been there before and she did a lot of jumping but this time, she refused to get in the jumpy things. This was the one time I got her to attempt it and luckily I got a picture because she did not go back in.
She had fun playing on the playscapes and playing with the baby toys
Grayson's 1st slide with Aunt Christie

Jillian was very excited for everyone to sing to her again

but she again refused to blow out candles
The cake is still good though regardless if you blow out the candles or not
This was the 1st year, we did a birthday party with all of Jillian's school friends. I think she was a little surprised to see all of her friends at her party and she had a great time.

After the party we headed back to the house to open presents.



Jillian had a great birthday and loved all of her gifts.

Christmas

We actually celebrated Christmas with the Whited's at our house this year so I made sure that we took lots of group pictures, which we normally don't do. Here is great grandma and grandpa with all of the great grandkids
Grandma and Papa with their grandkids

James' brothers and sister with their spouses
Adding in mom and dad
I realized that James and I never take pictures together anymore. When we were putting together a frame for grandma and grandpa, I had to go all the way back to last Christmas to find a picture of us without the kiddos.
The girls
Opening presents

We had Christmas at my mom and dad's the day after Christmas and of course we had to do all of the group pictures again before opening presents - see this is where I get it from

Brian and his family
Our family
Chris and Jennifer and family
All the grandkids with Granny and Grandpa - notice Grayson is not cooperating
Reading a story about Jesus before opening gifts
Finally gift time


This is what Grayson did while we opened gifts
and this was Jillian by the end of the evening. This is what 3 full days of Christmas celebrations and no naps will do to an almost 3 year-old
We had a great Christmas and we hope everyone else did as well!

Santa

Making cut-out cookies for Santa. Of course Jillian had to taste test the batter to make sure it was good
Making the shapes. She helped for a little while and then she became more of a hindrance than a help so Mommy had to finish up solo
Daddy helping Jillian set out cookies for Santa. She picked red ones of course
All smiles b/c Santa came to our house a little early. We opened our gifts Christmas Eve morning
Family picture! Bandit was determined to get in every picture that we tried to take so although we weren't trying to get him in the picture he made it in



Jillian got a baby doll with a bottle, which is what she had been asking for. She didn't care about any of her other presents - she would open one and then would again ask, "Can we open my baby?"
Grayson watching all of the action


Jillian finally got to play with her baby