Watch Out World!

Laurel got a bike for Christmas. I thought it would be a little while before she really got good at riding it, but she was cruising around like a little pro on the first ride. Looking a picture of her riding makes me a little sad. She just looks so grown! I don't notice it while she is riding though since our driveway is VERY hilly and I'm usually trying to make sure she does not go flying down a big hill and kill herself. Running after her is a good workout, I tell you!

One day I took her bike over to my Dad's neighborhood and she rode in a big flat church parking lot. That was perfect. I wish we had a place like that near us.

Before I know it she'll be going out with Matt on his forty mile bike rides. I swear, she was born, I blinked, and she is almost four years old. Crazy. As Matt and I always say, "Stay little Laurel!" It doesn't seem to be working though.

Happy New Year!!

We went down to FL to visit Matt's grandmother and great aunts for the New Year. Last time we visited Laurel was 7 months old so we were long overdue for a visit. Matt's brother and his family came down for the day as well. Laurel had a great time with her Great grandma, great great aunts, her uncle, aunt, and cousins. Matt's great aunt's daughter and her husband were also visiting from Canada. We love seeing family! We had a great trip.

We decided to leave in the night so Laurel would sleep the whole trip down (7 hours). Ha, what a joke! We got her up at 11:30pm Thursday night and put her in the car. We thought she would go right back to sleep, but she was so excited she stayed awake until 4am! She slept from 4-5 and then stayed awake until we arrived around 7am. We were worried she would have a break down later in the day, but she did fine. Matt and I had taken turns driving and we were tired, but Laurel was wide awake. She was ready to have fun!

That morning, we visited with family. There were 6 adults and Laurel and she loved all the attention she received.

Later, we took her to the beach and she jumped right in the water even though it was freezing. Laurel played in the sand and we raced the waves. She had a ball; she loves the beach! Me too!

Laurel's cousins arrived and they had a great time playing together. After a few hours of playing and us grown ups talking we headed over to the nursing home to see Matt's other great aunt, Thelma. She was happy to see all the kids and I'm glad she was awake and that we got to talk to her a little.

We all went to the park down the street and over to the bayou that afternoon.

We somehow even managed to get a picture of Twyla with all five of her great grandchildren where they were all smiling, a miracle!

The kids all decided to go down to the water and play in the sand. Laurel REALLY wanted to go into the water.

I told her if she looked at the camera and smiled just one time she could go in the water. I am not above bribes!

She then proceeded to have a ball and get totally soaked.

We had a big meal with all the family and after that Matt, Laurel, and I all went to bed at 7:30pm. We were SO tired and we all slept 11 hours. We spent the morning visiting some more. I love listening to Matt's grandma and great aunt, Peg. They have led such interesting lives and they are in their 90s so they are like walking history books.

We left for home at lunchtime on Saturday, New Years Eve. Laurel was amazing in the car for the whole car ride. We got home after dark and we did fireworks right away. We stopped on the way home and bought a bunch and Mat and Laurel were excited to set them off.

We then counted down to midnight with Laurel about 8pm and sent her off to bed. Happy New Year!!

This past year has been really great and I hope this coming year will be as well.