just because

just because i love this girl so much

and just because i feel so lucky to be her mama

just because she has the yummiest cheeks and lips ever.

just because i love her daddy and his love for her.

just because this is the cutest sweater ever made.

just because i want to remember this moment and never forget it.

just because i'm beyond grateful and feeling blessed.

and just because i want to eat. her. up.

(really though..i have to stop myself from taking a bite out of those cheeks every now and again)

12.27.2013

Piper's FIRST Christmas

this year, my sweet Pipey's celebrated her very first Christmas!

although she is not yet old enough to appreciate or really have any idea of what is going on around her, i still wanted to make it a special one for her.

this year Christmas came SO fast. i found myself sewing her stocking on Christmas eve morning

and scrambling to get her a few little things. 

we had so much fun though. we spent this year with jason's family for Christmas eve and morning, and then headed over to hang out with my family in the afternoon. that's how we make it work with our families living so close. we literally have to split every holiday and are always driving back & forth, but i can't complain. it's such a blessing to have both our families so close.

jason and i really wanted to focus on the spirit of the season, so we did little things leading up to Christmas to get us in the spirit. i love Christmas, but jason..he's kind of obsessed. he's the type that could listen to Christmas music all year long. i love that about him. he gets so excited and wants to do all the fun Christmas-y things with me. here are some photos..quality camera mixed with iphone pictures.

Christmas Sunday

 Christmas morning

 Grandpa

 my peppermint candy cane party shoes

 newport boat parade

 cousin sadie lovin on p

 Papi

Here is a (rough) video of our day. I wish i would've gotten more footage from Christmas eve and more, but it was a last minute thought. enjoy!

Piper's First Christmas from Annie Kimball on Vimeo.

I cannot let this season pass without expressing my love for my Savior and for all that he has done for me. I am so grateful that our Father in heaven sent him to Earth all those years ago to be born in Bethlehem. i don't think ill ever be able to comprehend all that Christ has done for me and the sacrifices He made, but i am eternally grateful and know that i can be made clean because of his atoning sacrifice. i hope that everyone was able spend some time reflecting on the true meaning of the season this year, and throughout this whole new year.

 love to all! xox

Family Christmas Pictures

This was the first year that we sent out Christmas cards to friends and family.

I decided that it was time, now that there are 3 instead of just the 2 of us.

While we were in Florida, jill snapped a few of us.

these are a few favorites. love this little family of mine.

im kind of obsessed.

3 months

my sweetest little one is 3 months today.

already!? what the heck. time needs to slow down.

she is growing and getting bigger every single day and i can't handle it,

but i do love the rolls that are forming and those cottage cheesy thighs and buns..so yummy.

at 3 months, this girl has celebrated her first Christmas and New Years. she is my favorite running buddy. sleeps the whole time, making it so easy to take her along with me. she loves walks too..and being in her stroller. falls asleep everytime we are in the car. when she is not sleeping in the car, she loves to look out the window. smiles a lot and is starting to give us little giggles. loves her binkie. sleeping through the night. great eater. likes to be facing outward so she can see what's going on. loves watching tv. loves to be sung to. loves showers. is getting so strong. sucks on her fists and is starting to find her fingers. grabs anything that is near her...blankie, my hair, my shirt, etc. (and has a mighty strong grip). was sick for her first time for about 2 weeks...congested and wheezing. the saddest thing. played baby Jesus in the live nativity at my church. and is stealing our hearts every day.

gosh we love this girl more than words and i am LOVING this stage. my favorite so far. 

thanksgiving in florida

we got back late wednesday night from our 10 day trip to florida.

my sister and her family moved out to destin, fl because of my brother in laws dental residency with the airforce. since they moved out there, we decided why not bring the whole family over there and do something different for thanksgiving. my parents, my other sister's family, and us, made it over there to spend good quality time together and check out their new home for the next year. (although we were so sad my brother and his fam couldn't make it - we missed you guys!)

what an amazing and beautiful place that area is. i would have never known. it truly is a hidden gem and pictures don't do it justice. the water is clear and turquoise and the sand is like sugar.

piper was a dream the whole time. slept great, traveled great, and took all the attention from her cousins great. they were always wanting to hold her, read her stories, sit next to her, try to make her laugh.. and she didn't mind one bit. melted my heart.

we pretty much got to experience everything that area has to offer - including all of the weather extremities for this time of year. it was hot, humid, freezing, pouring rain, windy, perfect, and everything in between. it made for an adventurous trip, which made it exciting. 

kate and pehrson really out did themselves. she had every single day planned out on a calendar including meals and activities. she truly is the domestic goddess of our family..I'm working on becoming more like her. 

also, we had fried turkey for thanksgiving. 

a true southern way of cooking.

im not a huge fan of turkey, but this really was good. i thought it was better.

ps. remember how i got a real legit camera and said i would post better quality pictures? well yeah, i still haven't gotten around to learning how to use the dang thing so once again, my iphone saves the day when capturing these life moments. thanks iphone.

here are some pictured highlights:
the pilot let pipe's sit in his seat when we were getting off the plane. the whole flight crew got a real kick out of it. 

 florida's idea of a white winterland

beck was piper's biggest fan

the adorable little beach town Rosemary

family bike ride through watercolor. (where the truman show was filmed) it was the cutest place ever

thanksgiving day

spent a day boating through the bayous and bays of the gulf. saw some dolphins..we were hoping to see some crocs.

 biking to Jolee's island

 we saw some unreal sunsets

 dipping her toes in the water.

 & she met santa for the first time! didn't even phase her.

i miss this fun trip already and feel so lucky to have such an awesome family who i love and look forward to spending time with. they are the best!
thanks again hawkleys.

2 months

My baby girl is already 2 months!

12lbs 11.5oz (82%) 23.75in (94%)

She is starting to get some good chub going on and is above average on her weight and height.

I especially love the rolls that are forming. oh, and her awesome double chin and cheeks. She is just getting yummier by the feeding. 

This girl has had quite the second month. 

2 month highlights:

-got blessed by her Daddy

-went on her first plane ride to Florida and did amazing. We went on 4 different planes (2 each way) and she was great every time. Never made a peep.

-Put on a swimsuit for the first time and dipped her toes in the Gulf of Mexico

-is sleeping 4-6 hours every night (one night she slept 7 - woohoo!)

-started smiling and doesn't stop! we ooh and ahh over her smiles all day long

-went to a few more showers & movies

-let mommy and daddy go out (twice!) while grandma watched her

-has a really strong neck and can hold it up really well

-got her 2 month shots and it killed me. I totally cried...couldn't stand hearing her scream and cry that hard.

-we call her our party girl. she loves being around noise and lots of people. she is most content when we are out and about.

-first thanksgiving (spent in Florida)

-is already a daddy's girl. she loves cuddling with him.

-fitting into 3 month clothes

love this girl more and more everyday.