26.2 with Donna

I hope all yall had a great Christmas! I have plenty of photos of the little man on his first Christmas but that is for another post. My oldest sister, Hayley, & her husband, Justin, are running in a race in Jacksonville (26.2 with Donna), where all profits go toward breast cancer research. I asked her to give me some info so that I could post it on here. They are fund raising for the race & I thought maybe some of yall could help them.



In June of 1999 my mom received some of the worst news of her life. As my mom, some of my sisters and I sat around the kitchen table talking her phone rang. It was her doctor telling her that the lump tested at his office that was initially thought to be nothing ended up being cancerous. As she tried to be strong for us we could clearly see the fear in her eyes as she kept repeating that we had to call my dad. After a lumpectomy and chemo treatment she was cleared and remained cancer free for 10 years. Then when I was pregnant with my second child in 2006 again mom was told she had breast cancer. This time a mastectomy and more chemo helped her win this emotionally draining battle with cancer. Watching my mom trying to hold back tears in Dillard's as we quickly tried to hide the hair that was falling out in the hats we were helping her try on was terribly hard but if it wasn't for the research that discovered chemo....I don't even like to think about it.

26.2 with Donna is a race is in Jacksonville, FL on Feb. 12, 2012 where 100% of the race profits are going to breast cancer research. Last year my husband, Justin, and I created a non-profit charitable organization called Gimme 4 Incorporated, to help a good friend financially as he was fighting cancer. The goal of Gimme 4 Inc. is to raise money for cancer patients and cancer research. My husband is running the full marathon and I am running the half-marathon (13.1) because I am only half-crazy! My goal is to raise $500 and donate it all to 26.2 with Donna. I will admit that Justin and I have made it a competition to raise money for our race and I am woman enough to admit that as of right now he is winning. I will also admit, I want to win! If you find it in your heart or pocketbook that you feel the need to donate please make a check payable to: Gimme 4 IncorporatedPO Box 321Lake Wales, FL 33859


Any amount is helpful and greatly appreciated!

Love, Hayley

Facebook Page for Gimmie4

Parks & May May

Parker loves when his cousin, Maysen, gets the hiccups. This is a video of him cracking up every time Maysen hiccups.

The Most Wonderful Things

It's that time of year again! It doesn`t seem that long ago it was last Christmas & I was pregnant with Parker. I think most parents would agree, Christmas is different when you have kids. To me, you get to be a kid all over again! Parker will only be 6 months, but it is like Christmas when I was a kid & I LOVE it! If you look at the post before this one, it displays our Christmas card. I think it turned out cute. I might be a little late in sending them out but I tried!

I spoiled my husband in Kentucky because 1. We had no family there to hang out with 2. I didn`t have a kid yet haha. So I baked for him all the time. His favorite thing for me to do is make Chocolate Chip Cookies in shapes of the holiday & frost them. I guess I missed doing the Halloween ones for him so he was all over me to do the Christmas ones.

Santa brought a present a little early! Not really, it is just Miss Kitty.

At least this year she isn`t pushing Mary out of the way! This is a photo from last Christmas. She is such a strange cat....

Our tree

The reason for the season! If any of yall have a Christmas book that is Jesus based let me know! I want one I can read every year to the kids.

The guys just hanging out.

We went to Matt's cousin's, Deanna, kids' birthday party. Madison & Mason are twins & super cute! Their party theme was Woody & the girl cowgirl from Toy Story.

So, naturally Parker had to wear his Western attire.

They had some swings in the backyard, so Parker & his Mamaw tried them out. He loved it!

Hanging out with his Daddy.

I love those blue eyes!

Madison, the birthday girl, kissing Parker.

Parker hanging out with Granny, Matt's Grandmother.

Madison showing Parker her presents.

Mason's & Madison's Birthday "cake". It actually was cupcakes put together ,which for little kids, is great.

Mason with his Mommy, Deanna.

Madison eating her cupcake.

Mason & Madison

We stayed the night in Lakeland that night because the next day we celebrated Matt's little sister's birthday. Which she isn`t little anymore, she turned 18! When Matt & I started dating she was in 6th grade. It just makes me feel old.....

Parker being feed by his Daddy.

Say what?!?! No, he is just a fatty. When you feed him he just leaves his mouth open waiting for the next bite!

Parker's Mamaw (Matt's Mom) bought him two Christmas hats & a bib. This is the first hat, yeah, it doesn`t fit!

This is his second hat, and again, it doesn`t fit!

My poor baby looks like an elf with the tiny hat & ears that poke out! But he is still adorable!

Photo Card

Merry Candy Dots Christmas

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Iron Bowl, Hunting, Auburn & Baby Jesus

We thought Fall was crazy, then Christmas time hits! From here on out there is something not everyweekend but everday!

First we start out with a sad thing......the Iron Bowl. UGH! My Daddy said he wasnt even gonna watch, I should have done the same thing. We went to Lakeland to watch the game at Matt's Mother's house because her parents were down. I have mentioned before that Matt's Papa is the reason he loves Alabama. So I had to watch the game with a bunch of Alabama fans. It wasnt that bad but there was this annoying Alabama fan I wanted to hit in the face......my husband! And to make it worse, he does this to my sweet baby boy.......

He puts him in Alabama clothes! I just have to remember that little boys want to be like their Daddys.

The Bama fans, Papa, Matt & Parker.

The following weekend Parker stayed in Lakeland. Matt & I had a whole "date" weekend. First I got him to try sushi, that is a HUGE thing for Matt. He doesn`t like anything, and he did like this. Then Saturday morning we woke up at 5:30am and went hunting on the ranch. This was my first time hunting, we didn`t kill anything but I had a great time with my hubby!

The double tree stand we sat in. It is actually my brother-in-laws, Matt's is just a single. It was not bad at all but the mosquitoes! I was trying so hard not to move around but they were every where! It was peaceful and I`m ready for the next time we get to do that together again.

We didn`t see anything after sitting there about 2 hours, so we started walking.

We did see some does BUT it wasn`t doe season anymore.

I was in full camo but my polka dot boots!

When driving back to the house we saw a new born calf. It wasn`t scared so it let Matt walk right up to it. I keep asking, "where is his Mommy?". That is the bad thing about living on a ranch, always worrying about the cows. All I kept thinking about was Parker wondering around by himself!

Saturday night we had another baby shower for Brannan, Tim & Auburn. This one had a great theme, AUBURN!

The cake at the shower. The girl who made it is from Sebring. I can`t remember her name but she did great. I`m really thinking for Parker's first birthday to use her!

Miss Maysen came in full Auburn attire!

Sunday night Mr. Parker had a big role to play, Baby Jesus! Parker was the 4th generation that has been in the Christmas pageant at our church. This is the first time this has happened! The pageant has not changed from even when my grandmother was in it. All this just makes my heart happy: God, Christmas, family & tradition!

He just comes out at the end when he is suppose to be born. He did such a great job, he was happy the whole time!

I was on the side through just in case we had to snatch him up.

Daddy, Baby Jesus & Mommy. We were so proud!

Me, My Daddy & Parker. My Daddy was just beaming, he loves him some Parker Bany!

Here are just some random photos of the two guys I love!

Ummmmm, like father like son?!?!

Wearing Matt's Hat

Can we say Christmas Card???

And Now November is Over.....

Once again, I`m late on posting! Maybe December will better?? Again I have tons of photos for yall to catch up on.  First up my two favorite men : )

Matt's first buck of the season out on the ranch. Personally, I couldn`t kill an animal. But if my husband kills it, I can totally cook it & eat it haha. We now have plenty of deer meat, which is great if you have never had it.

Our little man isn`t so little! I am totally behind on posting about his growth & development, but yall he is huge! He is bigger then his cousin Maysen who is 3 months older then him. When we went to the doctor for his 4 month check up he was 27 1/4" (which is off the charts for his age) & 18 something pounds (95%). We go back December 27 for his 6 month check up. I can`t believe my little guy will be half a year this month!

Next is Brannan's baby shower my sisters, mother & I threw. We had it at our church where we all grew up at. Everything was pink, girly & cute!

Brannan with Auburn in belly! She will most likely be coming this month & we are super excited for another girl in the family.

The decorations

Miss Auburn Aline, herself! Brannan made this & had everyone at the shower sign it.

My 2nd sister Ambrey found this story online that read you & fill a basket as the story goes. So a line would say, "You will want to give Auburn Huggies & kisses", we would put a pack of Huggies diapers in the basket. It was really cute & the basket was full with some great stuff at the end.

 Thanksgiving! We ate lunch in Lakeland with Matt's Mother family & then came back to Lake Wales for dinner with my family.

The table at my parents house Brannan & Mom set. I  brought the pumpkin & candles holders over, so I mean I kind of helped.....

Brannan helped the kids make the table runner. For Parker we actually just did his palm print & Brannan painted on his fingers.

This was Parker's first Thanksgiving!

Parker & Matt's Papa.

Yes, my baby is wearing camo pants.....

Matt, Papa & Parker

The Brown Family......love that smile!

4 generations: Papa & Butter, Marcia, Matt & Parker

I appliqued the turkey on his onesie with the same turkey on Finley dress. But his was made with more "boyish" fabric. I was actually doing it at like 6 am Thanksgiving morning! Sorry about the drool!

With all that drool he had to get a bath. He loves bath time! Then we headed back home to eat dinner at my parents house.

Parker & Uncle Tim

Miss Finley, cute as always

But that stinker would not let me take a photo of her. I pretty much was chasing her around all night tyring to get a picture of her!

Justin & Hayley

Parker & Mommy

Miss Maysen in her Turkey Day outfit!

Daddy swinging Parker. He loves all that stuff now that makes my heart stop. Boys will be boys even that little!

Parker, "MayMay give me your hand". Maysen, "Parker don`t touch me"

On "Black Friday" we didnt hit up Wal-Mart or anything like that. We just had a nice girls day out to the "The Barn". If you have not been, you are missing out. They have cute decorations for inside & out. They also have a restaurant that has some great food.

Miss Finley was the only one who went with us.

There is so much we are thankful for this year: Moving home, Having Parker, Matt getting a job, & much much more. I hope yall had a great Thanksgiving too! Now its time to get ready for a busy Christmas season! By the way...Parker was asked to be Baby Jesus at our church's Christmas pageant this Sunday! He will be the 4th generation who has been in the pageant, My grandmother, My father, My sisters & I & now him! We are really excited & I`m sure I`ll have tons of photos to share from it!