I vaguely remember promising to post the loads of pics I have from Elizabeth's blessing back in September. At last, here they are (in exquisite detail).

These are a few shots taken by Kate, the same auntie who hand made this beautiful blessing dress with love. Thanks Kate for making our little family's first heirloom.


Here's the proud mom and dad (please note the obvious sleep deprivation on their faces)

We were so spoiled by the generosity of both our large (and ever growing) families that so many of the were able to make the trip out here to Texas to be with us.

Here's when Elizabeth first met her Papas.

And reunited with Auntie Courtney

And first met Aunt Michelle

Her cousins Emma and MacKenzie

Her [honorary] Aunt Marisa

Here's a wonderful example given by her grandpas of how to share...

This is how she greeted her Grandma Braun

And her Uncle John

Her Grandpa Jeff managed to wrestle away from her Papas for some alone time

But that was short lived and then her Uncle Jacob took over

And then, back to her Nana who was there when she was born and hasn't found a good excuse to put her down yet.

Thanks to the Brauns, Lazerbeams, Fairbanks, Edwardsons, the W.E.s and Johnsons for being a part of such a wonderful weekend for us. Elizabeth is blessed to be welcomed into the world by so many people who love her. We love you all right back.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Ours was a bit different this year. We were supposed to be over at the Braun's for the holiday but Adam got so busy at work we couldn't leave. I thought it would be sad and lonely but it was so relaxing and wonderful. Look! I actually got to set a proper table! Woohoo! (when does THAT ever happen at my house? Never!) Adam cooked a brilliant turkey (which I have been banned from posting pictures of), we made all the sides just how we like them and we stuffed ourselves silly. You can see even Elizabeth's mouth was watering at the sight of it. And one more thing to be grateful for...Elizabeth let out her first real belly laugh on Thanksgiving Day. I'm having a rough time with the sound but even just seeing it is adorable, isn't it? (The video is long but there is such a cute part at about 30 seconds that I couldn't crop it. Feel free to fast forward.)

Fess up!

Take the Quiz and Share Your Results!

First, take the quiz and tell me which Cullen you are. Next, has anyone seen the movie yet? What did you think?

Hanging out with the folks.

I don't know why but I find Elizabeth to be impossibly cute in her little Baby Bumbo. Maybe it's because she's just to petite that it looks like her seat is swallowing her. Anyway, it's a good thing she likes it in there because that's where she hangs out every evening while we make dinner and wait for Dad to get home.

She's so curious. She follows every sound she hears. The kitchen is great that way. There are enough sights and sounds in there to keep her entertained forever!

Here's Adam at his favorite time of day. He's all over story time before bed. That's good news for Elizabeth since he's way better at doing Brown Bear's voice than I.

Are you all sick of Elizabeth pictures yet?

I'm a little late.

Here's Elizabeth in her Halloween costume. Sadly, she was feeling a little under the weather and didn't much feel like smiling but I still thought she was the cutest little witch in the world.

And I just thought this photo was hilarious. We went trick or treating with my nieces and nephew in McKinney. Nate, the littlest, had had enough and so Adam mercifully carried Humpty Dumpty the rest of the way. Isn't that costume a riot?

Farewell, Old Friend

After just two years, I said good bye to my life as a lawyer. Monday would have been my first day back. Did I feel a twinge of sadness about closing that chapter of my life?

Anyone who knows me well will tell you I've dreamed of being a lawyer since I was tiny. It's the only thing I can ever remember wanting to be and it was everything I thought it would be. And then, from one day to the next, I went from Tamara Braun, Esquire to Mommy. Now my days are filled with things like bathtime...

and naptime

and playing dress up

and my personal favorite...snuggling.

It's the best job I could have ever asked for. It's the job I'd have wished for all my life if I'd known it was an option. Thanks for giving me this promotion, Elizabeth and Adam. I promise I won't let you down!

You'd do it too...

This is a fun game! Shannon tagged me to post the 5th picture in your "My Pictures" file. Here's mine.



It's my little brother and I with Cosmo at a BYU football game in 2004. That brings back such good memories.

I tag Carrie, Michelle, Carrie and Karlye. Let's see it girls. The 5th picture in your "My Pictures."