A House Made of .....

Ready for Santa

CoCo had a salon appointment on Monday. She's bathed and groomed with bows and all. She's looking forward to a stocking full of bones and treats. She's been a very good girl this year.

A Casual Evening

A Bowl of Chili to Warm Us on a Chilly Night! A Little Red Car - Just Like My Granddaddy!

Hey - I can't see where I'm going!

Mema and Granddaddy

Hanging out with the boys!

Jax entertaining the crowd.

My Brother Jay and Me.

A Moment with My Husby!

A few nights ago Granddaddy, Mema and Uncle Jay came over for a casual evening of delicious chili and cheesecake bars. Granddaddy and Mema gave Jax lots of goodies including a cool red car, a rocking horse and an Alabama (ROLL TIDE) rocking chair. We had a fun evening relaxing and laughing. Jax loves to entertain and he did not disappoint. A wonderful time to be together.

Time with Family

My very own fish bowl - I love it!

Thanks for helping me, Savannah.

Aunt Julie, Uncle John and Jax

A few nights ago Jax and his cousin Savannah exchanged Christmas gifts. It was a fun evening to relax and enjoy being together. John and Julie have a beautiful home. It's always especially festive during the holidays. Jax loves spending time with Savannah.

A Lovely Day

A winter wonderland!
Granddaddy, John and Savannah
Julie and Mema

Is there something in here?

Hey Mommy - hurry up!

On Sunday we enjoyed a lovely holiday lunch with my family. Our delicious dinner consisted of beef bacon wrapped chicken, Honey-Baked ham, white rice, cheese, crackers, green grapes, a variety of raw veggies, deviled eggs, my brother John's famous broccoli cheese casserole and bacon wrapped green beans, my brother Jay's yummy frozen fruit salad, and warm yeast rolls. The festive white cupcakes with creamy buttercream frosting topped with white sprinkles were equally delicious.

It was a wonderful time with lots of laughs, hugs and delightful conversation. Jax loved having everyone over and enjoyed an early Christmas present from Mema and Granddaddy.

Celebrating the Season at Puffy

Yummy goodies for my friends!
Two very dear friends!

Last Saturday morning I met my girlfriends, Ann Marie and Erin at the Puffy Muffin in Brentwood. We had a wonderful breakfast of our favorite morning treats. It is always so much fun to get together. We exchanged holiday gifts and enjoyed lots of laughs.

This is the Life

It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like.....

Looks good to me, Daddy!
This is cool!
Jax put his "Little Ducky" on the tree all by himself!

What do you think of my antlers?

My two wonderful boys! So sweet!

It's beginning to look and feel like Christmas in the Dooner home. We went tree shopping on Saturday and found a beautiful Douglas Fir. It smells wonderful. We enjoyed a fun night decorating our perfect tree.

Monday night we visited with Santa Claus at Cool Springs Galleria. Jax was a perfect angel as he posed with Jolly Ole St. Nick. He loved his candy cane antlers.

This is such a wonderful time of the year. The smell of the tree and freshly baked sugar cookies fill our home. Our stockings are hung - ready to be filled. Enjoy this magical time of the year.

Black Friday

In anticipation of Black Friday Coco got busy checking out the newspaper for the best deals. Who knows if it was the thought of "shopping til she dropped" or all of that yummy turkey - either way she zonked out before she even got out the door!

Happy Turkey Day!

What a wonderful day! My husby, beautiful baby boy and my brother enjoyed a delicious meal consisting of ham, spice rubbed turkey breast, mom's "got to have" cornbread dressing, cranberry salad, frozen strawberry salad, peas and yummy yeast rolls. Dessert was a wonderful cinnamon streusel pound cake - a recipe given to me by a dear friend. We had lots of great conversation and a few laughs along the way. Mom and Dad were not able to come. Dad was a little under the weather. They were greatly missed. Jax loves his Mema and Granddaddy so much. He was looking forward to blowing bubbles with Granddaddy but I'm sure that we will visit with him very soon.

I love Thanksgiving. It is such a warm holiday. It's nice to relax and enjoy time with family and to reflect on our many blessings. God has blessed my life in so many ways. I have a husband that I adore more and more each day and a sweet baby boy that gets sweeter every day. I have a loving family and wonderful friends. I also have a furry mutt that greets me with love every time I walk in the door. I have a warm home and plenty of food. My husband provides for my child and me. I have no worries. Yes - I am truly blessed.

To each and every one of you I wish a very Happy Thanksgiving. I am grateful for you.

Girls' Weekend

I had the most fun this weekend. My 17 year old niece stayed with us this weekend while her mom and dad enjoyed time with friends at a retreat. Friday night we made brownies and just hung out. Saturday we had a girls day out to the mall. I loved watching my sweet niece check out the latest trends. I learned what's in and what's not. I really enjoyed spending the afternoon with her. She is such a busy girl. I'm very proud of the wonderful young lady she has become.

Thanks for a fun weekend - Savannah! We'll have to do it again soon.

Aloha with Love

A few days ago a group of ladies gathered to celebrate a wonderful event in the life of a wonderful friend. Two friends and I hosted a Hawaiian themed bridal shower for our dear friend who married the love of her life on the beautiful island of Maui just last month. It was a fun afternoon filled with lots of laughter and a few delightful goodies. It was an afternoon that will be remembered for many years.

Here Comes Santa Clause.......

Santa arrived on Saturday along with The Grinch and the Radio City Rockettes. We enjoyed the excitement of their arrival at Cool Springs Galleria. Jax loved "dancing" to the music and watching the Rockettes.

After seeing Santa we made a quick trip to Mema and Granddaddy's house. We enjoyed a relaxing afternoon. We took a brisk walk on a beautiful fall day. What a wonderful time of the year!

Our weekend concluded with another relaxing day on Sunday. We went to church in the morning and watched a few football games in the afternoon.

A Scary (but very cute) Lion

Ready to ROAR!!!!!

Spookin' with Aunt Julie!

For me?

Trick or Treat - Uncle Jay!

I'm very scary - don't you think?

Jax was filled with delight as he went trick or treating this year. Halloween began on Wednesday as we went to trunk or treat at Southern Hills Church of Christ where my brother, sister-in-law and niece attend. Jax loved seeing all of the other trick or treaters.

On Friday we went to a couple of houses in our neighborhood as well as to Uncle Jay's for a little spookin' fun. Uncle Jay always finds the cutest toys for Jax. This year he got a singing dog with crazy ears that dance to the music. So Fun!

We had so many trick or treaters knock on our door - we actually gave out all of the candy we had - a great thing! Mom and Dad came over for an impromptu hot dog dinner. Jax loves seeing his Mema and Granddaddy. It was a great Halloween!

Family Fun

Umm...maybe my name will be on that ballot one day.....

President Jax Dooner - I like it!

A very happy and blessed family!

My boys - I'm a very lucky lady!

Wow, mommy! That would make a lot of pumpkin pies.
What a beautiful fall day we enjoyed on Saturday! Our adventure began at The Factory as we cast early votes for our favorite candidates. Jax got an "I Voted" sticker and wore it proudly.Our next stop was downtown Franklin for the annual Pumpkinfest. We saw a giant pumpkin, lots of ghosts and goblins and had a delicious lunch at Mellow Mushroom.

Sometimes It's Just the Little Things

I put out my adorable scarecrows a few weeks ago. Everyday since I put them out my smallest one would topple over at least once. I was always saying as I looked out my front door, "Oh no! My scarecrow has fallen again." This went on for about two weeks. One afternoon my wonderful "husby" appeared with wood and glue. He made stands for my scarecrows. A few days later he painted them. Isn't he the sweetest?

Moments like these make me realize that sometimes it's just the little things that make a difference. Thank you, honey! I am very blessed to have such a loving and talented "husby"!

A Hawaiian Wedding

A dear friend of mine is getting married today in Maui. She has been on my mind all day. I'm so happy for her. She is a true friend that is always truly happy when wonderful things happen in the lives of others. I look forward to seeing pictures from her happy day. I know she made a beautiful and stunning bride.

Thinking of Robbie on her special day brought back memories of my "husby" and I celebrating our first anniversary in Hawaii. We had a fantastic trip and hope to go back one day with sweet baby Jax.