Christmas with the Meeks

Tonight we had Chris, Heather and Brentley over for hamburgers. We also gave the girls their Christmas presents. Marla was interested in the tissue paper more than anything!

First Road Trip

Well, Marla just experienced her first road trip. We went to Chattanooga, TN for the youth's winter retreat from Dec. 27-29. The drive would normally take 3 to 4 hours, but with a bus load of youth you have to eat, use the bathroom, etc. Well, it took about 6 hours to get there. Marla was so good. When we were in the car, she was sleeping, other wise she was happy, awake and content! We could not have asked for a better baby. Of course she was loved by all her youth buddies! :)

The Girls

The day after Christmas the girls that I went to college with have started a tradition to do our Christmas get together the day after Christmas. This year was the 2nd annual after Christmas party. We went to Charity's house and ate and sat around and talked and laughed like we always do. This was the first time that Angie got to see Marla because she left the day after Marla was born to go to Mexico for four months. It was so good to see the quancadas again! :)

Toshia and Lawrence's

Christmas Night we went to Toshia and Lawrence's to see Joshua, Tanner, and Emma. Marla thought it was fun to chew on Tanner's cheek. Emma was so cute when she opened her presents. She pulled out a sweater and said, "A SWEATER!!!" And then she opened up a pair of pants and she said, "SOME PANTS!!! :)" I can't believe how big the boys are now! Travis and I used to keep them all the time. I think that has helped us in being parents to Marla. I think it helps out to keep a baby over night when they are 6 weeks old! :)

Uncle Dan and Aunti Nicole's

For lunch on Christmas day we go to Daniel and Nicole's house to eat lunch and open more presents. We usually eat a variety of Mexican food, but this year we had lasagna. There is never any worry of going hungry in our family during this time of year. We had so much fun being together. Jillian was funny, as always, being silly, playing with toys and reading her books.

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NaNa's and Papa's Christmas

After we opened up what Santa brought, we went to NaNa and Papa's to eat breakfast, and open up more presents. We had country ham, grits, deer tenderloin and biscuits and gravy. Marla was so happy about Christmas that she had enough and fell asleep in her Papa's arms! Thank you for all of our presents!!

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Santa has arrived

Today Santa came to visit Marla. Marla got a lot of presents from Santa- as you can see from the picture. Christmas day was filled with a lof of excitement!!

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Christmas Eve

Today Travis and I cleaned house and tried to put up presents that we have all ready received. We went to Larry's family's get together tonight. Christmas is so much fun!!

MiMi and Pop Pop's Christmas

On Christmas "Adam" (LOL), Dec. 23rd, we went to Danny and Barbara's for Christmas dinner with Daniel, Nicole, Cole and Jillian, Derrick, Heather and Hannah, Kyle, and Barbara's sister and her two kids and granddaughter. We had a wonderful and entertaining time. Hannah was absolutely adorable. Jillian wanted to open everyone's presents, and Cole was just being Cole!! He kept making Marla laugh by running across the room and turning on Frosty then running back. Marla got so tickeled at him running back and forth, so we kept making him do it, so we could get it on video!!! We laid Marla down in the floor and Hannah decided she was going to run in circles around her. One time she almost fell on top of Marla, but Heather caught her just in hime. Hannah was acting so silly and laughing at everything once 10:00 came around. Now we know what Hannah can do after several hours past her bedtime!!! As always MiMi's food was delicious!!!



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Smith Family Christmas

Today we went and celebrated the Smith Family Christmas at Crosswell First Baptist. It was nice seeing family. We never really see each other unless it is Christmas, but it was nice seeing everyone. Last year Marla was a "secret" until Christmas Day and Nathaniel was almost here, so it was the first time many of the family members got to see them! Click the link to see pictures.

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Aunt Mary's

This is Marla's First Christmas and I think it is more exciting for Travis and me than it is for her because she really does not have any idea what is going on! Tonight we went to Travis' Aunt Mary's house. It is a tradition to have oyster stew and shrimp cocktail as an appetizer, then the main course- pork tenderloin, beef tenderloin, rice, macaroni and cheese, sweet potato casserole, and then we end the meal with fruit cocktail. Marla received a cute outfit from Aunt Sue and a little dress with a sweater that has a fur collar and a 5 in 1 toy from Aunt Mary. We had a great time seeing everyone. (First Family Christmas Stop!!!)

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Biltmore House

Today Marla had a date with MiMi and Pop Pop to the Biltmore House. We decided to go to the Biltmore House for Danny and Barbara's Christmas present. Travis and I both had never been before. It was really neat to know that someone used to live in that huge house!!! Marla was very good, too!!! I was proud of her because she is cutting a tooth and was still a good baby. We had here in a green fleece outfit and when Travis went to change her diaper her feet were green!!! Thanks MiMi and Pop Pop for going to the Biltmore House!!! We had a great time! Can't wait to go in the Spring sometime to see all the flowers!!!

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First Tooth

Today I just happened to put my finger in Marla's mouth and I noticed something really sharp!!! She is cutting her first tooth! We noticed that she has been drooling a lot lately and she started having a runny nose and some nice runny diapers!!! She is 4 months and cutting her first tooth!!! Heavens!!

Calhoun Christmas Party

Travis brought Marla to school today for our Christmas party. He told me that he had to work and that he probably would not be able to come, but I stepped out of my room for a minute and he was walking down the hall with her. What a great surprise!!! I was so excited to see them both. The kids were also so excited to see her! (as well as all the teachers) I told them that they could look but not touch because they all had germs and she did not need to be sick over Christmas break!!! They all thought that was funny! I did take a class picture and only let one boy and one girl hold her. They were loving it!!

Visit with Santa

After getting Marla's pictures made for Christmas, we took a trip to the mall to get her picture made with Santa. We only waited for about an hour, which is very good. She was asleep when I handed her to Santa, then she woke up and just looked at him. She acted like she was going to cry, but he started talking to her and she started to smile. Santa said, "This is what it is all about. I could see her smiling the whole time." He asked if Marla would give him a hug, so as I titled her down towards him she started smiling from ear to ear!!! Santa makes everyone smile!!!

Marla's First Christmas Pictures

Today we took Marla to Portrait Innovations to get her Christmas pictures made. She did so good, and we got a lot of good pictures made!!! She smiled and laughed and did exactly what I was hoping she would do!! She was so funny at first because every time the lady would take a picture the big flash would go off and Marla would have a delayed reaction and then blink and kind of jump a little bit! It was so cute! She is truly our little Christmas present!!! Click on the link to view her pictures!!!!

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4 months

TODAY MARLA IS 4 MONTHS OLD!!!!!

4 month check-up

Marla went to the doctor today for her 4 month check-up. She weighs 17.2 pounds and is 26.25 inches long!!! She is 98% in both her weight and height. Her head is 94%.The doctor was very pleased about the way Marla is doing. She said that she is growing at a great rate and is very proportional!!! So, it is okay that she is a little chunky monkey!!! She got shots again, but did very well!!!! I was so very proud of her!

Visit from the Hayes!!

Tonight Matt, Donna, Mattison, and Sophia Hayes came over for a visit. (Well, Matt had to do some plumbing work!!! :) Here are a few pictures of the girls together!!

Umm. Umm. Good!!!!

I ate Santa's Cookies!!! (Can't you tell!) We go this Friday for our 4 month check-up. We will know how much Marla weighs now!!!

First Christmas Shopping Trip

On Saturday, Travis and I went to the outlet mall in Gaffney. We had not done any Christmas shopping, so we decided to just go and see how much we could get done. Marla did very good. She rode in her stroller a good bit and of course wanted to be held as well. Travis and I took turns holding her as we walked around to all the different stores. When we were in Bass, Marla had fallen asleep on Travis' shoulder. Her head was down a little bit, but was resting on his shoulder. Well, this old woman with her cane comes walking in and says, "You need to put that baby's head up." So, then she proceeded to lift Marla's head up on Travis' shoulder. Well, then Marla woke up!!! :) When we finally got back home around 8:30, we went to Outback to eat, and Marla slept so good. We must have really worn her out.

Sunday School Christmas Party

We had our Sunday School Christmas party at our house Friday evening. Marla was so good. She stayed in Kasey's lap most of the evening. She watched everyone open presents. We had a great time eating and fellowshipping!

Santa's Nice List

Here is the first of many Christmas outfits!!!!
Here is a picture of Marla and I "Crying!"

Baby Dedication

Today was Baby Dedication at church. We dedicated 18 babies. Marla was great the entire service. After church we had our family and friends who came to the dedication over at our house for lunch. We ended up having 31 people at our house!!! It was nice to have everybody together to celebrate Marla!!! She is a very special child and is loved by so many people! I pray that Marla grows up and learns about Jesus through our witness and teaching as well as the people she is surrounded by. I hope she comes to Christ at an early age, and learns to love church and life as much as Travis and I do!!!

Picture Queen

I love taking pictures of Marla. I never leave home without my camera. I just always find myself taking pictures of her!!! Here are just a few that I have taken recently.