Dear Tabitha,

This is the day of your birth. February 23, 2009. It was beautifully cloudy, a little rainy and sunny day. There was even a rainbow. The experience of your birth (the very first one I’ve ever been a part of) has really changed me, more than I thought it would. In a very good and surprising way. Jeremy and I are so happy we were there for your birthday!

This is what it looked like outside about an hour before you were born.

I loved this sticker.

This is your sister Daphne. She really wanted to play in the water!

Daphne plays puzzles with Angie, waiting for you to get here.

Daphne helps Mom.

Mommy and Daddy waiting for you to be born.

I loved this moment.

Happy Birthday, Tabitha Jane!

Daphne was very excited to meet you finally.

A little after you arrived. You were born at 8:44 am.

Your first hug with mom and dad. You were so peaceful and didn’t cry once!!

Mommy was overjoyed after you got here. “She’s so beautiful! I love everyone! This was so wonderful. Thank you all for being here!” your Mommy said!

Hi Tabitha!

This is my favorite picture of you! You really were so, so, so beautiful. The peacefulness of the water and your face are so evident.

Daphne puts on her princess dress to celebrate.

Daddy holds you.

Still not a peep from you!

Daphne comes over to see you again.

You were 22 inches long and weighed 8.8 pounds.

Thank you Cook family for sharing this wonderfulness with us!

A couple weeks ago I went to Vegas to celebrate the birthday of not one, but TWO very important birthdays of my friends, Amy and Tiffany. We got a van to hold all eight of us and stayed at The Venetian.

Amy went a little crazy writing on our van!

There was so many memorable moments but here’s just a few:
-Before we even left town, one girl forgot her underwear.
-I decided to do a fake tan for the first time and burned myself really bad! (I STILL have the light lines on my back!)
-One girl fell out of the van! Twice!
-A gas station guy asked, “What does Vegas or Bush mean?” but what was written on the van was “Vegas or Bust!” So that became our slogan.
-We got amazing hookups everywhere we went, just for being a group of girls!

Birthday Girl #1: The beautiful Amy.

Birthday Girl #2: The beautiful Tiffany.

Vanessa knows how to rock a photo shoot!

Yep, I posted this one cause I look goood!

My two favorite (G-Rated) quotes from the weekend:
“I love big words and when you use them, I kinda love you a little.”
“Every time I’m sad I’ll think of her falling and I’ll be happy again.”

This weekend was one filled with rainbows, cookies, bubbles and midgets (or technically, a Dwarf.) It will go down in history as being one of the most fun times ever to be had by yours truly!

Awhile back, I shot pictures of Kristin to use for her promo stuff. We had fun! So for my birthday (December 20th) I asked her to take pictures of ME! I wanted to incorporate my vintage cameras with an Anthropologie kind of feel. (And thanks to a friend who works there, I got a few new outfits at 40% off!)

I love how they turned out! Here’s a few of my faves. The rest are on Kristin’s blog. My makeup/hair was done by my dear friends Amy and Melody. They made me a work of art!

I LOVE all of them but this one might be my fave!

Love, love, love my vintage cameras!!

I love the juxtaposition of the Bible and me with my camera. Perfect!

Thank you girls for making me feel so pretty and special on my birthday! One of my best ever! And thank you to everyone who left a comment for me on facebook and twitter! I’m so blessed

Every year my mom and I get together and have a bake-a-thon! It’s so much fun and it really gets us in the Christmas mood. This year I decided to document our work. We were smart this time and started with the dough one day and baked the next day. It saved us soooo much time and stress! New tradition.

It started with my favorite vintage apron.

Tools.

My step-dad George built all this! It’s a barn and a cute little house with a white fence and a garden for my mom. When we have kids (if ever!) it will be so fun for them! If you have any strays, feel free to bring them over; my parents LOVE kids!

Meet our mascot. Mokie looks innocent but she’s annoying! She’s a mini Aussie but she’s soooo fat! She always wants to be in the way!

Sugar cookies.

Everyone’s favorite: Russian Tea Cakes/Mexican Wedding Cookies.

Ginger cookies baking.

Sunset.

Abstract Sunset.

George with his feet up by the fire. Soo Christmasy!

All our hard work.

Gift boxes.

Gift bags.

All in all we made: Oatmeal Cookies, Sugar Cookies, Pumpkin Cookies, Ginger Cookies, Russian Tea Cakes, Double Chocolate Biscotti and Pumpkin bread!

We hope you are enjoying some of your favorite holiday things!!