2011....almost in the books

As 2011 rapidly draws to a close it is staggering how much our life has changed in just 365 days.  The fragility of this life is so amazing.

It was only a few short months ago that my father held my newborn baby girl, with huge tears in his eyes and pride that was visible, now he is gone.  Just like that.

9 months ago my Mom, although she had dementia, could talk to me & knew who we all were.  Now, the memories that made her the woman I've always known are either gone or locked away somewhere.

Today our sweet baby girl looks at us with such amazement and love we can do no wrong, as long as we are close, her world is perfect.  In a few short years, I'm sure we will be embarrassing to the point she will feel the need to excuse away our mere existence to her friends. 

But NOT today.  Today everything is new, possibilities are endless, good things are on the horizon!

As we look toward 2012, we are healthy.  Our family members & friends are healthy.  We have more love than our hearts can hold and most importantly, we have the knowledge that we must hold on tightly to those that we love today because tomorrow is not promised. 

Happy New Year!

In the New Year, may your right hand always be stretched out in friendship but never in want.  

~ Irish New Year Blessing

Christmas Kisses

Ella's 1st Christmas was wonderful.  

It was also a little sad, for obvious reasons, but I want to focus on the wonderfulness of it all.  Ella is so young, I really didn't know how she'd do, if she'd care, or how she'd be for that long, away from home.  

I needn't worry.  She. Is. Amazing.

She was great in the car.  She was great sleeping in a new place.  She was great meeting new people & visiting with family.  She was great when we went out to eat.  Are you sensing a pattern here?  God really blessed us with her.  Her smile can light up a room & the darkest of days.  We should know, We've seen it do both.

The best part of Christmas this year?
Ella started giving KISSES!!!  ON PURPOSE!!

We started with a Christmas for just our little family.  It was perfect.  

All of the stockings were hung by the....uh, window with care!

She didn't really understand why we wanted her to dig presents out of a large sock....she preferred to stick with her beloved spoon.

We went up to Maryville and were able to spend 5 days at Scott's parents.  It was so wonderful to be able to spend that kind of time with family & so important for Ella!  

Christmas Eve we went down to Lenexa, KS to spend time with my Curtis side of the family.  Cindy and her fiance were in from Chicago and it so great to see everyone and watch the cousins play together!

Christmas morning & Ella could have cared less about the presents.

She was however VERY concerned about what the heck was wrong with her best friend!

Our girls on Christmas Day, doing what they do best...
sleeping...

...and eating.

We had our Courter Christmas with Scott's brother Adam, his wife Jill, and their twins Pierson & Kendal.  Ella was mesmerized by the big kids and would sneak over & play with their toys.  It was pretty cute to watch them interact.  I can't imagine what next year will be like.

Pierson LOVING his new Elmo!

Aunt Jill showing what Mom's of twins know from the get-go, laps are always big enough for 2!

Kendal rocking out on the drums!

Ella found our wedding picture....a new favorite picture

She got WAAAAY too many toys!  Literally, we couldn't fit them all in the car for the ride home.  I think a talk with Grammy & PaPa is in order before next year.

Blue Plastic Cups...I Lift You Up....It's Time To Party!!!

Ella being a cliche and playing with a box

There's just not much cuter in the world than a baby tushy covered in tulle & polka dots.

Well, we hope you & your family had a wonderful Christmas too!  Love, Us!

Christmas Cuties {Wordless Wednesday}

Still Thankful.

We have a lot to be thankful for here at the Courter house, even 16 days post Thanksgiving, here is a small assortment....

Family

Friends 

Rescues that take amputee turtles

*nothing like a little turtle backside to really make a post!*

first snows, even if it didn't stick

and of course we are so thankful that God chose us to be the parents of this amazing, sweet, funny little girl who is now EIGHT MONTHS OLD!!!

A Letter to The Bruins

Dear Members of the 2011 Caddo Bruin State Championship Team,

Thank you.

I am proud of you.

My family is proud of you.

Your little town is proud of you.

My late father is proud of you.

I know that you know you've made history, but I don't think you really know what you've done today.  That kind of knowledge comes with distance and age.  It's the kind of knowledge that time and reflection brings. 

What you did today was to give a little town something that it's never had before.  Considering that Caddo came into existence in 1872....that's saying something.  You provided a tangible piece of evidence that says that Caddo, Oklahoma was the very best in the Great State of Oklahoma in 2011. 

Now, let me tell you what it means to me. You gave me more time and more memories with my Dad, because I know he was watching & cheering too.  You gave my daughter a link to her Grandfather through a team he hadn't coached in years, because he still loved the Bruins & players he coached, are now coaches themselves.  Your fight, your toughness, and your BRUIN PRIDE were salve to my broken heart.

Congratulations gentlemen, YOU ARE CHAMPIONS!

*picture borrowed without permission from Coach Proctor....deal with it*