Fun times in MS

Well, we've been in Mississippi for almost three weeks now and are settling in well.  We're learning our way around (for the most part) and getting to know new friends.  It's been a busy three weeks.  Chad has been working hard and we've been playing hard as well.  Here are a few highlights:

There is a furniture store here that has a huge carousel in it.  Abigail enjoyed her first ride and I'm sure we'll go back for more soon. 

We had our first Mississippi snow in our first week here.  Abigail got to see a few flurries before she went to bed.  Then the snow really started coming down and actually stuck to the ground until the next afternoon.  

Santa came to Miskelly's (the same furniture store with the carousel) so we took Abigail to meet him.  She protested from the get go, but even tears make for a fun picture and memory.  Santa was sweet but didn't stand a chance with her.  

Santa even got Chad to sit on his knee and share his Christmas wish list ... still Abigail wanted nothing to do with him.  Maybe next year!

The first Saturday in December we cheered on the Tide as they beat Florida and sealed their National Championship bid.  We were pumped and Abigail cheered hard throughout the game.  The shakers were a huge hit and we'll be sure to pull them back out for the January 7th game.  I (Gloria) attended the last national championship game Alabama played in.  I was ten years old and we got tickets from Santa that Christmas.  I wonder if the big guy got my request this year?

Nana hosted a dinner party a couple of weeks ago and I was able to help her serve.  Chad graciously took Abigail out for the night for some Daddy/Daughter time.  Nana did a great job on her tables and I thought I would show them off.  

This week, Joshua and Aunt Mil came to play for a couple of days.  It was fun to watch the babies toddle around and play with each other.  They were so sweet to each other and stayed out of trouble for the most part.  

Here's Abigail chasing Joshua as soon as he got here.  She was so happy to have someone else her size in the house.  She talks to Joshua's picture everyday, loves on it and kisses it.  Whenever we say Joshua's name she points towards Coach and Nana's room where one of Joshua's pictures is on the nightstand.  Even once the real Joshua was here she would point to his pictures instead of to him when asked where Joshua was.   



We're gearing up for Christmas and are looking forward to all of the family time in the next couple of weeks.  Hope your's is happy and blessed!

I'm the Birthday Girl!!!

Hi!  It's me, Abigail - the one year old.  I had my first birthday last week, can you believe it?  I'd been looking forward to the big day my whole life (literally) and it definitely lived up to all the hype.

I got to have THREE birthday celebrations and think my parents should carry on that tradition in the years to come.  Three times the birthday party equals three times the CAKE!!!  I'll tell you all about them.  

The first party was with the Hunsberger family at Uncle Christopher and Aunt Jennifer's house the Saturday before my birthday.  It was a really pretty day and we got to play outside for a while before enjoying hamburgers, presents and cake!

Aunt Jenn made these awesome cakes for me and the rest of the family.  They were so cute and tasted just as great too!

I had to share the spotlight with my parents for the day because we coupled the birthday party with a going away party - remember we just moved...more to come on that in a minute. 

After lunch I kicked back and started ripping into the presents.  It was so much fun and the cards attached to the gifts were my favorite part.  

After presents, it was time for cake.  I have no idea what is coming in the picture above.  

I LOVED my cake.  Seriously, I loved it - I actually put it up on my shoulder and "loved on it" like I do my baby dolls.  

So who gets the pleasure of cleaning me up?

Here's the whole group at the party. 

What a fun day!

Birthday parties are so tiring.  It is a lot of work being the center of attention.  

On my actual birthday (November 24th in case you need to mark it on your calendar for next year) my Mommy and Nana had the nerve to take me to see my doctor first thing in the morning.  I got a great report from Dr. Smith and weighed in at 19 pounds 11 ounces and was 30 1/4 inches long.  I had to get three shots on my birthday and was not happy about any part of the visit.  I don't think those doctors and nurses will forget me after the screaming I did.  Mommy and Daddy made it up to me by having a birthday celebration that night with Coach, Nana and Aunt B.  Here are just a couple of pictures of the cake I got to "eat" that night. 

My third and final birthday celebration happened the day after my birthday.  The whole Gladney family was together for Thanksgiving (see my Mom's explanation of Thanksgiving in the post below) and we partied with cake and presents AGAIN!  One of Aunt B's friends from school made the yummy cakes.  Thanks Nurse!  

Once again I enjoyed getting cake all over my hands and face.  Next, it was time for presents. 

I had so much fun opening gifts and am so thankful for all of my pretty new things.  

Here I am "kissing" my new baby doll.  I love my baby.  

Well, in the past week my address has changed.  Me, Mommy and Daddy are living with Coach and Nana for a little bit while we wait for my house in Birmingham to sell (put that on your prayer list please).  Thanks for my room Coach and Nana.  Hopefully Daddy won't over stay his welcome cause I know me and Mommy won't!

Due to my increasingly busy schedule (now that I am a one year old), I will no longer be posting my monthly update with frog/chair pictures.  I am just too busy walking all over the place, eating table foods, and jabbering up a storm to whoever will listen.  I told Mommy this was her last frog/chair picture until my next birthday.  However, don't be sad, I will still be writing feature posts from time to time as I see fit.  

I am getting excited about Christmas coming and think I will enjoy it this year a little more than I did last year as a four week old.  I'll let you know how it goes.  I wish you all a very Merry Christmas.  

Love,

Abigail 

Thanksgiving 2009

This was a big Thanksgiving for our family.  Every other year since 1987 extended family on my Dad's side gets together for a Thanksgiving family reunion at Camp Dawson.  It is difficult to explain to an outsider how much fun is had in the four days we are together.  I don't know anyone else who gets together with 60+ relatives for four days every other year to eat, play games, watch football, visit, and laugh at each other.  

The three sisters who started it all.  Gloria Gladney, Myra Sills & Rosie Worley.

Here is the whole group.  We hit 62 this year in attendance!

This is the Gladney clan (1/3 of the family gathered)

The Thanksgiving meal is always special because we all sit together at one GIANT table.  

The food table for the Thanksgiving meal (this does not include the two tables covered in just desserts).  It's insane!

Abigail and Joshua enjoyed spending time together.  It had been too long since they had been together. 

3rd Cousins, Abigail and Myra, playing ball together. 

There are always games going on for the young and the old.  

Picking teams for the traditional family softball game.  

Softball participants warming up.  The game is serious business and highly competitive.  You better bring your A game with you to Camp Dawson.  

We can't wait for Thanksgiving 2011!

Movers and Shakers

Big news at our house.  We're moving!  Chad has accepted the Associate Pastor position at Park Place Baptist Church in Brandon, Mississippi (just outside of Jackson).  We are very excited about this new opportunity God has blessed us with and look forward to getting settled in our new city.  Chad starts December 1st, so things are moving fast around here.  Please pray that our house sells quickly!  

Abigail is also moving and shaking a lot these days.  She has started "dancing" when she hears music.  Her style is quite unique and typically just involves her head.  Take a look below. 

Walking (almost)

Abigail took three unassisted steps to me this week.  I am pretty sure she has no idea how she did it as we haven't seen a repeat performance since then.  She is super close though to being a walker.  One of her favorite things to do now is practice walking up and down the hallway pushing her doggy.  Take a look below!

Happy Halloween!

Abigail's first Halloween has come and gone and I'd say it was a success.  She hit up two Fall Festivals and got tons of compliments as the cutest bunny rabbit in the world.  Friday night we went to Dawson's Fall Festival and got our costume nice and dirty requiring an overnight washing before Saturday.  

Daddy and bunny!

Mommy and bunny, Aunt Jenn and Fairy Olivia, Aunt Sis and Cheerleader Madison

Chad took Abigail down the Titanic slide thinking she would really love it.  Her expression didn't change at all and she acted like it was no big deal.  Guess it will take more than a giant slide to phase her.  

Saturday Chad let Abigail come to McElwain early before the Fall Festival and experience the Bounce House by herself.  She seemed to really like it and enjoyed watching Mommy and Daddy jump around too (I think we had more fun than she did).  

Abigail sported her Bunny costume at McElwain's Fall Festival Saturday night to rave reviews again.  This time Mommy got a picture with the bunny.  

She partied hard and was one tired bunny by the time we got home.