Catch me if you can!

I know, I know...Arden is almost a year old and I'm just now getting around to posting her 11 month pictures! In my defense, we have been a bit busy lately, but then again, what's new?! I did take these pictures on time, I just didn't post them :)

So, this monthly picture thing is becoming a bit difficult! Arden rarely sits still, and trying to get her to sit for a picture is no exception. This was our first attempt to take her picture:
As you can see, she wasn't thrilled about sitting there, but who could blame her?! I took this picture right after we arrived home after our trip to Michigan. After spending 5-6 hours in a car, who would want to sit and have their picture taken?! Not me, that's for sure!

So, I tried again a day or two later, and this was the result:

Not much better, I know...but I guess that's as good as it gets with a baby on the move!

I just thought I'd share a few other pictures to show what Arden has been up to the last month or so. She LOVES dogs! She has started interacting with Murphy, and thankfully he is a very passive dog :) When she sees other dogs, she gets very excited and sometimes she even makes a barking noise which is so cute! Here she is with a little board book that is all about dogs:
I often find her playing on Murphy's bed. Again, we are so thankful that Murphy loves her too and puts up with all of her poking and prodding! Doesn't she look like she's up to something here?!
What a big girl she is--I can't believe she is almost one! Every day is a new adventure with her and we can't wait to see her grow and change each day!

Prayers

My Grandmom Norton went to see Jesus this morning. She had battled cancer for 12 years, so although this is a difficult time for us all, we are so thankful she is finally pain-free! Please keep our family in your prayers--especially my Granddad, as he just lost the love of his life and best friend. I can't imagine the range of emotions he is feeling today, but I know he will need our support and God's peace and strength over the next few weeks and months.

Even though Arden will never remember meeting her Great-Grandmom, and am so thankful that Grandmom had the chance to spend time with Arden. Grandparents are such a blessing and I have been overly blessed to have my grandparents in my life for so long. Thankfully we have pictures to show Arden and can tell her what a wonderful woman Grandmom was.

A House Divided

If you're from Alabama, this phrase normally means one cheers for Alabama and the other for Auburn. However, our house is a little different! Luckily we only cheer for one SEC team--WAR EAGLE! But we also cheer for daddy's alma mater, Big Ten's Michigan State. Arden is our little cheerleader for both teams. Thanks Auntie April, for her super cute cheer outfits--she is definitely getting a lot of use out of both.

We haven't been to an Auburn game this season, but we've watched a lot on TV. This was taken the night of the Auburn vs. Mississippi St. game. Hopefully we will make it to a some AU games over the next few seasons.
We traveled to Michigan last week to visit Geoff's family. Besides the many hours spent in a car, we had a great time. We definitely stayed very busy, and Arden was a trooper as always.

On Saturday, we headed to East Lansing to watch a great rivalry game: Michigan St. vs. Michigan. Although Michigan State hasn't had the best start to the season, they played a great game and pulled off a win in overtime! Arden did awesome during the game! She made it until mid-4th quarter when it started to rain. I took her under cover and stayed there until the end of the game. I hate it that she didn't get to see them win, but I was so impressed she lasted as long as she did.

Daddy and Arden with Sparty

Mommy and Arden at the game
Hmmm, did someone tell them this was a silly face picture?!

Final Score--Go State!