Santa Has Left The Building!

This year was a very low key Christmas for the Heinlein Family. Instead of draging our 2 year old all over the East Coast, we decided to take it easy this Christmas and stay in Springfield. It was a very nice, simple, and quiet Holiday, which is a complete 180 from every other year:)

Sutton was really excited about Santa and even helped bake cookies, write a note, and put out carrots for the reindeer.

As far as presents, Sutton racked up!! She got an activity/train table from Grandad Fitz, a wooden Noah's Ark from Omi, blocks, a build-a-bear, food for her kitchen set, and a tea set. All in all it was a wonderful day. Enjoy the pictures.

Love to all,

Courtney

A Christmas Surprise!

It seems that Santa is brining more than just presents this year. Kurt and I just found out that I am expecting!! The new little one is due August 25th and though, I'm not thrilled about another pregnancy during the hot summer months, we could not be more excited about this news. I will keep everyone updated over the next nine months so, be on the lookout for pictures and info. I miss you all and wish everyone a happy and wonderful holiday season.

Love to all,

Courtney

Better Late Than Never!

Yesterday, Kurt and I realized that Christmas is just around the corner and we had not even begun thinking about sending out cards or taking new pictures! However, since it is impossible to get Sutton to sit still and simultaneously smile at the camera, we decided to save some money and take the photos ourselves. So, 1 hour and 30 photos later we ended up with just a few, but very cute, choices for this years Christmas card. Enjoy and I hope everyone is having a wonderful holiday season.

Love to all,

Courtney

Need Cookie Recipe!!

I am attending a cookie exchange party this next week and I need a really easy and delicious homemade cookie recipe. It doesn't necessarily have to be Christmas themed but that would be nice. I am open to any and all suggestions. Thanks!

Love to all,

Courtney

Turkey and Tigers in South Carolina

Over the Thanksgiving holiday, Sutton and I made the long trip back to South Carolina. We had a wonderful time visiting with family, friends, and stuffing our faces with some of the best "southern" cuisine:) Sutton especially had a blast being entertained by two of the craziest aunts in history! The best part of the entire break was my Clemson Tigers putting a beat down on the lousy Chickens 31 to 14....Go Tigers!!!! I hope everyone had a lovely Thanksgiving!!

Love to all,

Courtney

Turkey Day and Flying Home

Just wanted to wish everyone an early Happy Thanksgiving Day! Also, for those of you whom live in or around the Rock Hill area, Sutton and I will be arriving tomorrow around 4pm and staying until the morning of the 3oth. I would love to catch up with as many people as possible!!

Love to all,

Courtney

Eat, Pray, Love

Last night, I just finished the book Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert, and I have to say that it's wonderful and a must read for everyone!!! Usually, I am only interested in books dealing with darker subjects of serial killers and mind-bending plots however, there was something about the storyline of this book that reeled me in. Eat, Pray, Love is an intense and moving memoir of self-discovery. Dealing with a terrible divorce, deep depression, and a midlife crisis, Elizabeth Gilbert decides to take a yearlong, life-altering journey to "find" herself. Within this year she spends time in Italy, indulging in the pleasures of life, India, searching for devotion and deeper connection with God, and finally, Indonesia, where she studied balance and found love. This is such an uplifting story that I feel we can all connect to in one way or another. Please, if you love reading as much as I do, take the time and you'll be amazed how much it will influence your own outlook on life.

Love to all,

Courtney

Goodbye Fall, Hello Winter!

It is apparent, by the weather here in Springfield, that Fall is coming to a close. The days that were bright, sunny, 65 degrees, with beautiful folliage, are now overcast, windy, 40 degrees, with dead leaves covering every inch of the ground. However, before this drastic change, Kurt, Sutton, and I were able to get out and enjoy one last gorgeous Fall weekend. Enjoy the pics!!

Love to all,

Courtney

P.S Don't you LOVE how Kurt failed to tell me that Sutton had a runny nose!!!

Fun with Paper!!

Sutton and D-Addee were having fun making paper animal cutouts after dinner when they realized it was much more fun to make confetti and throw it around the living room. Sutton loved screaming "Making Mess!!!" as Daddy threw the pieces in the air. Sometimes the best fun is the messiest.

Love to all,

Courtney

VOTE!!

As you all know today is Election Day so, please do your part and VOTE!!!! It is an important right and privilege that we all possess. If I can drag a 2 year old to the polls at 7 am to vote surely you can spare some time:)

Love to all,

Courtney

Barack the Vote

Tonight was one of the most memorable nights of my life! Kurt, Stacy, Sara (two of our friends), and I went to see Barack Obama speak at a rally here in Springfield. The doors opened at 6pm and Obama was going to speak at 9pm so, we figured that if we got there at 5pm we would be early enough to get great seats. However, to our surprise, when we arrived at 5pm we found that the line to enter the stadium was over a mile long (no lie) and at least a few hours wait. So, we made the trek to the back of the line and after 3 hours of waiting and hanging out with all kinds of wonderful people, we finally made our way into the field. I must say that it was every bit worth the wait. Over 30,000 people standing around chanting, cheering, and coming together for one reason...HOPE! Barack Obama is such an inspirational speaker and even more charismatic in person than he is on T.V. Needless to say it was an experience that I will be telling my grandchildren one of these days!
Love to all,
Courtney