What a Difference a Year Makes...

We had such a wonderful, fun-filled Christmas season! It was also SOOOO busy (we had 3 different parties at our house over the past few weeks), which is why I'm behind on my blogging. Bailey really got into Christmas this year and loved talking about Baby Jesus and Santa. I can't wait for next year- I know it will be even better. Here's a look back at some of my favorite pictures from last year and this year- I can't believe how much Bailey's changed in just 12 months!

Our jammies have gotten bigger, but that hat still fits!

Thank goodness Bailey liked Santa better this year! She ran right up to him!

I hope that you and your family had a blessed holiday season as well, full of friends, family, and good times! Blessings to you from the Doyal family!

Tacky Christmas Party 2009!!!

This past weekend we hosted what will now be our annual Tacky Christmas party. We had SO much fun and hope that everyone else did too. I definitely want to say that, after looking at pictures of other Tacky Christmas parties, our guests went all out with their outfits! It was hilarious!!!

Me and Barak- It's a brand new year!

The girls and "Hot Brandon"

Matt and Cameron checking out the Snuggie during the gift exchange!
Congratulations to Cameron for the Tackiest Outfit award- he made his sweater himself and it even had battery-powered Christmas lights on it!

David and me

It's Fall, Y'all!

We love fall!!! Fall is perfect for...

playing outside! (Bailey especially loves to play in the leaves- good thing we have a never-ending supply of those around here!)

going to the fair! (We went with David's family. Bailey really liked the animals, and was mesmerized by the clown, but she especially loved the merry-go-round!)

going to the Pumpkin Patch! (It finally stopped raining for a day so we could go, but the pumpkin patch was a big mud pit- washing machine to the rescue!)

dressing up for Halloween! (Bailey stepped out in another homemade costume this year- a ladybug! She had a great time at the Airline Baptist Fall Fest, trick-or-treating at "school," and passing out Halloween candy with Grandy and Popaw!)

Happy fall, y'all- from Bailey Bug!

Like Father, Like Daughter

Recently, David's mother gave me his one-year portrait outfit so that I could take some pictures of Bailey in it. After weeks of rain, we finally found a pretty day to go out and take some pics. Of course, Raggedy Ann and another baby had to come along too! What you can't see very well in these pictures, is the fact that Bailey (being 18 months now, instead of 12) was too long for the outfit, so I couldn't even snap the bottom closed.

Here's Daddy at 12 months old! Happy little guy, isn't he?

Here's Bailey at 18 months old

FINALLY- Playhouses for Sale

So I have been a very busy bee lately! A few months ago, my friend Holly and I made a cardtable playhouse that many of you commented on. I really enjoyed making it and decided that I would make some more and sell them this Christmas. So- here they are! I have 5 designs to choose from- for girls AND boys. Please check out my website and tell ALL your friends. Thanks!

http://hollyshouseplayhouses.blogspot.com/

Our Trip to the Zoo

This morning we took advantage of the beautiful fall weather and went to the Cypress Park Zoo near our house. Bailey had a BLAST! She loved seeing all the "ammals" (mostly animals native to this area) and making their animal noises. Bailey especially liked the raccoon, who proceeded to splash us with water; the wolves which Bailey thought were puppies; and the ducks that followed her wherever she went. But her very favorite animal of all was the huge, ugly warthog who was snoring. Go figure!

Bailey at the dove cage. Tweet! Tweet!

Look, it's a pony!

The goat was very interested in Bailey!

My little dear and the deer

She does too!

Home Sweet Home- Remodeling Part 1

So we've lived in this Money Pit, I mean wonderful home, for about a year and a half now. If you know us well, you know what we've gone through with this house. It's been a chore! And having a baby right after moving in did not speed up the process either! But we've worked (yes, we've done almost ALL of the work ourselves!) and we've survived. Here are some before and after pics of some rooms. More to come later!

**You will have to forgive me because I played with the formatting on this post TONS of times and it never would do what I wanted it too. I know it looks stupid!**

Guest Bedroom- Major remodeling tasks included:

• Textured walls, Painted walls, ceiling, window/door trim, crown molding, baseboards
• Installed window/door trim, baseboards, crown molding, and quarter round
• Ripped up carpet and laid hardwood flooring
• Patched holes in walls
• Installed routed windowsill and window blinds
• Installed ceiling fan
• Replaced bedroom and closet doors
• Removed shelving along ceiling walls

• BEFORE

BEFORE

AFTER

AFTER

Master Bedroom-

• Textured walls
• Painted walls, ceiling, window/door trim, crown molding, baseboards
• Installed window/door trim, baseboards, crown molding, and quarter round
• Ripped up carpet and laid hardwood flooring
• Patched holes in walls
• Installed routed windowsill and window blinds
• Ripped out old closet shelving and added new bars and shelves
• Installed ceiling fan
• Replaced bedroom and closet doors
• Removed bathroom pocket door and replaced with new wider door
• Handmade drapes and bed pillows

Unfortunately we do not have a BEFORE picture for the master bedroom, but I will give you a mental picture. Like all of the other rooms in the house, there were holes all in the walls and gum in the carpeted floor. The room was painted an irredescent purple that glittered from certain angles (David says it looked like a bass boat!)

AFTER

AFTER

Kitchen- If the kitchen had not already been somewhat remodeled, this house would have totally been a no-go!

• Painted walls, ceiling, window/door trim, crown molding
• Repaired water leak under kitchen sink
• Replaced kitchen sink faucet
• Repaired attic water leak and patched ceiling
• Installed cabinet knobs and drawer pulls

BEFORE

The pictures don't do this room justice, but it was a lovely shade of orange!

BEFORE

AFTER

Playtime at the Park

Fun day at the Old Brownlee Park- Bailey absolutely loved it! Playground and Splash park in one!

Watch out world, here I come!

Splish, Splash!



Mommy said it's time to go, but Bailey has another idea!