A Day of Shopping Cart Firsts

On every Saturday, we attempt what most families do: ERRANDS! It seems never ending at times, but I absolutely love it when the three of us are able to go together! Today Jayden thought he was hot stuff because he had two “FIRSTS” while in shopping carts:

1)   Lowe’s Race Car Driver – While at Lowe’s ,Mommy thought it was officially time to let J ride in the race car cart. (However, only after I sterilized it with not one, but two wet wipes!) He looked so tiny in the cart, but he loved every minute! His favorite was when his Daddy went screeching around corners and made car noises. (When you figure out which one is the kid in the scenario let me know J)!

2)  Publix Cookie Monster - While at Publix shopping for our New Year’s menu, I thought it would be exciting to bring Jayden to the bakery for his first sugar cookie! I remember going shopping with my mom when I was younger and picking out a cookie. It was always the highlight of the trip! I waited until I was 90% done with my shopping and then we headed over. He loved it and thank goodness we got it towards the end or he would have wanted another one!



Merry Christmas!

Maybe Christmas, he thought, doesn’t come from a store.

Maybe Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more!

~ Dr. Seuss’ “How the Grinch Stole Christmas”

Christmas has always been about family in my house. When I reminisce about Christmas as a child, I don’t remember the gifts, but the memories with my family! Cinnamon rolls while we opened stockings, watching movies or pajamas and having a beautiful prime rib dinner. This year was even better because I experienced both old and new traditions!

1)   Waking up with my Mom (Grandma!), Jayden and Toddy

I invited my mom to spend the night with us Christmas Eve. I had no idea what time Jayden would get up, so I thought it would be wonderful if she was here and didn’t have to drive over to see him play with his toys that Santa gave him. It truly made my Christmas morning special and I can’t wait to do it again next year!

2)  Watching Jayden come down the stairs Christmas Morning!

Words can’t begin to describe how wonderful it was to see Jayden walk down the stairs to his first Christmas! (It was officially his second, but to me it was his first that he could enjoy!) He was priceless! As soon as we got to the bottom of the stairs, he rounded the corner and headed straight to his new toys!!



3)  Seeing pure enjoyment in Jayden’s eyes as he explores his new presents!

J absolutely adored his toys! Santa did a fabulous job picking out gifts that he would fascinate him! He adored all of his gifts, but that Cozy Coupe was his pride and joy! I laughed because he would investigate a toy or box and then head right back over to his car! (So afraid it would disappear!) He couldn’t be away from it for more than five minutes! I thought I was going to have to park it next to his crib during his nap time!!

Jayden's gift to mommy and daddy!

Jayden wearind Daddy's Krochet Kids hat from Ughanda!

4)  Cinnamon Rolls after Stockings

Does it get any better than cinnamon rolls and presents…..I don’t think so!

5)   Brunch at the Shappards

After a quick nap for Jayden, we were off to Randy and Sherry’s for brunch! It was so wonderful seeing he family and Jayden of course couldn’t help but entertain everyone. He is too much I tell you!

Grandma gave this car to Jayden and he adored it!



Clearly Jayden has a habit of climbing on top of things!

6)   Lunch with my Dad

After brunch we headed back to our house to have lunch with my Dad! It was so great to see him and spend some time with him on Christmas!

7)   Night of Napping with Toddy and Jayden

At this point, you might be asking yourself when I will be mentioning how delicious our prime rib dinner was. Well I have to confess that for the first time I MISSED it!! Due to pure exhaustion, Jayden and I fell asleep and didn’t wake up until 7:00! Todd let us sleep and called my Mom, who of completely understood.(Of course they didn’t mind because that meant more for them lol!) Even though I missed the meal it was great resting with J and Toddy!

I am so blessed to have such an amazing family! I had an incredible Christmas and I am already counting down the days until we can celebrate next year!

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve is full of family traditions for the Coffey/Roddy/Shappards!

1.   Christmas Eve Service

Growing up we were never able to attend Christmas Eve Service because we were at our holiday family party. However, this year Real Life held services every hour and a half starting at 3:00! I talked mom into coming with us and it was truly specials sharing this service with her and Todd. It was so beautiful and I can’t wait to go again next year!

2.   Christmas Eve Gift Opening – One Per Shappard

Ever since I can remember, I have always been able to open one gift before we went to my mom’s family Christmas Eve party. Last year Todd and I continued the tradition in our family, so this year was our 2^nd annual Christmas Eve gift opening. Todd got me a beautiful family picture frame, we gave J a moose/reindeer beanie and “Tank” gave Daddy Timberland boots that matched his pair! We had so much fun opening our surprises.

3.   Coffey Christmas Eve Party

The Pyles family was hosting the party this year! Their house was beautiful, warm and inviting. Jayden was at the perfect age to appreciate all of the bows, paper and boxes! His favorite part of the evening was when he was stealing ice out of the drink bucket! (He loves his ice!) It was so great seeing all of my cousins, aunts and uncles.

4.   Roddy Family Gift Extravaganza (This is not the official name, but it seems to fit!)

This year we attempted our family gift exchange on Christmas Eve again. After the party, we headed back to our place and put the little guy to bed. He was exhausted! Memaw, Pa, Cathy and Mom then came over to open all of gifts. We had champagne and meat pies for dinner after presents! It was so much fun  staying up late and opening gifts!

5.   Santa’s Cookies

After the Roddy/Coffey clan left, Toddy and I set out Santa’s cookies for Jayden! (Jayden was snoozing away upstairs!)

Christmas Artwork

One of the most precious mementos parents can receive are papers and/or artwork that their children make them. My mom still has artwork from Colin and I and they are priceless…..lol at least to my mom they are! Todd and I were extremely excited when we picked up little man this past week and he had not one, but two Christmas projects he had made for us! They are so precious that I had to share them with you……

Look real close....his hands make up the leaves!



Jayden’s First Disney Experience!

Growing up in Clermont/Orlando I had many opportunities to visit the place where dreams come true….Disney World! Disney has always been and always will be a magical place and I have been counting down the days until we could share this enchanting place with Jayden! We have been waiting to bring him until he could walk and it had cooled down. (Todd knows I am much happier when I am not sweating!)

We knew that it would be ideal to bring Jayden at Christmas time! We invited the Pyles family, Grandma Sharon and Grandma Cathy to go with us. We are very fortunate that we have family that could get us all in so we could share this adventure together. We started Jayden’s adventure at Animal Kingdom and he absolutely adored the fish, gorillas and people! I would say he was ecstatic about the hippo, but he somehow missed it when it swam by!

Timon, Jayden and Daddy

How do you miss this huge thing?

After Animal Kingdom, we headed over to Epcot to meet the rest of the crew! It was so much fun being with the family and it was priceless seeing Jayden experience his first ride: NORWAY!!

Daddy looks a little more scared than J on the ride huh? (Left Pic)

Finally after Epcot we ended our adventure at Hollywood Studios where we took in the magnificent display of Osborne Lights! Jayden was amazed by the spectacle and it was priceless seeing his expression as he took in all of the lights.

Stay tuned for Jayden’s first visit to Magic Kingdom at the beginning of the New Year!

St. Nick

Today we brought J to visit Santa Clause at Millenia Mall. We had no idea how he would react to Santa. Would he cry? Would he scream? Would he laugh? You never know with a one year old!

We should have known that our happy go lucky little guy would adore Santa and smile the entire time! He was so inquisitive and just thought Santa was a hoot! He was so precious and it is these moments that make parenthood special….when you experience something new through your child’s eyes!

P.S. Thanks Grandpa Roddy for going early to save our spot in line! We only had to wait 45 minutes instead of an hour and forty-five minutes!

Boys will be Boys!

For several months, more like 13 months, I have tried to introduce J to our close family friend Tracy Wade. On Saturdays you can usually fund her at our local farmer’s market, The Cabbage Patch. When I drove by I saw her truck and decided to stop by and introduce Jayden to her! She was thrilled to finally meet him! It meant so much to me that she got to see him in action….exploring! While I was picking out some fruit for him, he was investigating a water puddle. Lol, yes this is the son of a very prissy mommy……..

 Visions of what is to come!!



Jayden's One Year Pics

Last Saturday we had the pleasure of working with our wedding photographers again! Stan and Charlene (S&S Photography) are phenomenal and so patient. We couldn’t think of anyone else that we would want capturing Jayden’s one year pictures!

They had a very idyllic picture location at Cypress Grove in Orlando. It was exactly what I wanted and I just adore how the pictures turned out! Here are just a few of my favorites…..