Saying Goodbye to Our Roaring 20's

On December 14th, with a number of our wonderful friends and family, Matt and I celebrated leaving behind our 20's....

 And heading into our 30's....

IN 1920's STYLE!

We held a 1920's themed party at one of the best venues in Jackson (anyone looking for a place to have a nice event or wedding needs to check it out). It is a hidden gem in our city's downtown area. The Cumberland House is a post Civil War era home that was once owned by a Jackson doctor. We chose to have our party here b/c of its history and old fashioned style. It was simply perfect!

The house has two stories....the upstairs

with a foyer-where we had a photo booth

and two white rooms-where we had cake, champagne, 

1920's jazz music and dancing!

Then, on the lower level of the house, there were two rooms. One, had tables and chairs-where we had the food

and giggle water (aka: tasty adult beverages). Off this room was a full kitchen where we prepared food as well as a bathroom for guests to use.

Then, there was another room where we sat up a black jack table.

We were thrilled and incredibly grateful to celebrate this new era with our friends and family who attended! Everyone was asked to dress in 1920's attire and we served food that had something to do with the 1920's. Here's a group picture.

We danced, ate, drank, and were very merry. Here are some pictures from our fun night back in the 1920's.

Alex and Magen McCulloch

Joanie and Matt DeBerry

April Hamm and her Memphis friend

Carol Ann Williams, Tim York and me

Julie and Todd Keim

Of course my family is caught playing black jack!

My JCM peeps--Emily, Julee, Lindsay, April, Lauren, and Carol Ann

Happy Birthday to us...

Me and my brother Joe

Todd, Julie, me and Matt

Elaine and Darrell (Mimi and Papa)

me and mom (Hidee)

Clarkie Graham, Trey, and Kevin Butler

My grandparents--Meemaw and Papaw--were the hit of the party with their attire! Aren't they cute?

 Me and Mimi

Mimi and Matt

Hidee and Joe

In lieu of gifts, we asked our guests to bring cans that we donated to the RIFA soup kitchen. A HUGE thank you to Elaine, my mom, meemaw and my bestie Julie. These ladies spent time, money, and man power getting all of what you saw in those pictures, party ready. I couldn't have pulled it off without them, and for that we are extremely blessed.

Sorry for not Writing....but I'm BACK!!!

It's been way too long since I've updated everyone. Please don't hate me....I've been busy.

So here it goes....

NOVEMBER:
                                            


Thanksgiving: I ran the turkey day 5k (Matt and Miles slept in.), and we spent time with our families.
Then, Matt and I left on Friday to head up to Lexington, KY to see my brother, Brandon, and his roomies Casey and Jamie. While we were in the bluegrass state, we visited Brandon's tower where he is an air traffic controller. He gave us the grand tour.

Miles stayed with Hidee and JoPa. He went to the movies and got to play....A LOT!

Mommy and Daddy got to see the volunteers beat the wildcats. We had great seats and a great time.

DECEMBER:

Matt and I celebrated our 30th birthdays in style with our friends and family at a Say Goodbye to Our Roaring 20's Party (more on the party in another post).

our 2013 Christmas card picture


We spent Christmas with family....in Arkansas....the weekend before Christmas.

Miles helped Hidee make her annual Christmas breakfast.

Christmas Eve and Christmas day we spent time with family in Jackson.

Miles, Mimi, Papa and I went to Christmas Eve service at NUMC.

Then, we went back to Mimi and Papa's for some dinner and quality time together.

Miles put on the Christmas outfit that Matt, Trey, and Chris wore...he obviously loved it :).

Santa came to the Cleek house for a visit.

Christmas day at Mimi's....before the presents....

And after.....

We also found out we are becoming a family of 4.

January was pretty uneventful...and COLD!


FEBRUARY: 

I went to see Wicked for the first time....and I loved it!

Miles celebrated his 2nd birthday (more on that in another post).

And we all got dressed up for Mimi's annual Oscar Party...except this year we had it despite the ice storm.

Speaking of ice storms....Miles got to experience the snow/ice for the first time. Here's his reaction.....

More on March and April coming soon, including our Gender Reveal party and Easter festivities....as well as our 30th birthday bash, Miles' 2nd birthday party, and Miles 2 year update. Stay tuned.

Humpty Dumpty....Halloween Take 2

I told you to stay tuned for another Halloween update....


It rained on Halloween all day and into the afternoon, but that didn't keep us from having some trick or treat fun! Miles had a fun day at PDO where he went trick or treating with all of his friends. I so wish I could have gone to this, but we only get so many personal days :(. The life of a teacher!

After school, Miles came home to some special visitors....Honey and Meemaw came to Jackson for a visit!


And for Halloween costume number 2....Miles was Humpty Dumpty. My brothers, Brandon and Joe, both wore this costume for Halloween when they were little, so, we opted to continue the tradition. Miles didn't really care for the costume at first. As soon as we put him in it he started saying, "Hay-dis" (hate this) and tugging at the costume. Here's why: Miles likes screen printed shirts. When he has one on, he likes to feel the screen print. Well, this particular time, he had a screen printed shirt underneath his costume. He couldn't feel it, so, we had to give him another shirt to feel. Eventually he forgot about the costume and was his normal self.

Miles got some cool treats from Mimi and Papa.

After we opened gifts at Mimi and Papa's, Miles, Matt, Mimi, and I went trick or treating. We only went to a few houses in Mimi's neighborhood b/c it was so gloomy out.

Once we finished visiting a couple of houses, Honey, Matt, Miles, and I loaded up and headed to Aunt Julie and Uncle Todd's house for a little trick or treating.

Miles enjoyed chasing around Marley, filling up his Elmo bucket, and dumping it out.

Humpty Dumpty did have a "great fall" at Aunt Julie's house, but he wasn't hurt like the real Humpty Dumpty, thank goodness.

And what is a Halloween without Matt being silly. He wanted to partake in the festivities, too!

After our trick or treating, we all came back to Mimi and Papa's house for a yummy baked potato bar and chicken tortilla soup. Despite the gloomy weather, it was a pretty good Halloween.

20 months

I have come to the realization that having a toddler and teaching are two full time jobs. I looked at my blog and figured out that I failed to post a 19 month update. I feel like such a horrible mommy, but I know that Miles appreciates the time I spent with him instead of updating the blog.

With that said...it is time for a monthly update...two months late! :)



Miles is now 20 months. I know, right? Hard to believe that almost 2 years ago God blessed us with this sweet, curious, smart, lovable, funny, amazing little boy. I thank The Lord every day for giving me such a healthy and lively child.

Miles is still 33 1/4" tall and has gained a little weight. He now weighs 29 1/2 pounds.

Here are some of this month's MILEStones:

• I can count to 3 but it sounds like, "Un...doooo....treeeeee"
• I can recognize the letters P, T, S, B, E and A.
• I can identify circles, triangles and a few colors.
• I still love books.
• I enjoy dancing.
• My favorite movie is The Lorax.
• My favorite tv shows are Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood, Team Umizoomi, Jake and the Neverland Pirates, Sesame Street, and Yo Gabba Gabba.
• I can say a new word this month=khakher (cracker). **SEE VIDEO BELOW**
• I cry big alligator tears when I don't get my way.
• I like for Mommy and Daddy to hold me when they are trying to get ready to go somewhere.
• I can use a fork and spoon when I eat.
• I am still into everything and anything, especially if I am not supposed to be in it.
• I love to flush the toilets.
• I had my first taste of chocolate and LOVED it.
• I am wearing 3T shirts/tops, and 24 month/2T bottoms/pants.
• I am still in size 5 diapers.
• My favorite game is hide and seek with mommy.
• I am scared of the vacuum cleaner and the dust buster.
• I like to eat fruit cups, Greek yogurt, lunchables, and anything with cheese.
• I still only drink milk in the mornings.
• I can recognize a lot of things and people.

Miles still enjoys anything to do with music, especially when he can make it himself. He loves playing Mimi's piano and Honey's organ.

Miles is a HAM! I wonder where he got it from? :)

He has started to become interested in putting on other people's shoes. His favorite shoes are Daddy's boots, even though he can't walk in them.

This is Miles saying cracker. Sorry it is turned the wrong way. 

This video shows Miles' adventurous side. He may be afraid of the vacuum cleaner, but that is about it. He was running on my parents' pool cover. I guess he figured since he can't swim in it, he will run around on it.