I always knew that if I had a child, they'd be a winner.  I was right. 

This past Saturday was the 20th Annual Vilano Bridge 5k in Vilano Beach, FL.  We hadn't planned on participating.  We were there for work.  The club where I work was a sponsor of the race so we were going for moral support.  Thankfully, Juliette & I just happened to wear our running shoes!

We waited by the starting line to watch the 5k runners take off.  Juliette was so excited as she watched them.  Shortly after the 5k runners took off, they called for the one-mile runners to get ready.  Juliette quickly lined up at the start like she knew what she was doing.  And off she ran!  She ran almost the entire mile!  Not too shabby for a just turned three year old!  She had a blast!  She loves to tell everyone "I run fast" and "I win!"...it really is the cutest thing.  She wears her medal everywhere she goes.  Including school today!   We just might have a track star on our hands...and I'd be just fine with that!

p.s.  The Easter Bunny was there as well.  And she LOVES him!  Quite the change from last year when she wouldn't get anywhere near him!

Today Juliette turned three!  It has been such a joy to watch her grow these past three years!  You really do not know how much you can love something, until you have a child.  She really is the biggest blessing!

So we celebrated today with a party at the St. Augustine Alligator Farm!  Juliette loves to go to the Alligator Farm so we couldn't think of a better place!  It was a beautiful 60 degree day.  All of Juliette's bestest buds were there.  We decided on a breakfast this year with Dunkin Donuts Munchkins, coffee & juice, fruit kabobs and a yogurt bar with all the toppings.  All the kids got to pet a hedgehog, a ball python and a baby alligator.  After the party, everyone roamed the park.  We had so much fun and Juliette couldn't have had a better birthday...with all her favorite people!  Thank you to all that could come!  We are so lucky to have you in our lives!

We LOVE a good park!  We had not yet been to Ravine Gardens State Park in Palatka, so we decided to venture there last weekend.  The park is gorgeous and great for a day trip.  We walked around the park for a few hours and then headed to Angel's Dining Car for lunch.  Juliette loved the park...and slept through lunch!

Merry Christmas!  Today was a great day!  Juliette woke up to find all her goodies delivered by Santa.  She was so excited this year!  She got pretty much every Paw Patrol item out there along with a bunch of other fun things.  Her favorite gifts this year are her Paw Patrol semi-truck (thanks Aunt Karen & Aunt Maggie!), her new Thomas train set and her mail box.  It took a while to open everything since she was so in to the first things she opened.  It is so fun to have Christmas with a little person!  

After breakfast, Juliette played with all her new toys.  Since it was 80+ degrees outside today, Juliette & I went for a run/walk around the neighborhood.  So far a fun day has been had by all!  Juliette is still napping as I type this at 5:30 p.m.  So much fun for one day!  And we haven't even had dinner yet! Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas from The Jones'!

Auntie Em was able to capture the last picture...with both of them looking at the camera! Thanks for joining us Auntie Em!!!

They don't get any cuter than this...

We took Grams to visit the Bulow Plantation Ruins last weekend.  The park is gorgeous and the sugar mill ruins are just magnificient!  It's definitely worth the short drive from St. Augustine!  Juliette loved running around...she is definitely an outside gal!

Halloween is one of my favorite holidays and I am happy to say that Juliette LOVED it this year!  She got the whole saying "Trick-or-treat" thing down fast!  She eagerly raced from house to house.  She carried her basket the entire time and was fast to tell us she did not need any help.  She got a good amount of candy...and being Juliette, she did not eat any of it!  There's always next year!

p.s. Aren't Juliette & her boyfriend Harrison adorable!  Save the date!  

To backtrack a bit...Juliette was not so excited at first to put on her costume.  It took a little while for her to get into character!

We traveled this weekend to South Carolina for my Cousin Mike's wedding.  Grams tagged along as we drove to Columbia for the wedding festivities.  The wedding was absolutely gorgeous and the bride, Sarah, could not have been any more beautiful!   It was so nice seeing all of the Schroeder clan!

We decided to tour some historic old homes in downtown Columbia.  Juliette went along for the ride and did well.  She wasn't really into the houses, but she did her best to pretend like she was.  

In Charleston, we met up with one of our favorite peoples...Robyn!  Robyn took the day off work to hang out and show us around.  We walked around and saw all the beautiful homes in Charleston, took a horse & carriage tour, had ice cream at Jeni's (finally!!!), ate breakfast at Hominy Grill, walked around the Charleston City Market, and shopped on King Street.  We can't wait to go back!

We LOVED walking around Charleston.  The houses were all amazing!

Juliette with her fav new toys...Blaze & the Monster Machines

Juliette was not quite as excited as we were to eat at Hominy Grill...

The Schroeder Aunts & Uncles...and Juliette & I