Show and Tell Tuesday: What's In A Name

For today's Show and Tell Tuesday I thought it would be fun to share "What's In  A Name" and talk about how we picked our kids names and/or how we were given our names!

First off - I feel like I should tell y'all that I'm a fairly decisive person.  Once I make my mind up, I typically don't waiver.... and I also stop looking at other options :)  I tried on three wedding dresses, loved the third one and didn't try on anymore.  If we're planning a vacation and I find a location that we like, we book it and then stop looking. We don't make big decisions lightly, but we also don't stress and dwell on them.  

Picking all three of our children's names was actually a really fun, easy and enjoyable process for us!  We shared our names with friends and family beforehand and involved them in the selection process as well.  I would ask my parents and closer friends for their opinion on any big decision and so, obviously, we valued their opinions on these decisions as well.  

There were a few names on our list that people voiced "concerns" about and I was appreciative of hearing the rhyming words, future nicknames, etc. that came along with some of the names on our list.  ;)  Not everyone loved the names we chose, but WE love them and so when other's voiced a dissenting opinion it didn't sway us away from what we felt was the right decision.  ("Wait.... I thought you said you were having a girl!  Griffin???" hahaha) 

 Not only did we tell our friends/family, but I told my students what names we were thinking of and got their thoughts as well. If you want an HONEST opinion, ask a 13 year old boy. ;)

Luke Buchanan McAnally

When we found out we were pregnant with Luke, we decided not to find out his gender.  I just KNEW that he was going to be a girl :)  So much so that I agreed to let Dave pick the name IF the baby was a boy.  I picked out Landyn Grace for a girl and Dave picked Luke for a boy.  I knew that if the baby was a boy we wanted Buchanan (my maiden name) as the middle name and Dave was on board with that choice.  I VIVIDLY remember when Luke was born that the doctor let Dave tell the room that "it's a boy!!!"  And I replied with, "really???" hahaha  I can't imagine a more perfect name for our firstborn!

Mason West McAnally

When we were talking about having our second baby, baby names were on the TOP of my priority list.  I LOVED the name Mason for a boy or a girl and so it was decided that his/her name would be Mason West or Mason Joy.  Since Luke has my maiden name as his middle name, we wanted something to honor my mom's side of the family so Joy was for my mom's name (Joyce) and West was for her maiden name (Westervelt).  As soon as I told my middle schoolers that the baby's name was going to be Mason West they dubbed it a "cool guy name" :)  If you ask Mason what his name is, he'll tell you it's "Mason West McAnally West"

Griffin Joy McAnally

Griffin was a TOTAL surprise and so I had zero baby names "on file" when it came to naming her, but that didn't stop Shay and I from naming her on the day I found out I was pregnant.

Griffin is Dave's mom's maiden name and we settled on it early since it fit with Luke having my maiden name (Buchanan) and Mason having my mom's maiden name (West).  We decided on Griffin Henry if she was a boy (Henry was my maternal grandfather's name) and Griffin Joy (for my mom's name Joyce) if she was a girl.  Even though Griffin was one of my top choices, Scout was also at the TOP TOP TOP of my list for her as well.  Ultimately we settled on Griffin and I can't imagine her being a Scout now. 

Just for fun, a few other names that we tossed around for our kiddos were:

Girl Names:

Scout

Greer

Posy 

Darby 

Fallon

Mia

Georgia

Rory

Boy Names

Lennon

Gage

Tate

Keaton

Names are so much fun and I can't wait to read about the meanings/stories behind all of yours!

   

    An InLinkz Link-up

   

Weekend Wrap-Up: All the Birthdays Edition

 I'm starting my weekend wrap-up a little early and talking about Thursday morning when we got up early to open presents and eat donuts with the Birthday Boy!

I think his presents were a hit :)

and Thursday morning GG was looking adorable (as always) :)

Friday morning the birthday girl was up EARLY EARLY and did NOT want to be put down (she's getting her last couple of teeth - boo!), so I went showerless and comfy in this super cute top (that's on MAJOR sale!)

Speaking of super cute, Luke had Zoo Day at school on Friday and he chose to wear the lion costume :)  Go big, or go home!!!

Sidenote: Luke is WAAAAAAAY bigger now than he was the last time he wore this costume when we were the Wizard of Oz for Halloween!

Apparently Griffin was channeling her "inner Elsa" at Miss Lisa's house, because when Dave texted me these pics that is IMMEDIATELY what I thought of :)

I was so excited that before I had to start proctoring testing, I was able to sneak outside for a few minutes and see the Kindergarten Zoo Day parade.

Luke didn't "break character" a single time. hahaha

Friday after school I came home to set up for Sir Mason's Knightly Birthday Party. 

We had so much fun celebrating our sweet boy and I'll share all the details on Wednesday.

After Mason's party, my parents came over and gave Griffin her birthday gifts...

She loooooves books and whenever she gets a new one, she HAS to read it right away. :)

My parents gave her a singing Elsa doll and she was ECSTATIC!!!

Saturday morning we met some of the cutest girls I know at a local bakery to celebrate G's birthday (I'll share details on Thursday!) and we had so so so much fun!!!

We spent the rest of the afternoon folding laundry, cleaning up around the house and then we stopped by Anna Grace's house to see her before she headed to prom!  Anna Grace had some AWESOME CHOICES for her prom dress, and after y'all casted your votes she chose the short option.  She couldn't have looked more beautiful!!!

Mason quote of the day: "Mommy, Anna Grace was the prettiest prom girl EVER!" 

And speaking of Prom.... how great do Andy and his date look?!?!?!  I helped Andy make the sign asking Hannah to prom (they've been in school together since PreK!) and I still can't believe these two are graduating!

Anna Grace headed off to Prom and we headed off to Home Depot.  #glamorous

Saturday night we broke out Griffin's birthday presents and called it an early night.  

Sunday morning we had a little dance party before heading to church :)

and then this happened in the afternoon...

#hefeelstheneed  #theneedforspeed

Sunday evening we wrapped up our birthday festivities with a "Family Fiesta!"

Since the kids all had separate birthday parties and I didn't want to have our family feel obligated to attend three different events, we had our family over to celebrate all three birthdays at once.  

My awesome friend Hilary understands the importance of dressing "on theme" and sent G the most adorable dress EVER to wear!!!

She's ready to PARTY!

hahaha  I have no idea what this face is about, but I can assure you he was OVER THE MOON about his presents.  I think he may have cried tears of joy. :)

After presents, we consumed massive amounts of mexican food (I made beef and chicken enchiladas).

And the highlight of the evening was definitely singing Happy Birthday :)

We've had THE BEST time celebrating these three!  Birthday month is CA-RAZY, but so much fun!

Tomorrow is Show and Tell Tuesday where we're sharing "What's In A Name" and talking about how we picked our kids, pets, etc. names. and/or how you were given your name.

Happy Monday, friends!!!