Holidays Part 1

We have been going non-stop the last two weeks. We had an AMAZING Christmas and New Year's and got to spend lots of time with both families! We traveled to my parents the Tuesday before Christmas. While there we got to see Santa, visit friends, shop, cook and spend some time with my family. We ended our trip with brunch and presents on Christmas Eve.

Then we drove back to Birmingham and headed straight to Lulu and Papa's. There we had dinner, made cookies, and opened gifts. Emily Kathryn was sick during part of our travels and by the time we got to Lulu and Papa's she had a pretty high fever so she missed the cookies and gifts on Christmas Eve. However, she made up for it on Christmas Day. She loved all her gifts and we had a fun day playing.

Playing on the Christmas decorations after sitting with Santa. I thought she might like Santa better if my sister's three kids went with her, BUT I was wrong. I still had to sit with her. The pictures turned out cute (I just can't seem to find them at the moment).

EmK LOVES my mom's dog Lucy! She also likes driving Evan's gator. Lucy is such a loving dog and so patient with EmK. She let EmK drive her all around my mom's yard.

jumping on Memee's bed

watching the Grinch movie

EmK loved Elizabeth's camera

Tanner and Taylen

my attempt to get all the grandkids in their pj's....very hard job:)

making cookies with Amy. Amy is great at baking cookies (i'm just the helper)!!

My niece, Elizabeth, made this plate for us...so cute!

Aunt Ellen and EmK playing with all the new toys:)

Gingerbread House

Last night we went to Uncle Josh and Aunt Amy's house to make a gingerbread house and eat dinner. Our entire family has been sick so it's nice when you can hang out with family because they don't care if you come over sick:)

Please don't look too closely at the gingerbread house as we need more practice at this tradition. EmK was eating the candy faster than we could put it on the house. This was just a reminder to me of how much I love family and I like that both of our families like to have family traditions. We just need a few years to perfect this one:)

YAY!!! Big news....Emily Kathryn can NOW say Amy:)

Santa

Even though Emily Kathryn talks about Santa (she likes to say "ho ho ho" when you ask what Santa says and replies "YAY" when you ask her if she wants to go see Santa) the visit basically went the way I knew it would. She was fine in the line and loved watching him, BUT the minute we were next in line she changed her mind. She had a death grip on my arm and did not want me to let go. Then she wanted the "rudolph" stuffed animal the camera lady holds to get the kids to look at her. I haven't scanned the final picture, but I think these are just as good. I thought maybe the candycane would help, but it didn't:)

The 2 minute meltdown was completely worth it because we had FABULOUS food and fellowship at Brio afterwards with a little (actually A LOT) of help from the amazing iphone apps that keep EmK busy for hours:)

Maybe next year I won't have to be in the picture.

DECEMBER

I can't believe I haven't blogged since Halloween! Honestly I only have one picture from Thanksgiving:( so we will move straight to December:)

Emily Kathryn and I went to visit my parents and friends...AND do a little Christmas shopping! We had a playdate with my best friend and her daughter. We went to a "jumpy" place and then had lunch. EmK is finally getting to an age where she will play with other kids so it was fun to watch her play with Natalie.

THANKS Amberly for such a fun day! I wish we lived closer...BUT even with the distance I know our girls will be close friends! Side note, Amberly and I always give the girls an ornament for Christmas. Amberly gave EmK a gingerbread girl and EmK will NOT let me put it on the tree. She's been carrying it around all week like it's her baby! Oh, and aren't they SO CUTE dressed alike:) Someone stopped us in a store to ask about their outfits;)

EmK insisted on climbing up the slides instead of using the stairs;)