family pictures

We tried again for a family photo. Why is this so hard? Besides Ella Claire looking like she just rolled around on the floor; I think we finally got one that turned out okay. We had quite a few tries before we got it though. To add to the pressure, my family was patiently waiting to open gifts.

Just incase you were wondering...EC's socks were not supposed to be pulled up. She thinks it's SOOOO funny to pull them up like knee highs. I don't think it's so funny. :)

We got a group shot too. This was almost as difficult as taking our family of four photo. I don't think I'll post the bloopers of this one though. It's not nearly as funny when it's the adults. :)

Merry Christmas!!

Christmas happenings

The countdown is on and we are getting close...3 more days until Christmas! Wow! It seems to come and go quicker every year. I got a head start on my shopping this year, but it came to a screeching halt after too many unpleasant shopping trips toting 2 baby girls out in crazy crowds. So, slowly but surely I am marking my Christmas to do's off of my growing list! Here, just 3 days before Christmas, I have 2 more gifts to purchase and all of my gifts to wrap. Just thinking of all that wrapping makes me sleepy! I mentioned to Santa tonight, that Mrs. Clause will more than likely just lay out most of his gifts next to the girls gifts if that's okay with him. He said he didn't mind, whew! 

Just like you, we have been busy busy this entire month. I have been thrilled about Ella Claire being old enough to get excited (with a little hype from the adults) about Christmas and the joy it brings. I have wanted to do all of the fun things that can only be done at Christmas time, e.g. pictures with Santa, the local Christmas parade, looking at Christmas lights, baking cookies (some for us and some to give away), seeing a live nativity, decorating our home and enjoying the children's Christmas play at our church. We have had a blast doing all of these things, but it hasn't been an easy schedule to keep with two little ones. 

We started the Christmas holidays with the lighting of the tree in downtown with Kim, Justin and Madelaine.

Next up was the Christmas parade. Ella Claire and I met up with Kelly and Emma!

My mom suggested I put EC on a leash instead of using the stroller. It worked out just perfect, but she was a little confused about it at first. I love to hear people share their opinion of a child being put on a leash. I personally think it is a great way to give your baby some freedom while keeping them in a very safe proximity. :)

Aunt Kelly was a trooper being out in that cold at 7 months pregnant.

After waiting forever, it finally started!

First piece of candy. :)

The girls with their loot!

We did some shopping in Fairhope with Madelaine and Nonni.

I can't tell you how many people have asked me, if all 3 of the girls are mine, when mom and I take them all out while Kim is at work. I have gotten so used to it, I usually just go ahead and say "They aren't all mine!", if I notice someone getting that questionable look in their eyes. :)

It's always fun to address Christmas cards!

Special breakfast for daddy when he is off work!

A little afraid of the carousal after begging to ride it while in line to see santa.

Steph and Andrew went with us to Christmas on the farm in baldwin county. Hay ride through a live nativity on a very cold night!

We saw santa again. This time mrs. clause was with him. This might have been the oldest santa I've ever seen. Mrs. Clause told us he had been santa for 50 years!

Amongst all the business, we have been trying to sneak in some exercise in our new jogger!

A great big thank you to Uncle Andrew for entertaining Ella Claire and Gracie while Aunt Steph and I baked cookies. I think he has done this about 3 or 4 times. 

A few more Christmas pictures to come. It's getting late, so I'll be back soon with the rest! 

the nativity

Someone sure has grown a lot over the last year.

My prayer is that each year as her body grows physically, she will also grow spiritually. I love little tools like her little people nativity to teach in such a simple way, so that her little mind can start absorbing now what Jesus did for us and how much He cares for us. 1 Peter 5:7 "Cast all your cares on Him, for He cares for you!"

Thanksgiving 2011

My insane hand washing from the week before last was not in vain...all of us stayed pink eye free! Thank goodness! I made up for staying at home everyday too; last week, I believe we ran errands every singe day. I wore the girls and myself out. :)

We are definitely in full Christmas mode around here. But before it's completely too late, I want to share a few pictures from our Thanksgiving. The week was consumed with lots of cooking and baking. I spent the Wednesday before Thanksgiving at my grandmothers house learning how to make her cornbread dressing. It's the best ever and I meticulously jotted down notes as we cooked.

We started our festivities at Jeremy's grandmothers house. Jon Jon took the girls outside and they picked satsumas and had a great time on the swing.

EC ate her weight in satsumas from Nan's tree.

Nan got to love on Gracie while the big girls played outside. We celebrated Nan's 85th birthday the weekend of Thanksgiving!

Later that night we went to my parents house for another huge meal. I made homemade yeast rolls and added each one with a surprise. :) The day before Thanksgiving I asked everyone in our family to name a few things they were thankful for. I typed them all up, cut them out and placed one in each roll. As each roll was eaten we shared what was on the paper. I got the recipe and the idea from here.

The only picture I have of the finished product is this one below. You can see the rolls, rolled like crescent rolls in the top left. I didn't do a good job taking pictures that night. After all that baking and eating, I was beat!

I also made this homemade toffee. It was so easy! Hopefully I can get it together and share that recipe soon.

Moms yummy sweet potato soufflé.

Ready to pray and eat!

It was a wonderful day, spent with family. Doesn't get any better than that!