Christmas Day Part Deux

I have been properly chastised for not having enough pictures of Ann Marie posted. Between that and the new camera, I plan to have a lot more pictures for your viewing pleasure in the near future.


The only thing that will keep me from my new goal is no internet on the mountain. I will take lots of pics, it just may take me a while to get them online. I am leaving Saturday and will be in TN for a few days and then on to SC for a few more. It's my usual route, just with an additional passenger this time. We'll see how it goes. I'll be back sometime before Valentine's Day. Just kidding... I'm kind of playing it by ear for our return date. Sometime the week of the 5th. I don't want E to miss too much school, but I don't want to be traveling all over the south for just a few days of visiting time.


Here are a few pics from our celebrations today. Brandon and I both have some kind of weird stomach thing so the party was pretty quiet. But I do love my new camera and it takes great photos.



Ann Marie in her Christmas pjs

Close up view

Secrets from Big Sister

Playing Cranium HullabalooTrying to hit the ball

So much for keeping her eye on the ball- they are both closed.
Joke of the century- me trying to teach someone how to hold the bat.
Helping little sis with her toys.

Daddy's Girl (#1)

Is she as cute as I think she is?

Merry Christmas!!!

Santa wuz here!



So far we are having a great Christmas. Until tomorrow anyway....



Yesterday E and I sprinkled reindeer food and baked cookies to get ready for the big guy's arrival.


I think she was pleasantly surprised with her Santa gifts. They are all opened and in various stages of play all over the living and dining room. She got an ironing board and iron, PIXOS, Hungry Hippos Game, an Ariel dry erase board, Cranium Hullabaloo, a talking map puzzle, two movies, a Dora bat and ball set and some other little stuff. Right now she is playing with AM's seahorse toy that lights up and makes music. She is holding it and "waltzing" amid the wrapping paper and toys.


I got a new fancy camera which I LOVE. The photos from this morning are taken with it. Hopefully it will inspire me to take lots of pictures again. I've been slacking.


Brandon got a scope, some reloading stuff, flashlights and a new radio for his car. In addition to my awesome camera, I got 2 movies (ANCHORMAN!!! and Dan in Real Life) an extra battery for the camera, and a case for it too. Some of those are my bday presents because B has to leave for an investigation tomorrow. We just found that out yesterday, but I'm not dwelling on it today. I'll write more about that tomorrow after he leaves and we are blue :( And we're hitting the road.

Christmas Festivities

We have been pretty busy this week gearing up for Christmas. Wednesday was Ellie's dance class party. We got to watch them dance and then enjoyed the snacks we'd all brought.

Thursday was her school party. Much lemonade and cookies were enjoyed by all. Oh, and cheese trays and chicken fingers.

Today was the Christmas program at school and company from SC and GA came to watch.

They are also here to celebrate Christmas with us since we aren't leaving town. We had a nice lunch today at the Mellow Mushroom and then my brother Davis grilled hamburgers tonight for supper. All yummy! Right now we are all watching WALL-e. Tomorrow is PRESENT TIME!!

And here is a bonus shot of Ann Marie just for you Grandma!

2 Months Old and a Hair Cut

No, I did not have to get Ann Marie's hair cut yet. It looks like she is going to follow in Ellie's (an my) footsteps and not need one until she's at least 2. I got my hair cut today. It had gotten really long and was annoying me because the ends were so split and dry. I was wearing it a pony tail all the time which pretty much defeats the purpose of having long hair. So I got it trimmed today and had a few layers put in with some to frame my face. I didn't even intend to get it cut today. I was walking by the salon and just decided to go in. I told the girl I just needed a quick trim to get rid of the split ends. It turned into a little more than that. I like it. We'll see if Brandon does (or even notices) when he gets home :)



In much bigger news, Ann Marie is 2 months old today!!! She is really growing and has a lot of personality. She smiles a lot and is very pleasant most of the time. But if she is hungry or her diaper is less than completely dry- LOOK OUT. My friend Barbara doesn't believe, me but Kim got to see it first hand on Friday. Most of my family got to witness it over Thanksgiving. Lucky them :) Here are some pics I took last night while she was enjoying the mobile in the big crib and then her 2 month pic in the big red chair.

This one's for my mom- I looked down in the crib and she was hanging on to Raggedy Ann.

2 Months Already!

Thankgiving in Review

So, I finally got the jump drive out of the car that had the pics from last week on it (Better late than never. ) We had a great time hanging out with everyone.

Wednesday we got stuff ready for turkey day and Brandon and Ellie went fishing. That night Brandon and I went out (alone! at night! without children!) to hear Ward and Davis play at Art's.

Thursday we had lunch/dinner at my mom's with all of her family that lives in SC. I made a YUMMY squash casserole from the Southern Living website. It was great to have all 5 of us kids in one place. It's rare these days and gets harder every year. So we made sure to capture the event in a family photo. That night Brandon and I went bowling (at night! without children!) with Tyler, Nicole, Ward and Lori. Davis was studying for finals and stuff. What a nerd! (just kidding D!)

Friday B and E went fishing again and AM and I went shopping with Mom and Lori. That night we went to see the Festival of Lights at James Island County Park. We loaded up the Tapio bus with all 4 of us, Mom, Tyler, Nicole, her little sister, Granny, Aunt Rae, Uncle Randy, Becca and Zoe. The lights are awesome and except for AM crying most of the drive there and the crazy traffic, it was fun. There was a carousel, funnel cakes and smores.

Saturday we hung around the house decorating mom's tree and that night we went to an oyster roast at my dad's cousin's house. We got to see some more folks from that side of the family and went back to mom's to decoarate some more. Ellie really enjoyed helping mom and seeing all the ornaments and stuff that I remember from my childhood.

Sunday we made the LONG treck back to AL. It was smoother than the drive there with less crying and stops. Here's some pics from the week.