Rounding out 2011

The last week of December we continued our holiday cheer by heading South to visit with family. Our first stop was to see Chris, Julie & Carter and Rip, Alison & Easton. When we drove up to their house H-bomb jumped out of the car and ran right up to Carter like they were old friends. They had of course played together before, several times actually, but it's always amazing to me the way kids react around other kids.

This cute picture is of H-bomb and Carter holding hands walking in the house.

Carter has fun toys! H-bomb didn't want to stop jumping!

The next day we explored all around outside at Granny's house. H-bomb loved walking in the fields, riding on the tractor and "helping" her Daddy do some chores. Her favorite thing was riding in the golf cart. We made some miles that day! I could tell she was getting sleepy so we slowed down our pace & I started singing old Troubadour songs to her & she fell asleep right on the seat next to me.

All bundled up to play outside.

I love this picture!

It was a quick trip but a fun one. We love spending time with family and feel so blessed to have ALMOST everyone within a short drive.

Be Merry 2011 (part III)

Christmas morning came early this year at our house. Jeff and I hadn't had much sleep, partly from playing elf and partly from being excited about H-bomb's reaction the next morning. She woke up at her usual time around 7, asked for her bow and a cup of milk, also the norm for her, and began to stroll into the living room. But today it was filled with Christmas cheer!

Checking it all out.

And this is what she saw! Didn't her Daddy do a great job on the kitchen?

The 1st thing she wanted to do was wash her hands!

Then climb inside the fridge!

Opening a few presents.

We rounded out the day with a nap then traveling over to Vicksburg for Christmas Day Appetizer Dinner at my Mom's house. H-bomb wanted to bring a few toys but I think Lane and I ended up playing with them instead of her. It was a great 2nd Christmas for us and H. Having family here was very special for us and we hope this tradition continues.

THE END (of Christmas)

Be Merry (part II)

Christmas week was a BUSY week! We got back to Jackson in time to meet my Aunt Elane and cousins Bo and Reid who had just arrived from Atlanta. As I've previously said, my family is quite competitive and we LOVE to play games, so game night ensued directly after dinner. I don't remember what they played or who won, but I know there was LOTS of laughter and yelling and screaming!

The next day we went to "Christmas in Canton" to see all the lights. IT WAS FREEZING! We took a quick stroll around the square and finally found a shop selling coffee & beignets to warm us up. The line was out the door so by the time we got to the front they'd run out of beignets and all the coffee was cold! What a bust. I'm pretty sure we spent more time sitting in traffic than we did actually looking at the lights.  

We look rough and H-bomb wouldn't look at the camera for anything but it's one of the few pictures of all 3 of us so I had to include it.

A slightly better picture of the girls!

On Thursday we went on our annual (ANNUAL?? this is just our second year, but it sounds good) trip to Bass Pro Shop to see Santa. One of the Santa's there is the husband of one of my Co-workers so we had to go when he was working. H-bomb got all fixed up in her Christmas outfit, her hair was just right, we practiced smiling and that girl wouldn't even hardly look at the camera once she got in Santa's lap! STINKER!

I guess she was cute enough sans smiling because Santa was still good to her Christmas morning!

On Christmas Eve we went to church with my Mom. H-bomb stayed in the service about 30 whole seconds before we took her to the "nursery" which consisted of 2 babies and about 1 toy. They pulled out a riding toy for her and I was told they had to pull her around on it the entire time I was gone or she would start crying again. (She knows how to work people) The service was nice, very traditional, which reminded me of Christmas Eve services at FBC Picayune where I grew up. I'm glad we went! No pictures of this event, sorry we were at church!

Christmas Eve didn't end there for Jeff and me. We were up until the wee hours of the morning helping "Santa" with some last minute projects. Jeff was getting high from paint fumes in the garage and I was sewing like a mad woman. It was awesome!

Working like little elves!

See what I mean about a busy week? Between guests, outings, work and Christmas prep it was exhausting and FUN! I wouldn't have it any other way!