Christmas Week

We have had a wonderful Christmas Holiday.  I can't believe Christmas 2010 has already come and gone!  We had a great visit with "Majee and Pajo" (my parents Mama Jena and Papa John) and were so sad to send them back to Virginia.  However, they are making progress on their new house here in Texas, so hopefully it won't be too much longer before they live much much closer!

Here is the little munchkin - she now asks for bows in her hair - what a change!

She is all action - always on the move.  Perfecting her running skills here... 

 Sometimes life must be taken more seriously, however.

 We had our first Christmas on Tuesday with the Hughes extended family, including Mimi and T-Pa, Brent, Erika & Harper, and Beth and Jarod.  We ate a yummy taco, tostada, and tamale dinner and then shared gifts with each other.

 Harper and Adelyn got adorable pink "purse" books from Mimi and T-Pa.

 All of the bows and bags were definitely a hit!

 They loved the new kitchen toys/fake food to go with their new play kitchens!

 Cousin Harper playing with new blocks from Aunt Beth and Uncle Jarod

 Brent and Erika opening presents...

 Addy loves her Mimi!

 Brian got a cool new birdfeeder - we put it up in the backyard today and can't wait to see what kinds of birds it attracts!  Hopefully we squirrel-proofed it well!

 The girls made Mimi and T-Pa a fun Christmas plate with their handprints.  Aunt Erika did the cute decorating!

We went to Christmas Eve services at church.  Unfortunately, Addy and I spent almost the entire time in the nursery because someone did not want to be held or to hold still.  She loves to run!  This is the only picture we got in her Christmas dress that day.

On Christmas morning, we got up and opened our stockings.  To Addy, each toy (and the contents of everyone else's stockings too) became a small treasure.

 Here she is with all her stocking treasures in hand.  And several other people's treasures as well... do I see a box of Altoids?

 Another handprint - this time on a tile for Majee and Pajo.

 And finally, the new play kitchen!

 

 This has already provided hours of entertainment!

 Several people in the family got cool coasters with pictures on them...

 Pajo and Majee got a book of pictures focused on the Holton family.

 How fun is life when a girl has bows and ribbons to play with ?

We headed over to Mimi Jo and Papa Carl's home for Christmas dinner with the extended Couch/McMillin families.  Addy wore her gingerbread outfit - too cute!

She loved playing with her second cousins Katie and Elise.

 This was the best family shot we took - little bit would much rather run around than pose for a picture!

Merry Christmas to all!  And now to me, a good night!

Thanksgiving, Bath, and Santa!

These three things have nothing in common!  But I wanted to post about them all. 

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving day and Thanksgiving Day Part II (on Friday) with Brian's side of the family.  I didn't get too many pictures, but there was lots of good cousin time and of course, lots of yummy food.  We contributed Aunt Anita's sweet potato casserole (with added mini marshmellows!), cheddar bacon biscuits, and a broccoli casserole - all were new recipes for me, and I think all were a success!

Harper and Adelyn loved being bounced and tickled!

Finally getting worn out?

There has been lots and lots of book reading going on in our house right now - Addy loves loves loves books and is soaking them up like a sponge!  She comes up with new words every day that we didn't even realize she had learned!

Here are some fun new bathtime photos:

I'm afraid to admit that she might have inherited my "picture face" ... uh oh...

Nothing is cuter than this sweet girl!

She is completely full of joy!  She is the light of my life!

Late this afternoon, we went to see Santa Claus at the shops at Firewheel.  I was shocked that there was not even a line or a wait. (The 6 hour wait at Northpark Mall last year was the reason we didn't even see Santa last year!)  We walked right in and met Santa for the first time. Predictably, Adelyn wasn't too sure about it all and wasn't too happy to be sitting in a stranger's lap (that's my smart girl!).  However, I was very impressed that she kept a bow in her hair all through the Santa visit and dinner at Gloria's that followed!  We're making progress... she is now regularly asking us to put a bow in her hair, and even if she takes it out, she then asks to have it put back in.  Anyway, here is the official professional picture with Santa:

And the final picture... this one's a classic!

The funny thing is, she spent the rest of the evening talking about "Santa" and how he is her "buddy".  It was "Santa, Santa" all night!  So clearly, she wasn't scarred for life!

Adelyn got an early Christmas present this year - a new red chair just her size with her name on it (thanks to free personalization from Pottery Barn!).  Here she is checking it out.

We can't believe that it's already December (and we are still having warm, close to 70 degree days)!  Addy's little brother or sister will hopefully be coming home in just two months.  Wow.  I am ready and not ready... I guess that's the funny thing about Change.  Nevertheless, I am excited!

Saturday Family Time and Playing in the Backyard

We had fun playing with Uncle Brent, Aunt Erika, and Cousin Harper yesterday.  Erika and I bought matching shirts for the girls a few months ago, so we dressed them alike and took some fun pictures!

Here they are "giving kisses" - love Harper's open-mouthed kiss!

 Adelyn loves to run around in the backyard, and so, by the way, do the doggies!

We are loving the cooler fall weather!  Happy Weekend!