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!