Play Date with The Prince

We had a great playdate with Bama Belle and The Prince at their home this morning!

Here are a few pics of our little excursion:

The Prince and The Bean coloring Disney heroes and Pooh. The Bean cracks me up when she gets so intense about her coloring! (And don't you just LOVE the plaid silk panels?)

After an hour or so of hard-core playing, these two sat down to watch a movie. . .

And put their feet up!

Thanks Bama Belle for inviting us over!

We had a great time and look forward to playdating again very soon!

Christmas Wrap Up - Part 4

Now, on to the McCullochs, mom's side of the family! I really hate that I didn't get more pictures while we were there, but by that time, I was so exhausted I was almost delirious. Mom's side of the family seriously cracks me up - there's Aunt TaTa, Mom's only sister 10 years younger, who teaches K1 and seriously TEACHES 24/7. Whenever she comes to keep the Bean, they do colors, numbers, reading, music & movement . . . EVERYTHING. I love how she makes learning fun, and the Bean doesn't even know it - thinks it's all just a fun game or activity.

Then, there's my grandparents, Mac & MeMe. Mac cracks me up with his sense of humor, and absolutely adores TJ. MeMe is more reserved, but will pull out some zingers when she thinks no one else is listening! They are so good to us, and are the type of people who "fiercely love". I love that! Here's a pic of all the grandkids (and great-grandkid!) with Mac & MeMe:

We had desserts at their house - seriously, a dentist's nightmare. Pecan pie, coconut cake, haystacks. cookies, toasted pecans, chocolate mint pie . . . and the list goes on! I should've taken a picture, and apologize for not documenting the "eye candy" that was on their kitchen table. It is a travesty, I know!

Here are some pics of Mom, Uncle Skinny, MeMe, and the Bean with her daddy - it was a good Christmas!

Christmas Wrap Up - Part 3

Around lunchtime, we loaded up and headed back to Decatur to "do Christmas" with my side of the family. I love how my mom goes all out for the holidays. She had on her elf apron and everything! The house, of course, looked beautiful (especially the new addition, where we had our Christmas event), and the food was just what you would expect for Christmas lunch - perfect! Here's a pic of mom in her apron, Sis & Skinny loading up their plates, and *some* of the spread of food Mom had prepared.

Now, it was on to opening presents! The Bean had a grand time (as usual) and loves her play kitchen and stick horse! The only downer was that Pop Yates had a stomach bug and couldn't spend the day with us - instead, he holed up in bed and drank Gatorade. We stayed an extra day (at TJ's behest, and mine!) so Pop could spend some time playing with the Bean, and let me tell you, they are two peas in a pod! Thank goodness we got extra socks and underwear for Christmas!

After doing the Christmas thing at Mom & Dad's, we headed over to my paternal grandmother's to wish her well on "the day". She's had a rough year, losing my granddad after 66 years of marriage. However, she's still going strong and was ALL ABOUT her presents this year! I'm telling you, she is SUCH the trooper! I'm very lucky to have her has a grandmother. Doesn't she look pretty in pink? It's her "signature color"!

Christmas Wrap Up - Part 2

We always return home around dinnertime on Christmas Eve to get ready for Santa. This year, we put out reindeer food in the front yard and read the Christmas story from the Gospel of Luke before bed. The Bean was all snuggly in her Christmas pyjamas and ready to climb in bed. So far, all was going well in my Norman Rockwell vision of Christmas Eve.

Unfortunately, whilst I was tucking in the Bean, I mentioned that Santa would be checking on her to make sure she was asleep - BAD MOVE! She absolutely freaked out - crying, screaming, throwing blankets willy-nilly . . . I had to call in reinforcements (TJ), who promptly removed "Santa's Key" from her doorknob and CALLED HIM ON SPEAKERPHONE to make sure he knew for certain NOT to come in her room! (Thanks Uncle Skinny, for filling in!)

We couldn't believe it - what kid is afraid of Santa?!?! I guess I should be proud that she is aware of "stranger danger" at the tender age of two, but it still cracks me up. My sister was afraid of Santa for the LONGEST TIME and would still sleep in the bed with me on Christmas Eve every year until we both got married. I suppose it runs in the family . . .

At any rate, we had to wake her up on Christmas morning and, albeit groggily, she made her way into our front room to discover what Santa had left for her. Oh rapture! Oh joy! It was a baby doll - just what she'd asked for! She named her "Claire" after Aunt & Uncle Dog's new baby. Is she not the cutest thing getting her new baby out of the crib?!?

Christmas Wrap Up - Part 1

We traditionally spend the night with TJ's family on the 23rd and enjoy all day with them on Christmas Eve. This year was no exception - everyone had a fantastic time!

As usual, Kathy had the whole house decorated. She even put out the ornament I made them last year, and got out her Christmas plates! It was so pretty - traditional and homey, with ornaments and doo-dads that have special meaning both for her and for TJ.

And, of course, a BIG part of going "home" for Christmas is spending time with family. We are lucky to have a great relationship with TJ's parents and grandparents. They are so much fun to be with, and so thoughtful and generous with their time and attention! Here are some good pics of the "fam" . . .

And everyone seemed to enjoy their gifts - see? (The first picture of HeyMom and the one of Kathy with the blanket TJ MADE HER just crack me up!)

We had a great time at the Joseph's this year on Christmas Eve! Thanks a bunch, for our gifts and especially for your company and hospitality! We love y'all!