Primrose Christmas Party, EPS2

The Gang

J U M P!

Oh Christmas Tree . . .Oh Christmas Tree . . .

What a difference a year can make ~ 2010.

So very proud!

Our Christmas Tree 2011

Quite a bit older . . .

But just as proud . . .

David showing Sissy how to decorate . .

. . . they had so much fun!



Chooooo Choooooooo

THOMAS, look there's Thomas, Hi Thomas, Hi!!!!  The two times where Katie has seen train sets, once at a North Carolina County Fair and once at the Botanical Garden Lights she was ecstatic about it.  I wanted to get her a train set for Christmas, but the good ones can get pricey and Santa already has a long list on what to bring her.  So while in Florence I came across a battery operated Thomas that runs on wood track and amazing enough Dave actually has a bunch of track from when he was a little boy.  Some of the buildings have been lost throughout the years, but a good portion of track and some cars remained.  I put together a sample in our living room this afternoon and it works great.  I love that our girls will be playing with something of their fathers, a gift in it's own right! 

Choooo  Choooooooo

Gone by never forgotten . . .

David and Mary have been systemically sorting through Aunt Pam's belongings since she passed away earlier this year.  All her pictures are now housed in an album, which I looked through the other afternoon.  In doing so I stumbled onto this picture (which I didn't know existed) and needless to say it warmed my heart.  Two of our grandmothers sitting side by side sometime during our Wedding.  I know they were both very happy to be part of that day and it was wonderful to come across this photo of them together.   I wish they were both alive today so that our girls could meet them and know what amazing people they were!

I miss you Grandma, this picture makes me realize just how much. 

Ho Ho Ho . . .it's off to South Carolina we go!

This past weekend we made the trip to South Carolina to spend Christmas with Dave's dads side of the family.  The girls were exhusted by the time we arrived, Katie wasn't able to sleep with her Cousin Hattie since there was no bed rails, so all four of use ended up in the guest room . .finally falling asleep at 1 a.m.  It was a bit rough!

Everyone in bed together the next morning.

The next night, we bought in the toddler bed for our room and Caroline was moved to the office, a better night's sleep for everyone!

Caroline loves trying to put on her shoes, I'm throwing this picture from the weekend in, because I find it so cute.  

Farmer Family Christmas, South Carolina.  Caroline with her cousin Hattie.



Happy girls watching Dora!

Papa, Daddy and Caroline

Opening gifts!

First present of the 2011 Season - Princess Soap and a Belle Wash Cloth, Katie could hardly contain herself - she was screaming "thank you" and letting everyone know what she received.

Deep conversation with cousin Rihannon

Farmer cousin picture:

No nap, going to bed late every night - Katie was more then ready for bed by the end.

THE LOOT!!!!!

ICE - Merry Madagascar

To be a bit conceited, I would say the activities and outings that I plan for our kids are well received 99% of the time.  They tend to have an excellent time participating in whatever it is.  This past Sunday we drove up to Washington DC to visit ICE, an exhibit that I heard great things about and assumed Katie would enjoy.  It's normally set to a theme, this year Madagascar and the story and characters on display are made entirely of ice.

Merry Madagascar Everyone!

It really was quite amazing, not that I spent any time looking at it . . .

. . .because poor Katie, who was already tired from the day before, was not a fan of the sub-zero temperature.  I don't think it was the cold exactly, more like the huge fans that were blowing the freezing air downwards and at times on us, and honestly who can blame her?  She sped through the ice maze as fast as she could. 

In retrospect, I should have realized upon talking about ICE the evening before and Katie excited told Grandma Mac how she was going to see Princesses, and Mickey, and Minnie, and Goofy and how Sunday morning she wanted to wear her Minnie Mouse Costume for Disney on Ice . .she was in for disappointment.

My very unhappy little girl, I'm so sorry Bucket, sometimes Mommy's make mistakes too :(

Very happy to be done with ICE and riding the train. 

Luckily, the day was not a complete loss, far from it in my opinion as we met up with the Torrey Family and headed to their home.  The girls napped, they played, the boys watched the Green Bay/Giants game and Bethany and I got to have some quality time together.  Plus she cooked us an amazing dinner while Bill made Gluhwein (which Dave very much liked), I couldn't have had a better time!

Christmas Lights Galore!

Last night Grandma Mac and Mac drove up from Lynchburg to take our family to see the Celebration of Lights at the Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens.  Dave and I had never been before and were thoroughly impressed by the extensive amount of lights and scenes the created for the holiday season.

As always Caroline was thrilled that she could toddle around, free to roam.  Katie was ecstatic, loving all the lights, running around with Grandma Mac saying "come on, come on pal."  Not sure where the "pal" came from, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse?

I write about this quite a bit, but I'm forever appreciative of people taking time out of their lives for our family, to show our children what the world has to offer.  It seems a simple concept to spend time with ones family, but sadly not all families are as wonderful as ours and that is why I'm so incredibly thankful!