Since we were going to be at the beach for Thanksgiving this year and coming home right before the work week started, we decided to go ahead and decorate for Christmas a little early this year. By "we", I mean Adam, and by "decided", I mean Adam started doing it against my will and there was no turning back. But, I will say that coming home from our trip to a fully Christmafied house was so nice and I am now eating my words as I admire our sweet house in all its glory.
We had an amazing trip to Fort Morgan, AL with my parents, sister, and brother-in-law for Thanksgiving and spent the week swimming, eating great food, drinking good wine, and enjoying our family.
Pop's Crabmeat Au Gratin (Mal's favorite)
P's Shrimp Remoulade
We even fit in a few games of Dominos, some golf for the boys, and massages for the girls (plus Big) at the spa. Hayes got her first pedicure, Gray cozied up on a palette watching movies for half the trip, and Adam and I enjoyed watching the kids get spoiled by their P and Pop. We left with thankful hearts and full bellies.
Hayes' pretty toes
Right before I took the trophy
At P's request, we finally got Hayes' first haircut. It was bittersweet but she looks so cute now with her little bob. Like Gray, she was not the best customer...no surprises there.
Here's a door sign I did for a bridal ornament shower Linda was throwing. It matched the invitation and the bride-to-be will hang it as a Christmas decoration in their new home! So fun!
Gray has been wild as ever, largely I suspect thanks to the massive amount of holiday sweets he's been consuming. It seems like every day there is a new fat-laden sweet in our house and he is plagued by the sweet tooth like his mommy and P and therefore cannot resist. The other day, after jumping on his bed for an hour during naptime, I went in to find him on his bed dressed (or at least attempting to have dressed) in Stan Keith's clothing. For those of you who don't know, Stan Keith is Adam's Cabbage Patch doll, circa 1983.
cousin Greer with Stan Keith (for imagery purposes)
If that isn't funny enough for you, try picturing Gray with Stan Keith's headband around his forehead, his jersey on on arm, and his football pants all the way up his thigh. As mad as I was that he had not napped, I couldn't help but laugh at the site. What an imagination this one has!
Wearing Aunt Mal's boots
Fresh haircut and all smiles
We've spent the last few weeks getting into the Christmas spirit and we're having so much fun watching BOTH kids get into it this year. Oh, the joys of two toddlers! Bill, our elf, has been watching closely and I'm so thankful for the leverage this time of year provides! Gray is OBSESSED with Santa and even insists on dressing in all red, with boots on his feet and white socks on his hands (as gloves) to imitate him.
Thanks to "Portable North Pole", Gray has already received a personal message from Santa and we even went to see the big fellow himself earlier this week at the Enchanted Forest. I think the highlight was watching Santa arrive at the Pink Palace in true VIP style....via helicopter! Gray is STILL talking about it and we had such a blast doing it with Aunt Lala, Uncle Andrew, Cousin Greer, Lovie, and Papa.
Greer, Hayes, and Gray in Santa's helicopter
Papa with Greer and Hayes
We have baked gingerbread cookies with the kids, mailed our Christmas cards, made a gingerbread house, and had tons of fires to ward off this chilly weather.
Gray started eating it even before it was finished!
Yes, that's a batman gingerbread cookie!
Now all we need is a visit from Santa in a few weeks! Stay tuned for a full report....
