Because Mommy was a slacker, she is now going to combine all the Christmas festivities into one giant post, so brace yourself.
Let's start with Santa...First off, Mommy and Daddy tried to take you to see Santa on a Sunday, so we both could go, BUT, we got there, stood in line for an hour, and realized it was going to be another hour at least before Santa was able to see you. This normally wouldn't be a big deal, BUT, we were trying to get together over at Miss Erin & Mr. Jay's to watch the very important Titans game, so we decided to take a rain check and head to the party instead. Which turned out very good because you finally got a chance to play with Ryan. I am so happy the 2 of you are starting to play together. By play, of course, I mean he runs his head into yours and you look up at me with the most helpless eyes. It was so cute - no pictures of course, but sooo cute. And you showed him how to climb all over his Aunt EP's furniture. Good times! So, you may ask, when did I see Santa. Well, while we were in Memphis, Mommy and Papa Rob took you to see him. We were really excited because you stood in line with Papa Rob and kept waving at Santa, and smiling real big, so we thought, shoot, this will be a breeze. Boy were we wrong...Papa Rob had the camera, so you can't exactly see what happened, but here's the low down... As we approached Santa, your grasp on me became as tight as a, well, it got super tight, and I had to force you off of me and into Santa's lap. I warned the lady to take the picture as soon as I sat you down, and she did, BUT, she cut your arm off. After picking you back up and trying to calm you down, the lady suggested I put you back in his lap so she could get a better picture! HA! I told her I suggested she just print the one-armed picture and tell Santa we'll see him next year! And so we did!
Papa Rob (i.e. Mr. I have no idea how to work electronics) took the picture, but you can plainly see you were not thrilled. I hope you will soon see that Santa is quite the pleasant man and just needs to know what you want for Christmas.
Uncle Jaybee and Aunt Steph hosted the annual Clark Grugett Christmas party. Mimi has been real sick lately, and you and me have been taking real good care of her in Munford, so we haven't been in town a whole lot. Well, we made a point to be back in town for this party, and both of us were looking so forward to it (and your Daddy, too, of course.) Well... Wednesday before the party on Saturday, you had your first bit of, well, let's just call it what it is - vomit. I know, it was terrible, and it scared Mommy, but Mimi and me both thought it was probably something you ate. Unfortunately, the next night we spent the night at Papa Rob's, and, well, in the middle of the night, it happened again. So now I'm getting a little worried, but it only happened at night. We headed back to Nashville, and, on Friday night, about an hour after putting you to bed, low and behold AGAIN. Poor Anne Marie at the doctor's office was so tired of me calling, but I just didn't understand why it kept happening and for so long. So Friday night, Daddy and I began to worry that we may not be able to go to the party - BOOOOO. You slept all night Friday (after the episode, that is), and then that next morning, Mommy put you in the bed with her because it was super early - and BAM, it happened again. I felt so sorry for you. You didn't know what to do. You handled it all very well, though, I must say. I typically like to just cry when that happens to me, so bravo to my brave little girl. But, that was it. We could not take you around Ellie or Ryan. Mommy was so sad because it had been so long since you got to play with the both of them. But, we decided to go over to their house right at your bedtime and just take you straight to your room and put you to bed - and it worked perfectly!! AND, you slept all night and didn't have any more episodes!!! I was super sorry that you missed out on all the festivities, but Mommy and Daddy had a grand ole time, and we needed it. And since you needed your rest, it was a win win for all of us - sort of... Anyway - so I don't have any pictures of you from that, because we rushed you right in to keep your germies away from everyone. I did get a picture of you the next morning trying on your new backpack that Ryan got you...
The next week was Christmas week, and oh what a fun filled week it was. We started off by heading to Uncle Jaybee and Aunt Steph's again for the Clark family Christmas. You were feeling much better and finally got to play with Ellie.
You love getting in Ellie's jumpy saucer thingamabob! Soon after we got there, the whole crowd arrived and what a treat! Everyone was so happy to be together and, of course, Alexis and Caroline just took such good care of you and Ellie. Here's a few pics of our fun evening!
And of course, our annual group shot!
After Uncle Jaybee read us the Night Before Christmas (in our jammies, by the fire, of course), we scooted off to home, so we could be snuggled in for Santa's arrival! And boy did he ever arrive!!!
And he even left you something outside...
Unfortunately, we had to dart off to Mimi's, but we took you outside for a second or two, and boy were you excited. Santa was so nice, even if you were a little upset at him!
And then there was Mimi's... boy oh boy, were you a good girl this year. How else do you explain all the wonderful presents you got?! There are sooo many pictures, and we had so much fun watching you play with Clara Lee, that I am just going to be able to post a few of my faves...
There's this one, with you sitting in John Michael's swing. You loved just sitting and relaxing in this chair - to the point I thought your Daddy was about to go out and buy you one...
And this was one of my faves! Clara Lee showed us she could walk!!!!
And she took it even further by showing us she could push you in the shopping cart!!
You crazy girls are going to be so much fun for me and Aunt Ash-ash!! The 2 of you did that all on your own, and there were plenty more moments like this!
And I loved this one because you were such a big girl. You helped Em pass out presents - and we didn't even have to tell you who anyone was. It even makes Mommy tear up as I write this. You are so stinkin' smart!!!
And of course you and CL loved your fancy smancy shopping cart. You are going to be a pro next time we got to Publix!!!
Once again - so much fun, and such a good time spent with family.
The next day, we headed over to Papa Rob's for another Christmas party! I'm telling you girl, you have it made!! Papa Rob was so proud of his present to you, Mommy had to tell him to just hang on and wait till everyone got there to open it! Finally everyone got there, and, WOW, you got a tent with tunnels and balls and everything. It was huge and Papa Rob had it already put together! You and Clara Lee and even Emily and Madison loved climbing all through it. Unfortunately, I was video taping while Aunt Ash-ash took the pictures, so as soon as she gets me those, I'll post one! Here are a few other photos that I did get from Papa Rob's...
You loved your tent, BUT, you also loved the wagon that Clara Lee got, so you climbed all in it when you weren't climbing in your tent!
Papa Rob even took you and CL on a ride in the wagon - with Em following on her fancy motorized scooter!!
And, of course, the crackers. You ate 1 million crackers, no joke. You learned quickly, though, to keep them up high (i.e. away from Daisy!!).
Baby girl, we are soooo blessed to have such an awesome family and friends and to be able to all get together like this. I hope we have 1 million more awesome Christmases together, and I hope you keep being so good so you keep getting so many awesome presents. I love you so much - this year has flown by so quickly, and here at the end, has really made me appreciate what you and family in general means to me. i love you - and hang on - we've got an awesome 2010 coming up!!!! I can feel it!
