Merry Christmas

After our week long trip to GA, we made the long journey back to VA and arrived around 4:00pm on Christmas Eve.  We (and by we, I mean Chris) decided to make the trip in two days and stop at one of the many battlefields along the East Coast. Best call ever made!!!  Thank you, Chris!!!

  We made our stop at Kings Mountain, SC which happens to be a Revolutionary War battlefield.  We went through their museum (which was excellent) and then walked the grounds of the battlefield. 

We headed on up the road a bit to Charlotte and stayed the night in a hotel.  I forget how much the kids love to stay in a hotel.  And it was even more awesome that we got to stay on the 11 floor! 

Much to my surprise, everyone slept great and we made the rest of the trip to VA. 

When we pulled into the drive way at 4:00, we had less than 40 minutes to change and be BACK IN THE CAR to head to church for the Christmas Eve service.  I threw a frozen lasagna in the oven and prayed that it wouldn't burn while we were at church, brushed every ones hair, changed clothes, and off we when to church.  It was a bit hectic, but the service was outstanding!!!!!  So glad we were able to attend and hear the true message of Christmas, Jesus!!!!

Santa came and everyone was grateful and overwhelmed with his generosity!  Hope that you all have had a blessed Christmas as well.



Twas the Week Before Christmas...

It is always so fun to travel to Georgia and see all of our family and friends.  The trip is long and tiresome, but we are always so glad to have made the trip once we are there.   Not knowing where the Marine Corps will send us next year, we knew that this Christmas would be a special one to spend with our family since traveling to GA may not happen next Christmas if we end up in Hawaii or CA. 

We headed down the week before Christmas and spent half of our time with Grammy and
Big Daddy and the other half with Mimi and Papa. Such wonderful memories were made while visiting this year.

Hayley and Kathryn

Aunt Kim and Hannah Beth

These mustaches were a HUGE hit! 

The traditional cousins' Christmas play

The boys have to stick together

Sweet.  More Magic Tree House Books!

Hayley, the vet

The kids had so much fun playing with their baby cousin, Delany.  I could kiss her sweet cheeks all day long!

Complete HAM!

Aunt Holly

Mimi and Hannah having a little girl time in the tent

Santa 2011

Magical

...that one word pretty much sums up my experience last Friday night. 

I have dreamt of taking my little girl to the Nutcracker Ballet since the moment the ultrasound tech told us, "It's a girl!" 

And a must say the moment did not disappoint.  Her huge eyes carefully taking in every pose, grand jete, arabesque, and pointed toe.  Her smile at the mice and the grand Christmas tree magically growing as the clock struck midnight.  Her sweet voice as she leaned over and whispered, "Oh, Mommy, the Sugar Plum Fairy is just beautiful.  Do you think I can get my picture made with her after the show?" The excited applause after every act.  She loved it.  And I loved watching her love it as much as I did when I was a little girl.

I think a new Christmas tradition has been born.

We went to the ballet with my dear friends, Fran and Suzanne.  Hard to believe we met just over 9 years ago when Chris and I were first stationed in Quantico.  Our husbands worked together at TBS, and Fran and Suzanne graciously invited me to dinner one night when we first arrived in VA.  What  fun time I will never forget.  We all have "Southern" roots which bonded us right away.  I feel so blessed to have them as friends. 

Down the road a few years, we were all pregnant with our girls together and they were all born within just a few months of each other.  Such a special night at the ballet to share with them.

I think they had a good time!