Closing out 2009!!

I hope everyone had a great Christmas! We stayed in Beaufort like we do every year (or wherever we are living!) because it's easier on us to just stay home. As much as we love seeing our families, it's just too difficult trying to plan on going home and seeing everyone and trying to transport everything back to wherever home is that year. And it's great because we get to start our own traditions. We wouldn't have any if it weren't for us living away. We would have to do everything everyone else does. Well our traditions have to start sometime! lol. Anyway, Christmas Eve I was a cooking fool. I made deviled eggs, Peppermint Bark, Breakfast casserole (for Christmas morning) and cookies for Santa. It doesn't sound like much but there's just so much going on. I was still trying to get some last minute presents wrapped and get the house in order. There are just not enough hours in the day! Anyway... We had a great Christmas day. We opened stockings that morning while the breakfast casserole was baking! Then we showered and started cooking for lunch/dinner. we ate around 3 pm and then headed to the movies to see Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Sqeakquel! It was so funny! Then we headed home to open our gifts! I know, I know! We are horrible parents for making her wait all day to see what Santa had brought her. Santa wraps gifts at our house. That's what we have grown up with so that's how we do things. But it also gets us used to doing it that way for if we ever do move back to Georgetown or somewhere a lot closer and we spend Christmas with our families, we can still do their traditions and then still have our own family time. It works for us. I have a ton of pictures I'm gonna post so be prepared!!




Chloe's Holiday Program at school. Dec. 9, 2009




Christmas cookie project with her class! Dec. 17, 2009




The finished product...




Class photo




Combat Frosty :)




Cookie decorating





family time




She was so proud of her cookies





Santa came




Stocking time





Boyd's Bear from her Mamaw Sinkhorn. She started this tradition a few years ago. Chloe loves them :)




Spoiled. :)




For our future artist!




Dippin' Dots maker




Ornament tradition we started last year :)




Taylor Swift CD. Chloe loves her.




She loves to read.




Guess Who game.




Littlest pet shop stuff.





This is how she knew she was getting a DSi! How priceless is her face :)




More DS games.




Before the big unveil...




This is what she did when she opened it! So dramatic :)




with all of her DS goodies...




Checking it out. Love her smile. It just melts my heart!!




Aunt Re Re sent her Molly Moose from Build-A-Bear workshop :) And a gift card so Chloe can pick out her own clothes!




She can't get enough! Aunt Re Re recorded her voice inside so anytime Chloe is missing her, she can push the button and hear her voice! She's the best! All day I hear," Chloe Beth, Aunt Re Re loves you!" lol.




My most favorite ornament :) From the Hubbard's to the Rutledge's :) Maria had it made when they went to Gatlinburg back in the fall. Love it!




Snowman doorknob decoration. So cute!




Me :)




Me and my love <3




Beautiful inside and out!




Another ornament she sent us :)




She also sent me an amazingly inspiring book filled with memories of our 17+ year best friendship :) She also got me a Vera Bradley agenda because she knows how much of an organizing freak I am and a cute/girly "Classy Cosmopolitan!" It's the stuff for a mixed drink and all I have to do is add the Vodka. lol. I love it. It came in this cute pink and white polka dot bag. I will definitely find another use for that bag!

I hope everyone has a great New Years Eve. Drive safe and be responsible. I hope 2010 is wonderfully blessed for everyone :)