Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Just in the (St.)Nick of Time

Well December has been a busy month, and I wish I had had the time (or made the effort) to devote individual blog posts to all the fun times we've had, but I didn't. My last goal of 2008 was to get a post in. So here is a (very long) recap.

Friday, December 19th was Amelia's 2nd birthday, although if you ask her how old she is she says, "Three." We had a small celebration with Erik, Charlotte (who slept through it), and me. It was really nice not to have to do a big production. I made beans and rice for dinner, which pretty much is Amelia's favorite dinner (with spaghetti and tacos being close seconds). I also made a cake for Amelia and was once again reminded that I did not inherit the cake baking genes from my mother. (You can see her fabulous creations at www.CakeDreamsbySally.com) I made vanilla cake, and even though I followed my mom's directions to watch for the sides of the cake to start pulling away from the edge of the pan, all three layers were under baked and turned out more like pound cake after they fell. Luckily they still tasted good. I didn't feel like making icing, so a little butter cream icing from Betty Crocker worked for me.

Amelia and her Cake


Yummy Cake!




After we enjoyed cake it was time to open presents. Amelia was all for this. She tore the wrapping paper off the first present and then proceeded to go for another present. We had to point out that there was something inside the box. Even better!Lucky Amelia received a doll stroller from Mommy and Daddy, an Elmo guitar from Aunt Catherine, and super cute outfit from Nana. Later she received some giant lego-like blocks from Nana and a tea set from Grammy and Grandpa (I'm sure its for herbal tea). The next day Amelia had a piece of cake with lunch, and after she was done she asked, "Presents?"





This box was in the running for best gift.


Amelia didn't have to wait long to open presents as we celebrated Christmas three times! Sunday after church we headed down to Harkers Island to celebrate Christmas with Erik's Dad, Grandparents, his sister Allison, her husband Russell, and Russell's daughter Avery.

All the presents.


Charlotte sleeping on Great-Grandmama


Yea!


"I help!"


Charlotte and her Grandaddy


Christmas Eve was a miserable day full of wrapping all the presents, a doctors appointment (Amelia has an ear infection), folding laundry, trying to keep kids happy, and packing for our trip down to Nana's house. I originally was hoping to leave around 2pm. The time kept getting pushed back as 3pm, 4pm, and 5pm came and went. Finally around 6pm we were ready to get on the road. Thankfully it was only an hour long drive. We got settled in at Nana's and woke up the next morning to see that Santa had come!

Amelia and Nana with a puzzle.


Elmo Dishes!


"What did Santa bring me Mommy?"


I carried on a tradition by taking a picture of Charlotte in her stocking.


This is Amelia's stocking picture.


Last, but not least, we headed up to my parents house last Saturday. This is the Amelia opening the tea set that is actually her birthday present.



In a way I'm glad the craziness of Christmas is almost over. The bad part is that we have to find a place for all the stuff when we get back home. And we have to take down the decorations. It has been wonderful to spend so much time with our family members this holiday season. We are looking forward to 2009 and the adventures it will bring.

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Goodbye Pop Pop

This past weekend we spent time with Erik's family mourning the loss of his step-father Johnny. Johnny died last Wednesday, and although he was having health problems, his passing was quite shocking. It was evident when hundreds of people showed up for the visitation that he will be missed by those he left behind. The man I will remember is one who loved to tell a joke and loved his friends and family. The family is doing well, thanks to a lot of love and support from extended family, friends, and neighbors.

Charlotte and Pop Pop