Gettin' Fed at the Shed

So, for those of you who don't know... John Stone is quite the "foodie". So, for the past two times in Fairhope, we've considered heading across the Mississippi state-line to The Shed. It was about a hour away from the Bay which was a nice drive. John and I, the girls, Missy, Mother and Amy all went along for the ride.

It was some of the best barbeque I've every had. John ate a rack and half of baby back ribs which were the most tender I've ever seen. Literally, he picked up a rib bone and the meat fell off. YUM.

Before

After

The champion eater of the family.

Maw Maw and Ellabee enjoyed it too.

Christmas in Fairhope

We arrived in Fairhope after an eventful trip from Tallahassee down I-10. Actually, Molly will never again be allowed to load the roof box because about 10 minutes down the interstate, the roof box popped open and our luggage (some of it) blew out onto the interstate. It was truly one of those Clark Grisswold moments! I wish I had footage of John sprinting out into the middle of the road to retrieve his cowboy boots, but alas... I was more concerned with him getting hit by the same 18 wheeler that put a direct hit on my pillow. I'll miss you old friend.

We arrived in Fairhope a little frazzled but ready to celebrate. We immediately went to Dollar General to replenish the items we lost on the road and then over to Amy and Emery's for their annual Christmas oyster eating extravaganza.

Anne Bailey was into Aunt Amy's tree.

It was so humid in Fairhope. Check the Shirley Temple curls.

We decided to be different this year and entice Santa with a different snack. This year the reindeer got special reindeer food and Santa had cinnamon rolls waiting for him.

Christmas morning was fun. We woke up to find Amy, Emery and the boys in the den waiting for us. They had gotten up at 4 am so they came to wake us up at 6 am. The girls had a ball tearing into their presents and looking at all the great things Santa packed in his sleigh for them.

Christmas morning - what did Santa bring?

Anne Bailey took a ride on her new Roller Coaster.

Amy and Emery under their pile of presents.

Ellabee taking a turn on the roller coaster ride.

After Santa viewing and testing, we had a big family breakfast and then jumped into the presents.

The big Christmas feast - breakfast - YUM!

Daddy... need I say more?

Maw Maw and Anne Bailey with the sweet baby doll.

After Christmas morning, we headed over to Emery's family Christmas where Ellabee got to pick Satsumas in the orchard. It was quite the taste of home for John. Fresh citrus right off the tree.

Ellabee in the Satsuma Orchard.

.On our way to pick some Citrus.

The rest of the weekend was spent riding around the yard and playing on our new toys. It was a nice relaxing Christmas.

Ellabee and her new wheels.

And driving around in the Gator.

Christmas Day I

We've been in Tallahassee for 24 hours and it's been a pretty packed time! Whoo, we're already tired and the festivities have only just begun. Thankfully, I have connection to the internet here, so I can get on the blog and facebook to escape reality for a bit.

Last night, the Stone / Mayfield / Thompson family (both of Lee's sisters and two of John's first cousins with their wives and little baby) came for dinner. We had a great time catching up and spending time together. The girls are hyped up being around so many people wanting to hug and love on them. Ellabee is having a bit of a problem with detox today... or is it a sugar high. We can't really tell.

This morning we got up and headed to Barnaby's Pizza Inn. Barnaby's is a must on our list of things to do each time we come home to Tallahassee. John swears it's the best pizza ever made... and I agree that it's pretty good pizza - but we enjoy making the trek across town each time (especially because Target is right across the road).

Once we got home today, we were shooed away from the house so that preparations could be made for a tea party. While Anne Bailey slept, Mimi had Ellabee, Sidney (a granddaughter of Brim's good friend, Mrs. Wiley) and the triplettes from across the street came over for two hours of cookie decorating and gingerbread house building. Then, several ladies from the extended family / friends in town came over for tea and cookies. A good time was had by all - and we're whipped.

Anne Bailey is loving being out from the city. We've seen a fox and heard a male owl calling amourously to other ladies of the night.

Going up to the woodpile to get firewood - it's cold here!

Snuggling up in a warm coat.

Miss McCarter visited for the tea. Miss McCarter was John's 3rd grade teacher and taught Lee (John's dad) in the 2nd grade.

Ellabee with her work of art.

The work of art gingerbread house a la Ellabee Stone

The girls who came to help with the tea party.

The Stone siblings: Mary Lois Mayfield, Lee Stone and Nancy Thompson

The Girls' Christmas Parties

The girls got to celebrate the season with their friends at school today. It was their "day at home" with me, but we made the 4 block trek across the way to go to the parties. Ellabee got to go to a presentation of Babes in Toyland this morning so she had a full day.

Sisters - gotta love your sister.

Anne Bailey's most favorite teacher (and she isn't even Anne Bailey's teacher)... Miss Yo Yo.

Cheetos and cookies - what a party!

A Note from the Dog

Dear Neighbors...

My mom and Dad said that I had to write a note apologizing for what I've done. But you see, I really think that what I've done is a good thing. They say that I'm a bad boy because I ate your Christmas present (about 2 lbs of fudge). But I think that I actually saved you 5,000 calories.

Merry Christmas!
Fennigan

Christmas with Children's Dance Foundation

Ellabee's dance class at Children's Dance Foundation had a lovely Christmas party and performance. They practiced and then the parents were invited to come into the room for their performance as snowflakes. Then they had snacks.

Snack time after the performance.

Preparing to dance.

The dance of the snowflakes

The Birthday Bash - Brought to you by the Letter A and Number 2

The deed is done. We've eaten cake, opened the presents and sang happy birthday. She's two years old - it's official. Today family and a few friends descended on our house for the birthday party. Good fellowship and fun was had by all. We missed several friends but everyone had good reasons for not being present :) Being one of the friends in the past that just couldn't pull it all together to make it to a birthday party - I grant pardon. Here are some pictures from the day:

AB and E with two of their very precious friends... really cousins... Brooke and Caroline.

Edgars cakes are always the best... a little difficult to work with, those people... but the cake is the best there is!

For the amusement park ride portion of the party - the TJ free-fall.

Opening presents with Brooke, Caroline and Ellabee

Sweet Kennedy was our two year old friend for the party.

On a different note, I have a take-away from today. Please don't find this irreverent, a good friend of my sisters passed away this week after suffering a brain tumor. This man was full of life and fun and just a great guy. Instead of mourning him in the traditional fashion, his family and friends have decided to celebrate his life with a party on the river where they live... a ceremonial pledge from his former SAE brothers from the University of Alabama and then his ashes will be... and wait for this... blown out of a cannon (a real cannon) over the river. What a way to be celebrated!

Congratulations Marsi and TJ on your engagement - we're SOOOO happy for you.

The Hays - Franklin family

T-W-O Years Old

Happy Happy Happy Day Anne Bailey. Today Anne Bailey turned 2. We will celebrate in the morning, but today was spent thinking a lot about how the past two years have flown by. I can't believe that my baby is 2 years old. I can't believe that this little one has been in our lives for 2 years. Two years ago right now, her Daddy hadn't even met her (he was striken with the flu the day before our scheduled c-section) and she was just a little bit of sugar with brown hair galore and a pursed lip that had me the minute she stuck it out.

Two years ago we were in the hospital discussing how this little baby would be almost two when this election was over. Two years ago, I was trying to figure out how my heart had doubled in size with the ability to love another just as much as I loved my first born... two years - wow, what a two years it has been.

The two year old... with her celebratory cinnamon toast.

Welcome Daniel Compton!

John and I are proud uncle and aunt to a new little nephew. Daniel Compton Stone was born this evening in California to John's brother Ben and his wife, Jen... We're so very happy that there is a new little Stone... welcome to the world little one - you are already loved!

Polar Express Party and One on One with Santa (twice)

This past weekend was delightfully ripe with Christmas parties, time with Santa and then more time with Santa and Mrs. Claus. First, we hosted a Polar Express movie night in the frigid air but we had it. We had hot chocolate with peppermint, hot apple cider and peppermint sugar cookies. We had hot-dogs and chips and a lot of fun.

Wrapped up tight with down comforters and hats, scarves and mittens we enjoyed the company of our friends and family... the crisp in the air and a fun start to the holiday season.

Our make-shift movie theater...

wrapped up snug as bugs in rugs... and it was still cold.

the official photo with the big man. Ellabee did well, Anne Bailey was apprehensive, but willing to sit and smile - well, smirk.

and later at Gran D's... we got to spend some more time discussing all the different amenities we'd like on our bike from Santa.

We Need a LIttle Christmas

I had the house pretty much decorated two days prior to Thanksgiving. It's actually totally against everything that I believe in regarding getting ready for Christmas, but with Thanksgiving being so late this year, I had to go ahead and get started. So, I decorated early and let the girls help a little along the way. Meanwhile, as I ran around like a chicken, the girls had a good time playing around with my shoes and getting into all sorts of trouble throughout the house.

Of course, I had to get the pictures of the girls in front of the tree with their precious Christmas clothes. As you can see, the girls just didn't really cooperate. Kindof funny trying to snap photos of the girls with little AB running all over the house.

Look - there she is... and there she goes!

She's back again... just not looking at the camera

And the one usable photo didn't have Anne Bailey in it at all.

Anne Bailey did cooperate with the annual Santa photo.

And after the fun, it was time for some playing with Mommy and Daddy's shoes.