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
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.
The dance of the snowflakesThe 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.
Congratulations Marsi and TJ on your engagement - we're SOOOO happy for you.
The Hays - Franklin familyHappy 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.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!
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.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.