After 14 hours of driving, we were happy to see the Atlanta skyline!
I enjoyed looking at some of Mom's Christmas decorations....
The porch is my favorite part of the house; I only wish it'd been there when I was growing up!
I liked seeing the girls spending time with my grandmother....
Katie got to show Pappy her baseball cards....
Katie got to show Pappy her baseball cards....
Ellie got a ride up to bed...
Pappy got to host bedtime storytime...
Of course, we had to have Pappy's Mickey waffles!
Christmas Eve, we took the girls to ride the Pink Pig at Macy's...an Atlanta Christmas tradition!
This is what it used to look like and used to ride along the roof of downtown Rich's...
It is now more of a train...
We went to the Varsity for lunch...yum, yum!
We went to Christmas Eve service...
The girls got their Christmas Eve pj's...
Katie got ones with electric guitars on them!
Gracie got ones with cupcakes...
and Ellie got ballet ones!
The girls enjoyed hanging out with Grammer & Pappy...
Bigmother observed a lot...
Katie was excited as she tried to go to sleep on Christmas Eve!
Ellie wasn't so much excited as upset about having to go to sleep...
We told the girls they couldn't come into our room until 6:00. They showed up at 6:02.
waiting anxiously to be allowed downstairs...
Santa ate his snack!
Santa came!!!!!! Toy Story landfill for Katie, a Princess castle for Ellie, and a Kindle Fire for Gracie!
Gracie was so excited! I loved how she sidled up to me and whispered, "thank you!" in such a way to express her appreciation but not let on to the little ones that Santa hadn't really brought her Kindle! ;)
Bigmother & Grammer looking on at the goodies!
Santa also brought Katie organic milk...one of her favorite things the past couple of years!
Ellie liked getting some ballet clothes from Grammer & Pappy.
Santa also brought Katie organic milk...one of her favorite things the past couple of years!
Ellie liked getting some ballet clothes from Grammer & Pappy.
getting ready to head to church...
4 generations...
I enjoyed seeing this special man at church...
Breakfast brunch of country ham, grits, sausage, eggs, biscuits...
Pappy "playing" with the girls...
It was nice to lay around near the fire on a cold Christmas afternoon...
This is one of my favorite views....from my favorite chaise lounge where I like to read...
It was chilly out there!
Uncle Josh, Aunt Beth, Ann Elise, & Morgan arrived. Josh got the Tickle Monster book to read to the girls!
The big girls!
2 of the little girls!
Don't forget the littlest...
Uncle Josh reading Tickle Monster...
Nighty Night!
cuddling with Pappy...
Chris & I enjoyed a date out with Josh & Beth. Mary Mac's is a pretty yummy place to eat!
The big girls in their "boat bed" as we called it after Uncle Josh broke it! LOL
Ellie cuddling with Uncle Josh...
Bigmother didn't want me to take a picture, but I did anyway! LOL
Even big girls still like to swing!
After leaving Atlanta, we drove to South Carolina to visit with friends.
Even big girls still like to swing!
After leaving Atlanta, we drove to South Carolina to visit with friends.
The guys felt awkward but somewhat agreed to pose for a picture...
How fun!
All of our kiddos!
All of our kiddos!
Ellie sure enjoyed being spoiled!
While we were in Atlanta, we heard that one of the special elders from the church in Aiken had passed away, so we decided to attend his visitation and funeral. We were staying with Melissa's family, and they don't live in Aiken anymore, so we hadn't planned to actually go to Aiken. However, with the funeral being there, we did go there, so we made plans for a short little reunion for Gracie and her first ever BFF, Leigh Ann! How fun to see them laughing & talking together, just like they did so many years ago. They hadn't even seen each other in 2 years!
We had lots of fun friend time on this SC trip!
While we were in Atlanta, we heard that one of the special elders from the church in Aiken had passed away, so we decided to attend his visitation and funeral. We were staying with Melissa's family, and they don't live in Aiken anymore, so we hadn't planned to actually go to Aiken. However, with the funeral being there, we did go there, so we made plans for a short little reunion for Gracie and her first ever BFF, Leigh Ann! How fun to see them laughing & talking together, just like they did so many years ago. They hadn't even seen each other in 2 years!
We had lots of fun friend time on this SC trip!
Katie with her first ever BFF...born 5 weeks apart & pretty much 2 peas in a pod!
On our way back through Atlanta, we met Grammer & Pappy for one last meal together...
and began the long drive back, arriving safely on Sunday afternoon.
It was good to be home...and the girls were happy to have a day to relax on Monday!
It was good to be home...and the girls were happy to have a day to relax on Monday!
It was a blessed Christmas!
