We Are Thankful . . .

Emma and Lauren brought their teachers 2 dozen decorated sugar cookies as a thank you this Thanksgiving!  It's lots of icing, but so adorable!

Christmas at Thanksgiving

We celebrated Christmas one month early with Scott's brother, sister-in-law, and niece while they are visiting from North Carolina over Thanksgiving weekend. It's a joy to watch the girls together. They had so much fun opening gifts from each other as well as presents from Great-Grandma Charlotte, Aunt Cindy, Uncle Ralph, and Aunt Melody. The Handy Manny toolbox was a huge hit! Grandma and Grandpa Foley had the house trimmed with Christmas decor to set the mood for our early celebration. It was a special time for everyone.

Bubbles, Bubbles Everywhere

We experieced nicer weather over Thanksgiving weekend, so Emma was able to enjoy a long walk with her Grammy Jill and Grandpa Mike. They had some bubble fun when they got back.

Rocking Chairs

Both of Emma's grandmas have children's rocking chairs that she loves to climb into. They were used by us as kids. I should try to get a photo of Scott as a tike and one of me sitting in these rockers. Emma's very much into the climbing stage right now. Her little leg lifts high into the air to get on furniture. She is also attempting to get out of her crib or into the bathtub with the funny maneuver.

He-Man vs. Skelator

Girls sure do like playing with boy toys! Emma and her cousin, Sydney, had a ball with Scott's Castle Grayskull, Snake Mountain, He-Man, Skelator, Battle Cat, and the rest of the gang. I think Scott had just as much fun naming and describing all of the action figures to our curious five-year-old niece and showing Emma the functionality of the fortresses.

Horsin' Around

Emma's friends, Olivia and Jack, stopped by for a visit while in Beardstown over the Thanksgiving weekend. Princess Olivia gracefully trotted on her royal horse as Emma followed in tow. Jack jubilantly galloped on his wild colt, and again, Emma was in close pursuit. Don't you just love the girls' sweet hug!

Christmas At Thanksgiving

Emma's cousin, Sydney, travels many hours from North Carolina to visit us every Thanksgiving. We all gather at Grandma Connie and Grandpa Ross's house in Beardstown. Since the family is all together, the girls get to celebrate Christmas early. The tree is trimmed, the stockings are hung, and the presents are wrapped. Sydney loves Tinkerbell, and Emma is into Fisher Price Little People. The grandparents, Great-Grandma Charlotte, great aunts, and great uncles got in on the gift-giving action, too, with books, ornaments, DVDs, and PJs!