Boys, Boys Everywhere

Six of our friends had babies this year. Six of them were boys. We were happy for Sutton to get to meet two of them while we were home over Christmas.

This is Noah. Becky's college roommate's (Katie) cute baby boy.

This is Maddox. Becky's childhood friend, Mac's baby boy.

It's gonna be so much fun to watch all these boys grow up together.

Christmas Eve Morning

We were happy to get to spend the morning with our friends the Nabells. They always have the biggest live Christmas tree.

Helping get them ready for Santa.

Playing with Spike.

Cozying up to Uncle Mark.

Christmas Vacation: Day 5

Spoiled by Granny

Moving the countdown to Christmas bear every morning.

Shopping with Granny K and Ms. Rhonda (surrogate grandma)

Riding in one of those cars mommy always says "no" to.

Kitchen in the kitchen.

Christmas Vacation: Day 4

Warm weather in NC makes for fun days at the park. Been a while since we've played at a park, so I was surprised by how much more Natalie could do in the way of climbing. Growing way too fast.

We normally wait until Christmas Eve to look at lights, but Nat likes them so much we decided that anytime it's "gark" out, we should take advantage. Here's a picture of one our favorite stops every year. They even had Santa in a sleigh out front giving out little toys.

Santa invited us in to see how the decor continued inside the house. It was CRAZY! I have never seen so much Christmas stuff in one place. This picture only shows one small portion of their decorations. Talk about a winter wonderland.

FYI: The lady that lives there said they start decorating for Christmas on September 1 and it all comes down by the 2nd week of January.

Christmas Vacation: Day 3

Baking Spirits Bright

Flour was her favorite part.

The gingerbread man-shaped cookie cutter was the only one Natalie thought was worth using. So, she decided the other ones made great bracelets.

Grandaddy thought the cookies were delicious. But, no sugar's sweeter than Natty Pie's!

Happy Tub Time

Sutton loves the tub. Here's proof.

Christmas Vacation: Day 2

Neighborhood Holiday Mowtilla

Unless you're a native Wilmingtonian, you don't have the first clue what a holiday mowtilla is. Let me quickly explain. On the intracoastal waterway there's an annual holiday floatilla, where boats of all shapes and sizes are decorated with lights and other holiday garb. Granny and Grandaddy's neighborhood started their own floatilla of sorts, only using mowers instead of boats. It was lots of fun for all the kiddos (and adults) to be in a parade and throw candy canes out to the parade watchers. We even had Santa himself to drive our "float."

After the mowtilla, we all came inside to warm up and enjoy Granny's goodies.

Day 2 is over, and so far, vacation is a big hit.

A Visit from Jolly Ol' St. Nicholas

Natalie woke up from her nap to find Santa Claus in her very own Granny and Grandad's living room. When Granny got her up and told her Santa was here, she immediately said, "And my purple, crawling baby doll?" No baby doll yet, but she was able to remind him in person that a baby is on the top of her list!

Sutton Paul LOVED Santa.

Aunt Angel LOVED Santa too.

Family photo with Santa, right in Granny and Grandaddy's house!

Brother really did laugh and laugh at silly Santa.

More of Santa and Aunt Angel. Uncle Rusty better keep his eye on St. Nick!

Can you even believe Santa took time out of his busy schedule to visit us?! We're so lucky.

Keeping Warm

It's quite a bit colder than we were thinking it would be in NC. In fact, it was snowing when we arrived. We're staying bundled.

Luckily, it's plenty warm inside. So cozy in fact that Grandaddy and Sutton fell fast asleep.

Family Christmas Photo Op

Christmas Vacation: Day 1

Now that I'm an actual adult, I appreciate vacation so much more. During nap time I don't feel like I need to be doing housework or working on the budget or anything else that makes my daily lists, because I physically cannot. Instead, I shop or nap or read or whatever I want. Nate is available and not thinking about work. It's great. Not to mention getting to spend time with our family. Our first day here was no exception. I'm sure the next week will be filled with much of the same. Vacation is great. Throw Christmas in there and it's the greatest!

Doing a little Christmas shopping our first morning here. Just trying a few things out.

Then, on to lunch at our favorite burger joint to meet up with some old friends.

After lunch, it was naps and shopping. Pizza for dinner. Playing and bedtime! A great start to what I would call a perfect vacation.

Flashback with Uncle Rusty

Here's a picture of Baby Sutton with Uncle Rusty from yesterday.

And here's one of Uncle Rusty and Natalie around about the same age from a couple years ago.

Definitely a resemblance.

Mom's Personal Elf

Here's a little clip of one of Santa's helpers visiting me in Kansas City for a night. I'm not sure how Santa survived without this one for even one night of his busy season.

It's safety first in the North Pole, apparently.

Firefighters

At Union Station they have a tiny little fire truck and tiny little hats, coats, pants, boots, gloves...the whole nine. It's too cute. Sorry the pictures aren't great. It was past nap time for all of us.

If she's not truly in charge, she at least likes to think she is. I think a girl fire chief would be great. Maybe not my girl necessarily, but someone's girl.

Do It Myself

While Sutton would probably like to do it HIMself, someone bigger and stronger than he is insistent on doing it HERself when it comes to holding his bottles. She changes diapers herself too. Good times around here.