I'm just going to catch up by doing months at a time. So lots of pictures and quick descriptions. I'm hoping I'll be able to get back to posting pictures more often - there just aren't enough hours in the day!
So in early December, it was a warm day, we headed to the zoo to let the girls run around. We stayed at the playground for quite a while.
Here's Emily on a giant bee.
Ivy climbing the spider web (she is so proud that she can do it all by herself)
Our elf, Geoff, came back for a visit. He moved all around the house keeping an eye out for good and bad behavior. For the most part, he had good things to tell Santa...
Ivy playing with our little plastic nativity scene...
Our 2011 Christmas tree - we had to put a gate up so Emily wouldn't try to open all the presents!
Ivy talked Grandma and Grandpa into taking her to Build-a-bear. She "built" a monkey and dressed her in a Cinderella dress.
Ivy made her first ginger bread house at church - she was so proud!
Ivy took this picture of Emily - obviously Emily wasn't thrilled...
Another picture snapped by Ivy...
Ivy had another turn with Fluffy, the preschool pet. He got a bath when we got home. I don't know if you can tell from the picture, but Ivy had just gotten over a huge meltdown because she was upset that Fluffy would be away from her. She takes her job as dog-sitter VERY seriously!
Ivy watching Fluffy in the washing machine
Fluffy went with Ivy to gymnastics...
Ivy and Fluffy played dress-up...
Some good friends invited us to ride the Santa Train at a local museum. It was a chilly night, but the kids had a great time. Emily stayed home because she wasn't feeling well.
Ivy waiting for the train...
Ivy with her friends on the train...
Ivy with her very best friend, Evan.
After the train ride, Ivy got her face painted...
Emily opening presents with Winston...
Paw paw with all of his grandchildren...
Ivy playing in a box - it is so true that kids like the boxes better than what was in the box!
Emily with her giant stuffed dog - a present from Grandma and Grandpa...
Tinkerbell movies!!!!
Ivy playing on her Uncle's phone - she was really comfy on the big dog and her unicorn pillow pet...
The girls laying on the stuffed animals...
Ivy sprinkling reindeer food in the front yard - it had sparkles in it so the reindeer would know where to land...
The nativity scene again - this might have been the only time it was set up nice and neat. :)
We wanted to leave Santa something different so Ivy picked a slice of pound cake and a cup of strawberry milk. And of course we can't leave out the reindeer, so we left a few carrots for them.
Ivy on Christmas morning at our house...
Emily getting a little help from Daddy...
The week after Christmas, we went to Sunset Beach to visit Richard's Aunts. A friend from Richard's work invited us to visit them on Bald Head Island. They picked us up at the ferry and gave us a wonderful tour of the island.
Here's Ivy climbing the stairs in the lighthouse - she did it all by herself!
A family picture in front of "Old Baldy".
Emily, at 15 months old, finally decided it was time to start walking. She got lots of practice that week after Christmas.
We saw some starfish...
The beautiful sunset from Bald Head Island...
We drove on down past Myrtle Beach and visited Brookgreen Gardens. The girls really enjoyed being outside and having room to run around. Again, Emily got in some walking practice...
More walking!!!
On the last day of our vacation, we headed to the beach. It was a beautiful day - just warm enough to be out enjoying the sunshine!
We celebrated New Year's with Richard's family at Sunset Beach then headed home.
More updates to come!
