Christmas 2013

So yes I'm aware, this post is a littttle late...better late than never, right?!!?  In honor of the halfway point to Christmas tomorrow, I decided it was now or never on posting this long overdue entry.  This Christmas was extremely special!  It was such a joy to experience it with Ellie being so excited about everything and being able to participate so much more this year.  We were home in Tennessee for the whole month of December, and we were lucky enough to have all of my Georgia family come to us this year!  The way the holidays fell on the calendar this year, it really seemed like a marathon Christmas and New Years with nearly 2 weeks of family events and celebrations...that's my kind of Christmas!  Ok, time for massive amounts of pictures:

 Lots of fun decorating the Christmas tree!

Ellie's favorite ornament was the sock monkey! 

Our little monkey 

"Oooh-oooh, ahhh-ahhh!" 

Even Darla participated, and Ellie hung Darla's special ornament made by Grandma Betsy all by herself.  

Topping off the tree with Daddy!

Christmas cookie baking!

Butter, anyone?!?

My two loves hard at work

Ellie was in heaven!

We all had a great time at the Dixie Stampede Christmas Show!!!

Going to see the horses after the the show

Family fun!

Ellie was NOT a fan of sitting in Santa's lap, ha!

Mommy joining in didn't help much either :)

Showing her new farm to Ernie and Kelli 

 Tongue out is always a good sign :)

Such a joyful day! 

Very busy cooking in her new kitchen 

 Time to open presents!

Aunt Ashley and Uncle David got Ellie new pots & pans for her kitchen!

Mike was thrilled with his coffee toy surprise, a Nespresso, from David! 

 Ellie's special add-a-pearl necklace from Aunt Ashley and Uncle David

 Hahaha :)

Love this view 

This one is a keeper for sure!  All 4 of us with eyes open and smiles!! 

Group photo

 Showing Ma-Maw her new shopping cart

 I love this picture of Ma-Maw...she looks so full of joy! 

 Saying bye-bye to Ma-Maw

 Checking out her new Disney princess castle from Ernie and Kelli

 Opening another round of presents when Nana and Papa Jay arrived!

Getting into it for sure!

She got the hang of it..."Let's open another present!"

Beverly, Chad, and Delaney came to visit the weekend after Christmas, and we had the best time celebrating with them!!!  Ellie and Delaney loved sitting at the new kiddie table, playing with blocks, and keeping busy in the kitchen.  I have no idea what happened to those pictures, but I'm going to go ahead and post this before another 6 months goes by and we're at Christmas 2014 :)  I may add some more later ;)