Merry Christmas 2010!

What a wonderful day! I think we all agreed that this was a pretty spectacular Christmas. And to top it all off - snow on Christmas Day! Emily slept in on Christmas and didn't get up until nearly 9:00. Why doesn't this happen any other day? I had time to get in a cup of coffee and some quiet time before the Christmas madness began and Donald had time to get the ham into the oven, plus bake the breakfast sausage balls. Notice that I am conspicuously absent from any kitchen preparations. I think I'll let the pictures speak for themselves! Merry Christmas!

Santa knows about the popularity of peace signs.

I love how nosy the cats are.

Gotta have candy money on Christmas!

Her stuffed turtle!

iCarly books!

Love the cool look that she's giving the camera

The cats loved their new mice from Emily - courtesy of the Secret Santa Shop.

I've posted a picture of myself with no makeup. Can you believe it?

Yum!

Hard at work decorating her new purse. Yep, that's a pomegranate by her foot. Santa knows what she likes.

Trying out the new WiiDraw.

Christmas at the White House! I love brown paper.

Playing the Wii with all her new friends around her.

Favorite new Christmas ornaments

I love the ornaments that she made at school this year!

A gift from a parent - Emily loves it!

Helping Cici open her present. She was very excited about all the gifts she picked out for everyone!

New Twinkletoe boots!

What could Papa's surprise be?

Beds for the babies that match the beds he made for them! Too bad he had to sacrifice the end of one of his fingers to make them!

Loving their special gift.

Emily and Star are tucked in for the night.

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve was celebrated at the Farr House this year. We had a great time with loads of snacks, followed by a round of gingerbread cookie decorating. We even managed to pose for some family photos, which almost never happens. Lots of fun before heading home to put out the aforementioned cookie for Santa, read The Night Before Christmas, and then tuck Emily into bed. The highlight of the evening was watching a video email that Santa sent to Emily. She was so astonished that he would take the time to email her personally (including actual photos from our year!) that she wrote him a note to leave with her cookie to say thanks. Now hurry off to sleep so that he can come and leave the presents!

Technically speaking, this photo was not from Christmas Eve. It was Polar Express Day at school. But the picture was too cute not to share and I was too lazy to create another blog post. Did you catch that she's wearing polar bear pajamas and carrying a polar bear on polar express day? Totally her idea. She will probably grow up to carry a purse that matches her shoes.

Cool eraser sets from me and Donald. What is it about little kids loving little things?

Continuing the little theme...Little American Girls from Cici and Granddaddy!

All of her new friends, plus Abby's Julie

Matching Christmas PJs are a tradition

Cookie decorating time!

She decorated her cookie to look like Santa. She's thoughtful that way.

Finished products!

Mimi will not appreciate that I posted a picture of her. But it was a good one, so I thought I had to do it.

I am impressed by their gingerbread house.

Always fun to have Aunt Liz join us!

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!

Snow!

Well, actually it was what passes for snow in Georgia. It's been so incredibly cold this weekend that we - and I'm not ashamed to admit it! - laid around in our pajamas in front of the fire on Sunday until about 5:00. Who wants to go out? It would take too many layers to stay comfortable in all that wind. Emily broke free for a moment when she noticed the flakes falling outside and had to rush outside to try and catch a few. Too bad they didn't linger longer!

Santa at Rhodes Hall

Donald, Emily, and I went to see Granddaddy Don at Rhodes Hall this week. We met up with Uncle David and Cici, had some photos with Santa Don, did some crafts, and then headed out for dinner at Ted's. Their pickles are my favorite! Rhodes Hall is so gorgeous - I can't believe that an actual family once lived there! So far, all Emily will say that she wants for Christmas is a stuffed turtle. She has relayed that to Santa at Callaway, Santa Don, and now we're going to write a letter. I sure hope that the big guy is listening!

She loves a good brooch - just like Mommy!