Christmas Day with the Ross family

We spent Christmas Day with Bryan's family this year. They were gracious enough to come up from TX and spend Christmas this year in TN. They stayed in Nashville in a house that they rented which worked out great. The kids had a great time chasing each other and playing, we had a wonderful meal, and just a great visit with each other. We probably won't get to see everyone again until Thanksgiving next year. Thank you guys for coming our way this year.

Prepping for the family picture
Emma didn't want to cooperate
Kim opening her gift as Noah watched
Noah and Nana
David, Katie and baby Elena
Emma looking at Violet from Uncle Rob, Aunt Tiffany and Kim
Noah opening his gifts
Elena was even awake for present time
Nana's book from Popi of her adventures with the grandkids
Rob and Tiffany
Emma was fascinated with Noah's matchbox cars
Helping daddy
Our family

Christmas Morning

We were able to spend a little time Christmas morning at home opening our gifts before heading to Nashville. Emma didn't really know what to think about waking up to presents under the tree. She still is a little too young to be into the opening gifts but I'm sure next year we will be in for a treat. Emma racked up with some more clothes, puzzles, flash cards, a singing mickey mouse and her big gift was the little jammin band which she absolutely loves (video to come soon). Our big gift was the trip to Gatlinburg back in November but Bryan did get a blu ray player, gamestop gift card and pajamas. He and Emma got me a new spatula, sweater, pajamas, a picture frame that says I Love Mommy with a picture of us from the beach, and a beautiful necklace that has her 1 year picture in it and has a saying on the back. We had a wonderful Christmas together.

Our tree Christmas morning
Emma and Bryan
Playing with her Elmo remote that Santa left in her stocking
Lilly getting her bones from the stocking
Break time for the girls - they needed some animal crackers
She was excited about her Mickey Clubhouse books
Now we don't have to carry the big Hot Dog Mickey everywhere
Pretty sure we will regret this at some point but she loves to sing and dance

I cried when I saw my necklace and Emma was fascinated with it. She looks at my picture ring all the time
Lilly getting her presents

Christmas Eve

We spent Christmas Eve this year with my parents and had a wonderful time. Emma got way too much stuff but hey, what are grandparents for. Emma received clothes since she is starting to outgrow her 12 month pants, she got the cutest chair, a mickey mouse rocker, a big pink puppy to lay on and music instruments to go with a present Santa was bringing. My brother surprised us by coming out and bringing my youngest niece so the whole family was there and was very nice.

Emma's comfy chair

Look mama, animal crackers
getting tired
playing with pawpaw
riding mickey mouse
Mawmaw and Pawpaw with all 3 granddaughters
Emma's handmade care bear from her great aunt
gifts galore

granddaughters

gifts for each set of grandparents

Busy Body

Helping Daddy fix the dishwasher.
Unrolling a brand new roll of toilet paper.
Trying to get her leftovers back from Lilly.
Laying down on an electronics ad. Wonder who she gets this from.
Sleeping beauty.
Strike a pose.

Dancing to Madagascar.

Gatlinburg

We spent Thanksgiving weekend in the mountains this year as part of our Christmas. Bryan and Emma got to see Gatlinburg for the first time and this was my first time to see it with the Christmas lights. The drive took a little longer than expected, what should have been a 4 hour drive turned into an 8 hour drive that ended in a meltdown with Emma and myself crying. We loved our hotel and was lucky that it had a restaurant in it so we didn't have to get out in the cold when we finally made it there on Friday evening. On Saturday, we got ready and visited the Ripley's Aquarium, Ripley's Guinness Book of World Records, and Ripley's mirror maze and candy factory. We also took the tram to the top of the mountain and had dinner at the wonderful Smokey Mountain Brewery as well as walked the streets of Gatlinburg looking at the little shops and enjoying scenery.

Gatlinburg!

Our wonderful room
Can you find the fish?