Childrens Museum On New Years Eve "Day"

Jolie & Kalie invited us to go to the Childrens Museum with them today. I have never taken Emily there at all since she was born. I have meant to before now but it just never happened. I can't even honestly remember the last time I was even there with Matthew last (7-8 years?). She really seemed to enjoy it! I on the other hand wasn't diggin the big crowd today. We even had to wait in a line for Playscape. Probably wasn't the best day to go...but Oh well the girls enjoyed it! After playing, we had lunch there and made it home for a nap by 2:30 in hopes to be in a good mood for dinner out tonight!

Christmas at The Zoo

Checking out one of my all time favorites...the polar bear

Emily's favorite spot....the penguins. She even sat down on the floor to watch for awhile.

Not a bad shot of the Bald eagle.

We attempted a family shot with Emily sitting in the sleigh...didn't happen

Snacktime: chocolate covered pretzel rod, popcorn, and snowman sippie. YUMMY!

Emily riding the Christmas penguin

I did splurge a little...a christmas dancing penguin on sale half price.

It was such a nice day outside today that we decided to head over to Christmas at The Zoo. We had pretty much agreed that we would skip this year because I am such a weenie in the cold. I never expected after Christmas to have this kind of weather. We packed up our kids and headed over to Kim's and motivated her and Stephanie to go..and off we went. I can't even describe how lovely it was to walk around with no coats or jackets on in 64 degree weather looking at lights and animals. We went ahead and purchased a family package plus 2 and hope to go more often in the upcoming year.

Emily like always loved the penguin area the best. She even rode on the penguin on the merry go round. She was pleasantly surprised to see that Santa wasn't in his chair and the reindeer weren't anywhere near the sled. Of course, they have already headed back to The North Pole. It was a fun family night...one that I hope we can have again next year with this kind of weather!!

Christmas Day Dinner

Waking up from the car ride happy!



Time for gifts.......

The Snowman needs some love.....

Dakota, Emily, & Sophia

Mamaw and Mommy trying to get in the pick...but we lost Sophia!

Emily loves her Aunt Nikki

Emily slept for about 25 minutes on the ride from one grandparents house to the other. This was the only nap she had all day but she surprisingly seemed to maintain very well........

She was excited to see her other 10 cousins...and another will be born tomorrow (Dakota's new little brother). That will make 5 kids now for my brother David. WOW! Mamaw Cathy made all of the Christmas fixins. Ham, Mac & Cheese, sweet potatoes, pasta salad, baked beans, green beans & potatoes, deviled eggs, and rolls. Of course , several pies and cookies along with lots of appetizers. No wonder she is in the kitchen all day!! Thanks for the great meal!

The kids enjoyed opening their gifts but I must say that over here Emily really just enjoys running around and playing with the kids. She did like her new mega block table, cabbage patch doll, boots, jammies, etc. It is always late when we leave here..so we usually change the kids into the new p.j's that they get so they can get comfy. By this time I have to admit..the adults usually indulge in a cocktail after a long day of fun.............

Merry Christmas Dad & Cathy & Thanks for Everything!!

Christmas Brunch

Emily trying to help Mamaw & Papaw in the kitchen

Patiently awaiting for gifts on Aunt Shannon's lap

Everyone digging in....

Our only Family pic all day! Emily picked out Daddy's Charlie Brown Christmas t-shirt from his closet to wear. Too Funny!!

Emily loving on her new baby doll and Mommy loving on hers.....

Mamaw Fleta, Mommy, & Emily


A little before 1:00 we headed up to Mom & Jeff's for our annual Christmas brunch. This is actually my favorite foods for christmas. We have biscuits & gravy, scrambled eggs, french toast casserole (to die for), bacon, fresh fruit, blueberry struessal casserole, juice, & milk. By this time I am kinda over traditional Holiday foods...so this really hits the spot with me!

As usual....my Mom always over does it with shopping for us. We get some of the most thoughtful and coolest gifts here. Emily got a Vtech pink laptop, My First Dollhouse, Pink mega blocks, pink croc boots, dirt devil mop & broom set, outfit, etc. Mommy made out with a locket keychain and 2 pair of earrings from Brighton, new silver necklace with heart pendant of Emily's 2nd Birthday picture, Colt's coat, huge bottles of hair stuff, lotion, and opi nail polish set from the supply store, Jon & Kate plus 8 dvd(1st & 2nd season). Daddy got another cool bird house that was made totally out of birdseed, nice binoculars, mock turtlenecks, jeans, hair supplies, and a new Snow village house for our kitchen collection(American Bandstand). Matthew got a new game for Xbox 360, hair products, and $150.00 Mall giftcard (that he asked for).

We had a wonderful time visiting with everyone and thank you guys soooo......much for always having such a nice Christmas for us and I don't just mean materialistic!!! But around 4:30 it was time for Jason and I to head out with our families and get going to my Dad and Cathy's for dinner and gifts.

Morning Snack after Presents

Emily decided without our approval to have Santa's leftever cookies for morning snack. Good thing she didn't go for the milk when we weren't looking! And as you can see...it took Daisy Mae no time at all to dig into her new bone......

Christmas Morning with Mommy and Daddy

The Tree on Christmas Morning



Emily's New Red Retro Kitchen

Wow...Santa remembered my Wonder Pets Flyboat

He also remembered Daddy's heated outside birdbath(imagine that!)

Emily going for Mommy's bath & body works in her stocking

even though she got some really cool stuff of her own in hers!

Emily checking out alot of her goods....(Where will we put it all!)



Emily slept until almost 9:oo..even though Mommy had been up since 7:30 patiently waiting for everyone else. LOL

Matthew spent the morning down at his Mom' s like he always has and returns home around Noon to hang with us all day at both of my parents houses. When Emily did awake, she couldn't believe her eyes. She wasn't to sure at first that she wanted to come out because she thought Santa might still be here. She says she likes him..but at a distance. Emily made out with a new kitchen, wonderpets flyboat, disney princess sleeping bag, Backyardigans pirateship tub toy and playdoh set, princess purse set, another new babydoll, new pink cd boombox (to play her music in when her friends are over), pink colts p.j.'s, new books, new Backyardigans dvd, etc.......

Mommy opened some new Colts crocs, yankee candle and reed diffuser, new cologne, red retro air popcorn maker, purple shark steam mop, etc. Daddy got alot of neat bird stuff including a gingerbread house-birdhouse, heated birdbath, etc., new jeans, hooded sweatshirt, boots, memory book of Matthew's senior year playing football. When Matthew got home he opened a new game for his xbox 360, socks & boxers, new basketball, senior football memory book (of his own), and his big gift was a new Kenwood Cd/radio for his car. Even Daisy Mae got a new bed, bones, new bowls, and a doggy babydoll. I think we all made out quit well!!

Getting Ready for Santa and his Reindeer

At a little after 9:00 p.m. everyone headed out. We started preparing the house for Santa and his reindeer to come. The new stockings were delivered this morning and hung by the chimney with care, milk and cookies for Santa, magic reindeer food was sprinkled on the front lawn (and the Santa cookie tray), the kids were all put to bed, and Daisy Mae snuggled in the chair for a short winters nap. LOL

Now come on over to The Gamble's Santa!! The Moon will make the magic reindeer food sparkle bright. As your reindeer fly and roam. This will guide you to our home......Love, Emily Sara.