Christmas and New Year

We had a great Christmas break! Scott got work off all week long, it was so nice. On Christmas Eve, the missionaries came over for lunch. Elder Carter had tasted some of Scott's egg nog around Thanksgiving and was dying to have some more. Scott showed him how to make it. Scott and I had our own ham dinner on Christmas Eve. It was so nice just having it be the three of us. After Addilyn went to sleep, Scott and I went through one of his boxes that had been in his parent's basement that we got back over the summer. We looked through pictures, his Eagle awards and scouting things, and even his high school year book was in there. It was fun going through it.

One of her new fancy outfits, John Deere and unicorn shoes

Christmas morning we had church at 9:30. Since my calling at church is the music chair(wo)man I was in charge of the Christmas program. It was AWESOME. We had the choir do a couple numbers, a cello play O Holy Night, a flute and congregation number, the primary (with a 4 year old boy solo who melted everyone's heart), and a violin trio to close. I'm so relieved it's over!

After church we opened our lovely presents and watched Addilyn play with wrapping paper and tags. For dinner, we went to the Travis's. We had a great dinner prepared by Joe and ate yummy ice cream that Scott and I made in our new ice cream machine the day before.

Tuesday morning we left for Atlanta, Georgia to stay with the Westerns. It was a nice drive there, Addilyn and Cabo snoozed half the time.

Addi driving us to Georgia!

Georgia peach? I think not! This was in South Carolina!

While in Georgia, Scott got to work on doing Mr. Fix-it things that he has gotten a reputation of doing when we visit people. I don't really remember what I did, it's mostly a blur. Somewhere in the mix I helped fix up the ceiling fans, did some regular household chores, shopped, defended Addilyn from her cousins (she's not exactly used to so many faces inches away from hers all day), and played. Cabo was toted around by Olivia, is mini-mom.

Near the Kennesaw Mountain

Shirley said this was the 2nd most visited (historical) National Park, first is Gettysburg

Uncle Scott and Afton

One of the days we went on a hike up the Kennesaw mountain. It was super foggy and even threatened to rain, but it was the perfect hiking temperature. I carried Addi, Scott had Afton, Shirley had Eila, and Olivia had Cabo. We were all sore from cranking it up the hills. Shirley said that we made it up in record time. Hoo-raw!

Resting at the top

Making our way down, Olivia climbed a rock

The spot where Addi's mouth was was soaking in the end

Cabo conked out after our hike

New Years Eve, Eve...so the 30th, we went to a stake New Years party. We got a baby-sitter and danced the night away. It was a blast. There was great food and great music.

Me, Scott, Erik, Shirley!! 2012!

Every kid's dream

One of the nights I babysat, yes- dinner was on a cooler on the floor

I am the cool aunt :)

 

On New Years Eve, Scott and I went north to meet half way with....the SEELY's!!! Yes, it was a LONG over due reunion to see Jared, Rebekah, and meet Annelise. We met at the Cracker Barrel. It was so great to meet their little girl. If you can remember, Bekah and I were pregnant together, due 6 weeks apart. When we left Rexburg in May, she hadn't had their daughter until June 6th. They had met Addilyn, but we didn't meet their daughter. It was so much fun putting the girls together. The waitresses and people walking by would ask if they were twins! At one point Rebekah said, "No they are not, and no, we're not related" (pointing to her and I) In the past people have asked if she and I were sisters. So go figure our daughters look so much a like! Jared and Rebekah have more pictures on their camera, so once they post them on their blog, I'll just link them!

That night I made Ciopino (chee-oh-pee-no) for dinner. Scott and I were going all over the place trying to get all the seafood we needed. It ended up having: clams, shrimp, scallops, oysters, and crab. I loved it, but everyone else- let's just say they couldn't handle the slime of clams and oysters. But it was fun watching all of them squirm to try it. The Western's didn't have any kind of nut crackers to break the crab with so Scott got out his wrench. I was in the splash zone of the water park and got sprayed in the face a few times from the crab juices. Afterward Eric said, "Well that was a good experiment!" The Western's have more pictures on their camera, but this was what I had on my phone.

A common scene if Addilyn and Afton were left alone

We left New Year's day right after sacrament so we could make it back home in time for Joe Travis's baptism. Scott spoke about baptism and then Joe was dunked! That night we had an impromptu dinner for them at our house. It was such a great day!

Addilyn looking all cute

Joe, Elder Carter, Elder Lee

Joe and Scott- two peas in a pod

Joe, Lori, Alexandria, Nyk