The annual cutting of the collards

We have had an annual tradition since Juliette was born to take pictures in the garden on the day that the collards are ready to be cut and cooked for the new year. We took the pictures today. If Juliette could spend all morning in the garden, she would with her Doh. Between helping in the garden, birding, feeding the fish and feeding the rabbits, she could be out there all day. Doh has promised her that she will be able to help him plant his beans in a  few weeks. She asked him today if he could teach her how to garden, so that is exactly what he is going to do.

Very serious about gardening...

No time for pictures... taking action into her own hands and ready to move some earth

Christmas 2011

Oh what an amazing Christmas it has been this year! We have had the best time. We spent Christmas Eve and Christmas dinner with my parents and my brother and his girlfriend Elizabeth were able to join us for gifts and Christmas dinner. Juliette was just in awe of everything. The first thing that I could not believe is at 3 1/2, the first thing that Juliette said to me when we brought her down is "Mommy! Santa has the same wrapping paper as you!" I thought that Don was going to hit the floor in shock. I was pretty shocked myself and already realized that next year, the gifts will have to be dropped off at my parents for sure. She was so excited that Santa arrived and also very excited that baby Jesus was also born that very same day.

Santa's big gift to Juliette was her new pink pedal car. Stodda the Elf actually delivered it after Juliette fell asleep that evening. We have been playing car each night and Juliette has made a trip to Atlanta, she has parked her car in front of the refrigerator on her way to the Doctor, and today was even in route to Disney World. Children's imagination at this age is just wonderful. As far as she is concerned, she has been half way around the world in her car and the car has not even hit the outdoors yet.

Christmas Eve and Christmas always come so fast the older that I get, and then before you know it, it is gone. We are still celebrating with our tree up and enjoying the holiday season.

I hope that everyone had a very Merry Christmas and looking forward to a wonderful new year.

 Stodda the Elf arriving with the new car

 Dear Santa, I can't wait to see you tonight when I am sleeping...

 What we left Santa - a note to Santa, some special Christmas stories, a cookie that Juliette helped bake, a lemon for the reindeer that she picked from Doh's tree, and some milk

 Hilarious! My Mom and Dad - Dad received this hilarious robe that is SO not him... he is modeling it with a pipe - he kind of looks like Hugh Hefner here :)

 Ul'Nanny and Ms. Lizabet

 Juliette with some fly ties that Doh made for Daddy for fishing - two of the flies he hand made with hair from Juliette's first hair cut! Those of course will never hit the water - they are way too special.

 Juliette took Tessa's job this year by handing out all of the presents. She was as excited to give everyone gifts as she was to receive the gifts. Check out the new binoculars around her neck. She did not take them off all day.

 With all of her travels in her new car, she surely will need some new Disney luggage to take with her. Thanks Mom and Dad - what a wonderful gift for her!

Juliette taking her first ride in her new car!

A visit with Santa Claus

Today we were able to make a very special visit to see Santa Claus. Juliette was a bit unsure in the beginning but once Santa asked her what she would like, she got very excited and let him know that she would like a "pink blankie" for Christmas. Keep in mind, I cannot tell you how many pink blankies we have. The "true" pink blankie goes everywhere with her and there are several knockoffs that just don't rate like "the pink blankie".

Juliette gets more and more excited about Christmas each day. She really seems to get the whole concept this year. It has been so much fun with her.

Baking Christmas cookies

We had such a fun afternoon today baking cookies for Christmas. It is such a wonderful memory that I have still of each year baking all of the cookies and sending them to family and friends. This year, you would not believe how much of a help Juliette was baking them with Tessa and me. She was able to roll balls, dip the batter in egg whites and even then dip them in the crushed nuts. She enjoyed it so much and is eager to make more each day.

Juliette's school Christmas performance today

We had such a special morning today. It was Juliette's Christmas show followed by crafts and a special visit from the big man himself - Santa! Both Juliette's Grandparents were able to come this morning and then we all went to lunch afterward. She sang lots of songs and had such a great time! Her last day of school is Friday and then she is off for all of the Christmas festivities!

Juliette with her special red nose and antlers with her Daddy

 Juliette and Santa Claus - she is still not quite sure what to make of him. She tells him that all she would like for Christmas is another pink blankie :)

All five of Juliette's teachers

The annual style show for the smocking guild

This is always such a fun time of the year. Last night we had the annual style show for the smocking club that Mom is very active in. Juliette loved every minute of the show this year. She could not get enough of it and even did some twirls for the audience. Last year all she wanted to do was to run to her Daddy and Doh and this year she just walked the whole runway. All of the little girls and boys looked so precious in their beautiful outfits.

Sizing up the crowd before making her grand appearance

Trying to stay very serious while the MC was announcing her name and all about her

Juliette and her friend Fallon. Now a days, Juliette does not seem to meet a stranger

All of the little girls in the show

Juliette and her Tessa and Doh - Mommy 30 weeks pregnant officially chooses not to put any pictures of herself up until after baby Tripp arrives

"Stodda" - the Elf on the Shelf

We have a new friend who came along this Christmas and he was fondly named by "Stodda" by Juliette. If y'all are not familiar with the Elf on the Shelf, it is the cutest thing. Each night the Elf moves when he returns from the North Pole. He is giving Santa a report on how Juliette behaved that day. Each morning she goes running to find Stodda and make sure that he has returned.

I was at the chidlrens' toy store about a month ago and really was not familiar with it before that, but the author and girl who came up with the idea was there signing books and Elves. Of course, I had to get Juliette started on it.

All of our Christmas decorations are officially up and we are almost all ready for the holidays. Today we put the nativity up and Juliette made a nativity ornament for her tree today at school. They do such cute things!

Stodda's first night arriving at the house. He chose the tree as his first arrival spot.

Look Mommy! I see him!

Since he is magical, Stodda cannot be touched. Hence, why you are seeing Juliette leave her distance between her and Stodda for the picture.

5 year anniversary weekend in Kiawah

Don and I celebrated our five year anniversary together. Wow! 5 years - it seems had to believe sometimes. We went to Kiawah for the weekend by boat. It was so much fun. We did what we enjoy doing most - fished all three days that we were there on the boat. It was just a greta relaxing weekend with wonderful food, rest, relaxation and plenty of fishing.

This was the prize catch of the weekend. Please note that I CAUGHT this 35 inch red fish (also known as a spot tail bass). For those not that familiar with fishing - this is a monster!

Happy anniversary to a wonderful Man, Husband and Father!

What a Christmas helper we have this year

We are quickly getting quiet into the Christmas spirit around here for sure. Juliette LOVES Christmas and is fascinated by the lights, decorations, Santa and baby Jesus. Last week we picked out the Christmas tree and Juliette helped with all of the decorations on the tree. She worked until her little heart could not keep going she was so tired.

We are SO excited about the season and you do realize when you have children the true spirit and magic of Christmas time. It truly is a very special time of the year.

Picking out the Christmas tree - a picture was not what she wanted at this time as she was playing hide and seek between all the trees with her Daddy... 

delivering the annual Christmas tree 

Working and treasuring each ornament that she put on the tree