Emily & Lily's Tea Party

Christmas morning before presents, Emily got up and had her breakfast and we had some playtime before she went back down for a nap. She is really starting to love playing with toys- and with you, with her toys! Her teapot and cups are a current favorite.   Lily us usually hovering somewhere nearby. So in these pictures we were having a tea party and I was talking to her. In one shot it looked as though they were sharing tea. TOO FUNNY! Ooooh the days to come are going to be fun times!

Mama! Think Lily wants some tea??

Lily- I threw your tea cake over there- fetch!

I think she's mad I threw her cake

what you mean Lily doesn't drink tea?

playdate with Davis Cate

Christmas Eve morning Emily and I went to see Auntie Amy, Uncle Kenny and Davis Cate.  We exchanged gifts with the girls and let them play for a while.  It was Emily's first "real" play date - like where she actually played with another kid!  So fun and so much to look forward to watching our baby girl grow and explore and make friends.

ummm this is a book Emily- i read it to you

what you mean elephant?

what's this over here?

I get it

Davis- what is this thing?

Davis showing Em her zoo

Davis working her puzzle

you do it Auntie Hope

 

you mean the paper isn't the present?

what is this thing again?

but I like the paper...

Spaghetti and Smores

We got together with some friends and everyone's kiddos on the 23rd for the second annual Christmas Spaghetti and Smores. It was such a good time.  11 adults and 12 children- a house FULL!   Emily had a blast and Sean and I really enjoyed spending some time with our friends and watching the kiddos play together. I hope it can be an annual tradition for our family.

Em and Lang playing ball

Nate coming to join the fun

Will and Nate coloring

Nate checking things out

Miss Claire showing off her pretty dress

Claire "loving the baby"!!

Claire and Katie

laundry

so Daddy had his laundry waiting to be folded (by him) on the top of the couch the other day in a BIG ol pile...  Little sweet pea that Emily is decided she would try to help.  below is the result.  She also discovered the clothes basket..

where is Emily???

There she is!!

check my new ride!  ready to go mama!

peek a boo- can you see me?

Chloe

My friends Aimee and Chad had their precious baby girl Chloe Elizabeth on December 3rd. I was honored to be there with them and share in that wonderful experience.  Here are a few pics from her birthday and when I went by a few days later to visit them at home. All these sweet babies coming into the world are such a blessing from God. Auntie Hope loves you Chloe!

Coleman (Palmer) Family Christmas

Most of my life I have traveled to my Grandparent's houses for Christmas.  My Mama and Daddy were from the same town and we did Mama's side Christmas Eve and Daddy's side of the family Christmas day.  Now that the kids are grown up and have kids...we celebrate Christmas with the extended family the week before Christmas.
I have enjoyed watching my cousins' children the last few years as they are growing and learning more and more about traditions and Christmas and Baby Jesus. They are also really starting to get into the whole presents thing. I remember thinking last year as I watched them open their gifts that next year we would have our own little gift and he or she would just be starting to get big enough to really experience things. Family Chirstmas was this past weekend and it did not dissapoint! My Aunt's house was full to the gills with a 7 year old, almost 4 year old and an almost 8 month old and enough energy and presents to go around the block! 
Emily was mesmerized by all things Walker and Camille.  Whatever they were doing, she was watching and wanted to be down on the floor in the middle of them.- what will next year be like when she is able to run after them?!  I did slow them down long enough to make them pose for a "kid photo" of the grandkids- just like John, Laura, and I always had to sit for.  Kind of cool seeing them sitting on the sofa like we used to as kids cheesing for the camera.

We did things a little differently this year and I think it went pretty well.  We decided not to make the kids wait all day for presents like we usually do. (we always did- but this worked out really well).  So when everyone finally got there, we passed out the mound of presents and let the two big kids dig in.  Emily was down for a nap when we started so when she woke up and joined the party it was in full swing. Sean and I "helped" her open her presents. And in true kid form, she liked the tissue paper.  I think she was distracted more by all the other paper flying and seeing what Camille and Walker were doing.  We love all of her things and my family was so sweet to spoil her with so much! She got her first tea set and her first babydoll. Christmas at our house will never be the same! 
I'm afraid Christmas Day at home with Mommy & Daddy will be a let down!

looking at Christmas Cards with Gammy and Camille

all the kiddos with Gammy

1st attempt at kid photo

2nd- there were more but these were the best two

MacDermant Family photo

part of the mound of presents

Em taking it all in

opening gifts with Daddy

"reading" her book

loving her baby

Camille's fairy wings

Van is the man

So ANYONE who knows Sean very well knows that he *kind* of likes Van Morrison...I mean he tried to bring the name VANessa into the mix when we were pregnant (I quickly gave a look and an eye roll and that was that).  ;)   My mom got Emily this cute little onesie for her Daddy and we finally got some cute pics of her in it now that she is big enough to fit into it.  She is one coooool cat that girl.  (her dad declined to be in the photos that go on the blog for this post).

this is my quiet indifference look-  Daddy says Van is the Man

this is my "I'm a DIVA" I'm too cool for you look

who is this Van Morrison guy and why don't my socks match my outfit?

I think Daddy is the MAN!

okay I guess Van is the man...whoever he is!