Merry Christmas Baby!

Merry Christmas to all.  And what a wonderful holiday it was for us!  This sweet little package was all we needed from Santa, but that didn't stop him from bringing me a brand new camera and laptop.  I must've been extra good this year!  So forgive me if my photos and postings aren't up to par - I'm learning all the bells and whistles on my new equipment.  I've already accidentally posted this once halfway finished because I clicked the wrong button.  Oops.  Anyway, our holiday was delightful, courtesy of this little sugarplum here.  Grandma and Grandpa came down the mountain through the snow in a one-horse-open-Kia stocked with presents for Sarah Beth.  So much for taking it easy this Christmas.  She also must've been a very good girl this year because she received a new wardrobe, a library of books, and some fun toys to play with.  Not to be outdone, Me-maw and Papa T sent a boatload of gifts as well.  Our tree was overflowing this year.  We started the festivities with Christmas Eve family worship service.  SB loved the candles and the music, and we loved that it was over in less than an hour.  No time for baby to get bored - whew!  Christmas day was a soggy mess outside but inside we had our love to keep us warm, in addition to hot coffee, Mimsosas and a new furnace. Sarah Beth was a delight all day, enjoying the wrapping paper as much as the presents themselves, naturally. 

With my parents, aka Mr. and Mrs Christmas, coming to town, we had to step it up a litttle with our decorations.  We surprised my Dad with an outdoor display of light-up reindeer and twinkly trees to rival his own.  And my tablescape would make Martha Stewart turn green with envy if I say so myself. 

See the lights in the backyard?  Fabulous job Kurtie Claus!

Eat your heart out Martha!

Stole the cranberries-in-candle holder idea from my crafty Mom.

I was obsessed with these little guys from Crate and Barrel.

Souvenir ornaments for our honored guests.  CandB tried to charge me for 8 of these little penguins when I only bought 1.  They are $7 cute, not $60 cute. Always check your receipts, ladies and gentlemen.

The day after Christmas we went for a stoll downtown to see the decorations and work off some of the beef tenderloin we all devoured for Christmas dinner.  We watched the ice skaters and took a stroll through the streets. 

Our favorite chicken

Love this shot.  My new camera rocks! Oh and the baby is pretty darn cute, too.

Obligatory Grandma and Grandpa Reindeer Poses

There was a bunch of kids playing Christmas Carols on the corner of Trade and Tryon that sounded like they were straight out of New Orleans.  Festive!

Did I mention how much I L-O-V-E my new camera?

Someone had enough of sightseeing

On Sunday we has special vistors as well.  Chris, Kurt's best friend of 20 years, came over with his 2 children Mia and Tyler, and his parents too.  Uncle Chris went nuts with the Christmas shopping and gave us way too much, but we are very thankful.  To top it off, they cleaned out the kids' rooms and brought baby boxes of books and toys that they have outgrown.  The sweetest moment of the day was watching 8-year-old Tyler read to little Sarah Beth.  He was so cute with her, helping her feel the books and turn the pages.  Kurt and Chris had quite a moment watching their kids play together for the first time.

As I mentioned, Mommy and Baby both got spoiled but the best gift may have been for Kurt from his Dad. When they were visiting in November, they joked about going to play catch in the park to make up for lost time. Well, wouldn't you know it, Dad sent Kurt a baseball and mitt with a note promising that they'd break it in next time. Not a dry eye in the house, I tell you. When we think about all we have to be thankful for, it is overwhelming. Not only do we have a healthy, happy little ray of sunshine living under our roof, but also wonderful family and friends and new unexpected grandparents to love her. 2009 was a very good year.