KK...

We had Kayla for the weekend and played really hard. We used to have Kayla over at our house most weekends. Crystal took on a new job last year and has weekends off now so the weekends we've had Kayla have been few and far between. Emma and Seth both get pretty antsy about seeing Kayla if it's been longer than 3 weeks since they've last seen her so we have managed to still get together often. Emma and Seth both refer to Kayla as their sister and I know she feels the same way. I love for her to come and stay at our house because she's old enough to help me out immensely -- it's almost like having a babysitter for the weekend.
This weekend, we went to the mall, played outside in the backyard, built a fire in our new fire bowl, and went to Bullwinkles with the Fox family. Usually, we have friends with kids that same ages as our kids and Kayla doesn't really get a chance to hang out with kids her age. Luckily, when we hang out with the Foxes, Robbie is her age and they are great friends. Both look forward to having the other around. Robbie has to be the only older kid when Kayla isn't around and vice versa. Its a really good fit and it's nice to see Kayla enjoying the time being a kid herself instead of having to help heard the little monsters around all the time.

The break is over...

I've just gotten back to work after my trip to Atlanta. I had to attend a training session on the software that I support. I was mainly looking forward to the break from life that I would hopefully have while there. As usual, the week flew back and now I'm back at work for my first full week since before Christmas.

Daniel took last week off to stay with the kids and they all survived. In fact, maybe they did more than that. They all seem to be getting along better than ever and really happy. Maybe some Daddy time was just what the kids needed.

Seth has made even more progress in the talking arena and is now using sentences to communicate. He is such a sweet and caring little boy and he loves his sister. He's never quite sure what to do without her when they are separated.

I taught my first Confirmation class at LOL last night. Emma wanted to go with me and I actually let her. She was allowed 3 or 4 toys that she could play quietly with in the classroom. I told her that if she interrupted me, she'd have to go home. She played for an entire hour without bothering a soul. I didn't really know she was capable of such a thing. Maybe they do grow up too fast after all...

My sleepy little fireman...

Seth wears this hat around the house all the time. I took this picture as he was coming down with RSV so he looks a little puny.

More from our trip to Selma...

Seth got a roller coaster from Santa that everybody loved!!!

Christmas morning at our house.......

Christmas Eve with the family.....

Mom invited my friend from High School, Meredith, to join us for brunch on my birthday. Emma and her daughter, Marla, really hit it off and had great time together.

Christmas dinner at Mom and Dad's house......

The Christmas Grinch and Christmas Elf all rolled into one.

Emma and GrandBob
at Dad's 56th birthday dinner.











Seth enjoyed GrandBob's birthday cake way more than anyone else....

Seth loved Santa Clause this year!!!

Daniel and I at my company Holiday party held at Preston- wood Country Club in Cary.

This is Daniel and I on our Anniversary trip to Wilmington in November.









This is the house that we stayed in -- our room included the Widow's watch at the top of the house. It had a great view of the city and the river.


By the way, a Widow's Walk is what it's called when it's just an outdoor porch area. A Widow's Watch is what you see here because it's enclosed.

I love this picture....

We had lunch in Downtown Selma, NC for Barbie's birthday and I took this picture of Emma and Popi walking together. It's just one of those shots that I'll always remember. My Popi and my daughter walking hand in hand -- it reminds me of when I was a little girl.

My legs are wobbly and my head is woozy....

It's January 1 and I know what you're thinking. I only had 1 glass of Champagne last night so that's not the case. I feel like I just got off the roller coaster we call the holiday season. I spent so much time preparing and anticipating and I couldn't wait any longer and.... it's over now! We're done. We've celebrated, we've given, we've received, we've visited, we've been in our dirty car for way too long and now it's all over. New things have been put away and family has gone home. From what I can remember of the whirlwind, it sure was fun. Too bad it can't last forever......