Emily Brooks

I'm way behind on my blogging...

Mary Alice and Steven had their sweet baby over two weeks ago.  The gender was a surprise for everyone--I was DYING to know whether E would be gaining a best friend or a boyfriend!  Josh was thrilled to note it was the first rather than the latter.

 I was able to meet her on her one week birthday--she was an angel and slept the entire time I visited.

 Those lips...I could just smooch them all day.

 Fun times ahead with my best friend and our girls!

Milk and Cookies

We went to the SC Children's Theater "Milk and Cookies" Storytime the Wednesday before Christmas.  Ellie got to wear her pj's, hear the Grinch and Polar Express, and have a snack!

E was one of the youngest there but she sat quietly throughout the stories and loved seeing the actors as they somewhat acted them out.

 Below was our story teller.  She is wearing her Junie B Jones headpiece, as they just completed their shows downtown of Junie B Jone's "Jingle Bells, Batman Smells".  We can't wait to take E to her first play that the children's theater puts on--hopefully this summer!

Painting

Ellie made a footprint manger, much to her displeasure.  She is not a fan of paint on her feet but I forced the issue and we accomplished the task.  I still have to paint baby Jesus in the manger but I love the way the manger turned out-we will treasure it for years to come!

 Last year's bloomers--round 2!

 We had to buy some new ornaments--I bought the shrimpiest looking ones ever our first go round--they didn't look so tiny until they were on her tree!  

Gingerbread House Makin'

We made a gingerbread house with Ellie a couple of weeks ago--it was the ultimate fail and collapsed within minutes.  We will definitely be re-attempting next year with hopefully better results.

Gingerbread Men Decorating

Ellie decorated gingerbread men one day with Mrs. Denise...as you can see, she was quite proud of her creation.

 Multi-step baking is not quite up her alley yet.  I'm hoping next year she'll be more interested--this year it was pre-made cookies from Fresh Market and boxed squeeze icings.

Yum Yum!

Reindeer Pancakes

On Sunday we made Reindeer pancakes for dinner!

 Had to get some pictures after church by the tree.  

 We of course had to strip down out of the white dress for lunch so she ran free as a bird around the kitchen in her bloomers, tights and red shoes.

 Can't say Ellie was much of a fan of her pancakes but I thought they were so cute!

 It was too much to ask of her to look at the camera and smile with her reindeer...but we tried!

Breakfast with Santa

Our original plan for day 8 of our advent was riding the Pink Pig in Atlanta--but after MAP was put on bed rest we decided to hang out at home rather than making the trip with a child who isn't much for car rides.  We had a wonderful weekend and things worked out perfectly, although we missed visiting with the Lathems!  We went to breakfast on Saturday at Sweet Catherine's.  Ellie wanted absolutely nothing to do with Santa (of course) but did enjoy the magic show put on by cheesy Jack Roper.

 Didn't mind sitting in Santa's chair--as long as Santa wasn't sitting there too.

 After breakfast we took advantage of the beautiful warm day and headed downtown to walk around.  We spent at least 45 minutes in OP Taylor's where E was in hog heaven playing with the endless toys.  A total dream come true.

 After the toy store, we headed up to the Hyatt where they are having the festival of trees.  We saw endless beautiful trees like these.  It was a wonderful treat!

 the green/red was my personal favorite.

 Ellie loved this candy land themed one!

What a great city we live in!

Friday night with the Sweatmans

Our dear friends, the Sweatmans came into town Friday night for carriage ride fun!  We met up at Sabrosa's for dinner and then headed to Ft. Inn for a Santa visit and a carriage ride to look at the lights.

 Our little ol' town has beautiful lights.  Never would've thought it and we completely missed out our first Christmas here but we've gone every year since then.

 AK was the only one happy about this sweet, precious Santa.  The babies were not fans--maybe next year the moms won't be in the picture.  Ellie blew Santa kisses and he caught them and told her he was putting them in his heart.  Just sweetness.

 Ellie loves AK.  She watches her every move when they are together.

 sweet, sweet {high maintenance} girls

 Ellie and Drewsie matched.  Not that Erica and I planned that or anything.

Ellie's first carriage ride!  She was so still as we looked at all the lights.  We hope this night becomes a tradition with our families because it sure was fun!

Tree Lighting

We attended our first tree lighting in Fountain Inn last Thursday--there was singing, ice skaters, and the mayor did a countdown for the big reveal.  and by big, I mean small.  This tree is no Rockefeller.  

 good thing Ellie doesn't know the difference and loved it regardless, even if it was freezing cold!

 She got the best seat in the house!

 TA-DA!

Fountain Inn Parade

Ellie's 5th activity for her Advent was going to see the Fountain Inn parade.  We sat by neighborhood friends and between them and her daddy she stayed entertained for a while!

 "get me outta here!!"

 They passed out candy throughout the parade--she got more than she did for Halloween--that Josh and I enjoyed afterward!

 Her favorites from the parade were the horses and the beauty queens.

My Felt Tree

Ellie's next Advent (day 4) surprise was her own felt tree that she could decorate.

 Here's to hoping she'll like it more next year because she really has demonstrated little to no interest in it.  Even after I cut out 50 circles.  and a wonky shaped tree.

 she finds it more fun to put the ornaments on her head!

 silly goose!