Christmas 2011

FINALLY I am posting about Christmas!  (Seems like a long time ago now!)

Our Christmas Eve tradition of opening one gift...

...usually (actually, ALWAYS) new pajamas!

the BEST gifts I've ever been given!!!

How the tree looked before going to bed. 

(I was a little disappointed at how "sparse" it looked until I remembered that when they were younger,  the gifts are BIGGER in size and they cost LITTLER, but now that they are older, the gifts are LITTLER--in size--but cost BIGGER!) *Pardon the grammar!  :)

This is how they are all the time--huggy, smiley, and never any fighting!  Ha! Ha!  I wish!

New Wii games!  (Fun for the WHOLE family...and when I say that, I mean it is quite 'fun' for us girls to watch Trav play this!)

Beautiful new scarves made by Aunt Jennifer (with Uncle Ryan in the background).  Notice how Kathryn is trying not to be in the picture?!?  :)

New make-up from Meemaw and Papa--hopefully that will last her a while!

Can you tell Emily is VERY excited about having her very own suitcase?!?

We had told Abby no make-up till she turned 13, but we surprised her by telling Meemaw and Papa that they could get her some for Christmas--doesn't she look happy?

Family + lots of love = one MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Christmas in Naples 2011

We were blessed to be able to go down to Naples the weekend before Christmas to celebrate with our family there.  It is always fun to see them and to share good times and laughs together. 

Before the gift-giving began, Abby shared a little of her new found flute-playing talents with the group.

(Thanks to Meemaw for playing the part of "music stand.")

This is the girls trying to hide their "finally!!!" faces--it seemed like they would never get to the good stuff!  :)

Cute new personalized stationary--definitely needed!!!

I always love these four-generation shots (even though I loathe getting my picture taken)!

Thanks Uncle Buz for this great shot of our beauties!

Abby's First Band Concert

Before Christmas break, (I know, I know....STILL trying to catch up!) Abby had her first band concert.  Even though they had only been playing their instruments for about three months, I was so impressed at how much they had learned!

Here is our beautiful flute player front and center (in the brown boots) playing her heart out!   

Look at that concentration!

A larger view with Mr. Majors (how's that for a band director's name?!?) conducting.

With a proud Papa and Meemaw...

...and a proud mom and dad!

Of course, afterwards we had to celebrate a successful concert at Firehouse with some of Abby's friends and their families--they all LOVED the new endless flavor Coke machine!
(Allison, Abby, Maddie, and Abigail)

I think we'll soon have our own version of the Partridge Family band--Shelby on sax, Abby on flute, and next year Emily on clarinet!