I Love Olives!

Looks like she loves them as much as her friend 'Amy Lee' - and also likes to toy with them prior to eating them!

Old Friends

It was great to see old friends and to celebrate the Baptism of such a sweet baby boy.

Little Drummer Girls

I guess 'Lou' and 'Priss' were drumming in celebration of Patrick's Baptism.

Jolly Happy Soul...

or, Call Me Frosty!...

Or, Call Me Karen!...
Whatever you call her - she is a Jolly, Happy Soul!

Maybe it is because she didn't watch much TV until she was about 2?

Or, maybe, she just LOVES Frosty the Snowman. Whatever the reason - she is OBSESSED with him - and all things to do with him. I recorded the 30 minute show that we watched when we were kids. SHE LOVES IT! Sometimes, she wants us to call her Frosty - sometimes, she says she is Karen. Not casually - she will not answer to her name during those moments when she is channelling either of the characters. To top it off - we had a headband hat around that goes with the theme! Oh, and she knows the song too - now, everyone around her does as well!

What's next? Dora? We shall see!

It is Time to Say Goodbye

After a brief shopping spree this morning, Grammie and Grandpa treated us to lunch, and were on their way back 'north' to their home. We had a great visit! Love you guys!

Merry Christmas!

This Christmas morning was really fun. She 'got it' that Santa was coming to visit. As I opened her door to get her out of bed (last year for that too!) - she said "did Santa come see me?". I was as excited as she was. Of course, we had to arrange the cameras - video, digital, etc. She came around the corner - and was still overwhelmed - much like last year. However, she snapped out of it a little sooner!

Santa thought it would be cool if she had a tent like Daddy's. We played in it all day. As you can see, Grammie joined in on the fun - and Sweet Girl already has a lollipop from her stocking!
Santa also left lots of 'Sheep' books. She already has Sheep in a Shop. NOW, she also has Sheep on a Ship, Sheep in a Jeep, and one other I can't remember. As you can see, we don't get dolled up for Christmas morning!

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas with the ones you love the most!

Christmas Eve

We started the evening by attending Christmas Eve Service - it was really nice. I always love having the candle-light singing of Silent Night. It is beautiful.

Afterward, we went home to have the traditional Vice Christmas Eve dinner - Hot Chicken Salad, Pear Salad, Bread. See - I told you we weren't traditional dinner people! I didn't marry one either!

After dinner, we open all the presents that Santa doesn't bring. The first one is an ornament from Grammie and Grandpa. It says, How Can I Thank God Enough for You. Pretty.
On to puzzles, puzzles, puzzles - we LOVE puzzles!

Just before leaving Santa his eggnog and cookies - she opened her dollhouse. Oh, how she loves this house. She was especially fascinated with the little bathroom, because...

everyone goes potty!

Later that day....

The evening's festivities started out with some yummy spaghetti, made by Bebe. (I have to say, that I am so happy that no turkeys were consumed by this blogger during the Christmas season! I love non-traditional Christmas dinner with my families!)

Next, we were on to the tickle gauntlet - courtesy of Uncle Trent and Aunt Jill!

She has actually received 3 extra-soft white bears this Christmas. She LOVES Blanco!

Also - she 'cheesed' it up for her new fancy camera!

Christmas Brunch with Trent and Jill

We started the weekend before Christmas with our tradition of going to Uncle Trent and Aunt Jill's house for Christmas Brunch. It was a cold day, but not cold enough for real snowmen.

After Brunch, we enjoyed a solo performance by our Sweet Girl. She loved playing Uncle Trent's guitar while we sang along - mostly, to 'Frosty the Snowman'.

Caroling for Play Date

Our Friday Play Date Group went to a local assisted living residence for some Christmas caroling. We belted out some familiar tunes....

and gave some Christmas hugs to other kids' Grandmothers and Granddaddies.

Roses are Red...

Casts on Sweet Little Girls are too! At least she is color coordinated this season!

That Twinkle in Their Eyes

Sorry for all the 'catch-up' posting - it is the only way I can get it in during Christmas! Savor the moment, I may not post for a while! But, I couldn't resist with these three little sweeties.

Over the River and Through the Woods....

...to Grandmother's (and Granddaddy's) house we went! This past weekend, we had a great time visiting with everyone. This weekend was the official 'start' of the family visit season (no, wait - that started at Thanksgiving?). Stay tuned for adventures to come!

Cookie Crazy!

I wanted to bring along a fun activity for the kids (and us!) to do, since it was so windy and cold. Everyone seemed to be in on the action (somehow, Daddy and Uncle Phil seemed to elude the camera). As you can see - some wore more than they applied to the cookie!

Cookie Crazy!

Aunt Kim and Anderson make the perfect tree...

Phillip enjoyed the fruits of his labor...

Apparently - I had already had enough sugar! (I'll file this one under - I never seem to be IN the photos - well, here I am!)...

Granddaddy's snowman...

Grandmother spray-painting an angel.

Presents and Hugs

Anderson loves snow globes - Grandmother happens to know this 'fun fact'.

What little girl doesn't love babies and cradles? Well, this one sure loves hers!

And, who doesn't love to get hugs from one of your favorite cousins?

Guest Blogger - Daddy

After you apply a few pieces of tape - wrapping gifts isn't as exciting as our Sweet Girl originally thought. So, Daddy entertained her as I wrapped gifts this morning, prior to going to visit the family.

REALLY Special Gingerbread

Not so much for how I decorated them - but, for the PROPOSED use of them! It was such a treat for me to be involved in popping the question.

This fellow had planned to build a gingerbread house with his girlfriend and her daughter (who was in on the surprise). After assembling the parts that they baked - he went to get people for the house. They came with a housewarming present!

We are so happy for you guys!

200 Calories

I found an interesting link the other day. The website is called Wisegeek. It had lots of cool things. One of them contains the photo below. They took photos of lots of different foods in 200 calorie quantities. If you are in to that type of thing - give it a peek.

Seeing Red

By popular demand....a photo of our Sweet Girl with her cast. As you can see - we are 'Seeing Red' around here. Perfect, if having a cast can be, for the Christmas season. She has also seen the up side to having a boo boo - presents. She received a couple yesterday - and is clutching 'Marshmallow' for the photo.

While walking on the cast isn't filed under her favorite things to do - she is doing very well. However, be careful if you are around...she knows how to scam being picked up by one and all (those weak and strong)! Who could say 'no' to that sweet face?

Time to Make the Doughnuts

Well, cakes. If you ever wonder why I don't post as regularly as I should in December......I'm cooking! Here is the latest installment of 'Yummy Cakes', the Chocolate Peppermint Cake. Yum!

See more of these cakes at my Table Toppers blog.

No More Monkeys Jumping On the Bed!

Well, we could have spent our Saturday evening doing many 'more exciting/fun' things (sorry Julie!). However, we spent our evening hours at the emergency room.

Early Saturday morning - our Sweet Girl and her Daddy were playing - as they are prone to do on Saturday mornings. She is so happy to see him after a long work week (that usually hasn't ended on Friday). Anyway, she was jumping (he likes to say flopping - not jumping) on our bed. It has been done millions of times in her 2 plus short years. Well, long story short......she landed poorly. That was all there was too it. I heard the cries from the kitchen below. Cries aren't unusual when playing hard. Then I heard the tell tale sign that it was serious - "I waaaaant myyyyy moooooommieeeeeee!" I went up to take a peek. We were thinking - no blood, no foul. She seemed fine. We thought she must have hit her chin on her shin. No bruising, no swelling - she just whimpered and limped when she walked. So, we carried her. Throughout the day - nothing changed. We called the doctor around 6pm. What to do - no fever, no bruise, no swelling - she just won't walk. "Take her to the emergency room, just to be sure". Well, we did....

As it was 6pm (dinner time in our house), we packed a snack. In our little bag of tricks, we had many things......strawberries, cheese, juice, crackers and popcorn. This one was a hit. She was such a trooper as we waited. We were there almost 4 hours. They took x-rays and brought her ibuprofen - lots!

Here she is on the bed in our 'room' in the ER. We kept her pants off so that they could check out her leg - it was a little chilly. She kept warm with the little quilt (also from the bag of tricks). Aubie and Bunny kept her company too.

After 3 x-rays, she was so sweet that they brought her a popsicle. She loved the grape. After 2 x-rays were reviewed, they were about to send us home with pain meds. We were thinking, better safe than sorry. THEN, the third one reared it's ugly head. There was a hairline fracture on the tibia of her right leg. ARGGHHH! I started crying like a baby. Then, they had to put a splint on her and wrap it with an ace bandage. She didn't care for this, and started crying for the first time as well. I cried more - this is my sweet little angel, and I can't fix it.

She didn't care for that 'boot' on her leg for sleeping - not one little bit. She didn't care how 'special' we said it was. It hasn't been a fun couple of days around the Vice house. This week will be even more fun. When do you think a caterer works the most? Hhhhum - could it be the 2 weeks prior to Christmas? I'm sure that having a 30 pound angel to carry around won't hinder a thing. Not to mention her mental state. We will see!

We go to the orthopedic doctor this week - we will keep you posted....

Behold...the power, of CANDY CANES!

I failed to mention that our little one wasn't the least bit interested in sitting with Santa until I mentioned the, ever popular, candy cane. We talked with her about them the first time we visited him.

When I was little, we would go each year to see Santa at Pizitz Department Store in Huntsville (the best Santa was there). After our little 'chat', I would get this nice big peppermint stick. I just assumed that would be the case now. We talked it up the whole was there. As it turns out, candy isn't 'P.C.' anymore. Do we have the only kid that rarely gets candy (I doubt it). She is so jazzed to get that one little taste that she will do anything! We then searched for something, anything resembling a candy cane to give to our little angel - as we promised. We ended up getting a starlight mint from Bath & Body Works. Whatever it takes!

Anyway - on this second adventure - she wouldn't budge. I forgot about the promise of boiled sugar and peppermint oil confections. It was Marilyn Huberdeau that reminded me of such things. Thank you! It worked!

So, to all you parents out there trying to get the 'shot' with Santa....heed my words - promise peppermint candy canes!

She Can't Get Enough!

On the other hand, she has had plenty of Mommy and that camera! This is how the evening of photos ops, cookies, milk and Santa began at First Methodist. We went to this last year - and she would have no part of this 'Santa' guy. Let's see how it went...

I THINK I'm ok with this guy...
Ok now - I will leave the reindeer my favorite - grapes! (she really did tell him that!)

Really - I think I'm fine, just shoot the picture (thanks to the person (?) behind me singing her songs - otherwise, she may have never looked!)

WHO are you? It is my turn!

Well, we ended with some photos - and some excellent ideas for the Big Guy!

Remembering Christmas Past

She has grown so much this year! This was taken sometime before Epiphany (January 6th) of 2007. Just precious.