Christmas

All the Heath kids were in town for Christmas this year!  It had been over a year since I'd seen Matt and Aubrey.  We finally met Alivia and Matt and Aubrey met Eloise.  It still blows my mind to think it took a year for them to meet her. 

I just love this girl!  If she's anything like Eloise, she won't let me hold her next time I see her.

I was more interested in holding babies than taking pictures so most of them are of Eloise Christmas morning. 

Eloise was a crazy baby to everyone!  Poor Lailan got it the worst.  Any time Lailan would walk by her Eloise would do this weird grunt.  She would give Lailan kisses but grunt the whole time.  It was so funny.  She only let me, Glen, Mom or Dad hold her.  She defiantly needs to be around them more often!

While we were in town we made sugar cookies, built a gingerbread house and had our annual Christmas Eve party at Staci's.  Every year we draw names and make a gift for that person.  Glen drew my name and gave me a huge frame full of pictures of our little family.  I loved it!  Glen got yummy beef jerky from Marc and Lailan drew Eloise a beautiful picture of a tree of hearts.

We bunked at the Padgett's this Christmas, and I'd have to say I loved it!  Mom and Granny complained they didn't see us very much.  They should have know that would happen putting me in their house.  Once I'm there it's hard to detach myself.

 
It was nice waking up to the kids all excited that Santa had come.  They had to showing us all their gifts.  If they only knew I helped set them out.  They'll know one day. 

The Padgett's with their Santa gifts.

Being one, Eloise was much more involved this year!  She loved her baby and stroller Santa brought her.  I know you can't really tell from this picture but she really does love it.  She likes to sit in the stroller herself from time to time.

Someone's still tired!

When she found the kisses in her stocking, she didn't really care about anything else.

 She kept ripping into them

and popping them in her mouth!

 Crazy face!

  She is a chocolate junkie!  

She wouldn't even put the kisses down to open her presents.

She ripped into it - kisses and all!

 I'd say she likes it.

Once we got ready for the day we went to my parents for breakfast.  We had our traditional southern breakfast - grits, eggs, biscuits and gravy.    

Here I am with all the babies!  Alivia is almost 6 months and Davis is 6 weeks.  He's such a big boy and she's such a petite girl.

I was sad we weren't able to go to Church.  Glen had to work early Monday morning and if we were going to have time to visit his grandparents we had to leave before it started.  We had a really nice visit with Glen's Grandmother, Dad and stepmother.

Hunter was glad to have a playmate. 

She was worn out on the way home!

It was a great Christmas.

  

Christmas at the beach

We went to Amelia Island to visit the Brock family.   It was breezy and beautiful.  The water was so cold but the kids didn't care!  They were all in the water.

(Sadly this is the only picture I got of anyone other than Bryn and Eloise.)

  We took Eloise's pants off so they wouldn't get wet.  We didn't need to.  Eloise cried every time her little feet touched the water.  I don't blame her.  The water was too cold for me too.

Yes, she has on Santa diapers!

She did have fun running up and down the beach,

Her little foot prints.

chasing/growling at the seagulls,

collecting sea shells.

Bryn came with us.  She had so much fun.  Too bad we didn't think to bring her bathing suit as she was pretty much soaked when it was time to leave.

We had a good little visit.  It always seems like they are far too short though!  We need to get together more often.  I'd like Eloise to be great friends with her cousins.

Meeting Santa

It happened and it wasn't pretty.  

We had a great time at the ward Christmas party.  We went on a search for Jesus.  It was a really nice program.  We were lead from room to room by shepherds.  In each room we talked about how to focus more on Christ this season.  We gathered in the gym for dinner and as we ate groups sang carols.  It was all beautiful but the Clark family's act was my favorite.  Everyone got into it -  clapping to the music.  

Once dinner was over Santa came out.  Sweet Eloise didn't like him at all!  The camera was set on video at first so we have a tiny video of her melt down.  We forced her to sit with him long enough to get a picture.  Glen and I had a good laugh at her expense.  Poor baby!

Santa's Jumping!

We have been getting excited for Christmas in the Ramsey home!  Our tree is up, our nativities are out and our stalkings would be hanging (if we knew little hands would leave then alone.)  Those little hands are also keeping presents from being under the tree.  Though Eloise is too young to understand I've been excited for her to meet Santa!  We somehow totally spaced on them meeting last Christmas.

(Thanks for the jacket Aunt Liz - it's been put to good use already this winter!)

We braved the cold (so it was in the low 40s - I know others have it much worse - Aubrey I'm eying you!) to watch Santa light the 250 foot jump tower on Fort Benning!  It was so much fun!  The MCOE band was there playing Christmas carols, I think they were my favorite part.  They were so good - I didn't want them to stop!  You can't really see them but the band is in the picture below just under the tower.   

They opened the 30 foot jump tower for party goers.  We got there too late for me to have a go.  Too bad I was looking forward to it.

Eloise got antsy when we were waiting for Santa and the Silver Wings to parachute in.  At these times she usually does best on her Dad's shoulders.  

Once she was up there she was dancing to the music and the happy baby we know and love.  

 

 It was dark when they jumped but it looked like they were huge sparklers in the sky.  Eloise even focused on them and watched each one float to the ground.

Once Santa was finally on the ground he made his way over to the switch and lit the jump tower!  There are three towers but they only light one.  I know it's a lot of work but it would be really impressive to see them all with lights.  

The line for Santa was ridiculous!  So we decided to wait to have Woo meet Santa till the Ward Christmas party.  I'm so glad we went!  We will defiantly be going again next year.  I can only imagine how excited a 2 year old Eloise will be then!    

P.S.  Sorry for the grainy pictures.  I forgot our camera and had to use my phone.

Holiday Ball!

Glen's unit had a Holiday Ball this past Friday.  It was so much fun to get all dressed up and go out - just the two of us!  

Woo wasn't wanting her picture taken!

 That's Eloise's head to the left of me.

I was proud I did my own hair, with a little help from Lailan.  It's three buns with a black rose.  (That matched the rose on my dress.)  It is a bit messy but on purpose!

 

Thank you so much Mom, Aunt Pat and Lailan for watching Eloise!  We had such a good time.  It was nice to meet some of the people he works with and chat with their wives.  We need to do this more often!

Christmas Tree

Putting up the tree this year didn't go as I had envisioned it.  The three of us happily putting the decorations on the tree while listening to Christmas music, sipping hot chocolate.  Yes, I know that only happens in the movies!

I shouldn't have had my expectations so high.  Eloise is only one!  She did have a good time helping empty the boxes.

 

 

She put the first ornament on the tree. (Gross picture of me though!)

He's always so serious!

 It turned into a game of chase.  Woo wouldn't leave the ornaments on the tree!  In the end it was a fun time with our little family.  Now I'm just hoping we get through Christmas without her pull the whole tree on top of herself!

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving was such a fun whirlwind this year!  We were lucky enough to go down to Florida to spend it with family.  Glen had to work Friday night so it was a short trip.  We drove down Wednesday afternoon and drove back up Thursday night.  Being only four hours from home is one of the many things I am thankful for.  

Every year we head out to Lake Butler to have our Thanksgiving dinner at my Aunt Pat's.  It's always fun to trek out into the woods and mess around in the barn before we eat.

 Eloise had fun exploring the woods.

 She was all over the place!

 This reminds me of Alli and her "I am woman!" stick.  Eloise was very proud she found this stick!

Eloise and Alliyah having a laugh.

This was Eloise's first Thanksgiving!

 Bryn with the stick!

 Eloise had fun playing on Uncle Robert's tractors!

 Alliyah and Marc - that girl was all over the place.  She's so much fun!

 This is the only picture I have of Eloise eating her first Thanksgiving dinner.  She didn't much like anything we gave her.  (She was VERY tired.)

 Everyone was tired after the meal.

 You're not fooling anyone with those glasses!  We know you're sleeping!

She's out!

I'm so thankful for all my many blessings!  My sweet little family, hearing Eloise say "mom" and "dada", getting kisses from her without being asked, sleeping past 6:30.  Just to name a few.