Merry, Merry White CHRISTmas!

We had such a blessed Christmas 2010.  My only regret is that it doesn't last long enough!  One of my favorite family traditions is to go visit with elderly family and friends, shut ins, or widows/widowers that we do not get to see often enough.  As we have gotten older and began growing our families we do not have enough time to visit as many folks as we would like to. This year we went out on the Saturday morning before Christmas. We got to visit Ann and Wayne Hyatt and Fannie Ruth stopped by while we were there.  Then as we were leaving it began to snow and rain as we headed to see Miss Mae Tucker.  Then we got to visit our Great-Great Aunt Alice.  Riley and Ava-Reese are her great-great-great nephew and niece!!

Ava-Reese, Carly, Aunt Alice, Riley, and I

Riley enjoyed "riding" Aunt Alice's giraffe!

The Sunday before Christmas we celebrated with Jeremy's Mom's family at Grammy's house.  Riley got an Elmo that is as big as he is and he LOVES it!

Christmas Eve we began with a visit to Gaga.  By the time we took a photo the kids were not into smiling!

4 generations-Gaga, Daddy, Leslie & Riley, Carly & Ava-Reese

Then I spent most of the day cooking while Riley got to play and take a nap.  Then Christmas Eve night we went to Jeremy's Uncle Mike & Aunt Susan's to celebrate with the Registers.  Riley was the center of attention and loved every minute!

Riley met Mike and Susan's dog Roxy and the dog was scared of Riley!

With Grandma Register Christmas Eve

I was so excited for Christmas morning.  I could not wait for Riley to see the presents Santa had left for him.  I was expecting him to dance in excitement but all he said was, "Thomas Choo-Choo" and went right to work playing with his trains.  He would hardly look at anything else until the next day!

Santa was very good to Riley and didn't forget Baby R either!

We went to breakfast at The Painter's house Christmas morning and enjoyed homemade gravy and biscuits, sausage quiche, baked grits, and sausage pinwheels! Yum!  Papa Cliff got to join us along with MeMa and B Pop so we did our gift exchange after breakfast.  Then we headed to the Stevens Christmas for lunch at Aunt Joan and Uncle Dennis' house!

Riley and Ava-Reese in matching outfits with Gators from B Pop!

On our way home from The Stevens' it began to snow and by late afternoon the snow started to stick so we all enjoyed our first White Christmas!  The next day we got out in it to play and Riley didn't know what to think!

My favorite moments from this holiday season:

• Jeremy finding Rascal Flats singing & Riley spontaneously joinging in..."I'll be home  for Christmas; You can count on me "
• Hearing Riley say "Lights! Lights! at night when he'd see Christmas lights on homes
• Setting up Riley's Little People Manger & telling him the true Christmas story in 2 year old terms
• Taking Riley and Ava-Reese to Hollywild to see the lights and animals
• While having his photo taken, Riley puckered up to give Santa a kiss!

• Throwing our work Christmas party and Riley hugging EVERYbody like he knew them!
• Eating dinner with Jeremy's family and Riley deciding to yell out "Chelsea!!" over and over and over for Johnny's new girlfriend
• Hearing Riley say, "Baby Bruder" in reference to his little brother on the way
• Riley rocking out with his guitar center stage for The Registers on Christmas Eve
• Riley dancing to Michael Jackson when Jeremy was finding songs with his new iTunes gift card
• hearing Riley tell me "Merry Christmas I Wuv You Mommy" on his own Christmas night

We are so truly blessed this Christmas.  Now New Year's has arrived and it is time to take down all of the decorations and pack them up until next year!  And it is definitely time to get ready for Baby R's arrival!