Merry Christmas

We had a super busy Christmas day.  We all woke up super early so we could open presents before we went to church.  Meredith slept with us, because she was afraid to sleep in her own room on Christmas Eve.  She didn't want to be in her bed by herself when Santa came. HA!

I think at this point she was still trying to wake up!

She was super excited about her Baby Alive doll.  She had talked about that doll everyday for months! 

This is one point where she kept saying, "This is what I really, really wanted!  Thanks Mom & Dad!"

Biking Barbie!  She saw this in Target and told Santa she wanted one. 

The scooter!  She loves this thing, but she gets in a lot of trouble with it in the house!

Of course, Mommy and Daddy got some nice things too!  Daddy was super excited about his Craftsman toolbox. 

After church, we all went to Aunt Donna's house.  We had an amazing lunch, and then we all opened gifts again.  This is always a big deal for the kids, because they get gifts from everyone. 

She loved her new clothes, but she was even more excited about her Justin Beiber poster!  She couldn't believe she was going to be able to hang a huge picture of him in her room. 

After we cleaned up the huge mess everyone made in Aunt Donna's living room, we said our goodbyes and headed over to Granmommy and Grandaddy's house.  Meredith couldn't wait to see what they had gotten her. 



I think Meredith's favorite gift was her FurReal Pet "Cookie".  She was so excited about that puppy, and she quickly forgot about wanting a real one...thankfully! HA!

She loved her caboodle full of hair stuff.  She uses it everyday to fix her hair, and she has some quite interesting hair dos too!

Aunt Tippy and Uncle Patrick got her a Butterfly doll from Cracker Barrell and clothes.  She had seen these dolls on one of our trips to Duke Hospital and she wanted one.  She loves her little doll!

She got lots of new clothes too!



We had a wonderful Christmas together, and were able to spend a lot of time with our family.  It was so nice to see some of our family that we don't see quite as often too!  I enjoy the holidays so much, because I enjoy all the extra time I can get with my family. 



Christmas with Gramsy

Gramsy came in town on December 16th and spent about a week with us!  The night before Christmas Eve we celebrated Christmas with Gramsy, and opened gifts.  Meredith had a blast, and got lots of stuff!

She was super excited about all of her gifts!

I think the hat, gloves and scarf were her favorite!

Meredith had so much fun spending the week with Gramsy.  They played, baked cookies, made pictures and had a great time together!

Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer

Meredith gave Creig and I our gift that she made at school last night, and we love it!  They made us a book.  Here it is in pictures....

We love this book! 

KAF Christmas Party

Meredith's class had their Christmas party yesterday.  She has spent the whole week at home with Gramsy, since she was visiting.  Yesterday, she went to school to join in the fun and party with her friends! 

Washing up, and getting ready for the party!  She had just woken up from her nap.

Silly girl!

Most of the parents came to the party, so the class sang some of their Christmas songs for us. 

They did such a great job, and had so much fun!  I am so thankful that I am given the opportunity to be there for these precious activities with Meredith.  It makes me sad that this is her last year at KAF, and she will be going to "big school" next year.  I am really going to miss all of this!

Graduation

I graduated from UNC Charlotte last Saturday with my Master of Arts degree in Gerontology.  I was so excited, and couldn't believe the day had finally come.  It seems like I had worked toward this goal forever, and the day was finally here!  They had two graduation ceremonies on Saturday and mine was at 3pm.  They awarded the 44 doctorate degrees first, and then I was about 45th in line for the Master's candidates.  After I walked, I met everyone outside for pictures and we all went out to eat at Cracker Barrel. 

Creig, Meredith & I

with Gran

with Mema

with Mom, Dad & Meredith

with Aunt Donna & Meredith

 

 

with Cindy, Creig & Meredith

with Tiffany, Patrick & Meredith

 

 

with Cameron & Meredith

I am so thankful to have all of that work past me!  It was a lot of hard work, but it was so worth it!