Christmas Morning.

We enjoyed Christmas day with Mimi, Papaw, GG dad and GG mom. Happy Holidays everyone!

Muncy/Hetherington Gathering.

We were all invited to Dolores and Paul's house for Christmas Eve dessert and drinks. Fun.Fun. We had a good time visiting with Carl, Sharon, Haley and Dani (of course, Paul & Dolores). Unfortunately, Paulie and Ian were both away due to work. Phil, Emma and I were joined by Mimi, Papaw, GG mom and GGdad. We were so glad that Sharon and girls came all the way from Texas.

The Girls. Sharon, Dolores, Mimi (sue) and GG mom (Mary Lou).

The Music men. Paul has a great keyboard with ALL SORTS of gadgets that he introduced GG dad to. He actually recorded GG dad playing and replayed it for him before we left. GG dad was pretty excited about that.

GG dad and Uncle Carl cathcing up on old times.

Superstar

Last week, Emma's school held a Chirstmas peformance. Phil and I had to work but Mimi represented us. Thank you Mimi!!! She also took some pictures for us. Emma is in a green dress with a gold sweater and sometimes wearing a santa hat. She only left the stage once to say to Mimi and then returned quickly...without any crying!!! She has learned songs such as Jingle Bells and Frosty the Snowman. Pretty cute, if I do say so myself.

(By the way, apparently the train on stage about a melt down, Mimi reported that at one point the engine and the caboose were both crying. )

Polynesian Reindeer.

Emma and I went to stay with Mimi and Papaw at the Polynesian Isle resort the night before we went to the Magic Kingdom. Emma enjoyed the evening walk to see all the reindeer and Christmas decorations at the resort.

Mimi and Papaw at Disney

it's a small world after all....

The ever lovely Cinderella's castle.

The HUGE chirstmas tree on Main Street at the Disney Entrance. I am trying to get Emma to loook at the camera before another person steps in front of the camera. Gotta love being a tourist.

Before Magic Kingdom we started out at the Animal Kingdom and enjoyed the safari ride. Emma got the best view from Papaw's lap.

Master mixer.

Mimi is showing her new apprentice how to make Chex mix that is a good holiday tradition in our household. Emma's main task was stirring and mixing. And of course...staying out of the way as much as possible.

Greenwell/Ashler Christmas Disco

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Thanks to Jen for sending this link to us originally. We have had many laughs.

The girls.

We are enjoying our visit with Mimi and Papaw. They made us their first stop in their winter wonderland travels. Emma loves the Christmas tree!!

Knight Basketball.

The UCF men's basketball started off the season with a home opener against rival USF.


Dolores and Paul came to game with us!! Go Knights!!


Mimi, Papaw and Emma.

Snack time. I forgot our usual snack bag so Emma got to enjoy nachos. She wasn't complaining. (I can't imagine why she would choose nachos over the ever tasty cheerios)

O' Christmas Tree.

We decided to get our christmas tree out last Saturday. (Yes, we do use an artificial tree) Mimi and Papaw were here to help us. Emma was so excited that she needed to wear her fairy wings to help with the tree.



The ornaments came later in the day. (I spent most of Emma's nap arranging the branches so the tree did not appear too fake.)

Leu Gardens..Again.

We ventured back to the Harry P. Leu Botanical gardens on Sunday. It has been a few months since we were last here and the weather was much more pleasant this time around. We didn't break a sweat and we were even wearing long pants. Holy Moly.



Emma is trying to see the turtles, fish and whatever she can identify.

"Water Mommy!" (We started to learn the word 'fountain.')



Emma in the Rose Garden.

Stewart Clan Part 2

We got a few pics sent to us. YEAH! We love more pictures for the blog.



Skyler, Buddy, Shelby, Emma and Marcia

"Big Hug."

GGMom and GGDad

Emma and I went to visit GGmom and GGdad over the weekend. Our day trip (about 2 hours) to Bradenton was very fun and we even got to eat at McDonald's with them!


Emma got a very excited when GGdad shared his 'medicine' jar of M&Ms with her.

Endeavor lift off.

November 14, 2008. The last suttle lift off of 2008 occurred around 8pm. I realize my photography is not that great, but hey, it's from my backyard. The best part was standing out there in the dark just prior to lift off and then seeing the sky above the trees begin to light up with this huge golden glow. Next thing you know, the shuttle(it looks like a ball of fire)is flying through the sky and making it's turn. Many of my neighbors were outside with us. (Unfortunately, Phil was in West Virginia at the UCF/Marshall game.)



Just above the trees.


Making it's turn.

Stewarts come to town.

Veteran's Day Weekend. The Stewart Clan came to visit us from Spanish Fort, Alabama.



Emma was very excited to go to the UCF/Southern Miss football game with her cousins. She was happy that Skyler and Shelby were there to walk with her.



Emma and her Grand Aunt Marcia.

After the football game we walked over the Basketball arena. Emma got the best seat in the house, thanks to Shelby.

Full Recovery.

Emma had her ear tubes replaced this morning. The procedure was fast and simple. We were in at 7:30am and home but 9am. She was a little groggy but then perked up very quickly. Of course she was pretty hungry soon after and I took this picture at about 10am. She is enjoying pretzels and cottage cheese. yummy!! She only has 3 more days of antibiotics and one more day of ear drops. yeah!!! The road to recovery was very smooth. (The daunting task of keeping her ears dry for 2 weeks is not very exciting though.)

Roll Call.

These are Emma's "friends." I often hear, "Mommy I need all my friends. Couch. Please help me." Transporting all her friends from her bedroom to the living room requires the laundry basket that has a ribbon tied to it so she can pull them around. Once they have made it to the couch she takes plenty of time rearranging each 'friend' in the appropriate spot. This occurs a few times a week and I thought I would give a glimpse into one of our many routines.

Fairy Princess Emma

Emma was Rosetta the Fairy Princess. (I had no clue which Disney fairy this was until I googled it. Apparently she is one of Tinkerbell's friends.)

A big thank you to our cousin Dolores who brought Emma some fairy outfits to play with one day and we were able to choose a Halloween costume from those.

Our first stop was across the street. Emma's 2 favorite neighborhood dogs, Saddie and Mazie were out. Saddie is wonderful golden retriever and Mazie (pictured) was dressed as Cinderella. Our neighborhood seems to have a tradition where all the people giving out candy sit in their driveways and visit with each other. The girl helping Emma is Arianna, she is in the 1st grade (older and wiser). She loves to come see Emma. From the moment we moved in Arianna has always been very friendly to Emma. (I think Arianna just decided to put on every piece of pink clothing that she owned)

Whew...back home after a long night of candy gathering. (we only lasted about 2 blocks and that took about 30 minutes). Emma did well for her first time and she got used to seeing to all the older kids running up and down the street.

Pumpkin Carving

We carved our Jack O Lantern yesterday. This is the first year that Emma has been big enough to participate. "What are you doing daddy?"

Phil offered the pumpkin gutting to Emma and she said "Hmmm...OK."

"Ewwwww...No daddy, you do it."

Mr. Pumpkin is finished. Emma helped us decide what shapes were going to go on the pumpkin face. (Yes, he has ears)

Emma was very interested in the lighting of the candle and watching him glow. (We had a tough time getting her off the front porch.) Just before bedtime she said goodnight to Mr. Pumpkin and blew out his candle. "He going to sleep now mommy?"

A Day at Disney

Phil, Emma, Papa and I all enjoyed a day at the Magic Kingdom last Sunday (10/19/08). We (the adults) had a fun time watching Emma enjoy all the rides and sites to see.
She enjoyed the Carousel ALOT! We also experienced, Peter Pan, It's a Small World, Dumbo, Snow White, and The Tikki Bird show.

Minnie's House

Emma and Papa enjoyed touring Minnie's House.

MINNIE!!!!

"This One!" (Emma got a new Minnie on our trip to Disney)

"Thank you Papa!!"

"Minnie, OK?" (Minnie has become one of the gang at home...she has joined the ranks with Big Elmo and Baby Lola)