New Glasses!

Alaina got new glasses yesterday! She had a new prescription that needed to be filled and she lost a lens from her old glasses so these were really needed. She picked out a purple pair and they look great on her!

Huffman Christmas

The Huffman family all got together Friday evening to open presents (somehow I didn't get any pictures of this). Then, on Saturday, we all went to the beach together. We had a great time spending some time in the sun (even though it was chilly).

 Clay and the boys.

 Madison and Alaina representing the girls (Violet is missing).

Edward and Martha

Violet and Clay

Weston, Karen, Violet, and Clay

Alaina, Harry, and me

 Mom and Dad

Harry and Alaina braving the water.

The siblings

Dad and Violet 

Harry's action shot... nice catch!

All of the cousins (minus Violet) and Edward playing.

Beach Visit

After Christmas we went to visit my family in Wilmington. We spent a few hours our first full day there at the beach waiting on my sister and her family to arrive.

The water was cold but we still had to dip our toes in.

We built a small sand castle... Alaina loved it.

And we collected tons of sea shells.

We ended the day with a short walk. We love the beach, even in the winter.

Thompson Christmas

After we opened our Christmas presents at our house, Harry, Alaina, and I headed to south Charlotte to spend the rest of our Christmas Day with the Thompson Family.

 We opened our stockings at Harry's parents house to start our day. Alaina assisted everyone in emptying their stocking.

We ate our large meal at 1:00, so Mom, Alaina, and Laura played some music on the piano while we waited for lunch. 

We had lunch at Mama's house (Harry's grandmother) and Harry's Aunt Mary and cousins, the Warnke Family, joined us for lunch. Leah and Alaina read some stories.

Mama, Aunt Mary, and the Warnke Family (Emily, Matt, Leah, and Charlie)

Mama and the Thompson Family

We came back to Harry's parent's house to open Christmas presents.

We spent the rest of the day enjoying our new gifts... like Candy Land!

Christmas Morning!

Alaina woke us up on Christmas morning around 6:30. We were able to get all presents opened before the sun came up! (She was pretty excited about Santa's visit.)

Santa brought Alaina a scooter!

She also got lots of candy.

Alaina was really excited about all the candy.

Even Joey got in on the action.

Harry and I got Alaina the Sofia the First princess castle and the royal family.

Each Christmas Harry and I select a book to give Alaina. This year Harry gave her Little Mouse's Big Secret and I gave her Part Time Princess. We always write a note in the book and now it is really neat to go back and see which books we selected for her over the years.

Trying out the scooter (inside still... it was really cold here on Christmas).

Playing with the Sofia the First castle.

Pre Christmas Activities

I have some posts to catch up on, so hang on! 

I'll start with our pictures from the North Meck Christmas parade. It was a really cold day, but we enjoyed watching the Christmas parade this year in Davidson.

Alaina and me enjoying the parade.

Fire Truck!!!

They gave out candy!!!

Alaina had a blast!

Before Christmas this year we made another gingerbread house. Alaina loves to do this because it combines her 2 favorite activities... decorating things and eating candy.

 Harry and Alaina with the finished house.

Gingerbread houses are so much fun.

Finally, my favorite Christmas Eve activity is going to the Christmas Eve church service. We have gone to the 4:00 service the past few years because it is for families with young children. Harry's parents and his sister, Laura, came with us again this year.

Our family photo.

Harry, me, Alaina, Hugh, and Jean

Harry, me, Alaina, and Laura