Our Valdosta Christmas

The past two weeks have been full of activity! I got sick with flu-like symptoms and ran a 102 temp. for three days! My mom had to come up and help me out. On the coattails of my sickness, Addie got her first ear infection! She ran a high temperature for a few days and was in a lot of pain! However, almost a week and a half later, she is feeling much better!
On the 19th, Addie and I packed up and headed to Valdosta to see our family (Justin had to stay behind for a few days for a church activity). The celebration began with a birthday party for my sister Allison (Tallie). Birthdays are very important in our family, so there were signs up around Mom's house as well as homemade red velvet cake made by Uncle Jeffrey! (Allison's husband) We always have such a good time together.
The next day (20th) was our annual friend Christmas party. It is actually a progressive dinner that ends with presents and dirty Santa! We started this tradition WAY back when we were in high school,, and we've extended it each year eventually adding husbands and children! Rylin and Addie (the only 2 kids so far) enjoyed playing together. They rarely get to see each other, but they will grow to be best friends! (For pictures, see "How I'm Doing" - one of the blogs located under Libby's profile.)

Sunday the 21st was filled with seeing old friends from Morningside. It was wonderful and exciting to worship in the new Worship Center. I am excited to see what God is doing there! That afternoon, I left Addie with Grammy and Grandaddy, and traveled to Macon to get Justin. We decided to have our first night away from the baby! It was both wonderful and terrifying. It was so strange to walk around the house and not hear her talking or crying. We kept finding ourselves whispering thinking the baby was asleep! I guess that's when you know you're a parent!

Monday (22nd) we traveled down from Macon and spent the evening with Justin's Dad. Grandpa and Grandma Stephie did such a good job preparing for Addie's first Christmas experience! She loved unwrapping the presents, especially taking off the bows! However, we found she was more interested in the tissue paper than in her new toys. One of the toys they got her was a pony she could scoot around on. She does a great job going backwards but hasn't quite figured out how to go forward! Thank you Grandpa and Grandma Stephie!

Tuesday (23rd) was the day my family celebrated Christmas. We went to see Granny Mac (my granny) that afternoon to give her her present, and she surprised us with a present for Addie! Addie also got a present from her great Aunt Barbara. Later that night, Grammy, Grandaddy, Tallie, and Uncle Jeffy gathered for Christmas dinner and exchanging presents. Addie received so many clothes, books, and toys! She was so excited to get her baby stroller! It's a stroller that is just her size that she can push her babies in! She also got an activity table with a phone, laptop, piano, and book. Now she has her "little office" like Mommy's! Thank you Grammy, Grandaddy, Tallie and Uncle Jeffy!

I hope that you enjoy these pics! I don't have any from Grandpa and Grandma Stephie's because I forgot my camera! :( So as soon as I get their pictures, I will post them as well! )

Merry Christmas from Addie! This is her new chair! It matches her room!

Addie investigates her presents at Grammy and Grandaddy's!

Addie chillin' at Granny Mac's. Just a note: I sat in this chair when I was her age!

Addie and Granny Mac!

Addie enjoyed opening her presents!