Christmas 2010

Christmas 2010 was a lot of fun with Rilynn. Although she didn't completely understand the role that Santa Claus plays, she definitely knew that he was who she should ask for presents! She really enjoyed looking through the store circulars and saying "I want dis and dis and dis!", but when asked, she really only wanted a choo choo train! Christmas Eve morning, Matt, Rilynn & I met Gammy, Aunt K, Gabbie & Coen at Lenox Place Mall so she could ride the Pink Pig. Unlike when Kelly and I were little, the Pink Pig is no longer on top of the Rich's building in downtown Atlanta, and it no longer hangs from the track, but Rilynn, Gabbie & Coen liked it nontheless. Oh, and Gammy had a good time too! Because I was pregnant (and obviously pregnant at that!), Gammy got to ride with Rilynn.

Later that night, we headed to Hiram, GA for the annual Baxter Family Christmas celebration. The great-grandchildren draw names to exchange gifts, while the adults do a "white elephant" gift exhange. Rilynn received a book with stickers and a Sleeping Beauty polly pocket doll from her cousin Wyatt - she loved both!

BAXTER FAMILY CHRISTMAS EVE CELEBRATION

the great-grandchildren (missing 2)

Gabbie & Rilynn

playing with her doll

the grandchildren (missing 2)

Uncle Charles sitting in Santa's lap

a gag gift - Uncle Charles ended up with this hot pink Snuggie at the Christmas 2009 "white elephant" gift exchange, he was happy to get rid of it so he left it behind; someone wanted to make sure that he ended up with it so they wrapped it for him this Christmas!

OUR HOUSE

On Christmas morning we woke up at our house where Rilynn got to enjoy all of the gifts that Santa had brought. She wasn't sure what to think at first, initially just staring at everything, but after a few minutes she ran over to the tree, taking everything in one toy at a time. After she had time to play with her toys, we loaded up the car and drove to Aunt K & Uncle Lem's house to have brunch and exchange gifts. There she got to see Aunt K, Uncle Lem, Gabbie, Coen, Gammy & Papa. She had a great time opening gifts and playing with Gabbie & Coen! Around 2pm, we loaded up the car once again and headed to Pappy & GG's house to celebrate with Pappy, GG, Aunt Kristen & Grandma Mary. All in all, she had a wonderful Christmas and loved celebrating with her favorite people.

CHRISTMAS MORNING

AUNT K & UNCLE LEM'S HOUSE

Future Rock Stars!!!

PAPPY & GG'S HOUSE

37 weeks, 6 days

A WHITE CHRISTMAS - A FIRST IN ATLANTA SINCE 1882!

Tammy & Kevin's Wedding - December 4, 2010

Congratulations Tammy & Kevin, we wish you much happiness!

Rilynn enjoyed herself, dancing the night away!

the Great-Grandchildren (still not all of them!)

Thanksgiving - 4 months later!

On Thanksgiving Day, we went to the traditional Baxter Family Thanksgiving feast at my cousin Rhonda and her husband Greg's house. Rilynn really enjoyed playing in the yard with all of her cousins (really my cousin's children, but we are all so close and it is just easier to say cousins!). Here is a picture of Rilynn and one with some (only about 2/3rds) of the great-grandchildren.

The day after Thanksgiving, after staying up all night shopping with my mom, dad, and sister-in-law Kristen, Matt, Kristen, Rilynn, and I headed to Mississippi to visit Matt's family. Here are a few pictures of Rilynn's adventures in Saltillo, MS!

with Papaw - Matt's maternal grandfather

back to the mall (because mommy & Aunt Kristen did not get enough shopping in the night before!)

riding the carousel with daddy

as close as she was getting to Santa this Christmas - she shouted her wishes from afar!

checking out the food on the dinner table with her cousin Aaron (again, really Matt's cousin's son, but we just say her cousin!)

riding the bladeless lawnmower with daddy - definitely a first for Rilynn!

she loves Abbie Catherine!

ready for the hayride - pulled by a tractor!

Rilynn loved spending time with the Smith's in Mississippi - she definetly got to do some things that she never gets to do in Atlanta!