Christmas in Madison

We headed out of the Burg towards Madison in a downpour, but we made it! Ella Kate was so very excited to see everyone and to open more presents.Papaw and Aunt Carolyn found this owl to put in the yard. Everyone thought Ella Kate might be creeped out by it...not the case. She took a nap with it yesterday. She loves an owl!
We have loved having Jordan home from Virginia! While J and I were away, EK got some seriously play time with her Auntie Jo.
Big G has been spoiling EK too. Anything that she asks him to do, he does. She has him wrapped around that little finger for sure.

Reindeer ears for the sisters picture...check!
Papaw always plays with EK (and all of us when we were little) to find the "gitchy-gitchy-goo." EK decided to find Papaw's too.
Aunt Carolyn got a surprise gift from her sisters and nieces and nephew...an iPad!
And this was her reaction...
And J's reaction...
Now a sweet picture of EK, Papaw, and the owls
Present time!!!!
It's a pillow. It's a pet. It's a pillow pet!

Hail State!!!

This little diva loves to sing in the microphones at church. Haley got her a microphone of her own. She LOVES it and has put on a few performances.

We had a great day yesterday! We ate and ate and ate, played apples to apples, laughed, and just enjoyed being together. We are blessed indeed to have such a wonderful family!

Someone was a Good Girl!

Ella Kate was super excited when she went to sleep on Christmas Eve to see her presents the next morning. She WAS NOT super excited at the thought of the guy in the big red suit coming into her house while she was asleep. We told her not to worry because we would have Santa just leave her gifts outside and we would move them in later for her. That seemed to ease her mind!

Catching the first glimpse of her new loot
Ella Kate asked for three things this year. This list never changed over the span of several months. The list included a baby, a purple owl, and paper clips. Yep, paper clips. When we went to visit Santa, he said that it was the first time in all of his many years to have such a request. Go figure!
Santa did leave her a few other new goodies as well including Cinderella's castle complete with all the Disney princesses and their Prince Charmings. Who's excited? This mama!!! I love Disney!!!! Kay Kay and G even got EK a ton of Disney movies too like The Little Mermaid, Sleeping Beauty, Mulan, and more!!! I can't wait!!!!!! We did have to hide the Beast. EK said he was mean and he could not be in the castle.

Everyone needs new panties in their stocking, right?
Ella Kate climbed in her daddy's lap after playing for a bit and said, "I want to tell Santa thank you." How sweet is that! We told her we would write him a thank you note and mail it to him.
The little mama rocking her baby...affectionately named America like all her other babies.
Merry Christmas my little monkey!
You think this little girl loves her daddy? Lately, she has become the BIGGEST daddy's girl! I don't think he minds!!!
I was even able to snag a quick picture before church. We had a super fun morning and it was so special to get to go to church on Christmas morning. We had a great service with our incredible church family and then hit to road for Madison. More pictures to come!

Christmas Eve

Ella Kate and I spent Christmas Eve baking treats. It was quite MESSY but oh so very fun. We made a birthday cake for Jesus and cookies for Santa. EK sang "happy birthday to Jesus" the whole time we were working on the cake. She even went to get her baby Jesus from her nativity to show him what she had made...then she put him right in the middle of the cake. I am sure he was pleased!

The City of Lights

Ella Kate has been living it up in Madison! Last night, Kay Kay, G, Jordan and Haley took her to the lights in Canton. To say that Ella Kate LOVES Christmas lights is an understatement! I am so very thankful to my family for allowing us to get away for a few days and for treating EK like a queen...she may be slightly depressed to be at home with us now!!

While Mom and Dad Are Away, Ella Kate Will Play

Hi Mommy and Daddy,

I hope you guys have had fun at the beach! I can't wait to see you both tomorrow!!! While you have been gone, I have been keeping very busy at G and Kay Kay's house. I love all of the Christmas decorations, especially the nativities. I have been spending a lot of time on the stairs playing with Mary, Joseph, the wise kings and, of course, BABY JESUS!!!

Brantley has been a good sport about sharing the house with me. He even came out of his room to visit today.

My aunts have been doing their very best to entertain me. Haley even painted my nails this morning! Get ready mom, they are really pink!

We have been doing a lot of fun things outside the house, too. The other day, we went to the cool new park in Flowood. It is huge!!! I had fun driving the fire truck and spinning the merry-go-round.

We also visited Papaw and the ducks at St. Catherine's. I heard that an owl has been hanging around there, but I haven't seen it yet. I'll have to keep looking.

St. Catherine's has lots of great Christmas decorations. My favorite is the big train! I could watch it for hours!

I guess that's all for now. I have to get ready for tonight. We are going to Canton to look at the Christmas lights. I wish you were here! See you soon!

Love,

Ella Kate

Nelson Family Christmas--Part 2

On Saturday, we celebrated with Mr. David's brothers and sisters. He is the youngest of 10 and so they have quite a LARGE family!!! It was a great time to be together!!!Our little part of the Nelson family.
Everyone NEEDED to sit in Nana's lap. I don't think she minded!
Why not put on some sporting equipment and play with the boys!! She was very outnumbered but she thought she could hang with the boys.
I love my little elf!
She LOVES her Pop too!
Little Missy was pooped from all the festivities so she decided to just lay down with her "family" as she calls all of her dolls and stuffed things, and just rest for a bit while the adults opened presents.
It is such a blessing to be able to spend time with extended family that we do not see very often and we look forward to many more gatherings with everyone!