Christmas Part 2

Friday, December 23 - LOAD up and drive to my parents house in Cartersville!

We arrived to the smell of Christmas.  You know that smell.  Home cooking mixed with mulling spices, wine and LOVE.  Lots of love.  My sister and her crew arrived shortly after we did and the family just kept on coming.  John's cousin, Blake and his wife and their son Barrett came and then Matt showed up after that!  The stage was set for another amazing holiday.

Graham and Barrett reviewing the toy selection.

These two are just trouble.  But just stinkin adorable.

Saturday, December 24: Christmas Eve!

My parents surprised us a couple of days before we arrived with tickets to the GA Aquarium and Dolphin Show.  The kids L.O.V.E.D it and well, us grown-ups thought it was pretty awesome.  We arrived right as it opened and basically enjoyed the large wall of fish all to ourselves.

L to R: All lined up in front of the GIANT tank, Dad's face filled with child-like wonder, Anna pointing out all the SHARKS!

After a long morning and a brief food stop courtesy of the Varsity (Whadya have whadya have?!?)...it was nap time.  We went to a beautiful Christmas Eve service and then Kristen and her family headed back to their house to get ready for Santa and we did the same at Mom and Dad's.  We were lucky that Santa had already visited Anna and Graham...but we needed for John to read, "Twas the Night Before Christmas" anyway.  You can see that next year might prove to be a bit easier.

Sunday, December 25: Merry Christmas!!


It was a wonderful Christmas Day despite the rainy weather.  This year we focused on the kids and that proved to be crazy enough!  The girls loved their giant Minnie Mouse's and stylish clothes, while the boys giggled over trucks, books and new winter caps. It was a great day.

This paper is delish!

The girls studying Anna's new Disney Princess calendar. 

Best game ever- Headbanz!

G- It's for you!

Me and my beautiful sister

Monday, December 26: A slow morning and sad good-byes.

It was a leisurely pace around the Wilkins' house with big yawns, steaming cups of coffee and Christmas twinkles in our eyes. The kids ran around the kitchen, bounding up and down the stairs and just soaked up all those last hours together.  This year the kids really played...as in, went off by themselves and played together.  Next year will be even better.  Anna was quite attached to Ryan this year and as Ryan said, "Anna likes to play "chase Ryan".

This is hysterical.  The girls eating their breakfast houses.

My amazing family!

Thanks Mom and Dad for another unforgettable family holiday.  You guys are the glue and our ROCKS.

Katie, we missed you!  Look forward to seeing you soon!