presents, presents, and more presents!

We spent the day after Christmas with Nana and Pa and Uncle Martin and Aunt Andrea.  The day included lots of new toys, new pajamas, and, once Julia warmed up to her, playing with Clara.

Christmas is almost here, Mommy

Julia had fun playing with Nana some this weekend while Mommy and Daddy went to a few Sunday School class Christmas parties.  She baked cookies and also went to the Von Corporation Christmas party with Nana and Pa.  She even wore a pair of overalls (that Nana made) that Daddy had worn when he was a little boy, also to the Von Corporation Christmas party.  From what I hear, Julia insisted on sitting with Aunt Andrea and Uncle Martin, and had fun playing with her Toy Story toys during the party.

Christmas Day and Sunday

We enjoyed Christmas day with Nana and Pa, and Uncle Martin and Aunt Andrea. Julia was excited about her doll bed and her table and chairs, and she spent a lot of time reading new books. She had tea parties with Nana, then with Uncle Martin and Daddy. Nana and Pa stayed for church Sunday, and then Julia settled for tea parties with just Daddy.

Julia's first birthday bash

Julia's first birthday party was a blast! The weather was gorgeous, giving us all spring fever and allowing for some outdoor fun in the front yard with bouncy balls. All the family was there - Grandma Young, Maw Maw, Grandpa Fred, Nana Betty, Grammie, Poppy, Uncle Todd, Aunt Andrea, and Uncle Martin. The Sandlins - Tara and Destin and Sadie and Sawyer - came, too! Sadie and Sawyer helped Julia figure out how to open presents and play with her new toys. She had such fun playing with them and trying out her all new toys.

The theme - since everyone says you have to have a theme- was pink and white polka dots. We had cake (and a smash cake shaped like a number one for Julia), ice cream, pink m&ms, and polka dots and 1st birthday balloons. For lunch we ate chili and grilledcheeses Peter made-to-order for us on the George Foreman grill.

As you can see, Julia was super excited to have so much company! I'll add more pictures soon.

other christmastime fun

Julia attended her first Christmas Eve candlelight service at the 5:00pm service at Cullman First UMC. She did well sitting through it, listening and bouncing to the music and keeping pretty quiet, especially considering it lasted for more than an hour and fifteen minutes. She sat on the end of the altar rail while I had communion, and "Cousin" Penny held her for part of the service. I did however have to blow out the candle during the candle-lighting part of the service - she wanted to grab it so badly. I thought she would handle it better than that since we had been lighting an advent wreath at home, but no such luck.

Will and Stacey came to visit the day after Christmas. We all had a good time playing with Julia and going to lunch.


Sunday evening we spent celebrating Christmas/Martin's birthday with Uncle Martin and Aunt Andrea and Nana Betty and Grandpa Fred. Julia saw the birthday gnomes for the first time. Uncle Martin hopes Julia will take them home with her on her birthday soon.