Emily is due at the end of June and despite her small size (she currently weighs 11 oz) she’s already a very busy little girl! I’ve been able to feel (and see!) her little punches, kicks and jabs for about 3 weeks now so it seems as though she’s already a busy little bee … not so unlike her big sister.

We look forward to meeting you Emily and congrats Anabelle on getting a baby sister!

We had a great, low-key, family Christmas this year and Anabelle was old enough to thoroughly enjoy all of her fabulous gifts! She got so many great presents and was so excited about all of the festivities. Anabelle kicked back and enjoyed a good episode of Baby Einstein and some “Oh’s” on Christmas Eve. We had spent the day working around the yard outside in some gorgeous, 80 degree Florida weather (hence the shorts and snowman t-shirt)! Christmas morning started like most other mornings at our house – as we had to get all of the animals fed first. Anabelle now helps us to pick up dog bowls after everyone’s finished eating … and Christmas morning was no different. We then all settled down with a breakfast casserole, coffee (milk for Miss Anabelle) and the gift opening began! She took a nap half way through and we had session #2 a bit later in the morning … and then, of course, we played with all the new goodies! Granny C came over for dinner and more playing and we ended the day with full bellies and a movie.

A week later, New Year’s Eve was again rather quiet and uneventful (just as we like it!). None of us actually made it to midnight … but we get credit for trying! Anabelle enjoyed some collard greens and black eyed peas for New Years Day dinner and we packed up the Christmas decorations for another year.

And a week after that, we all packed up and headed to Ohio for a weekend of SURPRISE for Grandpa Mac’s retirement!! Anabelle was a perfect little traveler and when we rang the doorbell and ducked around the corner … leaving Anabelle on the doorstep to greet a shocked Grandma Mac … the weekend of gluttony and celebration began! We, of course, all ate too much and stayed up too late. But it was fun for us all to be together (Uncle Brian and cousin Lillian were also part of the surprise!). Congrats Grandpa Mac on your much deserved retirement!!

When we arrived back home … Anabelle first greeted all of “her” dogs and then went straight to her shoe bin to take inventory. She literally put on 3 different pairs of shoes within the first 20 minutes of being home! We all remembered how glorious our sunny, 80 degree Florida winters are and we all went to bed super early … as it had been a big weekend!

And now, it’s back to reality as all of the foreseen festivities are over for a while and it’s time for us all to get back into our same ‘ol routine. So, on that note, Merry Christmas, Welcome 2012 and Happy Retirement!