Catch up......

The "award ceremony" for completing the Little Bugs class. Playing with Nana on the mats. It was the last day of class, so it was open for visitors. Ashlyn put on quite the show for everyone. We love upside down!!! Walking on the balance beam...can she walk? Interesting....

Julie and Ash playing on the uneven bars. We discovered that swinging is fun, however chewing is even BETTER!!!

Ash & Gavin at the Little Gym.New Year's Day...Geoff and Ashlyn hanging out & waiting on the football festivities to begin. I think she was explaining that Georgia was the team to go for. (We won't tell you how that turned out!) Geoff, Rick's buddy from the USAFA, was in town for the weekend. We had a great day...leftovers to snack on and Kellie made the most wonderful shrimp and grits for dinner! Rick, Jordan & Matthew on New Year's Eve. We had a neighborhood get-together, complete with a bonfire, oysters, Frogmore stew, chili, and more. Ashlyn had a blast watching the fire, but only made it until about 8:30. I guess she'll have to wait to see the fireworks another year! Ashlyn and Rick at the party! Ashlyn's buddy, Gavin, turned the big "1" on the 28th, and we celebrated with Curious George and cake.

OK, so I have been a slacker with the blog this month..here's a quick update!

Christmas Week

7 pm Ash and Daddy are DONE!!! with that said, we headed home. Friday was a family pajama day at our house, as we all needed to recover from our busy week. Rick was home, Ash's 1st Christmas....it was a PERFECT start for our little family!

Opening a present from Nana and Poppa.

We had a wonderful Christmas day. Rick ended up not having to fly, which was perfect. We hung out at the house all day, had lunch together, and then went down to the Chadwick's in the evening for dinner.

Opening stockings....we had to take a food break and a 3 hour nap in between opening presents and stockings! Ash was so cute. It was fun to watch her with the paper and bows.

Ash got her first baby doll.

Christmas morning on her car from Santa!

I have been REALLY GOOD, I PROMISE!!!

Ash, Aidan, Santa & many cousins (Uncle Matt in the back)

Emily & Ash...our cousins from Collegeville, PA, made it down for the Holidays.

We kept going, with our travels ending at Aunt Sissy's in Sylvania, GA. It is a tradition for everyone to go there on Christmas Eve. It is a really nice time. If you leave hungry, it is definitely your own fault. There is always SO MUCH good food.

Our celebrating continued, as we headed south on Christmas Eve. The first stop, Grammy and Pop Collette's.

Opening a present with Mimi

Ash didn't know what to think of the Elmo that Mimi and Poppa gave her. It took some time, but she did warm up to him & his dancing became funny! Mama and Ash

Tuesday, Rick, Ash & I headed to Edisto to see my parents. We had dinner and got to spend some time with Great grandma Fontaine.

Ash, Cara & Brooke

Opening a present from Aunt Gee Gee

Monday night, Glenda, Michael, Cara & Brooke came to our house for dinner. We then went to James Island County Park to see their light show, a tradition we started many years ago. For those that have never been, they really have a neat set up for the kids. The drive through is about 30 minutes, with a stop in Santa's Village for a train ride, hot chocolate & s'mores, and even a bit of shopping.

Aunt Kassie and Ash playing after bedtime! So, we may have had the longest Christmas ever, but I have to say, Ashlyn loved every minute of it. It all started with a trip down to Macon, GA, to see Kassie. She was in town visiting her parents (she lives in Texas now), so we made a special trip & stayed a night there.