Christmas with my side...

After the girls whooped it up over their loot from Santa, we made the trek South to visit with my family for a bit. we got down there around 3:00 Christmas Day and stayed until Wednesday.

Right when we got there, we opened gifts. My nieces were chomping at the bits to open their presents! I didn't get nearly as many pictures of the present opening as I normally do. I started taking them but then realized I was missing out! Plus, Shelby Claire was into all the wrapping paper so I needed to be chasing her rather than taking pictures!

 My grandaddy came and had dinner with us that night. He is and has always been the sweetest grandaddy! He got a real kick out of watching Shelby Claire eat. I have to admit, it's pretty impressive!

 After realizing that I hadn't taken many pictures of my momma at Thanksgiving, I vowed to change that at Christmas. I told her it didn't matter if I was taking a picture of her back as she stood in front of the sink or stove or not- I was taking her picture! Thankfully I got some of her front this time- not just her back!

 And one of Smiley with my Daddy right before bedtime. She's quite the cuddly, snuggly thing when she's getting ready for bed!

 Granny and Paw Paw gave Audrey an American Girl Bitty Baby for Christmas and she loves it! She's named her Lulabelle and has declared herself to be Lulabelle's big sister- not her mommy!

 While we were at momma and daddy's, little sassy pants decided she wanted to stand all by herself. She's not walking yet ( PRAISE!) but it won't be long.

 We were worried that it was going to rain while we were there. Audrey loves to go down there because just about the entire time we are there, she spends outside. She runs all over the place, feeds the goats, moos at the cows, whatever. Thank goodness it didn't rain! They were able to go fishing one day. Audrey wasn't interested in the actual fishing but she did love playing with Laura on the golf cart!

 This picture cracks me up because we thought Gracie was pulling in a massive fish- we just knew it was going to be HUGE!!

 I guess this little booger just packed a big punch. :D

 They were down there at the pond for a loong time! This is how Audrey entertained herself!

 Gracie, Clay and my Daddy ended up catching quite a few catfish. We had enough to eat for lunch the next day! The fish along with some fried shrimp and homemade french fries were yummy! Honestly, the french fries were my favorite part of the meal. We don't fry anything at my house- I wouldn't even begin to know how to do that-so having HOMEMADE french fries were a real treat. I think it's had to be at least five years since I've had any.

 We left on Wednesday with the intentions of going by and visiting with Clay's grandmother on our way back. We always have those intentions but for some reason they never seem to work out. The girls were awesome on the way home and we actually made it back in a decent amount of time!

These last few pictures are of the ornaments that were added to our collection this year. 

Baby's First Christmas....

 A 2011 photo of Audrey....

 Handprints that we do every year....

 and another Baby's First Christmas...

Clay's mom got Audrey a Wedgwood ornament for her first Christmas and has ordered Shelby Claire a Lenox one for hers. So special! Like I said in an earlier post, I love these Christmas ornaments!!