Daddy's Girls

Last Tuesday the girls and I met Yaya for our annual pictures with Santa and Piccadilly lunch.  Lilli was very excited to see him and to tell him the top picks off of her looong list.  He was glad to have it narrowed down a little.  After Lilli's turn we tried to get Katie to sit in his lap and smile for the camera.  She was NOT having it!  She just kept saying "No, Santa!" Even after I tried to sit next to him myself and have her sit in my lap it didn't get any better.  She cried for Yaya so we gave up. ;)    I have a feeling she will realize what a great man Santa is after he stops by our house! I bet this picture next year will be a little different. 

It is officially the Christmas season. Our elf, Coco, showed up on Monday with some surprises for the girls.  She always comes on December 1st and fills our advent calendar with treats. Each day has candy and either a small toy or an idea of something fun to do.  The first day was candy and punch balls. Yesterday was candy and a note that said we should wrap presents together.  And today she brought donuts!  Her note said "I picked up breakfast on the way back from the North Pole. Love, Coco."  Lilli loves running out each morning to see what our silly elf has gotten in to.  Katie's not sure why she can't play with her but Coco is smart enough to stay out of reach so she doesn't lose her magic. 

We had a great 2 days spending time with family and friends for Thanksgiving. The kids were so great to watch.  Katie is getting big enough to play in the back with Lilli and Austin and they all play so sweet.  On Wednesday Matt got a deer that we all watched him clean.  It was the first time Katie's been old enough to notice and it didn't phase her at all.  Of course Lilli was right there with him helping  Thursday was Thanksgiving which meant turkey frying Turkey candy making And more playing Lilli volunteered to say the blessing before lunch.  I told her she could but that Yaya was going to say one too because I was expecting her to say the  "God is great, God is good..." That we say every night.  I wish I had gotten her exact words recorded but to summarize it was, "dear God, thank for for all this food we have and the friends and family that are here to share it with." We figured that covered it and no one had anything to add. She really amaz...

The day before Thanksgiving we all got together for a family photo shoot at the deer camp.  Our original idea for Yaya's Christmas present was to have someone come out and take our pictures but we couldn't find a photographer that was available the week of Thanksgiving.  So plan B was to let her do it with no complaining. :) We got some great pictures and I can't wait to get some of them framed.

The McCormick men had their first hunt at Queens Plantation today and they couldn't have asked for a more perfect day.  The weather was cool, crisp and sunny and the sky was full of clouds of ducks.   The season just opened last weekend so Matt is a very happy man right now.  Definitely his favorite time of year.  It's my favorite time of year too but for a different reason.  It's not technically the Christmas season for 2 more days but that didn't stop us from getting our tree.  We started getting a real one last year so getting it the weekend before Thanksgiving is becoming our new tradition so I can have Matt to help get it up.   Katie hanging her first ornament ever I know I am going to be so excited when we get back from spending 3 nights at the camp that it is all done.  I love this time of year and can't wait to watch it through the kids eyes again.  

Not much has gone on for us lately.  Last weekend was pretty quiet and then on Sunday Lilli came down with the stomach bug AGAIN. By Tuesday I had it too and we literally left the house for the first time in over 4 days today.  So far so good for Katie.  I'm praying that continues.   Lilli HAD to go to school today so she could be in her school thanksgiving program. ("Mom! I already made my costume!") It was the first day she was able to go all week and she's sad she could only see her friends one day before the break but very glad she got to go.  They sang songs before the potluck lunch.  She was the cutest Indian ever!  I also got a text from Dad this evening with the pictures of the big house reveal! Janet has been working hard all week getting everything ready.  She met with the decorator today to get all the pictures and curtains hung and finishing touches done.  It turned out beautiful and I can't wait to see it. 

Pops' house remodel is almost complete and I'm amazed at how it is turning out.  It is going to be a completely new house!  This used to be 3 rooms. It used to be: Kitchen and breakfast area, separated from: Den and dining. And then yet another room for the living area (Current island is where that back wall used to be and the den and dining would have been on other side of right wall-this picture would have been taken standing next to fireplace) I loved the house I grew up in but  it's going to be so nice to have the open space for family get togethers. We're having a house reveal/Christmas party in a couple of weeks and I can't wait to see it all finished!