Christmas 2009

So, despite being in the ER all day on the 16th with GALLSTONES, we decided to make the trek to Michigan on the 17th. We also avoided the blizzard that hit North Carolina the following day that dumped 14 inches of snow. We stayed with my parents for three days and had a great time with the whole family and then headed to Jerry's parent's for a week. We also had a great time surprising everyone with the news of BABY #3 on the way, due middle of July. We got an ice storm on Christmas Eve so we couldn't attend church, and then ended the vacation with me and the girls getting the flu. All in all, no complaints except for the flu. Here are a few pics in random order...

Beach steps at Jerry's parent's house

Christmas morning

Stockings


Mariah looking at the Christmas tree

Ambria opening a present

The DePoy grandkids

Me and Jerry overlooking Lake Michigan

Christmas Tree

Perez Christmas

Grandma and Papi and the grandkids

Another Pic from a Christmas Parade...

Well, we got all bundled up for yet another Christmas parade, but...

I guess we didn't get the memo that there was no Christmas parade today at 10:00am.

So, we have no pics to share.

Christmas Parade

The "Disney World" of Mansions

Jerry took me on a mystery date today to the biggest house in America, The Biltmore House. This is absolutely humongous, with 225 rooms. It is all decorated for Christmas with Christmas trees and lights in each room, breathtaking, but of course you couldn't take pictures inside the house. We took a tour of all four floors and walked around the grounds. It was such a nice day, I can't believe it is the middle of November! The Biltmore House is the big tourist attraction here in Asheville so I am glad we got a chance to see it.

Thanks, Jerry, for a such a wonderful day!

Battery Operated Train Vs. Ambria's Hair

Putting Up the Christmas Tree

More Silliness at 6:15am

Sunrise from This Morning

Just Being Silly at 6:15am

Sisters

This time, Mariah got into Ambria's bed. Two peas in a pod I guess.

Holy Crap, That is One Huge Squash!

Our neighbor gave us this squash a few weeks ago. I think he was a little offended when he saw that we were just using it for decoration outside along with our pumpkins and corn stalks. He said, "you know you can eat that." We know some people eat squash, but we don't do squash, so it looks like this will just be decoration.

(I put Ambria's shoe next to it just so you can get an idea of the size).

Halloween Night

Ambria dressed as a storybook princess and Mariah was a ballerina/princess/something that she made up. Mariah was going to be a fairy a few days ago, and then earlier today she was going to be a tooth fairy, and then 15 minutes before we left, she decided on a ballerina with a crown. I was a flower.

Carving Pumpkins

Mariah: "Ewwww!"

Ambria isn't too sure about this whole pumpkin carving thing.

Mariah: "GROSS!"


Ambria admiring the finished product.

Mariah broke off the point to the "M" for University of Michigan, but oh well.

Halloween Bath

We were a little bored tonight so I thought of making a Halloween bath for the girls. I put up pumpkin lights, put plastic bugs, spiders, and snakes in the bath, along with plastic pumpkins. Turn out the lights, and it was ready to go!

We are all out of the crayola bath tints (they make the water different colors) which would have been super cool to make orange water for the occasion. I also didn't have any Halloween music which would have been fun too. Either way, the girls loved it and I was the coolest mom ever!

We will finish the night off with some Halloween tv specials, carve pumpkins tomorrow, and then we will be all ready to go out tomorrow night.

Pronunciation Issues

Ambria has a little trouble saying french fries and lets the "f" word slip out and then a word at the end of the video as well. She makes us laugh.

Nothing Like Hugging a Random Flamingo

Ambria and I were walking downtown when she spotted some plastic flamingos (someone was having a party) so she felt the sudden urge to hug all seven flamingos on the side of the road. She tried to ride them, hug them, kiss them, pet them, she wanted me to take pictures of her, and then she said "goodbye triangles!" (she has some difficulty pronouncing flamingo--too cute).

Down by the Creek

One thing that Mariah wanted to do with Grandpa last week was to take him to the creek. It was such a beautiful day and the pictures don't quite capture the beauty by the creek.

I Know You are Surprised (or aren't surprised, or are a little surprised, or are just excited)

Facebook here I come!
Yada yada
Blah, blah
Please refrain from jumping up and down or shouting for joy as you limit your emotions when you find out this information about me and Facebook.

I know you are happy.

So Proud of My Brother, the Ironman

My brother qualified in August for the Ironman World Championships that took place in Hawaii last week. This is like the Wimbledon of tennis, the World Series of baseball, and the Ironman is for triathlons. It is 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike, and finish it off with running a marathon, 26 miles. The best of the best triathletes come from all over the world to compete in this grueling race, and my brother was one of them! It was 95 degrees and sunny, and to think of having to race for over 10 hours!! Way to go, Corey!

Where is Grandpa?

The girls waited patiently for Grandpa to arrive today. They were more than excited to have our first out-of-town visitor.