Christmas 2006

We had an absolutely wonderful Christmas this year. It was packed with presents, food, and lots of traveling. We started out the festivities by going to church on Christmas Eve. Mimi, Papa, and Shelley met us there. It was a nice service, but Molly and Riley don't quite understand the importance of being quiet in church. Riley also kept trying to make a bee-line down the middle aisle of the church to get to the steps at the front. Thank goodness it was a children-friendly service and people were somewhat amused by my children's behavior! These are pictures taken at home after the Christmas Eve Service.

Finally, Christmas morning arrived. Molly was so excited to run down the stairs and see what Santa Clause had left. She got to sleep with Aunt Shelley and it was all Shelley could to keep her in bed until we were ready for them to come downstairs.

Riley loved all of the excitement and opened her presents very slowly and inspected them before she moved on to the next. Molly, on the other hand, ripped open her presents as quickly as possible so that she could get to the next. Santa was very generous to both girls and also to Mommy and Daddy!

Molly wanted to make a Birthday Cake for Jesus, and picked out this one from a magazine at Mimi's house. Mommy was happy to make it and we had a great time singing Happy Birthday to Jesus and then digging into the yummy chocolate cake. Riley even displayed her efficiency with a spoon (using her left hand!)

After a 3 1/2 hour nap, the girls finally woke up and we went to Gram and Grandy's house for dinner. Uncle Steven and soon-to-be Aunt Erica flew down from Washington, D.C. to join in the festivities. We got to open lots more presents and eat some more yummy food.

Steven and Erica

The day after Christmas, we drove up to Anderson, South Carolina for the Orr Christmas. More food and more presents!

That night we then drove to Forest City, North Carolina for Maw-Maw Hamrick's Christmas. By this point, the girls were exhausted, but were absolute troopers and had a great time. Everyone was so generous this year, and we enjoyed every second. Now we just have to work on building that extra room for all the new toys! We hope everyone had a wonderful holiday and enjoy the New Year!