Christmas with the Kings 2010

What a month! It flew by, and I honestly think I'm glad it did! I thrive much more in a routine, and this month trended toward the chaotic, to say the least. First things first...I failed to put a photo of Sylvie in my last post and was fussed at, so here you go...

Wave yo hands in the aya, like you a true playa.

Parrish and I took our first Sylvie-free trip ever...we "chaperoned" our church youth group's trip to Breckenridge. We haven't been skiing in eight years, or left the munchkin for more than an overnight trip, so we were a little apprehensive (ok, ok...I was apprehensive and I had to check Parrish for a pulse...does nothing affect this guy??). Sylvie couldn't have cared less...she got five days of grandparents and cousins. She did manage to get a cold that my mom had to address with Dr. E, but other than that, she had a ball. So did we...we skied (I did great for my second time skiing ever), ate great food (think smoked trout, crispy lobster and a perfectly cooked filet), shopped sans munchkin, drank Starbucks, and laughed A LOT with our fun friends, the Cottons (Wade=champion skier and Suzanne=ballerina on the slopes). The actual traveling was the only somewhat yucky part...we had to drive from Andalusia to Birmingham, then fly to New Orleans, then Denver, then Parrish drove a 15-passenger van in a blizzard for two hours to our condos (he thought it was fun...the rest of us still have a hand grip fused to our hand or part of the seat lodged in our tense booties). It's not easy to get to Colorado, but it was definitely worth it. Can't wait to take Sylvie out in a couple years!

After a quick day at home (when my parents literally RAN out the door...keeping a 15-month old is exhausting and I sometimes wish I could run, too), we headed to the lake for Christmas with my parents and sister's family. Such a fun weekend...watching Sylvie and Bailey play was so cute. I'm not going to lie...Sylvie had a hard time, let's say, adjusting to us being home or being at my parent's house or being around Bailey or so many presents or goodness knows what. What a fuss pot. She had some good moments, but did end up sleeping with us for three nights...YUCK. I'm so not into bed-sharing with a snoring, kicking, hot little munchkin. I can't wait until I can put her in a sleeping bag out in the living room with Bailey. I'd much rather hear them giggle all night than here Sylvie snort in her sleep.

We did have fun playing games and catching up with my family...this was the first Christmas we've spent together in over four or five years. We had great food, tons of presents, an attempt at a Christmas Eve service (not so much for a 15-month-old), and SNOW on Christmas day!

Christmas Eve family.


Babies help un-decorate the Chrismon tree.

Helping JJ make cookies for Santa.

Munchkin's first dental exam...oh yes, follow in Daddy's footsteps, girl!

We did get to spend a little time with Parrish's family, playing dirty Santa and eating a huge boat of sushi before we left for the lake. Parrish scored a dust buster for me...I'm old and boring, I know. Sylvie received a great swing set from Nana and Papa...really a gift for me since Sylvie immediately calms down when we go outside. It will provide years of entertainment for her, I'm sure.

We are now working on re-establishing our routine and getting the house back in order. I'm sure I'll be bored again in a few weeks, but right now I'm relishing getting a full night's sleep in my own bed and getting chores done. I think I have a full-blown toddler now, complete with a HUGE personality and pretty strong stubborn streak. Tips, anyone? Seriously, I may need some help here, or some ear plugs, or perhaps some Prozac, or at the very least, a strong cocktail.

We hope you had a very Merry Christmas and are anticipating a wonderful 2011. We have no New Year's plans at this point, since apparently it's not cool to take your baby out drinking on New Year's Eve.

Our next job...watching Cam and the Tigers whoop up on some Oregon Ducks...which is actually so silly...when is the last time you saw a duck have any chance against a tiger? It's biologically impossible!!

God Bless and Happy New Year!
Katie