Snuggles with Uncle Steve

Cousins

All but one of this generation of cousins. Love the look on Evie's face holding Alex.

Minnie Table

We arrived at my brother's house this evening for a quick visit. Darcy fell in love with Abigail's little Minnie Mouse table and insisted on having her supper there. Abigail (and Evie, not pictured) joined her.

Sleep Tight

So much preciousness in one bed!

Mama's Shoes

Both the girls love walking around in my new booties.

Reading Pinkalicious

Trying out Allyson's new trampoline ...

Merry Christmas!

Christmas Eve Play

Puzzle Time at Grandma and Grandpa's

Zonked

These two zonked out in the car today on the last leg of our trip to NC. Nice for the drive, but it should make bed time interesting.

On the road with these two troublemakers ...

Mistletoes

Thank you to my thoughtful and generous mom-in-law for treating me to a mani-pedi today. Christmas Vacation is off to a great start!

Yum

My boss took the Public Info staff out for lunch today at Oxford Exchange, this super cool restaurant/shop/bookstore/cafe across the street from UT. I got a big juicy cheeseburger and maple bacon Brussels sprouts. An odd combination perhaps, but sooo yummy!

Uneventful, But Good

Other than getting my hair cut and Evie getting a green star, today was a pretty uneventful day. It has been nice to have some down time at work now that the semester is over and the holiday break is coming up. Two more days 'til vacation!

3:30 a.m.

That's when Darcy climbed into my bed. Love waking up to that smooshy face.

Empty wrapping paper tube ...

Or megaphone?

Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell Rock

Grammy getting down with the girls.

(Dorene is going to kill me for posting this photo, but it was such a sweet moment I couldn't help myself.)

Princess ...

Or unicorn?

On Campus

My coworker, Jamie, is graduating tomorrow with two master's degrees (Congratulations, Jamie!) so today we took the fancy office camera out around campus to take photos of her in her cap and gown. While for the most part I was "art directing," our photographer (and coworker) Sarah took a few of me as well. The first one is on the west verandah of Plant Hall and the second is in the hallway of the Sykes Chapel and Center for Faith and Values. I am a lucky girl to work at such a beautiful place (and with such smart and fun coworkers)!

The Magnificent Ambersons

Reading this one next. Hopeless, by the way, was so addictive. I could not stop reading it. A touching love story with some great twists.

Snug as a Bug

This is how Darcy falls asleep, on her belly, a stuffed animal or blanket under each arm. So sweet.

Playing Santa

Evie was playing Santa this evening, putting her stuffed animals under the tree and having me "wake up" and find them.

It was a fitting game since I took the day off today to do my Christmas shopping with my mother-in-law. We went all day and are pooped, but I got it all done so it was worth it. Now I just have to wrap it all!

Happy for Happy Meals

'Night 'Night

Today was a very quiet day for us. In fact, we didn't even leave the house! Both girls took long naps and I folded a mountain of laundry and read Hopeless (so addictive). All in all a good, if uneventful weekend.

Santa Kitty

I literally laughed out loud when I saw that Evie had dressed her Kitty in the clothes from the Santa's laundry set that Grammy got the girls this year. It's like they're made for him!

Winter 2014

These puppies started hitting mailboxes this week. Considering how fast we put this one together, I am really proud of how well it turned out.

Strike a Pose

Much Better

Thankfully, Evie was in a much better mood this evening. This is the face she made when I asked her to show me her big brown eyes.

This One

Has been a little heathen tonight. I am worn out and hoping for a better day tomorrow.

Up Next

I finished The Turmoil last night, which I really liked and got me excited to read The Magnificent Ambersons. But first I'm reading Hopeless by Colleen Hoover, which my sister recommended to me nearly a year ago. Will let you know what I think.

Christmas Toys

Sweetest Profile

A Day at the Zoo

The girls and I went to the Lowry Park Zoo today and had a great time wandering around together and watching all the different animals. The girls' favorite things were the giraffes and riding on the carousel. I enjoyed watching the lemurs and seeing all the animal babies (a pygmy hippo baby, two baby rhinos and a baby orangutan).