Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night...

CHRISTMAS EVE

We started Christmas Eve festivities by eating lunch with the Allsopp's. It was so nice to have a slighty expanded dinner party. Lily provides the sweetest entertainment and we were so glad to welcome Uncle Mike to his first holiday with our family.
We had a fabulous time and Lily enjoyed eating BBQ, singing and dancing and the silver tree!!!

Granddaddy is particulary fond of aluminum Christmas trees because it was popular in is childhood, the 60's. It was introduced to him by his favorite cartoon Tom & Jerry! I'm sure Lily is not too far from some Saturday morning cat and mouse cartoons!

Around the tree features a choo choo train. Lily is a master train conductor.

Sounding all the bells and whisltes...

Lily in her Christmas Eve dress.

We tried really hard but this was the best picture we could get in front of our tree.

Christmas Eve dinner was enjoyed with the Sullivans. Great company, good food and lots of laughs (if you're at the right table)!!!

Lily and cousin Barbara. Paper crowns from Christmas poppers is my favorite part of  Gigi's Christmas dinner!!

We were so thankful to have all of our families together to enjoy this special evening. Every part was so wonderful and we love you all! Merry Christmas!

Lily meets Santa

Tuesday Lily and the family woke up early to go get in line at the Brookwood Mall and meet Santa. It was a GREAT time! I'm not totally certain Lily is aware of the story of the magical jolly Kris Kringle but she was surely impressed by getting to sit on the Santa's lap and admire his lavish attire. The whole experience was a little too short but she had a blast during her turn to sit with Santa and and watch goofy ladies dance and sing in an attempt to get the perfect smile for the best picture. It worked!!!

Lily even had time to do some last minute shopping at the mall.

(came scarily close to broken merhandise and some unexpected purchases)

Lily thinking really hard about what to ask Santa for Christmas.... Waiting in line for Santa...In a new Christmas dressMrs. Claus was the greeter at the gate. Lily walked right up to her and made great friends. She particularly loved the pretty red dress. Lily thought she would give it a few swings to see if it would swoosh like hers. Lily and Santa."He does exist..." Lily met a few other young souls eager to see Santa. MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

Lily Goes to a Wedding

Lily's Aunt Kate got hitched. This was a BIG event in the land of Lily. Aunt Kate met a boy named Michael in the magical land that is Auburn where both attended college. Michael proposed to Katie last Thanksgiving with a Christmas tree and lights, white daisies, and lots of candles (only seen in movies). After a year of tedious planning and sweet anxiety, it was time for Katie and Mike to tie the Knot!!! Friday the wedding party gathered at the church to rehearse 'the walk' and lay the *ground rules* this was followed by a amazing dinner with close family and friends at the Veranda. There was good company, great food, reminiscent picture shows and plenty of memorable dancing.

Some of the lovely bridesmaids.After the rehearsal many guests gathered at Bottega, a wonderful restaurant and bar right down the street. Everyone got a little time to get know each other and all the out of towners had a chance to do some catching up.

As the night wrapped up the SNOW began to fall. That rights... only on my sister's wedding night would it SNOW in Alabama. It was fantastic!

Everyone got to stand out stand with our mouths open wide.... ah ah ah ah ah!

It made such a romantic touch to see off the happy couple before the big day!

I was delighted to be Katie's Matron of Honor!!The Big Day!

The ground was dusted in snow and smiles were seen all around. It couldn't have been a more picture perfect wedding!

The beautiful bride!It was the perfect time of year to have a wedding. The church was already adorned in Christmas decorations. It was beautiful to have to the big Christmas tree and all the seasons greenery.This bride was ready to run...

Well kinda... she stayed put until the "I do's" but she was presented in her Nike tennis shoes. Yes. You are reading this right... My sister walked down the isle in her wedding in these lovely sneakers. I guess you could say she has a heart of gold and body of steel. Katie ran her first marathon (26.2 MILES) across San Fransisco for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. These shoes made it every last step and down the isle....Lily and Aunt KateBeautiful bridesmaids The Guest of Honor!I just love this picture.... Katie and Michael saying their vows....You may kiss your bride... Mr. and Mrs. Michael Thomas
The Reception.

Some of the cutest guest... Katie's first grade students stayed up past bedtime to come to Mrs. Thomas' wedding.

(Do they give extra credit in 1st grade?)

The CUTEST guest!She did her share of partying at the reception. She put a BIG dent in the wedding cake and socialized like a star!!! Happily Ever After.

Katie and Michael made their get away down a isle of sparklers... EXCITING!

CONGRATULATIONS Aunt Kate and Uncle Mike!!!!

December 5, 2009