To Grandma's house we go . . .

After we opened gifts at our house, we quickly got everyone ready and packed the car and headed to my parents . . . or as the kids call them "NeNe and Papa's".

We arrived there at lunch and my mom had fixed a yummy Christmas dinner- ham, mac 'n cheese, baked beans, green beans, rolls, potato salad . .. MMMMMMMmmmmmm!!!

My sister and her family were there as well.

The Yacoviello Family Photo

Cousins- Allison, Carlee, Camille, Marshall and Nicholas

Carlee checking out the name tags on NeNe and Papa's gifts.

Carlee opening a gift from her NeNe and Papa!

What could it be?????

Wow!!! A doll bed . . . just what I wanted!

A princess drawing board from Aunt Nancy and Uncle Larry!

So cool!

And what did Nicholas get????

A really cool truck that lights up and makes noises!!!!

Camille really didn't know what to do with the gifts and all the paper!

Aunt Nancy helped her open her tickle Elmo doll that NeNe and Papa gave her.

She seemed to like him . . .

She just watched him as he laughed and tumbled!

This little red guy is pretty funny!

We gave NeNe some new gold earings that we helped Mommy pick out!

She really liked them!

We gave Papa some clothes and cologne.

This was actually quite humorous! My sister wanted to add to my Dad's coin collection . . . she got him the Obama coin that just came out!

I don't think he was too thrilled with it! We got a good laugh though! :)

DECK THE HALLS . . .

This is our house all decked out for Christmas! Ok, so for those of you who know my dad, my lights don't compare to his . . . but at least our house is festive!

Some of our inside decor . . . the stockings and below is the tree.

There is a story behind this tree-

We usually do the fake Christmas tree thing. However this year, since we were going to be at home, Dan convinced me to try a REAL tree. I was a bit stubborn about the idea at first. However, I did enjoy it after we put it up and decorated it!

Ok, since I mentioned my dad's lights . . . I tried taking pics while we were down there visiting. They didn't come out too great since it decided to start raining, but this will give you an idea of just how "into it" he gets! :)

Let's just say he puts out a FEW lights!

It's Christmas . . . and who exactly is Santa???

Santa . . . I never really cared for the oversized man dressed in red! I was terrified of him as a child, so I don't think I even had one picture of me when I was a kid sitting on his lap! As for Dan, he believed.

Carlee took interest in Santa last Christmas when she was 3. She looked forward to seeing him at the mall- ok, so she sat on his lap like 4 times! That was the first year she actually sat on his lap without screaming! As for Nicholas, he wouldn't even let us get a picture with Santa this year! TERRIFIED! He does seem interested in him but just doesn't want to get too close! :)
When Camille sat on his lap, she took one good look at the size of his belt buckle and that was it!

I asked Carlee who Santa was and what he does. Her response was, "He comes to your house when you fall asleep and puts things in your stocking." When I asked Nicholas, he really didn't know. He just likes to talk about Santa because he sees him on TV.

Kids say the cutest things!

The kids have enjoyed watching all of the special Christmas movies that have come on TV . . . Charlie Brown Christmas was definitely a favorite!

We were returning home from a morning of running a few last minute Christmas errands and Nicholas said, "I wanna watch 'A Charlie Brownie Christmas'. " It was too cute!

"Fa lalalala . . . la la la la!"

Christma Childrens Choir at Church

December 7, 2008

Carlee is involved in our childrens choir at church. They sing several times a year in

the main auditorium.

She looks forward to going to choir each week!

She is in the very middle on the second row.

Jolly Old St. Nicholas . . . or not so jolly!

A Visit to See Santa ~ December 6, 2008

Carlee was excited, as she was last year, to go see Santa. Nick didn't like him last year, but

this year had asked to see him as well . . . we thought that maybe this year he is older and not as scared of him. We waited in line and when it was finally our turn Nicholas screamed and took off, clinging to his daddy! Camille took one look at Santa and decided she didn't like him either!

We took the kids to a different part of the mall where Santa sits in the big green chair and reads a story. Nick and Camille were very happy to be far from Santa!

I got several good pics here!

Thanksgiving 2008

I love Thanksgiving! It is one of my favorite Holidays!

I just love being around family!

We made our annual trip down to Columbia for Thanksgiving.

It is always so much fun . . . my parents always have some friends up that our family has known for years. My dad, Charles and Stanley always have so much fun joking with each other.

The kids had a great time as well. We woke up to the smells of a turkey cooking in the oven . . . MMmmmm!!! I made my side dishes along with some homemade dinner rolls.

The kids enjoyed watching the Thanksgiving Day parade.

Around 4pm or so, my sister and her family came over. The kids had fun playing together!

Mom's decrated dinner table!

Camille enjoying her First Thanksgiving eating some yummy Sweet Potatoes!

Nicholas loved the food . . . he ate all of it! His favorite was the pink "fluff"!!! (mine too)!

Camille sitting with her Papa.

Marshall could not wait to hold Camille. It was so cute!

I had to take a picture of course!

Cousins . . . Marshall and Allison (my sisters children) and then Nicholas, Carlee and Camille.

(This was taken at the end of the day so all the kids were looking a bit rough)



THE RIVER WALK in Columbia

We decided to get out and enjoy the beautiful sunshine and close to 70 degree weather!

My dad and I along with Dan, Nick and Carlee decided to go down to the River Walk. It is a path that follows the River in Columbia. It is really nice!

Dan and the kids enjoying the walk.

The bridge going into Downtown Columbia.

Carlee being silly!



This was too cute . . . I just couldn't pass it up!

Dan and I went out shopping to a few stores. When we arrived back at my parents, Nick was outside

helping my dad in the yard (imagine that . . . Dad working in the yard!).

I saw them walking and I ran out and took a picture!