Christmas Night

We always go over to Grandmama & Tim's house for one last round of presents and Christmas dinner. Kate had a blast opening presents and playing with her new toys!

Woody!
Opening presents with her new slippers on.

More Christmas Morning

More from Christmas morning...

Sam did a scavanger hunt Christmas morning to surprise us with a trip to Disney World!

Trying on the Little Mermaid Jewelry
It started snowing Christmas morning!

Santa Came!

So, Kate must have been completely exhausted from all of the festivities leading up to Christmas morning, because Sam and I had to actually wake Kate up on Christmas morning. We had to coax her out of bed that there may be presents downstairs under the tree from Santa. After she finally got out of bed, she was so excited about her art easel, she didn't care about opening the rest of her presents for a while. We finally tore her away from it long enough to open up the rest of her stuff.

Cookies for Santa

Christmas Eve in Moulton

We always do Christmas Eve morning with Gran, Papa & the James'. The three little cousins have so much fun together! Kate loved her Snow White & Fancy Nancy dresses! We then headed up to MawMaw & Pawpaw's for the McWhorter Christmas Eve dinner before heading back to Birmingham. Kate loves playing with all of the McWhorter Great Grandkids!

Snow White trying on her dress.

2 Fancy Nancy girls and Cowboy Daniel

Look Mom - No Hands!

The McWhorter Great Grandkids patiently waiting to tear into presents!

Christmas Cookies!

Yum!

Winter Wonderland at McWane

We took Kate to the "Winter Wonderland" at the McWane Center. She had so much fun in the Snow Exhibit that when it was her time to exit so that the next group of kids could come in, I had to chase her around and catch her because she didn't want to leave. However, no Winter Wonderland could ever compare to the Aquarium on the lower level of McWane. Every time we go to McWane, I think she would spend hours down there if we let her looking & touching all of the fish. She loves her animals!

Sam & Kate driving the rocketship in the Mouse House at McWane.

Christmas with Grandpa & Linda

We kicked off the week of Christmas with Grandpa & Linda. Kate had a blast opening her presents and could not get over her doll house. It was a big hit! She was in heaven watching new Toy Story movies on her new sleeping bag next to her doll house. That was pretty much her set up for the next few days!

A pink tutu is a must for opening presents!

One happy dog!

Joining the Crowd

Grandpa and Linda came into town the weekend before Christmas to celebrate with Kate. For the past two years, we've braved the bustling crowds at the Galleria to ride the Reindeer Carousel and then on to Build-A-Bear. After three rounds on the carousel, Grandpa had to pry Kate off of Blitzen. She could have ridden it all day!

Waving to the crowds

Picking out her Rudolph at Build-A-Bear

The Build-A-Bear helper told Grandpa & Kate to hold Ruldoph's "heart" up to their heads to make sure Rudolph will always be smart before putting it in Rudolph.

Cleaning Rudolph so that he'll be ready to make the journey to our house.

Christmas Party

Kate's class has their Christmas Party and all the kids were bouncing off the walls by the time all of the sugar was consumed!

All Aboard!

Sunday night we went on the Polar Express with Gran & the James'. So much fun! Aside from the freezing cold weather, the snow flurries certainly set the mood for the Polar Express! Once we boarded the train, we headed for the North Pole to see Santa, Mrs. Claus and the elves. Kate started screaming and jumping up & down with excitement when she saw Santa & Mrs. Claus waving from the North Pole. After a visit with Santa, the elves had presents along with cookies & chocolate milk which Kate loved. I think that might have been the first time she's ever had chocolate milk. She slurped it down as fast as she could! What a fun night of train rides, Santa, Christmas carols, and treats at the North Pole!

Pure excitement the entire time! - even during a photo op with the Conductor

Riding to the North Pole

Pinkalicious Parties!

Happy 3rd Birthday Anna Kate! We had so much fun at your Princess Pinkalicious Party! Kate was all about putting on tutus, crowns and getting up on stage. What a fun party.

This picture makes me laugh - look at Anna Kate. She had had enough of sitting on the stage & being the center of attention! So funny. Kate, on the other hand, loved every minute of being on stage.