WELCOME 2007!!

I have decided to "give in" (to myself :-) and create a blog! We make memories with Mattie and Grace on a daily basis and since it's next to impossible to call everyone and update you when we hit a "milestone", I figured this would be the easiest way to do it! Bare with me though! This is ALL new to me, so here goes ......

We celebrated Christmas in a BIG way this year and boy was it fun! The first year we thought the girls would actually realize what was going on, and, well ..... lets just say maybe next year they will have an even better idea of what is going on! They definitely knew there were new toys when we turned the corner and walked into the living room Christmas morning, but, of course they were not able to put two and two together and realize that the big man with the white beard they had been talking about for the past 5 weeks was the jolly ole' fellow that had left all those goodies! They were able to recognize Santa by the end of the season, and still call him out whenever they see anyone with a white beard, "ho, ho!" they say. It is so sweet! In order to carry on my family Christmas traditions, which I have followed since I'm able to remember, we did a lot of "traveling" over the course of the two days. I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world! In addition to our normal Christmas traditions, we were so blessed to have Geoff's sister and brother-n-law (better known as Nana and Z.O. :-) and our niece, Carol, here for Christmas. It was wonderful! They really enjoyed seeing the girls reactions to everyting Christmas morning! Thank goodness they were able to help Santa until 2am putting things together! And, of course, once again, they spoiled the girls ... just a little bit! They gave them their first tricycles! They are so fitting too .... pink and purple. The girls will have to grow a little length wise before they are able to ride them, but they still love to get up on them, which they do all alone, and act like they are riding them! We also enjoyed the company of papaw (my dad) all day Chrsitmas Day! We love our papaw!

We rang in the New Year like parents of 15 month old twins are suppose to ring in the New Year! We made it to midnight (barely), gave each other a New Years kiss and then off to bed shortly after! You see, we've gotten wiser in our nearly year and a half of parenting. Grace and Mattie rise as usual no matter what time you go to bed! So its much easier, and makes for a much better day the next day, to go to bed early because no matter what, they are getting up early! Nonetheless, it was a great New Years Eve, maybe not one for the memory books, but good!

So now, it's life back to normal. Geoff is totally back to work after having a couple of light work weeks with the holidays. Now is the time we want to start Christmas traditions with the girls, so it was nice to have him around more during the Christmas season. Our family along with my sister, her husband and my nephew, Chandler went to see Santa and then over to Lenox and rode the Pink Pig. We all had such a good time and hope to carry on this tradition for many years to come. I remember riding the Pink Pig when I was a little girl. It has changed tremendously, nothing at all like it used to be. But the girls loved it and their little faces were priceless!

Well, I will close for now. I hope to learn more about blogging and I will try to get some pictures up soon! Lord knows I take plenty! Thanks for logging on!

Psalm 4:7 " You have filled my heart with greater joy ......"

Julie, Geoff and the girls