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Sunday, December 28, 2008

Christmas with both families

Christmas with the Mautz Family:

We left for Athens on Tuesday and had a wonderful Christmas with family. On Christmas Eve Rob, Matt & I went to church while Mimi & Pops watched Ansley :) We ended up going to the Children's service and it was quite comical but sweet at the same time. It made me think of the day that Ansley will be one of those kids singing on Christmas Eve for everyone...

On Christmas day we woke up early to open gifts. We needed to leave Athens by 12 so we could get to my parents house in Atlanta to have Christmas with the Willson Family. There were a ton of gifts under the tree so it took us quite some time to open them all. Ansley was spoiled rotten by Santa & everyone else :) As for Rob and I, our favorite gift from Mimi was a painting she did of Ansley from Harbor Springs. For those of you who don't know, Mimi (Rob's mom) is an amazing artist (we have several paintings of hers hanging in our house)! She has never done a portrait before, but all I can say is WOW! I started to cry when I saw the painting, because I knew she had never painted someone's portrait so it meant a lot to me for her to do that. This is such a special gift and we can't thank you enough Mimi! I will definitely take a picture of it, for you all to see.

We want to thank Mimi, Pops, Uncle Boo, and Gammie for a wonderful Christmas. We love you!

Here are some of my favorite pictures from the Mautz Family Christmas. I took a ton so I am only posting my favorites :)

Ansley concentrating on her MarkersAnsley loves to wear Mimi's glasses

Christmas Eve lunch out at the Athens Country Club

Uncle Boo & Ansley

Christmas Eve after Church

Opening Ansley's birthday gifts from the Mautz's....notice the glasses (she is going to have the worse vision)

One of her favorite gifts from Mimi & Pops (AKA Santa)

such a happy girl!

playing with her "Tickle Me Elmo"

walking in Mimi's shoes

Ansley's very own high-heel shoes


Christmas with the Willson Family:

After we opened gifts at the Mautz's, we drove to Atlanta to have Christmas with my family. I know it is always hard for the family that doesn't get Christmas morning, but it is still great to be able to spend Christmas with both families. We are very fortunate that our families only live a little over an hour away from one another.

When we got to my parent's house, Great-Granmommy, Kelly, Brent, Madison & Hailey were there. Rob has never met Hailey and it had been a year since he had seen Kelly, Brent & Madison so it was great to all be together again. Madison was my dad's little helper this year, she distributed all the gifts to everyone. She did such a great job! Ansley didn't want to have anything to with that part and just wanted to snoop at what was under the blanket. Santa (AKA Nan & Pop Pop) had left a kitchen for Ansley. Madison & Ansley were both excited about this gift and really didn't care too much about the others, they were busy playing in the kitchen. Ansley and Madison get along so well, they really are like sisters. They do not get to see each other often but they are best of friends!

We are so fortunate to have such loving parents who still want to give us special gifts and spoil our children for us :) We love you so much!

We were definitely all wiped once the day was over. And to think, we still had more gifts to open the next day for Ansley's birthday....

And here are some of my favorite pictures from the Willson Family Christmas:

sweet Hailey

Me & Hailey

Ansley & Maddie checking out the kitchen

two peas-in-a-pod

Madison giving the tree "huggies"

giving kisses (notice Madison giving some tongue action, HA!)

Hailey chuckles like Ansley, she is just so sweet!

5 comments:

Kelly and Brent said...

What great pictures! I want some of them (of the girls and the last one of Hailey). We had so much fun with you guys and Maddie kept talking about everyone the whole way home. :) So glad the girls got to play a lot this trip, just wish the weather was better for them.

Can't believe we aren't going to see you guys for three months! :( Maybe we will have to make another trip to Atlanta before then so we can play and visit with everyone.

Anonymous said...

merry christmas!! it was so great to see you guys :)

i just can't wait to see mimi's painting!!

Anonymous said...

Christmas this year was the best ever! We loved every minute of having y'all here with us. I have my charm on my bracelet and I just love it! Sure wish I could have seen the 'cuzes' playing together....they do seem like two peas in a pod! Thanks for making the effort to get to all of us....I know it ain't easy! love, Mimi

The Nortons said...

You guys looked very busy over the holidays, but I know its so worth every minute! Love the pics!! My fav is Ansley with the glasses....too sweet!! Happy New Year to you guys!!

Katie Tucker said...

In the third to last pic, Ansley and Maddie look like sisters!!! Glad you got to spend Christmas with both families. Sounds like a blast and Ansley got some great stuff:)