Christmas with the Aamoths

We had our fourth and final Christmas celebration on Sunday the 27th at my mom and dad's house in Watkinsville. After brunch, gifts, and dinner, a few people attempted to figure out the rules to The Game of Life. For those of us who played the game as kids, the rules seemed much more complicated than we remembered. I can hear myself now..."Back when I was a kid, Life was so simple!"

Natalie napping in Mommy's new Ergo.

Diesel protecting his Christmas present.

Mom opening her new sewing machine. I can't wait for my sewing lessons, Mom!!

Natalie opening gifts with Peepah.

Post-meal relaxation time.

Christmas Day with the Rigdons

On Christmas Day, the three of us drove to Aunt Amy and Uncle Kyle's house in Powder Springs to celebrate with the Rigdon side of the family. It was nice to see everyone and we especially enjoyed meeting cousin Lisa for the first time. Here are some pics from Christmas Day:

Unfortunately, this was the best family photo. Natalie was beginning her melt-down sequence at this point.

4/5ths of the Williams boys.

Everyone "helping" Uncle Scott pick up wrapping paper.

The newest additions to the Rigdon clan: Lisa and Natalie

Sweet Lisa taking a night-night.

Christmas Eve With the Brays

Allen and I hosted Christmas Eve with the Bray side of our family this year. It was the first time we have been able to have Allen's entire family over all at once. After dinner, Porter and Gracie serenaded us with a few Christmas carols and then we opened gifts by the fire. Here are a few pictures from the evening:

Uncle Eric was especially fond of Natalie's giraffe.

Baxter got into the Christmas spirit by enjoying some of Allen's eggnog.

Meega and Pop Pop with their grands.

The kids with their new cashmere scarves.

Going Bananas

Who doesn't like bananas? They're cheap, healthy, sweet, and filling! Well, apparently Natalie doesn't like bananas. At least not on the first go-round. She wasn't digging the plain bananas, so I mixed them with the rice cereal. She wasn't easily fooled. That's our girl!

Christmas with the Gastons

On Sunday we spent the evening at GABY's (Great Aunt Betty's ) with the Aamoth/Few/Gaston/Johnson clan. We spiced up the annual white elephant exchange this year by exchanging bar essentials instead of Christmas ornaments. It was a lovely evening filled with food, family, and festivity. We're looking forward to the other family get-togethers this week!

Sally and Natalie with Katie, Ryan, and Raleigh from Texas


Natalie having fun with Peepah.


Granddaddy, Mema, Mom, and Dad.

lNatalie hanging out with sweet Raleigh.

Mom, cousin Jo, and Dad.

Ryan, Katie, and Kelsey.

Allen and our hostess with the mostess - Great Aunt Betty Jo Bob.

Visit With Santa

Santa made a special stop this morning at our neighborhood's swim and tennis center. Natalie wasn't scared of him at all and got a nice, big handful of his beard at one point. I'll be curious to see what happens next year. Something tells me that it may not go as smoothly.

Let's Get Cereal

Natalie had her first experience with baby food this morning. I made some rice cereal by grinding organic brown rice into a powder, cooking it on the stove top with water, and then thinning in with milk. As much as I love to cook, you didn't think I'd just buy a box of instant baby rice cereal, did you?

It's hard to say whether or not she liked it. She didn't make too many funny faces and she would open her mouth for more, so I guess we will give it another shot tomorrow morning. If all goes well, over the next few weeks we'll add banana, avacado, and sweet potato to the menu. Yum!

First bite, here we go!

Hmmm...that's different.

All gone!

That wasn't so bad!