Birthday Fun

Let's be honest, having a birthday in January is a real bummer. Everyone has just celebrated Christmas and is kind of over celebrating. We have all eaten too much and now on a diet and spent too much money. Not to mention, it is freezing cold! But oh well, every year, it always falls in January (imagine that!) and we try the make the most of it and celebrate anyway. This year, with the day falling on a Friday, I tried to stretch it out all weekend but not sure the rest of the family was on board for that:)

Friday night, Mike and I went out and had a date night at Ruth's Chris. Our amazing friends offered to babysit the girls for us as a birthday gift so we wouldn't have to pay a sitter. It was amazing of them and the girls had a blast. And yes, we all ended up in black and white outfits before we left so I snapped a quick picture. 

We haven't been to Ruth's Chris in ages and the food was to die for! I never eat a big steak unless we are eating at someplace like this because they just do it right. Our steaks were so delicious and so were the sides and yummy champagne and wine! It's only your birthday one day a year so you have to do it up right!

 Saturday, Mike and the girls got up and made me breakfast and then I got some alone time to go shopping and get a pedicure, such a treat! That night, we went out with a bunch of parents from Ella's class to Olde Mecklenburg Brewery. Sadly, I didn't take a single picture all night but we had a great time and such a great venue for a big group. Can't wait to go back once the weather is nicer and we can sit outside.

Sunday was devoted to football. Our good friends, the Dobsons came over to watch the games. The weather this weekend was amazing so we sat out on the porch with the fire and tv going and it was heavenly. Of course the highlight for me and E was this little peanut. She is seriously the cutest little baby ever!

 I mean, check out that adorable outfit she is wearing and those big blue eyes!!

 The big kids loved jumping and playing on Mr Ben. Ellie is applying fake make up to MG in case you are wondering the funny face.

 After lots of hours of football, they got bored and decided to watch Frozen (something new) on the phone instead.

 All in all, it was a good weekend spent with the ones I love the most. We also spent a lot of time outside playing since the weather was so nice and by the end of the weekend, I could tell this one was exhausted. She NEVER naps anymore but fell right asleep this day. I love a sleeping child picture all the time, so sweet and peaceful.

Next up, MG turns 3 in February! I can hardly believe my little baby will be 3 already. More fun times to come!

Hennessy Holidays - Final Chapter

Whew, I am wrapping up the final part of our holidays. After days and days of rain and cold right before Christmas, what we arrived to in Seabrook was amazing! Beautiful blue sky and warm weather. As soon as we got out of the car (and we were all ready to get out), we went straight for the beach. It has been a full year since we have been back at Seabrook and I couldn't wait to get there and see this amazing view again.

 The girls couldn't wait to get out and see the sun and stretch their legs as well.

 The sunsets every night were out of this world. My Dad taught Ella when she was about 2 or 3 that sunsets are "very special." Now every time she sees a sunset, she says "let's call Papa and tell him we saw a special sunset."

 The next morning we had Christmas #2 with my parents and brother and Ms Laura. The girls got spoiled again. Uncle Court had to get Ella a bigger Georgia jersey since she grew out of her last one. I think it was their good luck charm in the bowl game.

 Once again, this little girl was all about her Papa and wanted him to help her open all her presents.

 Ella loved her umbrella that Ms Laura brought back from the Great Wall of China and Maddie loved her baby doll bjorn carrier!

 We had a HUGE surprise for the girls. We planned a big trip for them in late April. We are going on a Disney cruise with my parents for 4 nights and then Disney World for another couple nights after that. I ordered them monogrammed minnie shirts and The Little Mermaid DVD (because we are staying in a Little Mermaid room in Disney.) Below they are opening the DVD and then a sequence of photos of figuring it out. We captured it all on video and it is priceless. 

 The weather the entire time we were down there was AMAZING. Bright blue skies, warm 65-70 degree temps during the day. On Saturday, my Dad surprised Court and Mike and they went and golfed at the Ocean Course at Kiawah so we had a girls day. We went to lunch at our favorite restaurant and sat outside in December, heavenly.

 The restaurant is genius, they serve the kids meal in a frisbee so after the kids eat, they can run around on the grass and play while the adults finish eating or sitting longer and having some cocktails.

 The guys golfing, they had such a great day.

 Spending late afternoons running around on the beach while the sun was setting is the absolute best. Love seeing my girls with their grandparents is the absolute best!

 This little girl is slaying me in these pictures, her sassiness and funny sense of humor comes through so clearly!

 I told you these two were inseparable this trip!

 Hey blue eyes!

 Our final day at the beach was a house divided. The Panthers vs The Falcons and winner goes to playoffs and losers go home so we dressed up in our team colors.

 Eating ice cream outside in short sleeves in 70 degrees is a dream! And the Panthers won the game!!

 We had such an amazing time at the beach and were sad to say goodbye...

 but we came back to home to Christmas #3 with Mike's parents and grandparents. Mike's parents went all out and built the girls the most amazing dollhouse I have ever seen. They got a very rough idea from the Pottery Barn Kids one but made it so much better. My mother made curtains and rugs for the room and it even has hardwood floors on the bottom floor! I would want to move into this house. We told the girls to close their eyes for the big reveal!

All of the rooms were fully furnished and it is amazing!

Playing in the new house with Grandma and Grandpa. It is such a special gift since they made it all and one I know the girls will treasure for a long time.

 The girls with Mike's grandmother. She gave them each some money, hence why they are holding cash in their hands. 

 When the college football bowl game schedule was announced, we found out that Georgia was playing Louisville in the Belk bowl in Charlotte on the 30th. Since Court and Laura both went to Georgia and Laura grew up in Louisville and loves them also, they wanted to go. We were lucky enough to have Mike's parents and grandparents in town to watch the girls so we were able to attend the game with them. It was a frigid night but a big win for the Bulldogs!

 We got a special treat and were able to go out on the field during the second half and even got our picture taken with the famous UGA (Georgia's mascot)

 It was such a fun night and we treated it like our New Years Eve since we didn't have big plans for the next night. 

Whew, I am tired just looking over those pictures again but also so happy remembering all the fun times that were had. We were grateful being able to see so much family but we did miss seeing Mike's sister and brother and their families. I can say the girls had an amazing Christmas and I really hope that despite all the presents and gifts, they will also remember all the fun family time that was spent together as well. Now onto to 2015! I already know 2015 will be a big year with our big Disney trip this spring and then Ella starting kindergarten in the fall, so much to look forward to!

Hennessy Holidays Part Two

I am so behind on blogging and editing pictures from December. It is hard for me to believe that is already January 5th but I am finally digging out from the fog of the holidays to sit down and post. We had such a great December, we soaked up every minute of it. It was busy and hectic but I wouldn't change it for anything.

At preschool, they have a day when all the children get together and they sing and dance. This is for kids only and no parents are there but both of the girls teachers texted me pictures of them. Both said that the girls found each other and had to sit together. Seeing this just absolutely melts my heart. They are truly the best of friends right now and trust me, I know there will be tough times to come and they will have their fights, but right now in this moment, I love it. (And I love pigtails a lot also!!)

 And then this happened. One of our friends from preschool always hosts a party with some other friends and Santa comes to their house. I love this so much better than the mall, so much less crowded and no wait time. And let's be honest, I knew this would happen so who wants to wait around. But with all that being said, I also love a screaming Santa picture. Ella, she was all about it. MG, well, she wanted out of there as soon as possible! I love everything about the picture, MG red faced and escaping while trying to take Santa's beard with her and Ella completely laughing as if to say to Santa "yeah Santa, she is always like this but it won't affect my presents, right?"

 After Maddie left, Ella hadn't finished telling Santa everything on her list. #1 this year was Isabelle, the American Girl doll of the year.

 On a special Saturday afternoon, Ella and I had a girls day with one of her besties and her Mom. We went to lunch and then to see the Nutcracker. I called this Nutcracker Light because it was done at the local college and was an abbreviated version. Since she is only 5 and the tickets to the other one are super expensive, we went to the short one this year. She loved it and it was such a fun afternoon!

 One of my favorite things during the entire season is a children's program at our church. The children all come dressed as their favorite nativity character and then as they tell the Christmas story and your character is introduced, you can go onstage. Last year E was an angel but this year she wanted to be Mary. Let's be honest, sewing is not one of my strengths but we couldn't find a blue dress so I had to buy blue fabric and then cut it to make it look like a makeshift dress and veil. It was far from perfect but she loved it.

 Maddie was not into dressing up and was happy to sit with us but we did see our good buddy Ellie, who was an angel.

 For some reason, I was in charge of planning both girls class parties this year. How did that happen? Luckily they fell on different days and both went well. This little one loved having me in her class and I loved seeing her with her friends. She is one of the oldest in her class and her teachers say she is a "little mommy", I would call it more like a "little bossy pants" but either way, she keeps tab on everyone! 

 I mean, this face is too much! I can't believe this little thing will be 3 in less than 2 months?!?!

 E's party was a big hit also and was honestly the best preschool party I have ever attended. I think it has something to do with the fact that it is TK and they are all 5 and so know how to act and also the fact that her teachers are amazing. Either way, it was fun and we had a reindeer food bar for the kids...

and a letter to Santa writing station.

 Mike was even able to sneak away from work for a little bit to come help celebrate. And they made those sweet reindeer hats by tracing their hands.

 All of the children sang us the sweetest songs, hearing their sweet innocent voices was the best! I just love this sweet preschool and her sweet friends this year. It's hard to believe the school year is hardly half over.

Rudolph

Then Christmas break started!!

 Baking oreo truffles for the neighbors with the best sous chef around. And if she insists on wearing reindeer ears, you do what she asks!

 We still had a few bucket list items to check off our list before the holidays and seeing the bears was one and checking out the edible life size gingerbread house inside the Ritz.

 It was amazing, truly amazing!

 Cheering on the Panthers all the way to the playoff. #keeppounding

 Awww, be still my beating heart! Our good friends had the sweetest and cutest baby girl and on Christmas Eve, E and I got to go meet baby Kate! Seeing Ella with her makes me so proud, she loves on that baby so much. I have to admit, it does for a split second make me want to have a third because I know Ella would be such a helper and seeing there is just something so amazing about a newborn. But, then I come home and I am chasing around my 2 year old so she can go on the potty and I am reminded that we are done! But we will be happy to borrow Kate all the time!

 Sorry for that tangent, back to Christmas. Of course we had to bake cookies on Christmas Eve for Santa. These two were serious about their baking.

 Post Christmas Eve church service

 Typically it is only the four of us Christmas Eve and Christmas morning but this year my parents came up to spend the night and day with us and it was so much fun!

 Leaving cookies and milk for Santa

 E's note "Dear Santa

Ella + Maddie

I love u

Enjoy the cookies + Milk

Like reindeer food"

 The next morning, the girls slept until the usual, 7:30 and came in our room. Our first stop was outside to see if Rudolph and his buddies enjoyed the reindeer food she left!

 And this picture sums it up! Jumping for joy that Santa came! In our house, Santa wraps all the presents in special paper so she went into check that he came and then we ate a quick breakfast and got coffee and waited for DeeDee and Papa to get ready to open presents.

 This little one was so funny! She would honestly have been happy with one present!

 And this one was tearing through the presents!

 The highlight, Santa brought her Isabelle!

 and a new camera!

 She was happy to just sit with Papa and read her new Minnie book than open more presents

 and she just wanted to love on Isabelle

 And when she got matching dresses, she changed quicker than she ever had before (Side note: on Christmas Eve after church, the girls set up an obstacle course and E tripped and scrapped her cheek on our stone fireplace. It looked awful but she was such a trooper and never let it damper her spirits but that is what you see on her right cheek.)

 After we finished opening Santa presents, we all packed up the car to head down to Seabrook with my parents and to meet Uncle Court and Ms Laura.

Ok, that was definitely enough for one post, part three of Seabrook and Hennessy visit will be coming soon. Happy New Year everyone!!